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 Post subject: Chino May 14-15 ...
PostPosted: Thu Feb 03, 2011 10:38 pm 
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Well, after hearing a Warbird Radio podcast of Steve Hinton describing the PoF annual airshow as the US's version of the UK's Flying Legends show (I've been to Legends, but not Chino), I cleared it with SWMBO and looks like I'll be there! Any helpful advice for a first-timer?

Wade

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 Post subject: Re: Chino May 14-15 ...
PostPosted: Thu Feb 03, 2011 10:46 pm 
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Bring sunscreen...


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 Post subject: Re: Chino May 14-15 ...
PostPosted: Thu Feb 03, 2011 11:37 pm 
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The weather can be one extreme or the other, but usually the forecaster's are pretty accurate. I remember at one airshow in the 90's, it got down to the 40's and was BITTERLY cold during the airshow. A few years ago, they had record highs in the 115's, so check the forecast before you depart, so you know what to bring. Generally speaking though, it tends to be in the 90's during that time of year at Chino. Also, bring some good, comfortable walking shoes. Even though they have a "trolley/people mover", sometimes the lines are not short, and many people decide to walk. It's a good mile or so from the parking lot to the flightline.

If at all possible, try to arrive there on Friday for a few reasons:

1) Check out the Yanks Air Museum:
http://www.yanksair.com/
Unfortunately, the museum shuts down to the public during airshow time on Sat. and Sunday. The only way you can view the museum is to go there the Friday before the airshow. They also close early, at 4:00 PM.

2) There is a hub-bub of activity at Chino, with warbirds arriving and many times "shake down" flights and last-minute practice runs are flown by many of the warbirds.

Other observations:

1) The food at the airshow is pretty decent. They do offer more than your standard burgers and hotdogs, with some exotic ethnic food being offered, (Thai, Indian, etc.)

2) If you want to check out the actual POF museum, either go on the Friday before the airshow, or go during one of the "must miss" performances during airshow time. I usually go during the Monster/drag car event or during one of the modern aerobatic routines.

3) There are a lot of good restaurants in the area for after the airshow, typically centered around the Ontario Mills Mall and Milliken avenue,
.
4) If you want to ride in a warbird, do it then! Usually after the airshow, the POF pilots offer rides in various planes, including the P-40, P-38, P-51, SBD, etc. You might have to coordinate that before hand however. It's probably best to call the Museum and set that up before you arrive. Last I checked, all of the prices were very reasonable for warbird rides!

5) Bring an extra bag to bring home goodies from the airshow. Besides the typical vendors at the actual airshow, the POF giftshop at the museum has an outstanding selection of videos/DVD's/books/posters/autographed items and warbird stuff. There have been many times that I had to buy an extra "duffel bag" at Target or somewhere, just to carry all of my stuff home on the airplane.

6) Depending on which way the wind is blowing, everything will smell like cowcrap in Chino. This is due to the many dairy farms surrounding the airport. Get used to it!

7) There are many ways to get to the Chino airport, assuming you stay near the Ontario airport. Most people take Euclid avenue, but I usually go on the "back roads" and miss most of the traffic. The traffic actually isn't that bad, even at peak times.

8. The Chino airshow is probably the best run and staffed airshow I've ever been to. They've been doing it right for many years and really have their act together. The wait times for anything - parking, tickets, food, sani-huts, etc. are typically shorter than most airshows I've experienced.

9) Get out and talk to some of the pilots flying the airshow. Most are very approachable and enjoy talking to the crowds. If you can catch Steve Hinton when he's not too busy (easier said than done), he's happy to converse with the general public about warbirds or any questions you might have.

10) There are several other organizations/museums on the field - Aero Trader, Tallichet's holdings, Allied Fighters, etc., but don't expect any of them to open their doors to you or allow you to tour their facilities. Unless you know someone in these groups, just enjoy the peep through the hangar door crack. Don't expect anything and you won't be disappointed.

That's about all I can think of, good luck! :D


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 Post subject: Re: Chino May 14-15 ...
PostPosted: Fri Feb 04, 2011 12:04 am 
Chicoartist wrote:
Well, after hearing a Warbird Radio podcast of Steve Hinton describing the PoF annual airshow as the US's version of the UK's Flying Legends show (I've been to Legends, but not Chino), I cleared it with SWMBO and looks like I'll be there! Any helpful advice for a first-timer?
Wade


I went to the Chino show last May for the first time and really enjoyed it. I am planning on returning this May. I don't know if Chino is the U.S.equivalent of the Flying Legends show over in the UK, but it is probably one of the two best warbird shows in this Country. (IMHO Thunder Over Michigan is the other one). My criteria for warbird shows may be a little different then some - generally if a warbird show is exclusively WWII or almost exclusively so, I will not travel a great distance to see it (by this I mean more than about 100 miles one way). I look for air shows that have a good mix of warbirds including vintage jets and other post-WWII aircraft. Another thing is that there must be large numbers of warbirds that are scheduled to fly in a show - I don't go out of my way to see static displays. I also like big vintage post-WWII propliners like Connies, DC-6/7's, etc., so I will go out of my way for shows that may have those.

Shows that I have attended and plan to attend again that tend to have this kind of warbird mix are: Thunder Over Michigan; Planes of Fame Chino, CA; Valiant Air Command TICO Warbird Show, FL; Winston-Salem, NC Air Show; and EAA AirVenture Oshkosh (attended for the first time in 2010).

There are other good shows that periodically feature some vintage jets and other post-WWII warbirds, but the ones above are among those I believe have a pretty good track record of featuring these pretty consistently in their mix. Some military base shows occasionally feature exceptional warbird mixes and I have attended these also (like JSOH Andrews, Langley AFB, VA, NAS Oceana, MCAS Cherry Point and some others).

It seems to me that Chino is a pretty good warbird show that tends to feature aircraft from multiple eras such as Pre-WWII/1930's, WWII and Post-WWII/Korea/Vietnam, etc., and definitely one worth traveling across country for. I know that "100 Years of Naval Aviation" is their theme this year and I suspect we will see a good mix of vintage Naval warbirds and other warbirds there May 14-15. I do not think you will be disappointed. Hopefully we will see their website updated soon detailing what is planned for that weekend.


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 Post subject: Re: Chino May 14-15 ...
PostPosted: Fri Feb 04, 2011 9:11 am 
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Thanks so much for the great info, guys! I think I'll try to arrive Thursday so I can have a full day at the museum Friday. Guess I need to join the POF so I can get the discounted gift shop rates + the free admission to the show!

Cheers!
Wade

PS - funny story about bringing "an extra bag" for the airshow goodies. As many know, vendors at Legends are stuffed with great books. Of course, I loaded down. I had a HUGE (only one) bag that was packed with clothes and the ~650 lbs. of books I bought. I started to sweat a little in the line at Gatwick as I approached the counter and knew I had to throw my bag on the scale. Oh, did I mention that I had a brick from Debden along with half the concrete and peri-track? :lol: Long story short my bag was WAY overweight and the guy suggested that I go buy another then come back through the line. There I was in the little shop area ... "Martha, look at that guy with his crap all over the middle of the floor, putting half in one bag and half in that new bag! Must be a Yank who went to Legends ... look at all the &^%$# books!"

Got home OK! 8) :lol:

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 Post subject: Re: Chino May 14-15 ...
PostPosted: Fri Feb 04, 2011 11:13 am 
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Where else can you see an actual Northrup flying wing fly. it is worth going to see all by itself. and if your into big bore piston engines making lots of noise,only Reno can match or maybe beat it. yeah, Reno is better but Chino is right behind it for the spectacle

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 Post subject: Re: Chino May 14-15 ...
PostPosted: Thu Feb 17, 2011 2:00 pm 
A few days ago Planes of Fame finally put some information on their website regarding the May 14-15 show:

http://www.planesoffame.org/index.php?page=general-info

I look forward to seeing some specific information soon regarding what aircraft are planned for the flying display.


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 Post subject: Re: Chino May 14-15 ...
PostPosted: Thu Feb 17, 2011 9:28 pm 
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It's tempting but I've been to a couple of PoF shows without Mrs. Mudge and find that it's just not as enjoyable alone.
That means I won't, barring some unforeseen occurrence, be there this year either.

Mudge the wimp

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 Post subject: Re: Chino May 14-15 ...
PostPosted: Tue Feb 22, 2011 9:44 pm 
Mudge wrote:
It's tempting but I've been to a couple of PoF shows without Mrs. Mudge and find that it's just not as enjoyable alone.
That means I won't, barring some unforeseen occurrence, be there this year either.

Mudge the wimp


I understand, Mudge. I have been to Thunder Over Michigan and some other shows alone, but my first Chino show last year was with my wife and she will be going with me again this year. It does may the trip and show experience more enjoyable.

Have a GREAT air show year.


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 Post subject: Re: Chino May 14-15 ...
PostPosted: Tue Feb 22, 2011 9:53 pm 
I know the "Ace Maker" T-33 demo team is planning on being at Chino for the POF show. Does anyone have any inside information as to whether the T-1A/T2V-1 Seastar or the "Blue Angels" T-33 shown on the main website page will be coming to Chino for the show?

I have heard that the windscreen on the Seastar still needs replacement and that this is expensive. I know that Ace Maker flew their "Air Force" T-33 :shock: in the Centennial of Naval Aviation Parade of Flight in San Diego on Feb. 12, but it sure would be nice to see a "Navy" T-bird variant at Planes of Fame for the 100 Years of Naval Aviation commemoration. :roll: :wink:


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