With a suggested donation of only $2, tens of thousands of
locals and visitors showed up in the searing sun. On the ground were all types
of WWI and WW2 aircraft, plus shiny new wings meant to thrill in the air. (Odd ---- all the planes were
propeller-driven except one: a Canadian CF18 fighter jet ----- helluva fast way
to get to Spring Break!)
The crowd was able to get really close to the active runway
for all the routines. Army Golden Knights Precision Parachutes. The Red Baron
in a dog fight with a Sopwith Camel. Formations of P51 Mustangs, including one
flown by the son of one of the original Tuskegee Airmen. The world's most
famous and decorated female stunt pilot ----- 2 pages of awards, prizes,
championships, and honours. Lots of smoke during the loops and barrel rolls.
The distinctive roar of T31 trainers. A joke schtick where a plane was
supposedly stolen and taken on a crazy ride by a non-pilot (very scary
near-crashes).
But the most amazing "planes" didn't fly at all.
Some guy has designed an outhouse "powered by the strong chili" he
ate last night. It raced down the strip belching flame and fumes, I kid you
not. And the best of all was a drag race between a low-passing Pitts vs. a jet-powered School Bus! 3,000
Horsepower from an A4 attack jet, getting kids to class at 340 mph! Who do you
think won??
(P.S. Tonight's Balloon Glow and Night Planes were cancelled
due to some showers and high winds. We went home dehydrated and deafened, but
what a blast. Or many, actually.)
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