M. Wynn: "Wild Card" Aviation Photography & Images: Gallery Update: Warbirds over the West 2016 Recap

About This Blog:

The primary purpose of this blog is to showcase the best of my aviation photography. As such, you will find links to my main aviation gallery on Facebook containing photos from aircraft spotting, some kind of aviation event such as air shows and fly-in events, as well as aviation museums. I also critique my flights on commercial airlines and the services they provide. Occassionally, you'll find personally written, independent articles based on news and current events involving aviation. And of course, I'll put up links to official and unofficial aviation-related websites when I find them. And when time permits, I'll talk and discuss about anything involving aviation. But most importantly, this is my way to document my journey into the aviation industry!

Saturday, June 11, 2016

Gallery Update: Warbirds over the West 2016 Recap

The first aviation event for the year 2016 I get to attend happened to be right here close to home in Salem, Oregon! Once again, the B-17 Alliance Group hosted another great fly-in and fundraiser known as Warbirds Over the West, to help them raise money to go towards the restoration and making airworthy their Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress known as the Lacey Lady. Like last year, there's a vintage car show, former military vehicles, static display of aircraft, as well as some flight activity. Of course, I go to see the various airplanes and helicopters! Here are some links:

Warbirds Over the West 2016 - Static Display

Warbirds Over the West 2016 - B-25D Mitchell "Grumpy"

Warbirds Over the West 2016 - West Coast Ravens

Warbirds Over the West 2016 - Arrivals & Departures

Salem (SLE) 11

Photo Preview:

Static Display

There was quite a decent variety of aircraft (both military and vintage) on display this year, despite that there were fewer aircraft this year compared to last year, most likely due to the weather we've been having; most of this week and much of this morning was either rain or overcast and I imagine the weather was a factor in keeping many pilots and their planes from showing up. Even so, there were some neat things to see and this year, I got to see some new ones too.

Smith Miniplane CEG (N6891C). This has got to be the tiniest biplane I've ever seen!

Oregon Army National Guard Sikorsky HH-60M (S-70A) Black Hawk (10-20300) from the local Salem-McNary Army National Guard Base on display.

Oregon Army National Guard Eurocopter UH-72A Lakota (12-72235) also from the local Army National Guard base in Salem on display.

United States Coast Guard Aérospatiale/Eurocopter MH-65D (SA-366G-1) Dolphin (6514) from Coast Guard Air Station North Bend on display. This is year celebrates 100 years of U.S. Coast Guard aviation so this aircraft has been painted in a centennial retro livery. This was one of the things I've been wanting to photograph since the Coast Guard commemorated their aviation centennial so I'm glad the North Bend crew sent this Dolphin out here!

Van's RV-3B (N159SJ) on display. Nicknamed "The City of Salem" adorned with an image of the state capitol building; it's clear this RV owner is a proud Salemite! This livery also mimics "The City of Springfield" livery found on the Granville Brothers GeeBee Model Z that's on display at the Seattle Museum of Flight.

An unpainted Van's RV-9A (N49TN) on display.

Van's RV-9A (N339PJ) on display.

Piper J-3 Cub (NC3603K) on display. Note the wooden propeller.

Van's RV-4 (N504JT) on display.

Grumman (McKinnon) G-44 Super Widgeon (N45PV) on display. This is one of 70 airframes converted by McKinnon Enterprises in Sandy, OR, featuring re-engining with 270 hp (201 kW) Avco Lycoming GO-480-B1D flat-six piston engines, and various other modifications, including modern avionics, three-bladed propellers, larger windows, improved soundproofing, emergency exits, and increased Maximum Takeoff Weight. Original Widgeons utilized two Ranger L-440-5 air-cooled inverted six-cylinder inline engine, at 200 hp (150 kW) each.

Cessna 195A Businessliner (N1010D) on display, another true vintage! Considered by many pilots and collectors to be one of the finest classics ever built, the Cessna 195 is much sought-after in the used aircraft market. According to the owner of this aircraft pictured, this airframe was utilized as a commuter airliner by Midway Airlines operating from Chicago.

Speaking of Cessna aircraft, here's a shot I'm proud of: two different types and generations of Cessna aircraft!

ERCO 415-C Ercoupe (N3095H) on display, another true vintage!

I heard the Ercoupe cockpit and flight controls were unique (such as a car steering wheel-like control yoke) and I had to see for myself! Interior shot of N3095H.

Ryan PT-22 (ST-3KR) Recruit (N60805) having just arrived. It doesn't get anymore vintage than this!

Van's RV-4 (N3121L) just after arriving.

Beechcraft (D45) T-34B Mentor (N9EJ) having just arrived. Formerly with the United States Navy.

Van's RV-9A (N561VB) taxiing to the ramp.

Van's RV-9A (N625DK) on display. Note the wooden propeller.

Van's RV-7 (N266SW) on display.

CC&F Harvard Mk IV (NX1466) nicknamed "Time Machine" on display.

Maule MX-7-180C (N1043B) on display.

CAB GY-20 Minicab Coupe (N3772) taxiing to be displayed. The Minicab Coupe is of a post-war French design built mainly for utility purposes.

Historic Flight Foundation's North American B-25D Mitchell "Grumpy"

Like last year, the Historic Flight Foundation out of Everett, WA brought their North American B-25D Mitchell medium bomber known as "Grumpy" (N88972)down for the event and offered rides.

Taxiing out for departure.

Take-off rotation.

A perfectly-framed take-off shot!

First photo pass.

Second photo pass.

Third and final pass with bomb bay doors open.

Landing and roll-out.

Taxiing back to parking.

The West Coast Ravens Formation Team

Again, like last year, a formation of Van's RVs comprised of members from the West Coast Ravens performed a couple of formation passes before landing.

First pass.

Second pass.

Third and final pass.

First formation break.

Second formation break.

The flight leader, a Van's RV-8 (N526KP).

Van's RV-8 (N288DC), the #2 of the formation.

Van's RV-7 (N67683), the #3 of the formation. There are also photos of this particular airframe equipped with floats, believe it or not! That means, this airframe in particular is interchangeable between conventional gear and floats.

Van's RV-8 (N805K), the #4 of the formation. Gotta love the 8-ball on the vertical stabilizer!

Van's RV-6 (N726RV), the #5 of the formation. Note the wooden propeller.

Van's RV-4 (N85BR), the #6 of the formation. Also equipped with a wooden propeller.

And the line-up!

These guys sure make it look professional! When they lined up to park, they did it in a synchronized fashion!

Regular Planespotting Highlights

And while the event's were in full-swing, I got some ramp-side spotting photos of some of the general aviation traffic.

Beechcraft B200 Super King Air (N132N) taxiing to the Salem Air Center FBO.

Piper PA-32RT-300T (N39639) Turbo Saratoga taxiing out for departure.

Piper PA-38-112 Tomahawk (N2478C) taxiing to parking. Note the beloved Warner Bros. Looney Toons and Merrie Melodies character Tweety decal on the vertical stabilizer!