September 26, 2015 - Easton Airport Day
It's that time of the year again for the Red Star Formation Flying Weekend and Easton Airport Day!  Friday morning I was winging my way down the bay to Cambridge, passing this oil tanker riding high along the way.  Unfortunately, the weather ain't the best, as you can see.
   
I met Mugsy and Chef at Cambridge where we had breakfast at Kay's At The Airport restaurant.  It's always good.  Then we hopped over to our secret practice facility to test our rubber chicken launching devices.
   
Chef rolling in hot to drop his rubber chicken.  The weather doesn't look good but actually is not that bad.  It's flyable.
   
I'm the man!  Riding high on an old Roller.
   
Mugsy and I both had successful practice drops.  But Chef had an electrical issue requring a new part.  Here, we are back-taxiing for a takeoff and transit to Easton.
   
Following Chef and Mugsy to Easton.
   
Parked at Easton Airport.  Thanks to Greg Davis for the great pic.  The first of many.
   
The Maryland Jet hangar was our base of operations.   We had our briefings here, plus most of our meals.
   
My first formation flight Friday afternoon was with a group of Red Star planes.  Soprano was lead, Jim #2, Stu #3, and myself as #4.
   
Alongside the big Yak 52 for engine run-up.  A CJ is on short final.
   
Another Red Star four-ship was right behind us.
   
Bruce Vinal, a professional aviation photographer was in the Yak, and took this good shot of me in flight.  Notice the rubber chicken launching device under the left wing.
   

That night, we had pizza and beer in the hangar, and that was it for Friday.

The next morning, I led a five-ship on an early morning fun flight.  Jim was #2, Dan #3, Mike #4, and Chef #5.  Bruce was in Dan's red F-22 and took these shots of us in echelon formation approaching Easton.
   
 
   
A nice shot of Jim's CJ by Bruce V.
   
The weather was kind of dreary.
   
I start the break over Easton.
   
Then it was time for the mass formation flight and chicken drop contest.   Of course, it started out with a detailed brief from Mozam, who was Lead for the entire formation.  Another aviation photographer, Greg Davis, took this picture.
   
After the brief, it was time to get my rubber chicken loaded into the launcher with the release wire hooked up.  It's not easy.  My project for 2016:  make it easier.
   
 13 planes would fly in the mass formation, including 4 RVs.  There were three flights of four plus a stinger.  I was #4 in the second flight called TEXAN flight.  Soprano, pictured here in his CJ, was #3 and my section leader.
   
Mugsy was #4 in the first flight.   Weeds flying the big T-6 Texan was leading my flight.   It wasn't an easy flight.  The air was a little turbulent and I had to work hard to stay aligned with the big T-6.
   
Back on deck after the mass formation and chicken drop flight.  I'm pleased to report my rubber chicken dropped successfully.  A ground eyewitness said it was a good drop and a contender for the prize.  But it was not to be.  I did not place in the top three.  Still, I'm happy the rubber chicken dropped at all.  Overcoming his electrical problem, Chef came in third place on the chicken drop.
   
Mozam debriefing the flight and then announcing the winner of the rubber chicken drop contest.  Soprano was the big winner, with Mozam in second, and Chef (RV driver) in third.  It must be said there was some controversy and an official challenge has been submitted.  I"m sure it will receive the utmost consideration.
   
A group picture after the mass formation debrief.
   
 
It is Airport day so after the debrief, I like to check out the static display area.  There were noticably less people than in previous years, no doubt due to the sketchy weather.
   
Mugsy's RV-8 parked next to a T-34.  Riggo's RV-8 can be seen to the left.
   
Soprano's CJ and Stu's Yak on the line.
   
Dan being interviewed in front of his F-22.
   
A better look at Dan's F-22.  It's the only one of its kind flying in the U.S.
   
Soprano's CJ.
   
Week's big T-6.
   
Mozam's magnificent Cessna 195.
   
I've seen Panchito quite a bit this year.  I overheard the pilot say the B-25 burns 170 gallons an hour.  Ouch!  My RV-7 can fly 20 hours for every one B-25 hour.
   
Your Maryland State tax dollars at work.
   
OV-10 Bronco next to a Spitfire.
   
 
   
Camouflaged Cub.
   
The static display airplanes parked in front of the terminal building.
   
I've never actually seen the F-104 Starfighter pull contest -- I'm always away attending the mass formation brief instead -- but from these pictures clearly the participants take it very seriously!
   
One of the contest teams.
   
Like the paint job on this L-39.
   
I sure wouldn't mind having one of these.  Travel in style!
   
The radio-control folks were present.  I was awed by this big Fokker DR-1 Eindecker.  It must be close to one third scale.
   
The workmanship was incredible.  I wonder if it wouldn't be all that much more work just to build a full-scale one.
   
 
   
Motor for the Eindecker, the only thing on this airplane that doesn't look like the original.
   
A German Etrich Taube of World War One.  It was available at the start of the war and used for reconnaissance.
   
 
Spitfire being towed back to its hangar.  There was another Spitfire on hand which I got to see fly.
   
Panchito taxiis for takeoff.
   
I flew another formation hop Saturday afternoon.  This time Soprano was lead, I was #2, Lefty was #3, and the Judge was #4.  Mozam was in Judge's backseat giving him a check ride.
   
The Judge flying China Doll.
   

Usually at these events there is a group dinner Saturday night and some more flying on Sunday.  But the weather wasn't good, and looked even worse Sunday, so everyone bugged out Saturday afternoon.  Here I am heading home with a good shot of Wye Island.
   
Looking down at some nice waterfront estates.
   
 
Highway 50 snakes across the Eastern Shore to the west and the Chesapeake Bay.
   
The outlet mall by Highway 50.  There's a lot more people who shop than who fly, I can tell you that.
   
Summer is definitely over; only a couple of boats on the water this Saturday afternoon.
   
One boat as far as you can see on the Bay.
   
 
Now, no boats, only angry looking skies and wind-streaked water.  But it wasn't cold.  That's to come.
   
 
And now for some aviation art from that famous avant garde artiste Bruce R!
   

Artistic genius at work.

Although the turnout of planes and people wasn't what was in previous years, for me personally it was a very enjoyable two days.  I got in some outstanding flying, enjoyed socializing with friends, and most of all -- my rubber chicken dropped successfully!
   
 
   
Previous
Home
Next