Special Events gallery
Aero Fair May 21, 2009
As a teen-ager, I knew one of my uncles ran the Wausau Airport, in Wisconsin. I got up the courage to ask him if he could teach me to fly. Another relative used to barn storm in the late 1920's and 30's and crashed his plane in a dive that he never pulled out of during an air show. I was fascinated by that story and became determined to learn how to fly. My uncle said I could have lessons for half price if I worked at the airport cleaning the hanger, gassing up planes, changing tires and parking aircraft. I jumped at the chance to do so. I finally got my license and was one proud young man, but circumstances (Viet Nam) and working three jobs and going to college cut short my possible career as a pilot. I still have that young man's heart of being in the air in my own aircraft, so being at air shows, and hanging around pilots is always a fun thing to do.
Dale Basham, a retired commercial pilot, owns the light, sport bi-wing plane in the foreground. Basham has flown for the Air Force, National Guard, and as a commercial pilot for NorthWest Airlines. While in Guam he flew a Vulture 50 into typhoons for three seasons all over the Pacific. Planes he has flown, include Boeing 747, 707, 727, and the DC-10. He bought the sport plane in Frankfurt, Kentucky and flew it back to Payson.
Dale Basham fuels his bi-wing plane before leaving for the day.
Two Vary Eze's, designed by Burt Rutan, kneel nose down as a sort of bow to the gods of air and wind as a seemingly Rutan gesture of who actually rules the sky.
A Van's RV-8 taxis towards the hangers after a short landing. A plane of this type is owned by Larry Stoffers. Stoffers worked on his plane part time for six and a half years before completion.
Celebrating the day, and the amount of people who have come by for breakfast at the Payson Pilots Association Pancake Breakfast, Roma Chinappi, left, and Mary Walker were happy to be a part of such a successful event.
David and Mary Ann Buffington check out the complicated piston arrangement on this former Army war plane, the NA50, also known as the P-64. This plane is owned by Russ Westfall.
The famous B-25 Mitchell bomber lands rather gracefully as the star attraction at this year's Aero Fair. The B-25 was a World War II bomber that saw action in every part of the world during WWII. The B-25 is the only American military aircraft named after a specific person. The Barbie III is a B-25H designation, which means that it featured two additional fixed .50 in (12.7 mm) machine guns in the nose and four in fuselage-mounted pods; the heavy M4 cannon was replaced by a lighter 75 mm (2.95 in) T13E1. (Number made: 1,000; number left flying in the world: 1.)
Love is in the air, even at an air show, just ask Peter and Debbie Mountain.
George Barendes (left) talks about his scaled down version of a British Spitfire with Fabian Crout during the Aero Fair Saturday. Barendes started flying when he was a young man and flew for many years whenever he could.
Peter Havens, left, and Bob Franklin check out the fine condition of the pistons on this NA50, also known as the P-64. The North American P-64 is often referred to by Warbird lovers as an “export fighter version of the AT-6 Texan”, North American’s ubiquitous WWII trainer. In actuality, the P-64 is similar to, but not the same as the AT-6. The most significant differences include a shorter wing, the aircraft length, and a more powerful engine. The parts for these aircraft, though similar, are not interchangeable.
Two old pilots talk about their various flying experiences, Paul Gonnerman, left, a retired Air Force Lt. Colonel, and George Barendes, owner of the plane they are standing near.
The B-25H Barbie III taxis off the runway as spectators walk over to get a closer look at a now, one-of-a-kind aircraft.
After attempting to put a new propeller on the shaft of this Vary Eze, it is discovered that the propeller opening is too small for the shaft and needs to be machined out. Looking at the propeller are, Bill Lermer, left, Bob Eckes, and owner of the plane, Gary Hertzler.
A celebration of a great aircraft. Of course being from Wisconsin and knowing that the Milwaukee Airport is known as General Billy Mitchell Field might have something to do with this set of pictures.
