Warbird Information Exchange

Which one airshow would you WIXers think to be the best all-around warbird show or showing this year? I'm planning to attend possibly one of them and wonder who here has an idea of which would be best to attend for warbirds. Oshkosh, TOM, Geneseo, can't do em all. I will be in Michigan sometime after late spring for a few days thawing out a Swift. Going to attend Chino hopefully as well. From what I have seen over the years I still think Duxford is the one to not miss. Been there twice. very cool place and very nice airshow. Flying seems to be a little more radical there. Not in a bad way ...

M

What about the Mid Atlantic Air Museum World War Two show? A friend gows every year and thinks its great. Usually lots of interesting stuff plus lots of reenactors and vehicles. I keep saying I will go one year but so far no luck...

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"I can't understand it, I cut it twice and it's still too short!" Robert F. Dupre' 1923-2010 Go With God.

Geneseo. You could have the chance to meet me plus the possiblity of seeing a F6F Hellcat this year.

Cheers to Marks dad!

Oshkosh no doubt about it... Otherwise, Midland AIRSHO. Good Warbirds good people.

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Taylor Stevenson

Which one for warbirds?

Depends on your specific definition of a worthwhile time.
Each one has something to reccomend it and, perhaps in the eyes of some, reasons NOT to attend a particular one.

First, perhaps obviously: go to one you haven't gone to before. Of the five mentioned here, I am still trying to get to a Chino and a Duxford air show plus Thunder Over Michigan.

Second, what is your comfort level with the size of the airshow? Geneseo & Mid-Atlantic Air Museum's WWII Weekend are pretty manageable - not huge and enough activity & a/c to keep you busy.

Do you want to see more warbirds flying during the airshow or even more warbirds of various types? I suspect that Chino, while occasionally varying in their variety of flying types, may have a wider assortment in the air. I can't say that for a fact, but, living on the East Coast, I would certainly see more aircraft that do not cross the country.

If seeing lots of one warbird type, like Mustangs, is important to you, generally the largest gathering by type is Oshkosh. It is also one huge aviation event and not strictly an airshow. I can guarantee you will see a wider range of all types of a/c at OSH than you will see anywhere else - just not all Warbirds. Different strokes for different folks. I volunteer there every summer I can (10 so far).

Re-enactors your thing? MAAM & TOM are your best bets. I was totally enthralled with the MAAM WWII weekend encampments and the quality of the participants.

Personally, I tend to avoid airshows with the Military Exhibition Teams. Nothing at all against them: they are amazing displays and you should see them...once. However, if my schdule allowed me to go to TOM and one of the teams was appearing, I wouldn't let that stop me, since I have not been to TOM.

If seeing the very latest warbird restorations is important - tough to beat Oshkosh (because of their awards program).

Like I said at the beginning - Depends on your specific definition of a worthwhile time.

Hope this helps,
John

Hellcat,
If you need help with the Swift let me know.
Regards,
Mark

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Once you have tasted flight you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skywards... for there you have been and there you will long to return. Leonardo daVinci

Too early to tell. Wait until the web sites and rosters start to gel. At this point in the year, the only sure-fire hit is Oshkosh. TOM may be too jet oriented this year. Chino may have an off year with the Friedkin departures and no real theme. Midland, Reading, and Geneseo are down a tier from those shows, but keep an eye on the rosters of the latter two as they develop.

This summer I'm chasing airplanes rather than shows. Where will Jim B. take his Spitfire? Where will Vintage Wings take the Sabre? Those will be the shows I try to make.

August

Great replys, I like the idea of seeing a specific warbird somewhere. I'd like to find some of these P-51B's and C's ... Love to see "Boise Bee' somewhere if it's ready to display. I'd also like to see the MNUSAF, never been either, so I'm looking towards the midwest this summer possibly. Since I have to spend some business time there. Been to Oshkosh many times, but I would still go if I knew of something rare was showing up. Which usually does. Chino and Reno always work for me, but I need to try to get up in the Pacifc Northwest as well. Lot's of great stuff up there too.

Hellcat, if you make it to Geneseo, spend an extra day and take the 2-1/2 hour drive (from Geneseo) up to Hamilton, Ontario to visit the CWH. Especially if you've never seen the Lancaster or are interested in some British/RCAF type aircraft.

I guess it really depends on what you want to see. Obviously Oshkosh has everything but really lacks on the warbird flying. TOM is always a great show but doesn't get much of the small stuff. Geneseo has a good mix of every type of warbird, a very intimate friendly show with flying just about all day including a couple of non-warbird acts. As for Reading, I can't say since I've never been.

Any that has a good party afterwards!

They all do for me ... before, during and after ....

Huh? Grumman warbirds aren't enough of a theme?

The Friedkins still have some planes based at Chino, but what does that have to do with anything? The Friedkin Corsair was flown to Chino especially for the show last year. It's nice to have a little variety in life, no?

P.S. Get up close and personal with a C-17 this year. One will be available for cockpit tours and they will be doing a flying suquence during the show as well.

Geneseo is down a few tiers from those shows, that is what makes it my favorite!

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"Hindsight is usually 20% off!"

I don't consider MAAM an air show as such. Not many flying OR static a/c.

We're going this year but not to see the flying.

On a scale of 1 to 3, I'd say:
Duxford
Midland (although this rating is from reports only)
Chino

Mudge the selective

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Land of the free because of the brave

We had a similar discussion on another forum over which were the top ten shows to see before you quit. This was looking at vintage aviation (not just warbirds) with no bias to better flying or greater numbers attending - either or both is great. My list (mid 2007) was:

1. EAA Airventure, Oshkosh, USA
2. Shuttleworth (day or evening show) UK
3. Flying Legends, Duxford, UK
4. Reno, USA*
5. La Ferte Alais, France
6. Classic Fighters, Marlborough, NZ
7. Chino, USA*
8. Warbirds over Wanaka, NZ*
9. CAF 'Airsho' USA*

The ones with the * I've not seen, so it's secondhand info. You'll note it's global, not just USA as well, but AFAIK it's a small world. There's a lot 'bubbling under' for the no 10 spot.

HTH.

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James K

"Switch on the underwater landing lights"
Emilio Largo, Thunderball.

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