2012 Wings Over Gillespie

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Our 2012 Wings Over Gillespie air show coverage starts with a look at the F2G-1 Super Corsair Piloted by Larry Perkins.  Larry was kind enough to let AIRSHOWVID.COM interview him and tell us about this very rare aircraft.  This aircraft is owned by Ron Pratt and was recently restored to its 1949 air racing configuration.  Only 10 of these aircraft were made and only two still fly.  We here at AIRSHOWVID.COM would like to thank Larry Perkins and his wife Peggy for allowing us to spend time with this beautiful aircraft.

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Dr. Ken Wagner has always been kind enough to allow AIRSHOWVID.COM access to his beautiful WWII P-51 Mustang and this past weekend at the Gillespie Air Show was no exception.  Lady Alice was one of the stars of the show as the crowd heard her Royal Royce Merlin engine scream overhead as Ken flew her during the WWII mock battle demonstrations.

Before each flight demonstration each aircraft is thoroughly looked over.  Gas and oil are usually free to the performers at all airshows as a way of attracting as many acts as possible.  Fuel is one of the highest costs an aircraft owner faces these days so free gas is always a hit with the pilots.  Most small airshows do not pay for the pilot’s time or other expenses.  Most pilots fly at airshows because of their passion for aviation and wanting to share that passion with the non-flying public.  Ken is no exception to the rule, his total cost to fly Lady Alice for the crowd of airshow guests far outweighs any free fuel he may receive during the show.  The average total cost to fly a WWII P-51 Mustang for one hour is now close to $2,000.00.  This cost includes items like insurance,hangar fees,maintenance costs,fuel,oil and the list goes on.  The next time you see one of these warbirds flying at an airshow give the pilots and owners a BIG thank you!   Without them absorbing most of the hourly costs, you would never see these historic and beautiful aircraft fly.

As you watch these videos from the Gillespie Air Show start to add up the cost per aircraft.  You will soon realize the price you pay to get into these events are a real bargain.

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Ok, AT-6 Texans dropping bombs is not historically correct, but hey we did not do the planning for this battle reenactment, we only shot the video.  Yes, there were many things that could have been done better but we give everyone an A+ for putting on an entertaining ground and air battle at this year’s Gillespie Air Show.  Why the B-25 and B-17 were not used as part of the battle sequence to replace the AT-6 Texans as bombers is a great mystery to us and hopefully next year’s battle will include them.

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John Collver has an aviation career spanning more than three decades and over 14,000 hours of flight time in over 50 types of aircraft.  His career includes time in the Goodyear Blimp, flying for television, as well as teaching and competing in the aerobatic arena.  In addition, John formally flew for the Northrop/Grumman corporation Supporting the U.S. Military for over a decade.
War Dog was built in Texas in 1944.  First stationed at MCAS El Toro, then six months later transferred to Miramar Air Station.  Several years and numerous duty stations later, she was retired from the US Armed Forces.

Her next duty assignment was with the Japanese Self-defense Force until 1974. Due to be scrapped, as was the demise of many World War II warbirds, it was at this time War Dog was discovered and saved by Warbirds West in Compton, California.  They sent her back to the states where she was completely rebuilt to its original condition.  It was at this time John became her new owner.

War Dog’s operational costs plus the numerous items related to ownership of a genuine warbird are constantly increasing.  John estimates that War Dog’s operating cost in the beginning was approximately $400.00 per hour.  Today increased fuel prices, maintenance, parts and insurance are well beyond that.  When you look at War Dog’s logbook you can understand the operating cost increase.  She has over 10,000 hours on her airframe and nine Pratt & Whitney Wasp radial engine replacements or overhauls by 1997.  She is a tough airplane that still has plenty of flight hours left thanks to the meticulously detailed maintenance John regularly performs.

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Russ Gilmore with the Arizona wing of the Commemorative Air Force was kind enough to talk with us about their B-25 & B-17 at the Wings Over Gillespie 2012 Air Show. Their B-25 “Made In The Shade” took over 28 years to restore it to flying condition and has only 200 hours on the airframe.  Their B-17G Sentimental Journey is the only B-17 that you can ride in the bombardire seat at take off and landing.  Check out the great take off and landing video shot after the show.

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We at AIRSHOWVID.COM would like to express our sense of loss we felt when the Fairey Firefly was damaged during a landing accident on the last day of the Wings Over Gillespie Air Show. Luckily the pilot Capt. Eddie Kurdziel was not injured during the mishap. The aircraft was not a total loss but it will take time and money to bring it back to flying status. This video was shot during the Fairey Firefly and Spitfire Mk9 flight demonstration and is the last video showing these two beautiful aircraft flying together. This video also contains an interview with Bob Deford the owner of the Spitfire Mk9 replica we shot during our recent trip to Marana AZ.

AIRSHOWVID.COM is a strong believer in keeping these historic aircraft flying for everyone to see. We support those who invest their time, money and skills to keep these aircraft flying.

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