Ray Fagen Airshow Pics

[JohnTerrell]

Warbird Kid, there were 5 P-51's, 3 B-25's, 3 P-40's (two K's and an E, all restored by Fagen/Warhawks Inc.), a P-63, P-38, Wildcat, Corsair, Zero, Harpoon, Howard 500, B-17, and many trainers (2 BT-13's, Texans, DH Chipmunk, N3N, Timm N2T, Stearmans, Fairchilds, etc.). A lot of award-winning/Oshkosh Grand-Champ warbirds, including 1 that I'm certain will be the winner this year.

I keep wondering if one these days, at one of these events, we might just see the Harker F-82 roll-in? ; )

[rwdfresno]

The Howard is so neat. I love the pic with the 2 Lockheed twins in flight. Thanks for posting.

[marine air]

Sometimes airshow pics can be boring. These are really great. A+ grade on collection of rare aircraft, weather, size of event, and A+ on how interesting the exhibits appear to be. Really envious and wish I could have flown one of those warbirds, or even just been a spectator!

[seabee1526]

What a wonderful show that must have been. Looks first class all the way!

savethebomberplant.org

[CH2Tdriver]

Looks like a great show. Great selection of warbirds, but just small enough to be enjoyable.

What is the closest airport if someone was to fly in via the airlines?

[JohnTerrell]

If you fly into Minneapolis, it is a straight shot by road (Hwy 212) all the way out to Granite Falls (the airport is just a couple miles south of Granite Falls). The drive is about 2 hrs 45 minutes.

Just thinking about the show again today, it featured the world's most period correct/authentic P-51 restoration, another one of the top 5 most authentic P-51 restorations and Oshkosh WWII Grand-Champ (both also happen to be combat vets, painted as they were during WWII), three P-40's which were all Oshkosh WWII Grand-Champs, an FG-1D that was an Oshkosh WWII Grand-Champ, an FM-2 Wildcat that was an Oshkosh WWII Grand-Champ, a P-63 that was an Oshkosh WWII Grand-Champ, and several of the trainers there were also past Oshkosh award winners.

Here are a few of the great shots my sister captured at the show:

[Dan K]

Very nice pics, Michelle!

And John...concerning your hope of an imminent F-82 appearance: No

[bomberfan]

John, don't forget that Maid in the Shade is a combat vet and the two Aleutian Tigers may have seen some action as well. But I was thinking the same thing, small show in rural Minnesota and there were some absolutely amazing aircraft there. I wish the King Cobra would have stuck around until the ramp was opened up. I really wanted a closer look at that one!! I also wished the Wildcat would have flown, it seemed like it was almost being hidden, tucked between the hangars behind the Fortress. Overall, it was an awesome show and well worth the 2 1/2 hour drive!!

[Roger Cain]

Awesome sets of pictures guys, thanks for posting for those of us on the wrong coast!

[Red Tail]

John, don't forget that Maid in the Shade is a combat vet and the two Aleutian Tigers may have seen some action as well. But I was thinking the same thing, small show in rural Minnesota and there were some absolutely amazing aircraft there. I wish the King Cobra would have stuck around until the ramp was opened up. I really wanted a closer look at that one!! I also wished the Wildcat would have flown, it seemed like it was almost being hidden, tucked between the hangars behind the Fortress. Overall, it was an awesome show and well worth the 2 1/2 hour drive!!

Sierra Sue is a combat vet with one confirmed victory as well.

My only complaint about the show was the long gap between the first round of flying with the bombers/Corsair/Zero/AeroShell Team and when they sent the Mustangs/Warhawks up. I had to leave around 6pm so I never saw them fly. Did the P-38 ever fly?

I was told by one of Ron's guys Evan is the only guy currently checked out in their B-25, P-38 and FM2. They elected to leave the FM2 static to take some of the pressure off of him! My response was "Poor Evan..sucks to be him!"

John

[JohnTerrell]

John, yeah after the pause, three of the P-51D's, the P-38, and the three P-40's flew formation and photo passes. At one part in the show (I can't recall if it was after the pause or before it), Ron Fagen performed some solo passes in "Sweet Revenge". Evan really had the P-38 down on the deck for at least one of the passes over the field.

Of those at the show, the P-51D "Sierra Sue II", the P-51D "Twilight Tear", the TFL A6M2 Zero, all three P-40's, and the B-25J Maid in the Shade, all have lineage as WWII combat vets. The P-51D "Sweet Revenge" is also documented as having been assigned to the 8th AF in England. Both of the Aleutian Tiger painted P-40K's, which were both restored by Fagen/Warhawks Inc., served together within the same Russian fighter squadron during WWII, and both were force-landed near each other on the same mission on November 10, 1944. Both flew together for the first time, since that last wartime mission, at the Fagen airshow (as seen in the photos posted to this thread). http://warbirdwatcher.com/2015/06/22/hi ... ite-falls/ The Fagen P-40E, painted in desert markings, was also in the Soviet AF during WWII.

[Warbirdnerd]

John (Red Tail)-
If I remember correctly Sue does not have a kill. The marking on her is from Bohna's (sp?) time in a P-38.

Last edited by Warbirdnerd on Wed Jun 24, 2015 8:14 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[Flying Pencil]

[eallen]

Thanks for sharing all the great pics! My first trip to Minnesota as well as my first Fagen Fighters show. Would of been nice to meet the fellas that were there in person. I did spy the black XP-82 shirt...shoulda introduced myself! Not sure if you guys want to see some of the non flying stuff. Pretty amazing compound!

Couple of the grounds from Friday...









Inside the fighter hanger...back wall...



Ole Yeller welcoming you...



Bud being interviewed by Connie Bowlin



Shameless pic of my son with Sierra Sue II out on display...and Sierra Sue II parked in the fighter hanger Saturday night...

[GARY HILTON]

What can I say? This was one of THE best airshows I have ever attended...on either side of the ropes.
The Fagan's were so very gracious in having Attu Warrior and the crew attend, and they went out of their way to make sure we were kept comfortable while there.
The quality of the warbirds there was amazing, and the museum displays were equally amazing too.
Nobody mentioned the Helldiver that is under restoration there??? That was cool!
I wish I could have been on the flight where Attu Warrior was in formation with the Howard 500 and Corsair...but it was thrilling just to watch them, and hear the roar of 5 R-2800's in harmony.
I was honored to have breakfast at the hotel with Col. Bud Anderson and Connie Bolin...as well as meeting with fellow airmen and a few WIX'ers.
Thanks to Dave and Steve who allowed me to tag along...and thanks to Evan Fagan that extended our crew an invite to their next gathering!