Shaw Air Expo Review and Photos

[kalamazookid]

Yesterday I went to my first airshow of the season at Shaw AFB. Didn't really know what to expect having not been there before, but it was a very good show. Much less traffic and a sparser crowd than I expected with the Thunderbirds being there.

Got to meet Matt from Warbird Radio, went through the Berlin Airlift Foundation C-54 and the Warriors and Warbirds C-46.

Quite a few warbirds and military acts. The combined arms demo was neat and featured a Cobra flying FAC while three F-16s, two Strike Eagles and two A-10s performed attack runs and dropped flares. First time I've seen anything like that before. Also got my first look at the Geico Skytypers and was very impressed with their formation flying. John Mohr's Stearman act is always impressive and I am always amazed by the things he's able to make a stock PT-17 do. Scott Yoak flew a great demo in P-51 "Quick Silver" and Jim Tobul flew a nice solo in the F4U-4.

On the jet warbird side, there were two T-33 Demos- one by Fowler Carey in "Vintage Thunderbird" and the other by the Acemaker T-33- can't remember the pilot's name. I ended up leaving before the Thunderbirds flew- it was too freaking hot!

There was a 78th FG TF-51 that flew the Heritage Flight that I had not seen before, called "Bum Steer." It never got close enough for me to figure out an ID. Might be the Friedkin TF with nose art. Anyone know?

Typical good selection of statics for a military show- C-17, KC-10, KC-135, F-15E, A-10s, F-16s, F-22, etc. plus a good selection of warbird statics.

On to the photos:

























Really cool to see a Helio Courier on static:





















And some of the pointy-nose stuff:

[The Inspector]

Ah yes, The GEICO Skytypers, made me get up and go look in a box 'o' junk to find my embroidered MILLER SQUADRON wings, does that make old?

[K5DH]

Looks like a good selection of warbirds! The Helio is quite unusual these days.

Anyone else notice the dead guy under the left wing of the T-33?

[RareBear]

Saw the Berlin Airlift C-54 today at the airport in Florence, SC. I hadn't heard about the Shaw airshow, so I didn't know it was that close.

Walt

[Airlift48]

Our next stop is Peachtree Dekalb, then Andrews and Reading.

[RareBear]

Are you guys getting down Charleston way any time soon?

Walt

[JohnB]

I've never seen a civil U-10 warbird before...neat!

The T-33 is great....I wish the USAF has kept some as hacks.
And I wantto commend whoever keeps the AH-1around as a pet. It can't be cheap...but being basically Huey parts, hopefully they'll be around for awhile.

F-15s, 16s, 22s...zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. Okay F-22s are rare enough to keep me awake.

[Airlift48]

Dunno, Our schedule still has some holes.....you never know what will fill them.


KK

[kalamazookid]

I've never seen a civil U-10 warbird before...neat!

The T-33 is great....I wish the USAF has kept some as hacks.
And I wantto commend whoever keeps the AH-1around as a pet. It can't be cheap...but being basically Huey parts, hopefully they'll be around for awhile.

F-15s, 16s, 22s...zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. Okay F-22s are rare enough to keep me awake.

I believe the AH-1 is actually active USAF since it was part of the Combined Arms Demo. I could be wrong though. It just doesn't seem like a civilian-operated aircraft would be participating in a USAF FAC and simulated bomb run demonstration.

I too loved the paint scheme on the T-33. It's nice to see one in more traditional markings like that. I've seen those markings on another Cold War era jet before, but I can't place what unit it is. Minnesota ANG is ringing a bell for some reason, but that looks like the SAC patch on the tail and I'm not sure that would be present on an ANG bird. Anybody know for sure?

Also, the sign with the Courier said it had Vietnam history. Definitely a very cool warbird. I'd love to see more on the circuit. This one was very nice and well kept up- flat paint, complete interior, etc.

[JDK]

Nice report, thanks!

Any idea on the owner / serial of the Tiger Moth?

Regards,

[kalamazookid]

James,

The Tiger Moth is marked as PG621. I'm not sure whether that's the actual identity of the airframe or whether it is just marked that way- I didn't happen to get the civilian registration and it's obscured by shadow in my other photo. Airport-Data has PG621-81 registered as N28681 to Aero Nostalgia LTD of Mooresville, NC. The same site also has PG621-81 listed as being registered F-BDOK at one time. I would assume that the F-BDOK was a previous registration, but I am not sure how Airport-Data does their listings.

Hopefully this helps. It was a very good looking aircraft and actually the first Moth I've ever seen on the ground. All the others I've seen have been relegated to hanging in the rafters in museums.

[JDK]

Thanks, Matt!
Looks like the PG621 would've been its British military (probably RAF) serial. The F- is a French registration, obviously it went to France before going to the USA, this website ( http://www.dehavilland.ukf.net/p865.htm ) gives its Construction Number as 86530, and that it went to the French Air Force.. And yes, most Tigers should be flying, not hanging!

Cheers,

[mazdaP5]

Great pics, thanks for sharing!

[JohnB]

I believe the AH-1 is actually active USAF since it was part of the Combined Arms Demo. I could be wrong though. It just doesn't seem like a civilian-operated aircraft would be participating in a USAF FAC and simulated bomb run demonstration.

I don't think so.
The USAF never operated AH-1s...and the Army doesn't have any more either to the best of my knowledge (might have some for tests, but not combat units).

[Andy Marden]

The AH-1F was 80-23517/N517SF, operated by the Celebrate Freedom Foundation out of Columbia SC.
They had another in the static display, on a trailer.
Andy Marden