The great thing about these airshows, especially the Air Races, is that you never know what planes are going to show up even with the list of aircraft they email out. Well one of the biggest turnouts is always the T6 class. T6’s have always been the most common of the warbirds because of there easy to maintain nature. These trainers have been used and continue to be used for all types of flying lessons and practice. They are also widely used for Airshow rides due to their low cost with fuel consumption.
Over the last year we had another T6 at the races that was a bit of a new comer. Thanks to a couple of dear friends who happen to be historians at the races we have since learned that this particular T6 was used for combat in the Spanish War. It still has some of the original components that make it combat worthy, including the radar dish behind the canopy, machine guns in the wings and a hidden squadron mark. Now none of us now if the guns are real and were converted to display pieces only by removing the firing pins, or if they are fiberglass. Either way the barrels can be seen sticking out of the wings.
The really cool feature is the hidden squadron mark which is hidden behind the silver panel underneath the canopy. We were told that the mark is in watercolor and that if it rains it would be ruined. Funny thing is even the historians weren’t entirely sure what the insignia looked like. Maybe it’s just me but i always find it amusing when the guys that know it all get stumped. It means that there are still mysteries out there.
59 was a great subject flying around the pylons. We had one day of great clouds but diffused light which is never appreciated. The rest of the time it was good blue skies.
In the Camera Bag:
Nikon D3, 200-400 VRII, Sunsniper Metal Strap, on Lexar UDMA Digital Film