Video: Spectacular XB-70 Footage Of Valkyrie #2 - 1965

 This is some rare and fabulous video history of the second XB-70 Valkyrie, including the rollout and some amazing takeoff footage.  It's kinda long at 9:34 but really well worth your time.  I'm amazed at the complexity of the main gear retraction that can be seen at the end of the first minute.

 At the six minute mark it's interesting to note the cockpit bobbing up and down due to the nose gear being mounted so far behind the nose of the aircraft.  Not only could that make for a bumpy ride being on such a long arm, but it must also have been a real challenge to be able to steer the airplane without running the mains off the taxiway.

 And OMGosh, the takeoff that starts at the eight minute mark is incredible!  This girl is all about angle of attack and power!  Such a stunning aircraft... another watershed accomplishment in the histiry of aviation.  I hope you enjoy watching it as much as I did.

New CARS Entry: NSF C-130 Spotted At KARR

 I think this CARS (Cool Aircraft Ramp Spotters) feature has some real potential, but it ain’t going anywhere if you fine folks don’t send cool airplane pictures to me.  Please take a quick pic of the next really cool airplane you see sitting on the ramp (or hangar) and send it in… like William Hamrick did with this recent pic of a C-130 at KARR, the Aurora, Illinois airport.

  This Hercules with the snowflake painted on the tail is operated by the National Science Foundation and is used to do all sorts of atmospheric research.  William says it was there doing some demonstrations for students at Northern Illinois University.

 I found it extra interesting because I went to high school in Aurora, Illinois and even did a little flying out of this airport way back in the day, tho most of my flying in those days was out farther west at Hinckley where the skydiving and sailplanes were.

 Anyway, thanx William for sending the pic in.

 And as a reminder, here’s the info on CARS submissions:

 Fresh pix please, within the last month

 Gotta be Cool!  Rare aircraft, amazing paint, unique, odd or otherwise noteworthy

 Prefer jpg file, in sharp focus and at least 600 pixels wide

 Looking for everyday airport pix, NOT airshow/fly-in pix

 Send pix, questions or comments to mcc@airpigz.com

Design Contest: Empress 400 Edges Out The Larcoliner 3800

Get more design details at this Empress 400 post

 My last minute journey to Sun n’ Fun at the end of last week took my focus off of the Retro Airliner Design Contest voting poll results, but I did see that at the end of the week, my Empress 400 design had narrowly edged out the Larcoliner 3800 from  @M_Lorenger.

 I’m glad to see that the voting was as close as it was, but I’m somewhat confused as to why there were so few votes overall.  The number of people who voted is just a tiny sliver of a fraction of the number of people at AirPigz last week.  I’d think the chance to share a quick and simple opinion on an airplane design would be nearly irresistible… but maybe not.

 Anyway, thanx again to Michael for putting the time and effort into the Larcoliner 3800, and thanx to those who did vote.  In the end, the Empress 400 is just barely the Queen of the fictitious skies!

Pitcairn Autogiro: Sun n’ Fun 2010 Grand Champion Antique Winner!

(click pic to enlarge)

 I’m easily mesmerized by Pitcairn Autogiro’s.  Classic curves, a round engine, lots of dope, fabric and flying wires… and then there’s that graceful rotating wing overhead.  What’s not to like about this beautiful flying machine?  What a fabulous sight and sound it was at Sun n’ Fun on Saturday to experience this gorgeous red Autogiro flying in the early morning sunshine.  I caught up with it shortly after it landed and got several pictures, including the one above.  This one special aircraft alone made the whole trip to SNF worthwhile!

 I wasn’t the only one impressed by this Pitcairn restoration, it also won the Grand Champion Antique award at SNF 2010 (after getting runner-up at Oshkosh).  I wasn't at SNF long enough to see what the competition was for this award, but it would be hard to find a more impressive aircraft.  

 You can learn a lot more about Pitcairn Autogiro’s in general, and this one specifically by checking out the Blades of Glory story in the January Sport Aviation magazine online. 

 The 20’s and 30’s were the era of the Autogiro, but when true helicopters arrived on the scene, the Autogiro was quickly forgotten.  But there are few helicopters that can stir the soul like a Pitcairn.  Less than 50 were built, and only a handful remain, so it's a pretty big deal that this one is back in the air.

 In an interesting turn of events, I decided to make my first trip to the Fantasy of Flight Museum in Polk City (just down the road from SNF) on Sunday since the weather was overcast and scattered rain.  I was quite surprised to see the Pitcairn was in one of the large museum display hangars being disassembled for a truck ride back home.  It was a unique opportunity to get some pix of it as the crew carefully broke it down.  I thought it was especially cool that it was being done where it could be seen by anyone visiting the museum rather than off in private.

 This Autogiro even has a Facebook page so you can keep up with what’s going on with it.  I’m also planning to do a detailed Pitcairn post before long with more info on the interesting history of the Autogiro’s.  Hopefully by then I’ll have more specifics on this one to share.

 Also watch real soon for an extensive post with details and lots of pix from my time at the Fantasy of Flight Museum.

Main gear, wings, tail & prop already off... rotor next up in the Pitcairn disassembly

The cable-braced blades are removed one at a time

One blade headed for the trailer, 3 more to go

The Pitcairn Autogiro all buttoned up and ready for a road trip home!

35 Pix From Early Saturday At Sun n' Fun 2010

Hot air balloons got the day underway Saturday at Sun n' Fun.  Balloons are such a great morning sight, especially when they drift right over the aircraft display area!  The winds were fine, but the balloons were definitely covering some ground.

Looking to the east as they make their way down range.  Citabrias and Decathlons from the American Champion Aircraft display area.

A couple of great views of a single seat balloon that was part of the morning launch.  The colors sure look great in the morning sun, and I think he was having some serious fun!

A 350hp, 4-blade prop Skybolt in the morning sun.

The true Ultra Lights were up early... and it was fantastic to see John Moody flying this Easy Riser!  I don't remember the year, but I do remember being part of a small crowd many years ago watching him up at Oshkosh in a field away from the main activities when he made the first powered flights.  The Ultra Light movement began that evening.

I'm not up on my specifics when it comes to powered parachutes, but this was a very colorful one enjoying the morning flying.

A weight shift Ultra Light trike looking good in the sunshine, and at touch down.

A Kolb aircraft powered by a Volkswagen engine with a speed reduction unit.  It sounded great and seemed to climb really well.

 

This Fleet biplane with a military paint scheme looked so classic in the morning sun.

I had a nice time talking to the owner of this rare Call-Air airplane.  The 125hp, low wing and strut-braced taildragger definitely has a unique look.

He specifically pointed out the prop to me... it looks like wood, but it's really a metal prop PAINTED to look like wood!  Seriously, you could not tell it wasn't a wood prop - amazing paint job.  The 'metal' leading edge is all paint too.  A very cool little detail to this unusual aircraft.

 Cessna 195's and an Airmaster nestled together and looking really sharp.

Shortly after, the Airmaster taxied out.

Also had a great conversation with the owner of this beautiful Farchild 24 (he's on the right).  It's such an awesome classic design.

This big old Stinson Detroiter was great to see.  I never get tired of seeing the design and engineering of aircraft from the early age of aviation. 

 

The Pitcairn Autogiro is pretty much beyond words.  What a beautiful and amazing flying machine!  It flew early in the morning and then they were doing a little work on it here afterward.

Another rare and unusual aircraft - the Anderson Greenwood AG-14.

A Vans RV-12 LSA.

  

Little Toot homebuilt... I'm not certain, but I think this one was originally built in the early 70's.

The PiperSport LSA.

A mean screamin' machine!  Pitts Model 12.

I'm pretty sure this Commemorative Air Force Curtiss SB2C is the only one still flying.  It's fantastic to see that it's still looking great and flying regularly.

Here it is with the wings folded up.  That's a lot of airplane!

Great view of the rear seat / gunner position with all the windows opened up.

Friday Night Airshow At Sun n' Fun 2010

 Matt Younkin's Twin Beech in the evening waiting for darkness to come for him to put on his night airshow.  Several performers flew Friday night from twilight thru until pretty much completely dark.

 One of the four T-6's from the AeroShell Aerobatic Team firing up.  By the time they flew it was getting pretty dark in the east and some gentle light still off to the west.  The airplanes are well lit up and make a lot of smoke.  It's pretty cool seeing and hearing formation flying in such low light!

 The Aerostars team in their Yak 50 aircraft flying in the twilight and looking great.  The Aeroshell team flew in a darker sky and Matt Younkin's sky was basically black.  The sight and sound of the Twin Beech covered in lights and pouring out huge smoke was certainly spectacular.

 There were several other aircraft that flew in the night airshow including a sailplane and a helicopter.  I'm pretty sure this is the biggest effort by SNF to do a night airshow and it seemed to be very well attended.  I think the crowd enjoyed the wide variety of aircraft and the relaxed nature of the presentation.  The cool night air felt great, and the sliver of the Moon in the western sky was a beautiful sight.

 After a driving trip that took me exactly 24 hours elapsed time, the SNF Friday night airshow was a great way to get my first experiences of Sun n' Fun 2010.  Watch for more updates tomorrow.

AirPigz-mobile Headed For Sun n' Fun!

 It's true my little HHR Panel doesn't fly, but if you keep it pointed south long enuf, you'll wind up at Sun n' Fun!  

 At the last minute I was able to work out a way to make the trip, and I'm hoping to arrive well before Matt Younkin flies his beautiful Twin Beech in the night airshow.  I'm really looking forward to that!  If you haven't done so already, you might check out the podcast I did with Matt (and Kyle Franklin) as it gives some nice insight into their airshows.

 If things go well, I'll have some updates to post late tomorrow night and Saturday.  Between now and then, I've got LOTS of driving to do.  And hey, if you see the AirPigz-mobile on the road, be sure to honk : )

Video: The Entire Unlimited Gold Race At Reno 2009

 Here's an excellent video that shows the entire 8 laps of the Unlimited Gold race at the Reno Air Races on Sunday September 20, 2009.  Watch Steve Hinton Jr and Strega dominate the race and finish as the 2009 Champion.

 The video is a nice compliment to the CoolPix of Strega, and it really gives you a pretty good feel for what air racing is like at about 500mph and 50' off the ground... of course it's always better to see and hear in person!

CoolPix- Racers: Strega (Italian For Witch) In The Pit At Reno 2009

(click pic for hi-res)

 Here's a CoolPix in the 'Racers' category... and it's another pic I took at Reno 2009.  I thought it was particularly interesting because of the witch that's hanging from the roof over the business end of the P-51 Strega, the 2009 Unlimited Gold Race Champion.

 I'm guessing many of you already knew that 'Strega' is the Italian word for 'witch'.  It was new to me, but I don't think I'll have any trouble remembering now after this pic!  And while I don't think Strega was tapping into any supernatural powers at Reno 2009, there's no doubt there was a lot of horsepower involved.  With 22 year old Steve Hinton Jr in the cockpit, Strega had both the strength and the endurance to come out on top.  It was pretty special too as Steve is the youngest winner ever of the Gold Unlimited Race.

 Another thing I like about this pic is that it shows the airplane in the pit area where the race prep work is done.  If you have the pit pass, you're able to walk around and watch as the airplanes are being extensively worked on.  It's a pretty amazing opportunity to see this kind of work being done right in front of you, and it's another reason why the Reno Air Races are so interesting.  This view is also a little different as I had the camera raised high on a monopod to give a little different perspective, and it made the witch easy to see : )

 The 2010 Reno Air Races will take place September 15-19.  

    Strega doing her thing!   photo: Curtis Fowles / MustangsMustangs

Video: Cockpit View - Sweet St Barts Twin Otter Approach & Landing

 It's true, I didn't even know where St. Barts is, but know I do and I wouldn't mind going there... soon!  Too bad that WON'T be happening.  Anyway, if it was gonna happen, I'd love to be riding with the guy flying this Winair Twin Otter, and you can see why in this under-a-minute video.  What a great approach and landing at an airport known for having a difficult approach.  This is definitely how you do it : ) 

Winair Twin Otter like the one in the video