Roger Cain wrote:
Orvis, Did you make this event, or did the rain and overcast keep you away? If so, what showed up?
Hi Roger!
We went over on friday. The Livermore contingent was there. I saw Kents list, and it was good, but, the weather scared a lot off. A few did flybys while we were on the ramp, but they decided not to stay, the weather was looking bad. They took us over to a military museum in Petaluma. Then we went over to the VFW for a dinner and a talk. We heard stories from, and got to talk to, a Tuskeegee Airman and a P-38 ace. That was cool. And we pretty much met each other there.
The next morning was the show, and it was cool, people came out to see the planes despite the cold weather. It cleared up around noon. We set out at 1 and made passes over the parade and back over the airport. That was a blast. We managed to make it back to lvk before everything closed in again. All of it was a blast. I would have took a lot of pictures and film, but I was actually flying a lot of the time

I want to go back out over the mothball fleet again at that altitude with my camera one of these days.
Kent put on a good show! I hope he does it again next year. The folks in Petaluma were great too! They went out of their way to show us a good time. A lot of good sponsors. (Think gas. Lots of gas) I think there will be a bigger showing next year if the weather is good, and, now that everyone knows that there is gas, and a lot of it.
When we were parked, a T-6 pulled up alongside us. After everything was secured, Dan introduced me to Stu and his wife. We talked for awhile, and he said that he hadn't flown that T6 from the front seat in 3 years. That was interesting. He said he mostly flies his Mustang. Mustang? Thats cool! (Yes, I am that retarded) "Which one is your's?" I ask. He looks at me like I am retarded, and says "Merlins Magic." Right about then, a couple of cells fired correctly and I realized who I had been talking to. Heeehehee. Oh well,,,I would figure Stu thinks I'm a pretty thick one. He talked to me for a long time though. He and his wife were very nice to me and we talked several times during the next day.
Good news! Merlins Magic should be fixed and on a truck back home as we speak! Coolio! (I gotta get to Reno)
I had lunch with Dan and Tony when we got back. He told me that the Bearcat was going to Texas. And Tony told us a lot of cool things. The NorCal/Bay Area warbird scene is only going to get more and more awesome in the next couple of years.
And, Annnnnd, one of the cool Livermore cats offered to check me out on the Yak. "Just show up and we'll do it." Freakin cool man! Me gonna be a Yak pilot too! YeeeeeHaaaa
I love Livermore! I love the Livermore group! I am one lucky SOB.
Planes at Petaluma
T28B (King of all airplanes)
P51
T6
Yaks
L29
BT13
Stearmans
Amphibians (Corvette one too! That dude is way cool.)
There were more.
Thanks Kent and Petaluma! It was a great time! I hope you can do it again next year.