M. Wynn: "Wild Card" Aviation Photography & Images: Gallery Update: Aeroplanes, Trains, & Automobiles Open House 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, September 10, 2016

Gallery Update: Aeroplanes, Trains, & Automobiles Open House 2016 Recap

I found out about an event being hosted by the city of Spanish Fork, Utah (just south of Provo) by some fellow flight students as well as from a poster hanging on campus earlier this week called 'Aeroplanes, Trains, & Automobiles' being held at the Spanish Fork-Springville Airport. Naturally, I decided to check it out as this was a good excuse to explore the area, stay immersed in the world of aviation (of course, I went for the aircraft!), and just to check out another new airport I've never been to before and believe me, I was not disappointed!

One of the greatest highlights about today's event wasn't even a particular airplane, but rather a person: Colonel Gail Seymour "Hal" Halvorsen. I had the privilege of meeting and shaking hands with this extraordinary man!

Me with Colonel Halvorsen!

Colonel Halvorsen is an inspiration to many! He piloted the Douglas C-47 Skytrain and Douglas C-54 Skymaster during the Berlin Airlift ("Operation Vittles"), which was a response to the Soviet imposed Berlin Blockade, one of the first major international crises of the Cold War. Colonel Halvorsen's most well-known feat was the founding of "Operation Little Vittles", which was an effort to raise morale in the blockaded and divided German city by dropping candy via miniature parachutes to the city's residents, especially the young children. He began "Little Vittles" initially with no authorization from his military superiors. Over the next year for the duration of the airlift, Halvorsen became a national hero with a great deal of support gained from all over the United States, with fellow pilots participating in the airlift joining in on the "Little Vittles" operation. His unique contribution to the overall operation dropped over 23 tons of candy to the children and he affectionately became known as the "Berlin Candy Bomber", "Uncle Wiggly Wings" (because he rocked the wings of his plane to signal waiting children that he was about airdrop his load of candy to them), and "The Chocolate Flier." Gail Halvorsen is an American warrior and hero of the Cold War; he is an icon of the West standing its ground against the expansions of a Soviet-led Communism. May we all remember this incredible, historical feat, and may we all continue to honor and appreciate his legacy!

In addition to meeting Colonel Halvorsen, there were quite a few unique displays of aircraft both modern and vintage. Here are some links:

Aeroplanes, Trains & Automobiles 2016 (Aircraft Displays)

Spanish Fork-Springville (U77) 1

Photo preview:

North American SNJ-5 Texan (N156SG) on display. Aircraft is from the Commemorative Air Force's Utah Wing out of Heber City, Utah.

Boeing N2S-5 E75 Kaydet (N1387V) on display. Also from the Commemorative Air Force's Utah Wing out of Heber City, Utah.

Stoddard-Hamilton Glasair III (N79R) on display.

PZL-Warszawa-Okęcie PZL-104MA Wilga 2000 (N123T) on display. This has to be one of the most unique aircraft I saw in the 'modern' category. The Wilga (golden oriole) is a Polish designed and built short-takeoff-and-landing (STOL) Civil Aviation utility aircraft. The PZL-104MA Wilga 2000 was the last variant of Wilga 2000 made in 2005, with improved aerodynamics and winglets, powered by Lycoming I0-540 300 HP engine.

Note the large tundra tires, which is indicative that this aircraft is capable of being used for off-airport operations.

Lancair Legacy 2000 (N707MM), Race #32 "Turbulence" on display. This Lancair Legacy is equipped with a 850 HP Pratt & Whitney PT6A-42 turboprop engine. As of right now, this is the only Legacy in the world with this kind of powerplant.

Lancair Legacy 2000 (N913MP) Race #23 on display

Glasair GlaStar GS-1 (N199GS) on display.

Erco 415D Ercoupe (N99924) "Miss Dolly" on display. Aiframe was manufactured in 1946.

Titan Tornado S (N725Z) on display. The Tornado is a large family of cantilever high-wing, pusher configuration, tricycle gear-equipped kit aircraft manufactured by Titan Aircraft of Austinburg, Ohio for amateur construction. The Tornado S is a two seats in tandem "stretched" fuselage version, intended for the US home-built and light-sport categories.

Acro Sport Baby Ace C (N7EM) on display. The Baby Ace was the world's first aircraft to be marketed as a homebuilt aircraft when its plans were offered for sale in 1929. Plans are still available and Baby Aces are still being built today.

Epic Aircraft Epic LT (N504SM) parked in rather posh hangar!

Lancair Legacy (N36XX) on display.

Raytheon 390 Premier I (N373MM) parked in a rather spotless hangar!

Cessna 560XL Citation Excel (N560JF) parked in a hangar.

Beechcraft Model G18S (N50WA) on static display. Airframe is based out of Heber City, Utah with Worldwide Warbirds, Inc.

Remos G-3/600 (N160LS) parked among some hangars. The Remos GX family are a high wing, two seat, single engine light aircraft, built in Germany and sold worldwide. The G-3/600 model takes advantage of the increased ultralight maximum take off weight.

ICP Savannah (N951RA) parked in a hangar. Classified as an ultralight with side-by-side seating for two, the Savannah is produced in Italy by ICP srl. It has sold in large numbers, particularly in Europe. The aircraft is still in production, sold in both kit and ready to fly form.