Warbird Information Exchange

OK...I can never be accused of being unprepared so here goes.

We're (Mrs. Mudge & I) planning our 2006 trips to "Thunder" and PoF airshows.
Would you troops be kind enough to give me the scoop on the best place for pictures. Is there a "flightline walk" type of activity? Seating areas? Should we bring our collapsable chairs? How early should we get there? All that kind of inside info that you "vets" have that would be helpful.
All info will be appreciated.

Mudge the prepared

ps. Also planning MAAM and Duxford but we've been to both so pretty much know the drill.

I can't help you with PoF, since that is a show I have never been to.

As for Thunder, hopfully the gents from the Yankee Air Museum can let us know if the flight line arrangement will change from last year. They loss their hanger to the fire last year, and it didn't change their layout last August, but you never know if they plan any changes to the arrangement of the display area. What they have done in the past works fairly well, but there are some challenges with sun position later in the day.

I'll contribute more if/when the Yankee gents contribute here.

Mike

_________________
Mike R. Henniger
Aviation Enthusiast & Photographer
http://www.AerialVisuals.ca
http://www.facebook.com/AerialVisuals

Do you want to find locations of displayed, stored or active aircraft? Then start with the The Locator.
Do you want to find or contribute to the documented history of an aircraft? If so then start with the Airframes Database.

There is no seating at TOM, I generally bring my folding chair. I'm not too sure why because I'm standing most of the time taking pictures. They have a "photo tour" that I may go for if I go back this coming year. You want to go into the main gate and head to the B-52D and get in that corner area for seating. Be there 1 hour before the gates open (9am) at the latest.

Have yet to go to POF airshow. I hope someday, I hear there is no seating there and last year it was a bit warm.

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www.tailhookstudio.com

Gates open at 9am at the POF airshow as I recall. Photograph the aircraft on the "hot ramp" before the crowds arrive (9-10am), then put your lawn chairs up front on the flight line to reserve your space. Or have the Mrs. (who may not care about the aircraft anyhow) lug the chairs onto the flight line right at 9am for you... There really is no good or bad place at POF as long as you are up front on the fence line.

It is usually hot and smoggy with little shade so dress and apply sunscreen as appropriate. Drink lots of water to prevent heat stroke.

You'll be parking the rental car in a (very dusty) dirt field and taking a tram about 2/3 of the way to the flight line. The rest will be on foot.

There is a lot of flying on Friday afternoon before the show as well (arrivals, press flights, flight tests, etc.).

One thing noone ever mentions about Chino... be prepared for that "country" air.

Mike

_________________
Mike R. Henniger
Aviation Enthusiast & Photographer
http://www.AerialVisuals.ca
http://www.facebook.com/AerialVisuals

Do you want to find locations of displayed, stored or active aircraft? Then start with the The Locator.
Do you want to find or contribute to the documented history of an aircraft? If so then start with the Airframes Database.

At POF try and get a spot just to the left side of the VIP tent. Most of the pilots will pause there briefly to wave at the crowd and fold or unfold wings on the naval a/c. There is usually a large group of shutter bugs at that spot.

Mrs. Mudge not interested in airplanes? À l'effet contraire mon ami.
She's the one who, at Duxford every year, as we're leaving on Sunday, says,
"I hope the weather's good for next year. Do you think you'll want to stay at the same place in Cambridge?"
When we started the airshow circuit about 6 years ago, she didn't know a B-17 from a Corsair. Now, although she doesn't always know the "make & model", she's waayyy better at it than she was. She'll stop at an a/c that has her puzzled and think about it and usually comes up with the correct ID. The lady has turned into an absolute warbird freak.

Mudge the fortunate

ps. I probably wouldn't go to all these things but she keeps dragging me with her.

What do you two eat on a regular basis? What is in your cupboards? What ever it is I gotta get me some of that!

Mike

_________________
Mike R. Henniger
Aviation Enthusiast & Photographer
http://www.AerialVisuals.ca
http://www.facebook.com/AerialVisuals

Do you want to find locations of displayed, stored or active aircraft? Then start with the The Locator.
Do you want to find or contribute to the documented history of an aircraft? If so then start with the Airframes Database.

If there is any way you can swing it try to be at the PoF airshow on the Friday before. That is when I've managed to get my best pics. Usually you can walk most of the airport without being shuffled around like cattle, which is how it will be during the show.

Mudge,
For TOM, the flightline is oriented North / South (at least it was last year). For the Saturday show, I paid my admission with the rest of the herd and found some shade under a wing and enjoyed the show (bring chairs and sunscreen). The aircraft pass in front of you in the usual display attitude.
For the Sunday show, I parked outside of the airport, along the North boundary of the show (Ecorse Rd) and was under the B-17's as they were making their display runs. A very interesting vantage point as the planes are making their turn for the run to show center. Also visible thru the perimeter fencing are some of the ground movements during the show.
The down side is that you don't support the show with $$$ (you can always make an extra donation on Saturday), miss the P.A. stuff, constantly have vehicles passing between you and the field, and have to look thru the fence at anything on the ground.
I'll probably do the same thing in 2006.

Also, try the Bomber resteraunt in Ypsilanti. Lots of WWII aircraft photos on the walls and pretty good food - omlets anyway.

Scott.

bdk inserts jealousy here

Heres what we did back in August.

We flew into Cleveland on friday morning. Drove to YIP and set up our chairs on the end of the runway at the NE corner of the airport. The pattern was really busy with Freight A/C all day. (Lear 24's to DC-8s)
we didnt see much action until about 4PM when the place was inundated with round engine airplanes. The sun was in a good spot for pictures but there were power lines to shoot around.
Saturday, we were in the sea of shutter clicks!
On the right side of the show line there is a spot of grass that juts out past the main ramp area that is closest to the main departure runway.
The airport is kind of goofy, the museum ramp runs perpendicular to the Left and Right, East/West runways. The main runway used for the show was at a 45 degree angle from close right to far left.
Sometimes there was traffic landing way off on the LH runway. (109 on Fri) and once in a while you would have traffic depart and land way off on the RH runway.
Parking was easily accessible from the ramp but the line to get through security was horrible at times. We kept the styrofoam cooler in the trunk loaded with ice from the hotel and bought a case of water bottles on friday night. It was well worth the walk.


Im trying to figure out where we will travel to for something different next year. We may be due for another Sun-n-fun trip to start off 2006

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"Hindsight is usually 20% off!"