This year’s Planes of Fame Air Show focused around The
Mighty 8th Air force. The 8AF was established in February 1944 by re-designation
of the 8th Bomber Command. Considered to be the Greatest Air Armada in
History under the leadership of the likes of Jimmy Doolittle, at the height of
WW2, there were more than 200,000 people assigned to the 8th with the
ability to launch more than 2000 four engine bombers and over 1000 fighters on
a single mission. To honor this fine organization, Planes of Fame focused on
their accomplishments.
One of the highlights of the show was the opportunity for
the public to meet and honor our beloved Veterans. Christina Olds, author and
daughter of famous Pilot Ace Robin Olds, moderated the Veteran's Panel during
the show. Hundreds of guests, friends, pilots and children were able to meet
these fine gentlemen and shake hands with some of our heroes.
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| Nearly a dozen P-51s from A to D lined up ready to start the show |
It was especially touching to see the F/A-22 pilots and crew
shake hands with C.E. Bud Anderson, WW2 Triple Ace and quite a character. It’s
good to see the next generation appreciate the Greatest Generation.
The array of aircraft to join us in Chino each year is
always breathtaking. Three DC-3s (C-47s), 2 B-17s, 3 B-25s, 4 P-47s, nearly a
dozen P-51s – from A to D, a couple P-40s, P-38, Dauntless, Val, Zero, Hellcat,
Wildcat, Tigercat, Spitfire Mk.XIV (Griffon-powered) along with the N9 Flying
Wing.
For Aerobatics, we were thrilled to have Sean D. Tucker
return in his Oracle Challenger. If you haven’t seen Sean fly, you’re missing
something. And, if you haven’t met Sean – well. He is 100% enthusiasm and
intensity.
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| Sean D. Tucker doing what he does best |
The highlight of the show for many of us was the superb
flying of the Bremont Horsemen Flight Team. Steve Hinton, Dan Friedkin and Ed
Shipley flew their aerial ballet - first in the P-51s and later in the
F-86s, to the James Horner composed piece called “Write Your Soul”. Many of you
may recognize the name James Horner as the man behind the music of Titanic,
Deep Impact and Perfect Storm among others. He was so touched by the Horsemen;
he offered to write them their own theme music. And it is perfect.
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| The Bremont Horsemen in their 3-ship F-86s |
The Horsemen also had some VIPs in attendance, including actor
Matt Damon, model Cindy Crawford and her husband. While it was interesting to
have some Hollywood Stars in attendance, at Chino – the Pilots and the
Airplanes are the real stars!
Circle your calendars for the first weekend in May for the
2015 Planes of Fame Airshow. You don’t want to miss it.
PRS Update
Looks like a record number of attendees for the Pylon Racing
Seminar this year. Latest information shows
40 Rookies and returning Racers in the Sport Class alone. If all goes well, we
could have an amazing Race in September. Get your tickets, hotels, flights
planned and don’t forget to tell the boss you’ll be away the 2nd
weekend in September – every year.
Saying Goodbye
Eddie Andreini was the first Airshow Performer I met when I was
volunteering for the Hiller Aviation Museum – BEFORE I started flying. He was
always someone you could call to ask a question – whether it be about flying,
ICAS, ACE Program, Airshows, or Life. He was arguably the most loved man in the
business. We lost him the same weekend as the Chino show – while he was
performing at the Travis Airshow.
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| Eddie Andreini in his beloved Stearman |
I will never forget his kindness, his quick laugh and the
sparkle in his eyes.
Special thanks to my dear friend, Anthony Taylor for the use
of his photography again this month.
