NEWS VOL. 42, NO. 1 Photos: Britt Dietz The 2018 Planes of Fame Air show highlighted P-38 Lightnings, P-47 Thunderbolts and an A-10 Thunderbolt II Heritage Flight! THUNDER AND LIGHTNING AT CHINO By: Frank B. Mormillo The Lockheed P-38 Lightning and Republic AT-12A/2PA Guardsman, Lockheed Model 12-A of Fame P-47G Thunderbolt and the Comanche P-47 Thunderbolt were the featured warbirds for Electra Junior, N3N “Yellow Peril,” PT-17 Warbirds P-38L lightning for formation flyovers the 2018 Planes of Fame Air Show hosted at the Kaydet, L-17 Navion, Cessna 195 and Luscombe and a dramatic show-ending break. Chino Airport over the weekend of May 5-6. With T8F Observer. David Vopat also displayed the Among the numerous aircraft on static that in mind, no less than six P-38s were on the unique Planes of Fame Air Museum Northrop display at Chino, the largest were a USAF C-17A airfield. Planes of Fame’s recently refurbished N-9MB Flying Wing. Globemaster III and the Yanks Air Museum’s P-47G Thunderbolt arrived back at Chino just in Aerobatic displays were flown by Rob Lockheed EC-121 Warning Star. The Los time to fly together with Allied Fighter’s P-47D “Tumbling Bear” Harrison in a Zlin 142C, Angeles California Police Department was even “Dottie Mae.” Gregory ‘Wired’ Colyer in a T-33 Shooting on hand with a trio of black and white helicopters. However, there were a lot more warbirds Star, Stewart Dawson in the Lewis Air Legends Prominent in the middle of the static display area flying in the show as well, including four P-40E F7F Tigercat and Sean D. Tucker in his Oracle was Camp Cal Aero, a military re-enactor display and P-40N Warhawks, a dozen P-51A, B and Challenger II Biplane. Sean D. Tucker also flew with the Planes of Fame Air Museum’s Sherman D Mustangs, a pair of F7F-3 Tigercats, two the Oracle Challenger II Biplane together with M4 tank in the foreground. B-25J Mitchell bombers, a rare Convair PB4Y-2 Johnny D in the Oracle Extra 300L. Blue skies were the order of the day at Chino Privateer , a pair of Douglas C-47/C-53 Skytrain/ A real highlight of the 2018 Planes of during the air show weekend, though it was a bit Skytrooper transports and a P-63A Kingcobra. Fame Air Show was an unlimited air racing warm on Saturday. As usual, about 300 Planes Other warbirds in the sky included two British demonstration with Reno Unlimited Champions of Fame Air Museum volunteers worked long and Spitfire fighters, a genuine combat veteran Spitfire Steven Hinton and Jay Consalvi in the highly hard to produce an outstanding air show weekend Mk. IX and a full-scale Allison-powered Spitfire modified P-51 Mustangs “Voodoo” and “Strega.” that was well received by all who showed up at the Mk. IX replica; a genuine Mitsubishi A6M5 Zero Hinton won the Reno Unlimited National Air Chino Airport. fighter together with D3A Val dive bomber and Racing Championship seven times at the controls A6M Zero fighter movie replicas (another A6M3 of “Strega” and “Voodoo,” and Consalvi barely Zero was on static display); and a FM-2 Wildcat, beat Hinton out for the title in 2017 while flying F6F-5 Hellcat, F4U-1 Corsair, Douglas SBD-5 “Strega.” Dauntless and TBM-3 Avenger warbirds. The The 2018 Planes of Fame Air Show began warbirds took part in World War II, Pacific Theater with a paratrooper drop from “D-Day Doll,” the and European Theater air combat simulations. Douglas C-53 Skytrooper from the Inland Empire The show also included a Korean Air War Wing of the Commemorative Air Force (an actual scenario with action from the AT-6 Texan, P-51D D-Day veteran) conducted as P-38 Lightnings and Mustang, F7F-3 Tigercat and AD-4N Skyraider P-47 Thunderbolts flew overhead into the missing piston-engined warbirds together with the T-33 man formation, and concluded with the USAF Shooting Star, F-86F Sabre and MiG-15 jets. Heritage Flight display. For the Heritage flight Among the aircraft featured in Golden Age flybys routine, an A-10C Thunderbolt II performed a full were the Boeing P-26A “Peashooter,” Seversky tactical display before joining up with the Planes Where Aviation History Lives!Takes Flight! www.planesoffame.org Page 2 Planes of Fame Air Museum 2018 PoF AIRSHOW HIGHLIGHTS TASTE OF FLIGHT GALA RETURNS – Photo: Frank Mormillo BIGGER AND BETTER THAN EVER! The twelfth annual Planes of Fame Air significant contribution to aviation over time, Museum “Taste of Flight Gala” promises to be a either in the form of innovations, knowledge, night of lasting memories, important fundraising, or methods to improve the industry. Within and good time for everyone. The event is aviation circles, the award is considered to be one scheduled for Saturday, November 17, 2018 at of the more prestigious honors bestowed. Past the Planes of Fame Air Museum. All proceeds recipients include Colonel Bud Anderson, Clay from the evening’s festivities will benefit the Lacy, astronaut Bill Anders, and Sean D. Tucker Educational Outreach efforts of the Museum. among others. 2018 Air Show Heritage Flight A-10, P-38 and P-47. This year’s event promises to be one of our This year, the award will be presented to two best ever with a wide selection of delicious food individuals, Pete Law and Bruce Boland, the Photo: Frank Mormillo tastings from local restaurants, wonderful wines, “Lennon and McCartney” of aviation engineering. beers, and spirits from top wineries, breweries, As aeronautic and aircraft systems engineers, and distilleries, and fantastic entertainment – with aerodynamicists, designers, and aviation the evening culminating in the presentation of the innovators, their work has made an indelible esteemed “Achievement in Aviation” award. mark on the aviation industry – from top-secret In addition to sampling the many culinary reconnaissance aircraft to high performance delights, guests help the Museum’s education air racers. Mr. Boland’s recognition is sadly programs by participating in our extensive Silent presented posthumously, having passed away in Auction. Filled with aviation art, autographed 1995 and Mr. Law will accept the recognition for memorabilia, fabulous gift baskets, access to local both gentlemen. amusements, an incredible selection of one-of-a- Plans are ongoing to make the event even The hot ramp attracted a lot of spectator interest. kind items and more, the auction is both fun and more spectacular. The “Taste of Flight Gala” exciting as guests outbid one another for these traditionally sells out. Tickets will be available on keepsake items. And, with the holidays just a few the Museum website beginning in August. Watch weeks after the event, this year’s auction is a great for future announcements. For more information, chance to pick up some exceptional gift items. please contact either Liz Esparza or Brian The highlight of every “Taste of Flight” Finnegan at 909-597-3722, or via email at liz. Gala is the presentation of the Planes of Fame [email protected] or brian.finnegan@ Achievement in Aviation Award. This award planesoffame.org. is presented to individuals who have made a Photo: Britt Dietz A-10 Thunderbolt II Demonstration Team. By the spring of 1939 the storms of war were growing in intensity in both Europe and Asia. The United States military recognized that it was ill-prepared should it be brought into the impending conflicts. And so began one of the most important, and little known chapters of World War II military history – the subsequent training of over 200,000 Army combat flyers by civilian-run schools from 1939 to 1944. From August 1940 until October 1944, nearly 12,000 cadets were trained at Cal- of living at the base, to its use in Hollywood Aero, and 87 percent of these were graduated. and Army training films, presentations by the Cal-Aero grads went on to serve with distinction Museum’s Education Programs team will provide – nearly 800 awards for achievement were insight into the amazing history of the Cal-Aero presented, including a Congressional Medal Flight Academy. Additional discussion will look of Honor and multiple Distinguished Service at the Chino Airport immediately following the Crosses, Silver Star medals, and Distinguished hostilities of WWII – when the Chino location Flying Crosses. became a staging area for obsolete aircraft. This special presentation will relate the early Comments from several Cal-Aero grads will Photo: Frank Mormillo beginnings of the Cal Aero Academy, look at also be a part of the program. the coursework taught at the school, and discuss For more information, please contact Brian Unlimited Champions Steven Hinton in many of the unique personalities involved in the Finnegan (909-597-3722 or brian.finnegan@ Voodoo and Jay Consalvi in Strega at the 2018 Planes of Fame Airshow. Cal-Aero story. From the “country-club” style planesoffame.org) Where Aviation History Takes Flight! www.planesoffame.org Page 3 Planes of Fame Air Museum THUNDERBOLT REJUVENATION By Frank B. Mormillo PILOTS POINT OF VIEW Special Event for Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Lifetime Members! Sit in the Cockpit of a P-51 Mustang! Saturday August 25th 2018 Ever wonder what it feels like to sit in the cockpit of one of America’s most famous warbirds? Here’s a chance for Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Lifetime members and up to 3 of your guests to put yourself in the pilot’s seat of the Air Museum’s P-51D Mustang. P-51 Pilot and Volunteer, Tom Nightingale will assist each person into the cockpit, ex- The subject of an extensive rejuvenation effort, using drawings and replacement parts provided plain the controls and answer any questions.