Warbird Information Exchange

New twist on L-39s and // Mig 23s and L-39s.... http://www.redsteeljetteam.com/

Is it just me or am I in the wrong business? Seriously is there enough money to fly these jet warbird teams for airshows? Patriots, Hoppers, Black diamond, red steel, etc......

Heck I cringe when it costs me 100+ bucks to fill my truck I would hate to fill up an afterburning (twin) fighter - nevermind insurance maint and training etc....

V

Red Steel was at ICAS and booked what they consider a "full schedule", so apparently the money is there.

However, also remember that some of these guys (not just RJST) are fairly well off independently, so it's kinda like fielding a NASCAR race team. The best way to make a small fortune is to start out with a big one.

TOO many L-39's involved with these jet teams. The L-39 is not a very exciting "vintage" jet "warbird" in my humble opinion. Every team mentioned has the L-39 at it's core. I will say that the Black Diamond Jet Team (which does fly an outstanding tight formation with their L-39's) has been able to mix it up and add interest with the TWO MiG-17's and the T-33 on occasion. And the MiG-23 on the Red Steel Team sounds interesting, I would like to see that.

I would love to see a team with 3 to 4 T-33's or 3 to 4 F-86's but with the maintenance and fuel the Sabres especially would be quite an effort (we almost saw the 3-ship "Horsemen" Sabre team last year).

You should be proud that so many teams chose to use such a great, all-American product from Seattle!

http://www.airshowsamerica.com/L39.htm

One additional reason why there are more and bookings are up is that the USAF cancelled all demo teams except the F-22 raptor and some Heritage Flights. That a lot of heavy metal that's NOT going to be seen at shows this year. It's ripe for civil teams!
Jerry

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"Always remember that, when you enter the ocean or the forest, you are no longer at the top of the food chain."

I have to agree with Jim C. on this one. I don't get very excited with any of the jet demo teams, military or civilian, but the L-39 is a particularly uninteresting aircraft to me for whatever reason.

The Mig 23 is worth the price of admission alone for me

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Jeff

To each his own, I guess. I find the L-39 to be an attractive looking airplane and I kinda like 'em.

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Dean Hemphill, K5DH
Port Charlotte, Florida

Go fly in one and tell me they are uninteresting. Smooth as silk, agile and a very steady platform. May look boring from the ground but it's a great airplane in the air

The only drawback I see with the L-39 is that it's quiet compared to other acro jets. However, because of its great maneuverability and speed characteristics, it's also one of the few jets you can actually keep in front of the crowd fairly easily for the whole routine. I think the idea with both the Black Diamonds and RJST is that the "loud" jets like the MiG-17 and MiG-23, while not as capable of staying in the show center box, give the "noise" factor that airshow crowds love.

Sounds like Offutt AFB might be the place to be if you want to see jets in the air at shows this year, they'll have the Red Steel team and the Horsemen flying 3 F-86s! I'm looking forward to seeing both this year! http://www.offuttairshow.com/performers.shtml

Just remember the old axiom: "If you have to ask, you can't afford it."

Mudge the pauper

ps. As most of you know, the promise of a jet demo would not lure me to an airshow.

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Land of the free because of the brave

That would be great if The Horsemen do put a 3-ship Sabre formation up this year at Offutt or anywhere else, but I will believe when I see it after the cancellation of the 3 planned Sabre shows last year (Rhode Island, Sacramento and Houston).

Jim, they had all 3 Sabres at the Heritage Flight seminar, which I don't think was the case last year, so I'm more inclined to believe that they'll be doing it.

BTW, the first of the RSJT L-39's is almost done with paint (via RSJT's facebook page) -

You are RIGHT about that. Those 3 Sabres together at DM last month looked great! The F-86 is very scarce on the HF schedules this year so far, so I don't know what will happen. But I would love to see the Horsemen put together a few 3-ship Sabre performances.