Warbird Practice at Nellis

[Bill Greenwood]

It's 2;30 pm and I'm back from the show. The main thing about Nellis is how loud it is, the jet noise is pretty constant. T-Birds are flying now and even indoors 1/2 mile away it is noisy. This place is also big, about 10,000 employees. weather was better today, sun came out, blue sky, but windy, 15-20 mph. I only flew once today, the T-birds want to run their engines and don't want anyone else flying so we were shortened. Yesterday I did one solo pass and one tight 360, total solo display time about 5 min in 3 days for the Spitfire. The rest was all formation so I got some needed practice; and it is work in the rushed schedule. Only got to fly wing on Firefly and Fury, ok but I've looked at that Kangeroo enough. I'd have like to do a real Spitfire show, or fly with P-38, B-25 etc., but they don't ask the pilots, it is all pretty scripted. There are some genuine vets here, but way down at the other end. They have barriers up so the crowds can't see the planes like at Oskosh and we don't have much chance to talk to them. Base housing is pretty new and nice, except no restaurant. I think all Warbirds got down safely as far as I know.

[Bill Greenwood]

It is about 11am Mon and I am at N Las Vegas airport. It'a beautiful blue skies here, calm winds, but back to the east is clouds and snow. My first stop was going to be PageAZ. but it was overcast with forecast of snow showers, and Aspen is 1500 ovc., so this is a good place to wait on the weather. The best thing about the Nellis show is no accidents. There was excitment one night, the story is that a driver was making a delivery onto the base and the truck was unmarked, so a lot of police came out and tried to arrest him. Strange thing our fuel trucks don't have any markings, you have to take their word tthat it is avgas. I think they are convinced that a terrorist is coming here. Sun. the security people would not let me in the gate to drive to my plane bout an hour before takeoff. They have initials for everything, a car is a POV. I explained that it wasn't my personal car, but didn,t matter. Finally I got the ramp boss to intervene, and when he mentioned calling the Gen in charge the guard backed down. One of the best things about staying on the base is the housing is very nice, better than anything we stay in at Osh, except no restaurant. Base food is notheing to brag on. Very interesting to see and talk to all the active duty people, hardest thing is to get them to quit callin me sir.

[Robbie Stuart]

Thanks for the reports Bill.
Robbie

[JohnH]

Provenance Fighters was there in force with the Corsair, Tempus Fugit TF-51D and newly acquired P-38 Glacier Girl, (making her first west coast flying airshow appearance) as well as restorer Bob Cardin from the recovery/restoration team. Going to try to get some pics up tonight.

JH

[Shay]

JohnH

If you get a chance ask Bob what the actual scoop on Glacier Girl is. Thanks.

Shay
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Semper Fortis

[jaldo]

Here are some shots of the birds at Nellis this weekend (©Jofgar)

[Lynn Allen]

Bill, if you are still at North LAS, the restaurant upstairs is great. We ate at the Hard Rock with is across the street from us. That B-25 is the Exec. Suite, right? We came out today and leave tomorrow. Fly safe.....

Lynn

[Bill Greenwood]

Lynn, It is Tue and I am Stilll at N. Las Vegas. I got up early, checked the weather is good here, but only good in Colorado if you are an Eskimo.Aspen 7 am, wind gusting to 29, 1/4 mile vis in heavy snow. This is a place that everyone should see once, and for many once may be enough. When I found I had to stay last night rooms were scarce, finally got one at $119 at Imperial Palace. If that is a palace, then the dynasty must be long extinct. To register you have to go inside the casino which is about like standing 5 feet behind a jet. If you ever wonder how cigarete companies stay in business, this place is the answer. I'd rather listen to a recording of a T-28 engine than have to work in there. Yes, I wiil eat up at the VGT restaurant. It is a pretty nice airport, I may explore a little and see if I can come up with any sport or warbird type activity. There is a nice commercial blimp here.

[Obergrafeter]

Bill is that hotel price by the hour. Some pretty seedy places once you get off the strip.

[Lynn Allen]

Bill, hang in there, winter is not that long on Colorado!! We departed around 1830 last night and we had a view of Nellis, as fighter after fighter landed and a nice sunset. Our turn was last week out of Chicago Midway, Heavy Tstorms and Xwinds on departure
I found these on the Canon webpage Anybody else wih you at North LAS??

http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum ... p?t=239699

Take care,

Lynn

[Bill Greenwood]

Finally had good VFR weather, if a little cold and I am now back home; will need to go out soon and give the plane a good wash. We have about 3 inches of fresh snow on the ground and ski area is opening a week early.