The flying portion of the 2009 show will feature fly-bys by aircraft of World War II, Korea, Viet Nam, and Iraq along with noise, smoke and explosions created by the CAF's Explosive Ordinance Detachment, "the Blastards". We also present aerobatic acts by Warbirds and
professional performers.
Among the World War II aircraft that we
expect to be present in 2009:
* Douglas A-26 Invader. One of the very few aircraft to be entirely conceived,
designed, developed, produced in quantity, and used in large numbers all during WW-II.
* North American B-25 Mitchell. This is the aircraft used in the carrier-launched Tokyo raid.
* Grumman F8F Bearcat. Arguably the ultimate piston engined fighter.
* Vought F4U Corsair. The last of 12,571 Corsairs was built in December 1952, the last US piston-driven fighter produced.
* Stinson L-5 Sentinel.
* North American AT-6/SNJ Texan.
* Douglas C-47 Skytrain/Dakota.
The L-5, L-17, T-6, C-47, the Douglas A-1 Skyraider (AKA 'Spad' or 'Sandy'), the Corsair,
and the A-26 represent
aircraft from the Korean War. In the Korean War the T-6, which was used as a trainer
in World War II, entered combat as a Forward Air Controller (FAC) aircraft. The Corsair, which in WW-II was a top of the line fighter, served primarily in the ground attack role.
From the Viet Nam era a number of FAC and Raven aircraft (O-1/L-19, 0-2, T-6), the A-26, and the Skyraider ground attack aircraft plus our own C-47 will be present. A MiG-17F piloted by
Randy Ball
will represent aircraft flown by the "other side".
We expect the A-10 'Warthog' of the type currently seeing service in Iraq and Afghanistan to again be present. Together with the WW-II P-47 'Thunderbolt' of WW-II fame, the A-10 will participate in a heritage flight to illustrate the advances in airpower during the last 60 years.
An interesting comparison visitors to the Blue Bonnet Air Show can make is the
U.S AT-6 or SNJ trainer versus the Yak-52 of the USSR and the Nanchang CJ-6A of (mainland)
China. Both the Yak-52 and the CJ-6A are derivatives the Yak-18 (Max to NATO). The Yak-18,
Yak-52, and CJ-6A were the trainers used by the USSR, China, and
the Warsaw pact countries during the Cold War.
Other US WW-II trainers expected are the PT-13 (Stearman), PT-19 Cornell, and BT-13.
The A-26 is a particularly interesting aircraft. It was a principal participant in three
wars over a period of 30 years.
You might ask the crew of this particular aircraft,
The Spirit of Waco, about its
participation, in a previous incarnation, on the wrong side in a fourth war.
The MiG-17 was the USSR's primary fighter during the
1950s. The 'F' in the MiG's designation is the Russian way of indicating that this is the afterburner-equipped version. Although design of the MiG-17 began in 1949 to correct the bad
high speed behavior of the MiG-15, it did not participate in
the Korean War. American pilots first encountered the MiG-17 in Viet Nam and most
stated they feared it far more than the mach-2 MiG-21 because of its maneuverability, robust construction, and gun armament.
Be sure to put 11 April 2009 on your calendar now. Plan to
come early. Bring the kids. Inspect the aircraft, vehicles, and gear "up close and personal". Talk to the participants. We are all proud of the equipment we maintain.
Special guests, vintage and veteran aircraft are scheduled to attend in the best of faith by all parties. Unfortunately last minute health issues, mechanical problems, or adverse weather may prevent attendance.
In the event of rain or other inclement weather, we will fly as much of the air show as is
safe and possible. If part of the show has to be canceled, your ticket price will be
considered a tax-deductible contribution to an IRS 501(C)3 organization.
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