Antique Attic
Rhapsody in blue
Through good times and bad ones, the Geneseo Airshow and the Atlantic Flyer have a long history in common. This honored tradition was respected and the Flyer once more represented at the 2009 edition, taking place from July 10-12.
“Go Navy”, the theme chosen for the event could not have been more attractive, as it was centered on WWII Navy airplanes, some of the most appealing machines in the warbird arena. Hellcats, Wildcats, Corsairs and the likes resonates with the public as well as the connoisseur like the rhapsody in blue, another American favorite.
To illustrate this major theme, the 1941 Historic Aviation Group (1941 HAG), organizer of the show, recruited far and wide, from California to Ontario, and everything in between.
The SoCal Squadron of the Commemorative Air force (CAF), based in Camarillo, delegated its Grumman F6F, painted in the colors of “Minsi III”, the Hellcat flown in the Pacific Theater by Commander David McCampbell, a Medal of Honor recipient who shot down 34 Japanese airplanes, including nine in a single mission.
The CAF Cactus Squadron sent its Curtiss SB-2C “Helldiver”, the only flying example of a down and dirty, get the job taken care off and run away kind of machine. Based in Graham, Texas, the plane is an example of the -5, the last production variant of the type, and was donated to the CAF on December 20, 1971.
After experiencing an engine failure in 1982, the Helldiver was rebuilt at great expense of time and money, to fly again in 1988. Its current colors and markings are those of the carrier U.S.S. Franklin (CV-13).
A real treat came in the form of a F4F “Wildcat” -in reality, an FM-2 built by General Motors in 1944- acquired by Michael Gillian from Courtesy Aircrafts in 2007, straight out of Downers Grove, Illinois. Over the years, this airplane has been seldom seen, as it had a pretty spotty career, spending more time in the repair shop than in the air .
A rare visitor from north of the border was the National Warplane Heritage Consolidated PBY-5A “Canso” built by Canadian Vickers in 1944. The amphibious is restored in the colors and markings of 162 (Bomber Reconnaissance) Squadron of the Royal Canadian Navy and dedicated to the memory of Flight Lieutenant David Hormell, who was awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross for sinking a German U-Boot on June 24, 1944.
The airplanes above described were truly rare sights in the skies of upstate New-York, and were complemented by some birds more commonly seen in the Northeast, regrouped under the same theme.
This included three Vought Corsair, two Grumman Avenger as well as Sandy Thomson’s Sea Fury, coming from across the border, in plain civilian markings.
In smaller numbers than previous years, the rest of the offerings were of the usual quality, displaying a wide cross section of aviation history.
Because of its unique mix, with something for everybody, and its smartly targeted yearly themes, the Geneso Airshow remains one of the premium event in the Northeastern US. We all hope it will keep its unique status for many years to come.
Just one more thing. I do crop my pictures, and I am proud of it!
