Only one day? !!!
i have been many times and had the misfortune of going for one day only a couple of years ago. Okay here's the deal. First go straight to the warbird area first. Take a brief look at anything that has an unusually large crowd around it. This means it is either something really special like the TP-51C , a Helldiver, or something no one new even knew still existed, let alone being restored. Or it means a Gunther Rall or BoB hoover type person is doing a tv interview in front of something they once flew. Great way to see some of the living legends.
2) then make a bee line to the hard surface parking where the jets and Bearcats park. They close this ramp all the time, so if you wait you may not get a look at something special like an FJ Fury or Panther. Don't slow down for anything common like an L-39. After looking at the jets, make your way to the fighters in the grass like P-40's and Spitfires, maybe a Corsair or two.
3) The bomber area in the grass is where you may find something on your "always wanted to see one up close" list. Ex; PBY catalinas, Or an Albatross, or Junkers Ju-52 or C-123 Provider. Not as crowded.
4) Then of course is the P-51, T-6 and T-34., T-28, and Yak parking. Many great aircraft, but you can see these at your local show. I usually only stop to admire the ones that are absolutely eye-popping knock outs and have a crowd of people around them. They often close these flightlines or the planes leave to do photo shoots and land elsewhere, so take time to see what you really want to see.
4) Walking down the flightline going south, you will be in front of the security fence, this takes you through the replica warbird area, the W.W.I replica area and the classic homebuilt area. (airplanes like the Dyke Delta and Rutan Variviggen.) NOt crowded and you are walking very close to the flightline and can see the show.
5) keep going until you get to airshow central. Take a good look at what they have on the hard surfaced area. These airplanes will be there all week. Might be a Connie, C-97, C-17, or something being phased out of the service like a C-141 or F-14, SOmetimes there's a Dauntless or some other fresh restoration in there and you don't want to miss it.
6) Continuing south is the Antique aircraft section with many airplanes you will fall in love with at first sight. Staggerwings , Howard DGA's and Stinson Gullwings that are restored to an unimaginably high level. Supple leather interiors and luxury. Some of the Beech 18's and Lockheed interiors are mouth watering not to mention the aircraft are gorgeous and look better than new on the outside. Lots of warbirds down here also. Primary trainers, like Chipmunks Buckers, Fleets, Ryans, Timms, Stearnans and Wacos. Many of these civvies had wartime roles too.
7) Continuing south is the antique transport parking (Grumman Mallards, Stinson Tri-motors, and DC-3's) also the classic airplanes are down this way.
From here you can progress further south to the ultralight field or catch a shuttle to the Seaplane Base. The seaplane base is awesome. They have good food, big shade trees and over a 100 seaplanes. I usually grab lunch under s shade tree, rest my feet and watch the water operations.
YOu will see everything from Cubs on floats to Seabees to grumman Widgeons or Albatrosses splashing right in front of you.
9) Back on the shuttle to the big field. Take time to think about the airplanes that "blew your mind" earlier in the day. I usually go back to those again for another look. Of course that means going back to the warbird line, and while there I try to make an effort to go thto the north east corner which is where all the L birds, trainers, liason etc are parked.
10) Usually a few of each Bt-13's Chipmunks, Navions, military Supercubs like the L-18 and L-21 and an occasional super rarity like a Pt-16, Bucker BU-181 Bestmann, Fieselor Storch, or Bf-108. Lots of really special airplanes in there. There are always a few imported airplanes that I get stumped on, like the Slingsby Firefly, Winjeel, IAR 823, Howard Nh-1 Nightingale, Yak-12 (PZL 101) or Stampe SVC mixed in with all the old favorites. great place to spend some time.
Skip the fly market and the new aircraft area as you don't have time. Best of luck, wish I was going.
Login
Register
FAQ
Search
Impressive! Good tips, thanks!
