WAR BIRD FLY-IN
DECEMBER 3 AND 4, 2011
GEORGE JENKINS CD
Warbirds over Sarasota
Even though the wind blew 20 mph each day, at least it was down the runway for the most part. There was a moderate turn out of pilots but they flew all day long to provide a great show for the spectators who came out to the meet.
Jim Martin did an excellent job of announcing and helping me run the event as contest director. Jim also honored the Veterans in attendance with recognition and applause on the field. The flying gaggle of T-28 Electrics was really popular with the crowd and the pilots. Opening the pits at noon so the public can walk through and ask questions or take picture is always popular.
The Runway café stayed busy from about 11:00 AM on and we nearly sold out of hamburgers and hotdogs the first day. The Huki Lau Restaurant had his Hawiian Shaved ice truck at the field and was very popular as a light dessert.
We collected over $45 and lots of bears for the Sarasota Sheriff and police department. Thanks, Mary Jo, for collecting the bears. A total of 80 bears were divided up equally for both departments. These bears ride along with the patrolmen and are given out to lots of kids who are injured, scared or helped by the officers and these bear do a good job toward giving them a great deal of comfort. Thanks to all who helped.
The raffle plane, a Bf-109, was a great success with Roger Niolet winning ticket for the EMS plane purchased from Gene Payson at Troy Built Models. Thanks to Jamie Garrett and John Hall for a great sales job on both days.
The Pilots Choice Award went to Alden Fonfeca with his all red all electric PC-21 EMS Pltaus, Best WWII went to Tom Smith and his Sea Fury and Best WWI was given to Don Janssen and his Fokker D VII.
If you could not make it to the meet, log on to our website and check out the great pictures taken by John Hall and posted by Mike Winter our webmaster.
The T-shirts were a hit again this year and the extras went on sale only after all the pilots got theirs. If you want one, talk to Jim Behanna who has the left over T’s for only $6. They don’t have a date on them so they will always be current.
If you would like to hear about the financial success of the Warbirds, come to the Wednesday meeting on December 28th.
George Jenkins, CD
1. George Jenkins CD, Jim Martin event coordinator and Roger Niolet SRQ member who had the winning ticket for the Bf 109.
A big hand shake and congratulation to the winner of the EMS Bf 109 purchased from Troy Built Models.
Alden Fonseca gets his plaque from CD George Jenkins, for the Pilot Choice award for his electric ESM PC-21 Platus.
Tom Smith was the Pilots choice for Best WWII with his radial engine power Sea Fury.
This Sea Fury took Best WWII plan built and flown by Tom Smith to 3rd place at 2011 Top Gun this year.
Don Janssen won the Best WWI with his Fokker D VII.
21 Veterans were honored by the Pilots and spectators at a ceremony at noon on Saturday.
The sun shelters are well use by the spectators and they are all Handicap friendly.
The Flight simulator got a good work out on both days from prospective members who were interested in R/C planes.
Carroll Jenkins shows off the “Warbirds over Sarasota” T-shirts made by Koala T’s.
Jamie Garrett sold more tickets for the Raffle Airplane of the ESM Bf-109 purchased from Troy Build Models.
Bill Kimbrell had his custom made T’s during the fly in.
This ESM Bf-109E Raffle plane was won by Roger Niolet.
Mary Jo holds the “Pilot bear” at the Bear Donation table and collected Bear Bucks so we could donate 80 bears to the Sarasota Sheriff and Police department for the kids.
1. The cooks, Carl Ziegler and SRQ president Paul Janzen Cranked out the “Belly Buster” hot dogs and ¼ hamburgers at the Runway Café. They were so good, we sold out on Saturday. Good job guys.
Jim Russell helps out the two cooks assembling the Hamburgers and Hot Dogs.
Bernie Salomon was in charge of the Runway Café again this year.
Don Janssen waits for his next flight since only 4 planes can be in the air at one time.
John Hall, who took all the photos for this event, holds his electric T-28’s that took part in one of the gaggles where all 9 flew at the same time, a real crowd pleaser.
4 of the T-28s are ready for takeoff at the noon gaggle.
FW-190 D-9 flow by Gary West from the Ocala Model Flying club.
Tom Czikk flew this P47 Razor Back like a real war bird.
Pilot unknown for this FW 190.
Yellow tail P-51D “Marie” by David Speed, one of the SRQ officers.
1. This big Fokker D-7 was flown by one of our SRQ member Don Janssen who also won best WWI plane as voted by the pilots.
One of the many t-28 electrics that can handle the 20 mph winds that blew during both days of the fly-in, but it was at least right down the runway from the east.
1. This famous Spitfire was flown by SRQ member Scott Kamarath.
1. Ziroli Stuka built and flown by David Stroup. He also flew at Junkers JU-52 at the flying.
1. Big Beautiful Doll is an ARF but the pilot did not mark the plane on his registration slip.
Another electric powered Bearcat by SRQ member Jon Hay.
1. Vince Veltri’s B-25 in the process of being assembled and it really look good in the air.
Dave Barry shows off his with his AT-19 with Camo paint job.
This SE5-A was also flown by Dave Barry an SRQ member.
Joe Wrights T-28 electric look like it is ready to go.
Roger Niolet talks to a spectator during the open pit at noon about his Nieuport 28 C-1.
The new silver version of the T-28 that is not as easy to see in the air as the white and red ones.
Ed Buchholtz painted his T-28 yellow so as not to get confused when flying in the gaggle
P-47D bubble canopy version by Paul Janzen our esteemed SRQ president.
ESM Skyraider flown by John Hall our SRQ photographer flies it very well.
These 40” Panther jets by Quick Coddington are easily repaired with 5 minute epoxy.
This T-28 had a larger motor and APC prop which made it faster flow by Dick Coddington.
Another Fokker D-7 built and flown by SRQ member Jim Lasik.
P-47D “Tarheel Hal”, an ARF, flow by Jim Lasik.
What is more dangerous than a Blue Navy J-3 cub with a bomb built by Jim Lasik?
“Yipes Stripes” makes this T-28 easier to tell in a gaggle flown by Mark Millard from Punta Gorda.
Roger Niolet holds on to David Stroup’s Junker JU-52 Tri-motor in the starting box.
Nothing sounds like 3 engines running at the same time in this JU-52 by David Stroup.
3 all foam planes: T-28, P-47 and Saber all flown by Frank Leggio.
A wingless P-51D and Jon Hays Bearcat.
Vince Veltri readies his B-25 while Ed Buchholz watches.
Yellow ESM T-28 flown by Ed Buchholz., P-47 and T-28 in foreground.
Panther jet, J-3 cub that did not fly in the Warbird event, blue Navy Cub and Nieuport.
Platus and P-51 Mustang in the ready box.
Phil Bender's Tigercat completed but not flow and the Fokker D-7.