What aircraft would you like in airshows and a ride program

Nathan · **Posted:** Tue Feb 03, 2015 11:30 am

Out of the list provided, what aircraft would you like to see on the airshow circuit in the U.S. and have a ride program where people could pay for a flight experience?

Thanks,
Nate

Xrayist · **Joined:** Wed Jun 08, 2005 12:51 am **Posts:** 329

Not on the above list, but a P-40 and an F8F Bearcat. I seem to remember several years ago there was a two seat Beacat either flying, or about to fly. Also would like to see an A-26 Invader, and a Seafury. Now, to step into the pure fantasy mode, a B-36!
By the way, I did vote for the Neptune from the list.

wendovertom · **Posted:** Tue Feb 03, 2015 12:54 pm

An S-2 Tracker would be a really cool static display. With the seating options it would have a decent potential to actually create some revenue as well.

Tom P.

Ken · **Posted:** Tue Feb 03, 2015 1:07 pm

I put C-119 not because it's my favorite, but because it seems to be the most ride-oriented. It's possible the doors could be opened in flight as a demo, as they do on the Huey rides program. There also might be some appeal if people connect it with Flight of the Phoenix.

Nathan · **Posted:** Tue Feb 03, 2015 1:32 pm

Xrayist wrote:

Not on the above list, but a P-40 and an F8F Bearcat. I seem to remember several years ago there was a two seat Beacat either flying, or about to fly. Also would like to see an A-26 Invader, and a Seafury. Now, to step into the pure fantasy mode, a B-36!
By the way, I did vote for the Neptune from the list.

Liberty Foundations P-40 gives rides, and isn't there a couple A-26's on the airshow circuit? My list is specific in the aircraft listed as either none flying at all, or not flying on the airshow circuit currently. The Tracker seems perhaps the most economical as many are still around and flying, engines and parts are available. The only reason I don't see it working out for a ride program is that is can only seat 4 people. Two of those would be pilot/copilot. The key goal would be to sell enough rides to be able to cover the costs of that flight.

The Neptune seems like it could be reasonable. Able to carry almost a dozen people. But operating costs I would bet would be substantial. Two blood thirsty radials and two J34 turbojet engines. Could a flight program cover the cost for such an aircraft?

Rocketeer · **Joined:** Wed Jan 26, 2011 6:16 pm **Posts:** 195

To reduce a Neptune's operating expenses, the ideal solution would be streamline the aircraft by making it appear as an early production model, without the tail boom, bulges, etc - and removing the jets and separate fuel cells.

A streamlined Neptune would be far more user-friendly, and lighter on the fuel consumption & maintenance. It could be attractive to an airshow audience by resembling the "Truculent Turtle" or maybe even sporting a rare Emerson nose turret.

The S-2 could work, but from the passengers' standpoint, their visibility may suffer from the fuselage sides' proximity to the nacelles.

C-119 Flying Boxcars are far under appreciated airplanes, and the type may be an optimal platform for sky-divers.

The Convair is a rapidly disappearing breed, that really could use a little attention.

The Constellation would really be something impressive, but it may generate more glamour in civilian markings.

Rod Schneider · **Posted:** Tue Feb 03, 2015 11:08 pm

Nathan wrote:

Xrayist wrote:

Not on the above list, but a P-40 and an F8F Bearcat. I seem to remember several years ago there was a two seat Beacat either flying, or about to fly. Also would like to see an A-26 Invader, and a Seafury. Now, to step into the pure fantasy mode, a B-36!
By the way, I did vote for the Neptune from the list.

Liberty Foundations P-40 gives rides, and isn't there a couple A-26's on the airshow circuit? My list is specific in the aircraft listed as either none flying at all, or not flying on the airshow circuit currently. The Tracker seems perhaps the most economical as many are still around and flying, engines and parts are available. The only reason I don't see it working out for a ride program is that is can only seat 4 people. Two of those would be pilot/copilot. The key goal would be to sell enough rides to be able to cover the costs of that flight.

The Neptune seems like it could be reasonable. Able to carry almost a dozen people. But operating costs I would bet would be substantial. Two blood thirsty radials and two J34 turbojet engines. Could a flight program cover the cost for such an aircraft?

Nathan, I'm afraid the Liberty Foundation sold their P-40 a couple of years ago. I believe it now resides in Texas. The only plane we do rides in at this time is the Movie Memphis Belle.............

Taigh Ramey · **Posted:** Wed Feb 04, 2015 12:28 am

Punisher05 · **Posted:** Wed Feb 04, 2015 8:50 am

You're a sick, sick man Taigh

lol

I remember seeing somewhere that one of the guys asked to test those P-38 evacuation pods later said that the "SOB who designed them should have been forced to take a ride in one."

Personally I'd vote for the Connie.

-Brandon

airnutz · **Posted:** Wed Feb 04, 2015 9:24 am

Yup, I picked the Neptune as well, but the C-119 and Connie were in a close trail behind. As a kid we saw many Neptunes come thru Navy Dallas...what a sound they made when leaving...quite an aural bow wave...

I think a Turbo Porter with the right pilot would be quite a thrill ride!

Dave Hadfield · **Joined:** Sun Sep 17, 2006 10:31 pm **Posts:** 1672

You want to ride in a P-40?

At Vintage Wings of Canada, we have a dual-control P-40N, and give sponsored rides.

Here's a photo -- that's my Dad in the back seat, and he's taking a photo of my brother coming up in the F-86.

In fact, this season we are ramping-up the Ride program. We are going to conduct ride flights in conjunction with CWH, featuring the Lancaster, with our P-40 and P-51 on the wing.

That's a formation flight with all 3 aircraft, all passenger seats filled with sponsors.

Heck, I'll start a separate thread about this...

Dave

ErrolC · **Posted:** Wed Feb 04, 2015 1:31 pm

The warbird ride scene is hotting up in New Zealand, on the back of Part 115 'Adventure Aviation' authorisation. Harvards to Spitfire to Strikemasters. Soon we expect to have a third Strikemaster (with the same operator), the Mustang, the second P-40, and wonder of wonders, the original B.E.2f! That last will have to be the oldest aircraft available for paid rides anywhere!

Nathan · **Posted:** Wed Feb 04, 2015 2:09 pm

Of 430 some views we have 20 votes. That worries me some. :shock:

Look forward to more votes.

The P2V-5 is more streamline then some of the later models. Earlier marks didn't have jet pods, and or tail booms. Not many -5's around though. I do like the bigger wing tip tanks. Sure gives it a more beefy look!

shrike · **Posted:** Wed Feb 04, 2015 2:47 pm

From a passenger experience viewpoint, the Convair has room and actually has windows to look out of. OTOH, it would be too much like taking a ride in an airliner to be a great 'experience'
The Connie, if it's stripped out, has plenty of room, but probably the fewest usable windows.
The C-119 has plenty of room to fill seats and move around, the Phoenix tie-in and, opening the doors, while a safety nightmare with the general public, would just be way cool
The Tracker and Neptune have the least usable space, but probably more of an experience feel

flightsimer · **Posted:** Wed Feb 04, 2015 5:18 pm

Convair would be the best of them all, however, I do not believe any of them listed will legally be able to, at least in the US, as there currently are none involved in the program and it is currently closed to new aircraft types. The only planes that can be added to the ride program are aircraft types that are already flying within the program. Was the TWA Connine involved with the ride program? If so, the EC-121 might be able to piggy back on it.

I had been eyeing up a C-131 for our museum a few years ago as it would have been an easy plane for us to maintain as we have people who worked on them in the airlines as well as them being R-2800 powered. However, the one I was watching went to the museum in Australia, though it is still in the US.

I think out of all of them, the C-119 is the least likely. While large, I felt claustrophobic in the back of it compared to our C-123, but that may have been due to the lack of light compared to our big windows in the 123.

If you wanna go for "Experience" I would change my vote from the C-131 to the C-123. We have the all the original seats in our plane down the sides, which totals 22 I believe, and we have some if not all of the center rows in storage which would bring us up to 60 (if we have them all). We have nice big windows plus the ramp, though the FAA would never go for any type of passenger flight with the ramp or rear paradoors open.

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What aircraft would you like in airshows and a ride program

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