My Central California Pilgrimage, Pictures (Reno Posted)

[mrhenniger]

Hello all.

You might remember that during the summer I was asking for help planning my trip to California and then Nevada for the air races...
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=36874
...it was an excellant trip. I would like to do it again next year if I can come up with the cash. I still haven't seen a Gold Unlimited final race yet.

Anyway... It has taken me a while, but I am finally getting around to uploading my photos. This thread will be a sort of photo essay of my trip. Feel free to post questions or comments.

Last edited by mrhenniger on Fri May 27, 2011 9:19 pm, edited 6 times in total.

[mrhenniger]

I flew into San Francisco late on September 9th. Despite getting to my hotel late and tired, I was still on eastern time, so I got up early, went to an Ihop for a brief breakfast then onto my first stop...
Aerial Visuals - Location Dossier - City College of San Francisco Airport Campus


Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star

It would seem this airframe was a training aid. What is left of it is not in good shape. The corrosion is bad.

Last edited by mrhenniger on Sun Nov 21, 2010 10:29 pm, edited 2 times in total.

[mrhenniger]

Unfortunately I was way ahead of schedule due to being up way too early. The next stop was the museum in Oakland...
Aerial Visuals - Location Dossier - Oakland Aviation Museum - 20 airframes
...I didn't want to wait for the museum to open so I just took what pictures I could over and through the fence. Not my best work, but better than nothing.



Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - Hawker Siddeley AV-8C Harrier, s/n 159381 USN


Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - Republic RF-84F Thundersflash, s/n 53-7524 USAF


Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - North American CT-39A Sabreliner, s/n 60-3504 USAF, c/n 265-32, c/r N3504


Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - Mikoyan Gurevich J-2, s/n 2292, c/r N90589


Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - Short Seaford 3, s/n NJ203 RAF, c/r N9946F

[mrhenniger]

The A-4 at the high school wasn't hard to find...
Aerial Visuals - Location Dossier - Encinal High School - A-4

I didn't take this photo, but the photos I took were not much different.

Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - Douglas A4D-2N Skyhawk, s/n 148610 USN, c/n 12803

[mrhenniger]

I drove around the former Alameda NAS looking for the A-4 and A-7 displayed. As it turns out they have been removed from their pylons for restoration. So I moved onto the Hornet.

First are pictures from the flight deck...



Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - Grumman F-14A Tomcat, s/n 162689 USN



Aerial Visuals - Airframe Photo - McDonnell F-4S Phantom II, s/n 153879, c/n 2461


Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - Vought F-8A Crusader, s/n 143703 USN


Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - Lockheed S-3B Viking, s/n 160559 USN

Photos from the hangar deck...



Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - Sikorsky SH-3H Sea King, s/n 148999



Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - Piasecki HUP-1 Retriever, s/n 124915


Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - North American T-28B Trojan, s/n 138349 USN, c/r NX4614



Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - North American FJ-2 Fury, s/n 132057



Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - Kaman SH-2F Seasprite, s/n 149021 USN, c/r N8059T



Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - Grumman-General Motors TBM-3 Avenger, s/n 69375 USN, c/r N3965A



Aerial Visuals - Airframe Photo - Grumman US-2B Tracker, s/n 136691 USN, c/r N36AM


Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - Douglas TA-4J Skyhawk, s/n 158137 USN






Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - Grumman-General Motors Eastern Aircraft Division FM-2 Wildcat, s/n 55052 USN

I actually spotted this one at the air show the next day...

Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - Grumman F-11A Tiger, s/n 141821 USN

More photos from Day 1 to follow.

Last edited by mrhenniger on Sun Nov 21, 2010 10:30 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[mrhenniger]

After leaving the Hornet I headed north to Sonoma. The view around the bay area was nice as I headed out, but the Sonoma Valley is gorgeous. If I had the bucks I could see myself spending some serious time here. I already have an itch to go back. And the cool or airplanes were nice too. My first objective was to meet up with Eric Preston, then we toured the collection of Chris Prevost.
Aerial Visuals - Location Dossier - Vintage Aircraft Company / Chris Prevost - 8 airframes


Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - Curtiss P-40M-5-CU Warhawk, s/n 42-105306 USAAF, c/n 29068, c/r N540TP





Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - Grumman F3F-2, s/n 0972 USN, c/r N20RW


Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - North American SNJ-4 Texan, s/n 26755 USN, c/n 88-10650, c/r N7078C


Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - Stearman-Boeing PT-27 Kaydet, s/n 42-15727 USAAF, c/n 75-03916, c/r N56749


Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - Stearman-Boeing N2S-3 Kaydet, s/n 7224 USN, c/n 75-06828, c/r N64037


Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - Stearman-Boeing PT-27 Kaydet, s/n 42-15720 USAAF, c/n 75-3909, c/r N56233

Last edited by mrhenniger on Sun Nov 21, 2010 10:35 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[mrhenniger]

Aerial Visuals - Location Dossier - Sonoma, California, United States - 10 airframes

A huge THANK-YOU goes to Eric Presten for giving me a tour of both Sonoma Valley Airport and Sonoma Skypark. He was able to get me into a few hangars and made introductions. I present to you those photos make possible by Eric's generosity of time.




Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - Lockheed PV-2 Harpoon, s/n 37216 USN, c/n 15-1182, c/r N10PV



Eric pointed out to me you can still see the original mods that converted this one from a DST to a C-49. You can distinguish the panels which cover the voids left from the removal of the sleeper birth windows.

Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - Douglas C-49E, s/n 42-43620 USAAF, c/n 2165, c/r N139D


Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - Bucker-Construcciones Aeronauticas S.A. (CASA) 1.131E, s/n E.3B-525 Eda, c/r N40HM




Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - Curtiss JN-4 Jenny, c/r N3223


Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - MH-1521, c/n 118, c/r N118MH


Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - Model 8, c/n 5676, c/r N2949K


Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - North American P-51D-30-NA Mustang, s/n 44-74483 USAAF, c/n 122-41023, c/r N51GP


Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - Stearman-Boeing PT-13D Kaydet, s/n 42-17578 USAAF, c/n 75-5741, c/r N17384


Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - Stearman-Boeing PT-17 Kaydet, s/n 41-8541 USAAF, c/n 75-2100, c/r N52529


Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - DCO-65, c/n L-4822, c/r N4745K

Eric was an excellant tour guide. When we later visited Sonoma Skymark he even tooks me up for a flight in his Piper Clipper for a trip around the neighborhood. Here are a few shots of Sonoma Valley from the air...

Last edited by mrhenniger on Sun Nov 21, 2010 10:27 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[mrhenniger]

Aerial Visuals - Location Dossier - Coastal Air Tours - Fleet 7, Travel Air 4000

While at Sonoma Skypark, Eric, introduced me to Bob Berwick. Bob operates an air tour business using a Travel Air. He also has a beaut of a Fleet 7 in the hangar.


Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - Consolidated-Fleet 7, c/n 376, c/r N795V




Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - Travel Air 4000, c/n 164, c/r N1499

Last edited by mrhenniger on Sun Nov 21, 2010 10:37 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[mrhenniger]

Aerial Visuals - Location Dossier - Sonoma, California, United States - 7 airframes


Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - Bede 5


Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - Eaglerock


Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - 177, c/n 177RG1030, c/r N34949


Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - Populair



Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - PA-16 Clipper, c/n 16-493, c/r N5875H


Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - Pitts Special S-2S, c/n 01, c/r N3WD


Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - L-2 Grasshopper, s/n 43-25873 USAAF

Skypark from the air...

[mrhenniger]

One last place to visit before calling it a day...
Aerial Visuals - Location Dossier - Yolo Fliers Club and Golf Course -
...I had "fun" finding this place. The GPS got a little confused taking me to a set of lat and lons not directly along side a road (the A-37 is displayed near the club house well off the road). I went on an interesting tour of the country side include winding roads and farm fields. I think I found the place where my off-season strawberries come from! Anyway... I managed to find the place just as the sun was reaching the horizon. Close call!



Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - Cessna OA-37B Dragonfly, s/n 73-1114

By this point in time my batteries were practically drained. I made tracks for Sacramento and my hotel so I could get some much needed sleep.

I am just starting to upload the Day 2 photos now. Stay tuned!

Last edited by mrhenniger on Sun Nov 21, 2010 10:40 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[eallen]

wow! there are some gems at sonoma! great biplanes and projects going on there! the flat navy blue SNJ is very nice...as is the silver mustang! i love the simple silver (paint or polish) scheme! classic right off the assembly line in inglewood...

dont let vlado see the main gear doors...haha!

and thanks mike for sharing! appears that you had a good trip our west!

Last edited by eallen on Sun Nov 21, 2010 7:38 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[AIRIC]

Excellent, can’t wait to see day 2.

[mrhenniger]

and thanks mike for sharing! appears that you had a good trip our west!

It was an excellant trip indeed, and you are most welcome. I am having fun sharing.

Excellent, can’t wait to see day 2.

Wait no longer! Day 2...


I had a great day at the show and searching out the Eagles Nest. If you are interested you can check out my route here...
Aerial Visuals - My Central California Pilgrimage, Day 2

Last edited by mrhenniger on Sun Dec 05, 2010 5:46 pm, edited 2 times in total.

[mrhenniger]

Saturday was spent at the air show. I had not been to a good boom and zoom show in a long time. I enjoyed myself. I spent the morning walking around getting my photos of the statics. I am limiting my photos here to the warbirds (this is WIX after all)...


Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - Aero L-39 Albatros, c/n 031630, c/r N539RF


Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - Aero L-39C Albatros, c/n 031605, c/r N739MN


Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - Aero L-39 Albatros, c/n 332447, c/r NX239RH


Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - Aero L-39C Albatros, c/n 332622, c/r N339DH


Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - Aero L-39 Albatros, c/n 332627, c/r N139RH {1}


Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - Aero L-39 Albatros, c/n 433129, c/r N139RH {2}



Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - Beech C-45H Expeditor, c/n AF-029, c/r N181MH


Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - Bell OH-58A Kiowa, s/n 71-20440 US Army, c/n 41301, c/r N916PD


Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - Grumman F-11A Tiger, s/n 141821 USN



Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - Naval Aircraft Factory N3N-3, s/n 2952 USN, c/r N44839




Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - North American TB-25N Mitchell, s/n 43-35972 USAAF, c/n 108-35262, c/r N125AZ



Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - North American P-51D-25-NA Mustang, s/n F-344 TNI-AU, c/n 122-39236, c/r N151D



Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - North American P-51D-25-NA Mustang, s/n 44-73420 USAAF, c/n 122-39879, c/r N7722C



Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - North American ETF-51D Mustang, s/n 126 NACA, c/n 124-44720, c/r N4223A



Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - North American Harvard II, s/n 2970 RCAF, c/n 66-2703, c/r N97AW



Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - North American SNJ-5 Texan, s/n 90656 USN, c/n 88-17654, c/r N5615C



Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - North American AT-6F-NT Texan, s/n 44-81646 USAAF, c/n 121-42368, c/r N4485



Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - North American T-28B Trojan, s/n 138294 USN, c/n 200-365, c/r N5440F



Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - North American T-28C Trojan, s/n 140475 USN, c/n 226-52, c/r N9025Y



Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - Northrop T-38A-70-NO Talon, s/n 67-14825 USAF, c/n T.6027, c/r N924NA



Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - Republic Seabee RC-3, c/n 0749, c/r N64PN



Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - Republic Seabee RC-3, c/n 001, c/r N48VP



Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - Stearman-Boeing PT-18 Kaydet, s/n 41-0854 USAAF, c/n 75-00914, c/r N56416



Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - Stearman-Boeing PT-17 Kaydet, s/n 40-1797 USAAF, c/n 75-00354, c/r N68296



Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - Stearman-Boeing PT-13D Kaydet, s/n 42-17570 USAAF, c/n 75-05733, c/r N4777V



Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - Stearman-Boeing N2S-5 Kaydet, s/n 43139 USN, c/n 75-08233, c/r N68837



Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - Stinson-Vultee Reliant V-77, c/n 77-0458, c/r N50249




Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - Taylorcraft DCO-65, c/n 4641, c/r N48818



Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - Taylorcraft DCO-65, c/n 5904, c/r N50978


Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - Yakovlev-Nanchang CJ-6, c/n 4632023, c/r N621JM

[mrhenniger]

The show feature was of course the gathering of P-38s. Four were able to attend. I think I had seen all of them before at one time or another, but there were new paint schemes. They all were fantastic...




Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - Lockheed P-38F-1-LO Lightning, s/n 41-7630 USAAF, c/n 222-5757, c/r N17630




Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - Lockheed F-5G Lightning, s/n 44-26996 USAAF, c/n 8000, c/r N7723C



Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - Lockheed F-5G Lightning, s/n 44-27231 USAAF, c/n 422-8235, c/r N79123




Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - Lockheed P-38M Lightning, s/n 506 FAH, c/n 8350, c/r N38TF