Gallery Update: 51st National Championship Air Races Recap

The 51st National Championship Air Races have come and gone and I was really glad I could take time off work to go. Compared to last year's sequester-affected 50th, this year's races saw the return of some military participation and displays, albeit still lacking compared to previous years. I've got the usual links categorized between air racing, the air show, the static displays, and the pits. I've also made an official planespotting album for Reno-Stead Airport because we actually stuck around after the Sunday races came to a close while we waited for traffic on the road to die down a little. Here are the links:

Reno 2014 - Air Racers

Reno 2014 - Air Show

Reno 2014 - Flight Ramp

Reno 2014 - Jet Pits

Reno 2014 - Main Pits

Reno 2014 - Static Display

Reno-Stead (RTS) 1

Before we get to the photo previews, there are some highlights worth mentioning and one in particular started this year's Reno Air Races out on a somber note... The 51st started out with tragedy striking early on during race week on September 8, 2014 when Lee Behel was killed in his Sports Class GP-5 known as Sweet Dreams when it suffered an in-flight wing failure and crashed during a qualification race.

Sweet Dreams, the GP-5 Behel was killed in, photographed back in 2012.

Up until his death, Behel was the president of the Sports Class of air racing as well as one of the founders of that division. He also flew in the Jet Class at the air races since 2002, flying various aircraft seen racing in the division including the Fouga Magister, L-29 Delfín, and L-39 Albatros. Behel was an experienced pilot and flew with the Nevada National Guard for 24 years as a fighter pilot. Prior to the opening ceremonies of the Saturday events of the air races, we took a moment to honor, remember, and pay tribute to the fallen aviator. Having been both a Sports Class and Jet Class pilot, it only made sense that planes from both of these classes would participate in a double fly-by for Lee Behel:

Four Lancair Legacies from the Sports Class fly by in tribute for their fallen leader and fellow aviator.

Three of four Aero L-39s from the Jet Class followed the Sports Class planes as part of their tribute to Behel.

The fourth L-39 nicknamed American Spirit piloted by Rick Vandam broke formation from the other three jets for a very special missing-man formation: Lee Behel's last lap around the race course. This L-39 literally gave Behel one last lap around the race course! As it flew around, the jet scattered some of the cremated ashes of the late-Behel through the aircraft's air show smoke system onto the race course, forever making Behel a part of the race course and the Reno Air Races, making this a very excellent and special tribute that the fallen aviator would be proud of and pleased with!

And with that, the races would press on. Other major highlights of the 2014, 51st National Championship Air Races include:

• The return of military performances and displays, including the F-22 Raptor demo team (part of the United States Air Force Heritage Flight) and U.S. Air Force jumpers jumping out of a C-130 Hercules. Despite that though, it is still evident that military participation is still very slim, even with static displays. We'll continue to see where military participation at air shows go in the coming years...
• Steve "Steve-o" Hinton wins his sixth consecutive Breitling Unlimited Gold championship, his second in the P-51D Mustang nicknamed Voodoo (maintaining the adage that purple is still the new red!). But this year's Unlimited race was perhaps the most exciting yet, especially on Saturday's Gold Heat to determine poll position for Sunday's Breitling Unlimited Gold Championship when Bill "Tiger" Destafani returned in his P-51D Mustang nicknamed Strega and challenged Hinton and created a photo-finish. (I unfortunately, did not photograph that photo finish of the two P-51s...) Unfortunately for Destafani and the Strega crew, one engine piston got fried and Destafani was apparently disqualified for violating a height restriction over the race course; Strega did not race in the final Gold Heat.
• On the topic of the Unlimited Class, something else got everyone's blood boiling AFTER the final Gold Heat race. Race #38, a specially modified XR-51D Mustang known as Precious Metal had one of the best racing seasons this year, by initially placing third in the final, Breitling Unlimited Gold only to have such impressive achievements dashed when the aircraft was disqualified for a "showline cut" which means the aircraft crossed the outside line of the property meant to keep the public who live in the vicinity safe. Crossing that line means an automatic disqualification for that racer and airplane. The controversy starts where there's clear video evidence from INSIDE the cockpit that counter such a claim. The controversy thickens when there's speculation as to why the disqualification wasn't called immediately; it was called after Precious Metal placed third and after race announcers called a clean race. The controversy worsened when the Reno Air Race Association released a statement on their website. (Updated statement released on 29 September, 2014) Long story short, many air race fans are angry and are demanding changes within RARA. One thing that's apparent is that this controversy is bad publicity for the sport itself and we can only look to the future on where things will go from here. As far as I'm concerned the Reno Air Races, the last of it's kind anywhere in the world, may not be around for much longer...
• On Saturday's event, the F-22 Raptor scheduled to perform developed some technical issues after take-off and unfortunately, the Air Force cancelled its performance for that day. While there was a second Raptor in the static display area, they didn't pull it out to replace the one that has problems as they would have done in previous years. Believe it or not, a third Raptor was flown into Stead Field on Sunday morning and the it performed flawlessly as scheduled, concluding with the Air Force Heritage Flight.
• We had unfortunately, another mishap during the Gold Sport Class heat race on the final day of racing. A turquoise Lancair Legacy known as Another Mistress piloted by Bob Wolstenholme called a 'Mayday' and pulled out of the race; apparently, he suffered an engine fire and attempted to land his crippled on a disused dirt road used as a crude runway. From what it looked like in the distance, the Legacy touched down alright but then veered off into some brush, cartwheeled, and disappeared in a cloud of dust. It was a horrifying sight to say the least. The aircraft most definitely sustained substantial damage and is looking like a write-off but thankfully, Wolsenholme walked away from the crash. Perhaps the late-Lee Behel was watching over Bob Wolstenholme...

Photo preview and highlights:

The United States Air Force Parachute Team presenting the American Flag.

Lockheed C-130H Hercules (79-0480) of the 152nd Airlift Wing of the Nevada Air National Guard "High Rollers" based locally out of Reno Air National Guard Base (RNO) slowing down upon landing after serving as the jump platform for the United States Air Force Parachute Team.

A P-51D Mustang, #7 Strega (N71FT) taxiing out for the Saturday Gold Unlimited heat. At the controls for the first time in six years is none other than Bill "Tiger" Destefani.

Steve Hinton Jr. flying his P-51D Mustang, #5 Voodoo (N551VC) low, fast, and in a left turn to his 6th championship win.

A rare Grumman F7F-3 Tigercat (NX747MX) nicknamed La Patrona flown by Rod Lewis, taking off for the Sunday Unlimited Silver Heat race.

"Korean War Hero" Vought F4U-4 Corsair (N713JT) from Jim Tobul Airshows doing an engine run prior to the Sunday Unlimited Silver heat race.

Bob Wolstenholme's Lancair Legacy called Another Mistress (N368W), the one that crashed on Sunday's Gold Sport race. Photographed in the pits the day of when it crashed. So grateful Bob was okay when he went down!

Thom Richard bringing his XR-51D Mustang, #38 Precious Metal (N6WJ) into qualification for Sunday's Unlimited Gold Heat during the Saturday Unlimited Silver race. Despite this year's disappointment over what's apparently a bad call that led to disqualification, I wish the best of luck to Thom and the PM team for next year, hopefully!

Jet Class SIAI-Marchetti S.211 (NX270CF) parked in the Jet Pits.
This is the first time I've seen an aircraft of this type.

Though I didn't get photo finish between Strega and Voodoo, this is a pretty neat representation on what air racing is really about. Two Hawker Sea Furies, both owned by Sanders Aircraft, Inc. out of Eldorado Hills, CA, #924 (N924G) flown by Brian Sanders and #114 Argonaut (N19SF) flown by Korey Wells duke it out in "The Battle of the Sea Furies" during the Saturday Unlimited Silver Heat race.

Dassault Falcon 900EX (N264C) putting on a demo.

North American P-51D Mustang known as "Wee Willy II" (NL7715C) doing a solo pass after the F-22 crapped out on Saturday.

This is the closest I've ever gotten to the F-22 Raptor, seen here taxiing by the Jet Pits on Sunday. This year's Raptor team hail from Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage, Alaska.

The F-22 Raptor showing its internal weapons bay.

A representation of American air superiority from their respective times, the F-22 Raptor and P-51D Mustang "Wee Willy II" presents the United States Air Force Heritage Flight.

The Patriots Jet Team once again, brought their L-39Cs to the races to perform.

By far, the most unique aircraft is this Waco ATO known as "Screamin' Sasquatch" (N32KP) sponsored by Jack Link's Beef Jerky. In addition to it's propeller engine, it also has a General Electric CJ610 turbojet taken from a Lear 23.

Close-up look at Rod Lewis' Grumman F7F-3 Tigercat (NX747MX) La Patrona parked in the pits.

Martin-Baker MB-5 replica (N445MB) rebuilt by John Marlin tucked away among some of the hangars in the main pits. This airframe is the only one of its kind in the world. The original MB-5, powered by a Rolls Royce Griffon, first flew on May 23, 1944.

Hawker Beechcraft AT-6B Texan II (N630LA) on display in the main pits. Based on the Texan II trainer used by the military, this aircraft is the armed version meant for primary weapons training or light attack roles. To accommodate weapons, it's got reinforced structure and a more powerful engine. It has even been proposed to be a cheaper alternative for ground attack roles compared to expensive and fuel-guzzling jets. 

Pitts S-1S Special (N180TT) known as Tango Tango flown by Tony Higa of the Biplane Class. Though I haven't followed the Biplane Class in a long time, this is my personal favorite because Tony and his wife are from Japan! The aircraft is adorned with stickers about Japan, especially the one on the nose, raising awareness and reminding us that Japan is still dealing with problems caused by the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami. Even better, I had the opportunity to chat with Tony Higa in his native tongue, talking about air racing, his plane, and some of the current issues in Japan.

Now what's air racing without the Rare Bear?! Stewart Dawson taxis the modified F8F-2 Bearcat (N777L) under its own power back to the pits after having to pull out of Sunday's Unlimited Gold heat when problems developed. Glad this iconic plane will live to race again! At Reno, the first thing race pilots think about is getting back down onto the ground safely. The second is winning the race. Even though the Air Race Association is a little screwy right now in the light of recent events, at least the pilots do things right at the races!

Airworthy (Yeah, I know!) replica of the Granville Brothers Gee Bee R-6H QED (N14307) on static display. I don't know who in their right mind would fly one of these things given the nasty reputation the original Gee Bee airframes were known for, but then again, you gotta be a little crazy to fly one of these things!

Another rare catch! A Grumman F3F-2 (N20RW) on static display. The F3F was last American biplane fighter aircraft delivered to the United States Navy and was in service between the two world wars. Out of 147 built, only five survive today with only four of them in airworthy condition.

First time I've ever seen the F-22 Raptor on static display, closely guarded of course!

Facing down an GAU-8/A Avenger Gatling Cannon of an Idaho Air National Guard A-10C Thunderbolt II (78-0707).

Side view of another A-10C Thunderbolt II (80-0250) from the Idaho Air National Guard.

United States Army Beechcraft RC-12X Huron (92-13121) on static display. This airframe is based on the Beechcraft King Air 200 variant.

North American F-100D Super Sabre (Ex-Turkish Air Force 55-2888, N2011U) on static display.

Ex-Czech Republic Air Force Aero L-159 ALCA (6043) on static display.

And that's a wrap! Despite some drama and controversy as mentioned above, this was no doubt, one of the best air race seasons to be present at. Even though they were lacking compared to previous years, it was nice to have the military back and have some variety for once.