Video: The Antique Airplane Association Fly-In! (Aug 28 - Sept 2, 2013)
Wednesday, August 21, 2013 at 07:06AM
I was at the 2012 Antique Airplane Association fly-in last year near Blakesburg Iowa... it was the first time I had been there since I was a kid. This fabulous video is from Thursday evening during the event (I didn't get there until Saturday) and it shows you everything you need to know about why I love the AAA fly-in! I was only there two days, but it was a great experience making the journey back in time where the airplanes were far more beautiful and being alive seemed to have more purpose. I even got some pix of that gorgeous Ryan SC-W, which, by the way, is owned and flown by Russell Williams who maintains the AAA AntiqueAirfield website.
In nearly every way, the AAA fly-in is the anti-Oshkosh, but both events are built on the exact same love for aviation. But Antique Airfield (the grass runway airport where the event is held) is a true step back in time where everyone who flew was part aviation pioneer. Common sense and responsibility rule the day, and the sounds of old aircraft engines fill the air with beautiful music. It is a very, very special place.
That amazing Ryan SC-W in the video has recently been fitted with an overhauled Warner 165hp radial engine which should put in great shape for making the trip to southern Iowa from near Seattle where Russell is based (see first engine run video here). There's even a chance I might get a ride in that rare antique airplane... I can't wait to get back to Antique Airfield in a little over a week!
Oh, and the kicker in the video is the theme song from the Rocketeer - perfection!
Screenshot of Russell Williams in his 1938 Ryan SC-W over Antique Airfield last year
Reader Comments (3)
Good post, Martt. I've always liked the looks of the Ryan SC. It's too bad it lost out to the ST/PT-22 in terms of company interest.
airpigz lurker- I've been a fan of the beautiful shape of the SC-W since I was about 8 years old but I've never really paid a lot of attention to whether or not it was a really great airplane. My research here lately tells me it's a magnificent airplane... I look forward to finding that out for certain in Iowa : )
Speaking of perfection... that gorgeous Ryan is it! Beautiful footage!