Sun n’ Fun 2019 – Perfect Weather

Cool temperatures and a cloudless sky at Sun n’ Fun 2019 today.  What could be better than that for a perfect airshow day?  Not much I think. Today was a day for precision aerobatics sprinkled with a mix of vintage warbirds.

Kyle Franklin is shown here in his Demon-1 biplane, also known as Dracula. Combine the 500 horsepower Pratt R-985 engine with a Waco airframe that has been modified to achieve roll rates of over 300 degrees per second and you have an aircraft capable of a performance that keeps your head moving non-stop.  And that is just what this veteran airshow favorite did.

Originally delivered in 1945 Panchito is a meticulously restored B-25J.  With over 9,800 originally built the B-25 was the largest production of twin engine combat aircraft built during WW II.  While Panchito never saw action in the war it served equally important missions as a trainer for navigators, bombardiers and airborne radar testing. When not touring it can be seen at the Delaware Aviation Museum.

Matt Chapman brings a long history of thrilling airshow audiences.  Flying aerobatics since 1984 he has won numerous awards.  Next time you fly a commercial airliner pay attention to the names of the crew.  When not flying airshows he is a captain for a major airline.

The Douglas C-47 is an aircraft that has played many roles in its history.  Developed from a passenger aircraft, the DC 3, this aircraft saw action in several campaigns in both Pacific and European campaigns of WW II and also in Vietnam.  After the war it continued to prove its value with many being converted back to civilian service.  The aircraft was in regular service until as recently as 2012.  This aircraft is owned and maintained by the Confederate Air Force.

The Lockheed T-33 was developed after WW II to train the next generation of combat pilots for the coming of the jet age. Designed by Kelly Johnson (of Skunk Works fame) specifically as a trainer it was used by the armed forces of many nations until as recently as 2017.  The T-33 “Lightning” in today’s show was flown by Greg Colyer of Ace Maker Airshows. He followed the F-16 Viper performance and the contrast between the two aircraft was like an angry pit bull to a sleek grey hound (my comparisons so no hate mail please!).

In further support of my position yesterday that the Tower Controllers have the best seat in the house I present “Dracula.”  Seen here on one of several passes from today’s performance I’m sure that the controllers could read his fuel gauge…

The weather tomorrow is forecast to be a mirror image of today. Should be another great airshow day.  Until tomorrow…

http://www.columbiaaircraftsales.com

https://www.flysnf.org/