Military Aviation Journal is an online magazine dedicated to all aspects
of military flight. This includes current military aircraft, warbirds,
aviation related historical events, and most importantly the men and women
who fly and/or have flown these aircraft. Military Aviation Journal is a
non-profit website. Our mission is to tell as many aviation stories as
possible, educating the public on what sacrifices the members of our armed
forces make (or have made) in defending this great country.

Military Aviation Journal is led by Phil Myers, a military aviation
photojournalist with a passion for telling stories and documenting the history
of military aviation. In addition to his website publications, Phil’s
articles and photographs have been published in several magazines.

Please visit them at  http://militaryaviationjournal.com/

On May 5^th and 6^th, the Planes of Fame Air Museum in Chino California is going to open its hangar doors and roll out some of the finest examples of restored aircraft in flying condition from years past.  This year’s airshow honors the turning of the tide in the Pacific in 1942.  The airshow is scheduled to feature over 40 historic aircraft performing for all those in attendance; in addition to many other fascinating exhibits and demonstrations.

The Planes of Fame airshow is THE airshow to go to if you happen to like anything that flies and has used by various militaries across the world in the last 70+ years.  The flying collection during the show includes aircraft from World War II and on; including an F-4 flight.  The list of performers and aircraft flying in the airshow is too long to put here and really is better viewed on the Planes of Fame website:  www.planesoffame.org

Many of the aircraft scheduled to fly are one of only a small number of flying examples.  The Planes of Fame airshow usually has a majority of the flying P-38; at least one of only a few Tigercats; more Mustangs than just about anywhere else; and this year Planes of Fame has merited a spot on Sean Tucker’s performance schedule.

The staff at the Planes of Fame Air Museum were more than gracious, including amazing access to aerial photography of a couple of their fabulous machines.  Having the opportunity to go up in the air and shoot a P-38 Lightning along with a P-40 Warhawk was an amazing experience from a Cessna 195.  Many thanks are due to everyone at Planes of Fame for their generosity in opportunity and welcoming attitude.

Simply put, the Planes of Fame airshow is amazing.  Every year I go, I look at the whole experience as a privilege to see these rare machines flying.  Unfortunately, as time goes on these aircraft become fewer and fewer and you just never know when they might not be around for the next performance.  See you at the show!

The Planes of Fame Air Museum is located at Chino Airport and located online at www.planesoffame.org  For more information visit their website or call 909-597-7576

Almost all aviation photographers have one dream, crave one chance, an event that can make or break a career, and that is to be able to shoot Air 2 Air! Shooting an aircraft while up in another aircraft. This is where the magic really happens. Most photographers never get the chance at this, but on April 27th, 2012, I did.

Now, while I have flown in C-130’s, CH-53’s and CH-46’s, when I served as a grunt in the U.S. Marine Corps,  I was really excited about the opportunity that was to befall me.

The Collings Foundation is a historical group based in Massachusetts, and they own several World War II, Korean and Vietnam Wars era aircraft that are available for Air Shows, and other events. Every year, the Foundation puts on a Country-wide Tour called the Freedom Tour, where they travel from State to State, from airport to airport, and attendees, are given up-close tours of the planes, and even the chance to go for a flight on them for a fee.

The planes include the B-17G Flying Fortress “Nine O Nine” , the B-24J Liberator “Witchcraft”, the only one left in the world that’s capable of flight, and of course, the P-51C Mustang, named the “Betty Jane”.

Finding out about the tour in March, I made contact with Hunter Chaney of the Foundation, and  I was able to secure a flight on the Witchcraft, when they would be moving the planes from Gillespi Field in El Cajon, CA. to Palomar Airport in Carlsbad, CA.

Arriving at Gillespi Field, I met many of the great volunteers and employees, who keep the show going. Wonderful people who all share a love of these warbirds, their histories, and love of Country. I also met several men who were former P.O.W.’s from WWII, some of which had actually been shot down by the Germans while flying in a B-17 or B-24. Truly as said before it’s our Greatest Generation of Americans.

Once, I was in the B-24, and we were ready for flight, we rumbled down the tarmac, and everything seemed to be shaking and creaking as the old girl made her way to the end of the runway. Suddenly, the roar of the engines drowned out any other noise, and we were rolling down runway, and then suddenly we were airborne and quickly climbing in attitude.

After several minutes, we given permission to stand and move from our seats, and the Mustang came along side of the B-24, and I started shooting away. Now I will say this, thank god for the Vibration Reduction (anti-shake) device in my lens. I shoot with Nikon, and I was using the Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 VR lens. While the bomber was a fairly steady platform to shoot from, it still was bouncing quite a bit, as I stood at the waste gunners windows, while the Mustang flew along side. Sure I could have shot at a very fast shutter speed to get sharp images, but the propellers on the Mustang would not have looked natural, and the VR helped me get sharp images with slower shutter speeds.

We flew towards the ocean passing MCAS Miramar along the way, and finally out over the Pacific and then north along the coast, even if the P-51 had not been present, it was still a beautiful day to fly along the coastline. After 20 minutes in the air, we landed at Palomar Airport, with a big bang, and standing, waiting for the those planes to arrive, were several hundred people, who wanted to tour the planes.

I want to thank Hunter Chaney and the rest of the Collings Foundation for giving me my first Air 2 Air experience, but for also preserving these wonderful warbirds, and to Joe Kates of Photorecon, who’s advise I sought and used while in the air.

The smell of jet fuel still lingers in the air at NAS El Centro following the conclusion of the first major air show of 2012. The first show brought delight to many after what had been a difficult off season that focused more on teams cutting back rather than building up budgets. The air show austerity forced the shutdown of most of the Air Force singe ship demo teams of A-10 East & West, F-16 teams Viper East & West and the F-15 Strike Eagle.

But the heartaches of the off season weren’t enough to stave off throngs of fans like Mike Webb from Tennessee. Mike and his wife, Fran Webb comes down a week early for the show to watch as the Blue Angels prepare for opening weekend. The Blue Angels traditionally kick off their air show season here at NAS El Centro as it is their practice prior to the actual season start date.

Many of the off-season changes brought ushered in some old faces in new roles. Former A-10 West Demo Pilot Joe “Rifle” Shutterly, who was here with his team, Rifle Airshows and sponsor Aviation Solutions, made his season debut in El Centro. He will be flying an RV-8 that features a very unique registration of N76540, which the original builder had come up with as a way of remembering each aircraft he had flown in the military, starting with the 7 is for A-7, 6 – F106, 5 – F5, 4 – F104 and 0 represents the F-100 and the A-10.

This year’s NAS El Centro show also featured Tim Weber, who has acquired an entirely new aircraft with a sleek blue and yellow Geico paint job for the season. The new scheme will be sure to catch the eyes of air show followers across the country this year.

Spencer Suderman, making his season debut with his friend Bill Cornick was also at the show racing each other around the airfield and showing the fans what planes with props can really do.

Making his air show debut was Torrey Ward, who will be flying a Glasair III for the 2012 season sponsored by ONE Coconut Water. He was treated to a nice cool bath following his landing by Joe and Spencer.

As the anticipation builds toward the closing act, the Blue Angels, under the command of Captain Greg McWherter for the 4^th year. He is joined by two new pilots in the diamond this season, Lieutenant John Hiltz who will take the right wing in the diamond formation, along with Captain Brandon Cordill who will take the left wing. Flying the slot position this season will be second year pilot Major Brent Stevens.

The two solo pilots are Lieutenant CJ Simonsen and Lieutenant David Tickle. Simonsen joined the team in 2010 as narrator, flew the 2011 season as opposing solo, and this year will be flying the #5 or lead solo. Tickle was the narrator last year and will be flying the #6 or opposing solo this year. This year’s is Lieutenant Mark Tedrow; a new addition.

If you have never been to or seen a Blue Angels show, you are sure to be in for a shock at how these six pilots are so precise while performing maneuvers that you would never expect to see. From a slow nearly stalling the aircraft type pass known as the high alpha to the sneak ones that scare many who never see the plane coming with its full afterburner engaged.

As the noise settles over the NAS El Centro Valley, the roar of the jet engines and smoke of all the acts moves on to new venues all across the country sure to excite fans everywhere!

PhotoRecon would also like to send a special thanks to Captain Mark Hubbard who was flying the Bearcat for some special access on Friday Night following the Blue Angels Pep Rally to get some great night shots of his aircraft along with the Commemorative Air Force’s Texan!

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airshowvid.com

Photorecon has partnered with AirShowVid.com to start producing high quality videos.  Bringing you video from airshows and major aviation events from around the west coast is not a departure from our regular approach but a welcomed addition. Our mission is to showcase compelling video productions that stir audiences. Whether it’s aerobatic, military or vintage aircraft we produce video that will engulf you in the magic of flight. We will supply the energy, expertise and the drama that will motivate you to come back for more.

Please visit them over at http://airshowvid.com/

John C. Evans, Biography

10/28/1935    I was born in Clawson, Oakland, Michigan a small suburb just six miles north of Detroit, Michigan.

1940 – 1953   I attended Kinder-Garden, Grade School, and High School in Clawson, Michigan.

1/1954              I moved to Royal Oak, Michigan just prior enlisting in the United States Air Force.

2/26/1954      I enlisted in the United States Air force in Detroit, was sent to Sampson AFB, NY for basic training, and then sent to Amarillo AFB Texas for Medium Bomber Training.

10/1954         After Tech School I had two weeks leave and then was sent to Pine Castle AFB, Florida arriving in November 1954, just south of Orlando FL, as my first duty station.  Later my Squadron moved to our permanent duty station at Homestead, Florida just south of Miami.  In 1956 and 1957 I was deployed TD (Temporary Duty) to French Morocco for a total of 5 months and 9 days.

10/29/1957    I separated from the United States Air Force with an “early out” for military downsizing.

10/1957 – 8/1958   Worked for Newsome and Holmes Tile Company located in Conway, FL as a Helper/Apprentice.

8/26/1958 – 11/15/1968   I was hired by Pratt & Whitney Aircraft Research & Development located in the Florida Everglades just 16 miles NW of West Palm Beach, FL as a Jet Assembler.  I would work on the JT11D-20 program for just over 10 years.  I was later to learn that this engine was designated as the J-58 and would power the Lockheed Martin Blackbird family of aircraft.

12/2/1958 – 2/1/2001      I was hired by Airesearch Mfg. Co. of California as a Laboratory Technician.  During my employment the company would go through several name changes and mergers.   On April 1, 1984 I transferred to Garrett Phoenix, AZ and continued my employment for a total of just over 32 years. These name changes were, Allied Signal Cos., GTEC, GED, and Honeywell.  I retired from Honeywell as an Engineering Specialist, Controls, on 2/1/2001.  From joining the USAF until my retirement from Honeywell I have worked in Aviation for an uninterrupted career of 47 years.

1993 – Present      I keep busy with volunteer work.  Some of my volunteer work is, Maricopa County Sheriff’s volunteer Posse as a Firearms Instructor & Weapons Inspector (1993-2002), volunteer Joe Foss Institute (WWII Medial of Honor), and volunteer Veterans History Project.  In addition I am a current member or both the Roadrunners Internationale <http://roadrunnersinternationale.com/> and the Blackbird Association <http://www.habu.org/>.

I also am the Curator of the “ATF3 Online Museum” at www.atf3.org.

I have recently been interviewed by both Steve Kates aka DrSky http://www.drsky.com/ & <http://www.teentalknetwork.com/sky.htm>, and his brother Joe Kates CEO of <photorecon.net>.

I currently live in Tempe, Maricopa, Arizona 10 miles SE of Phoenix AZ.

Here is a video shot and edited by   Mr. Cam Inglis.         Thank you Cam for the gerat video.

On January 14th the Arizona Wing of the Commemorative Air Force, hosted  ”A Legacy of Honor, Valor and Pride: A Tribute to the Tuskegee Airman” . Several hundred people turned out to honor the service and sacrifice of the warriors known as the Tuskegee Airman. On hand were several Tuskegee airmen from the Archer-Ragsdale, Arizona Chapter of the TAI.

A presentation of colors was performed by re-enactors portraying Buffalo Soldiers. Mesa, Arizona Mayor Scott Smith gave opening remarks, followed by a moving memorial prayer by Chaplain Porter, to honor those brave warriors who have gone west.  Mr. Richar Toliver, of the Archer-Ragsdale chapter, spoke about the history and legacy of the Tuskegee program. The success of the Tuskegee airmen opened the doors for future generations of African Americans, who wanted to serve their country. The sacrifices made by the men of  the Tuskegee breaking down racial discrimination, helped to inspire both men and women to serve.

This was very evident by the evenings key note speaker and award presenter Major General Marcia Anderson (The highest-ranked woman of color in the U.S. Army).  During the award ceremony Mr. Mel Rohden spoke the words of  Martin Luther King. The event was very moving and a wonderful way to pay tribute to the legacy of these great men.

After a short meet and greet with the honorees, we took our seats and enjoyed a screening of the movie “Double Victory”  Tuskegee Airmen tell their story,  a George Lucas  documentary companion to the upcoming Red Tails film. Red Tails Directed and produced by George Lucas, will be in  theaters January 20th 2012. http://www.redtails2012.com/

Facebook  http://www.facebook.com/RedTails?sk=wall

Honorees:

Fred Archer  (1921-1988)

Natahiel Carr, Sr. (1921-2005)

Vernon Haywood  (1920-2003)

Lincoln Ragsdale,Sr. (1926-1995)

Luke Weathers (1920-2011)

Bob Ashby

George Campbell

Charles Cooper

Thurston Gaines

Ivie Giles

Asa Herring

Rudolph Silas

Howard Williams

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SEATTLE— Santa Claus ditched his sleigh Saturday and flew in a 1952 de Havilland Beaver.

Santa and Mrs. Claus fly past the Seattle Space Needle. (Photo by John Harrell)

The Jolly Christmas icon arrived at this city’s Museum of Flight aboard a restored single-prop aircraft dubbed “Santa One,” greeting eager children and their parents with Mrs. Claus on a visit from the North Pole.

Santa decided to travel by plane instead of his traditional sleigh because his reindeer are unavailable during daylight hours, he said, and also because they need to rest for next week’s midnight marathon around the world.

“Rudolph and Dancer and Prancer and the rest, they’re resting up because they’ve got a big night” on Christmas Eve, he said.  “And it’s daytime, and they can’t fly in the daytime,” he said.

Santa waves to his adoring fans. (Photo by Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren)

Santa and Mrs. Claus had smooth sailing on approach to runway 13-R at King County International Airport (KBFI, “Boeing Field”), whose tarmac abuts the museum, on a chilly, partly-cloudy morning.  The clear air afforded the Christmas couple wide views of the Puget Sound region on their approach past downtown Seattle and the Space Needle.

Santa Claus is familiar with Seattle from the air, since he sees the city from his sleigh once a year.  But a mathematical analysis by NYCAviation suggests that his customary airspeed on Christmas Eve is far faster than the Beaver flew en route to the museum, in order to allow him to visit the countless houses of the world in a single night.

Santa One passed by the downtown core at only about 120 miles per hour, according to Douglas DeVries, vice chairman of the board of trustees for the Museum of Flight and the pilot of Santa One.  While that’s a minuscule fraction of the average speed of Santa’s sleigh, DeVries called it “rocket-speed for a Beaver.”

The aircraft’s 59-year history has taken it to Hawaii, the Sound region, British Columbia, and points north, said DeVries.

It was badly damaged in Hawaii while a production piece in the 1998 feature film Six Days Seven Nights, said DeVries.  The plane’s cockpit was compromised, he said, and its starboard wing had folded back toward the fuselage.

DeVries purchased the aircraft from a wrecking yard in Colorado, he said, and spent six years restoring the plane to airworthiness.  He replaced almost all of its fuselage skin, except for one piece of the original, which he retained as a memento of the plane’s former life.

He also gave it its new tail number—registry N67DN—as a tribute to the movie it had helped make, DeVries said.

Santa Claus could almost have hopped aboard the airplane in 2008 when DeVries attempted to fly it to the magnetic north pole.  DeVries’ trip was hindered by an iced-over waterway at a refueling stop, which prevented the ski-equipped airplane from landing there.  DeVries finished the 12,000-mile arctic trip, but he would have to wait to speak to the North Pole’s chief resident in person.

Such a meeting took place Saturday, with Santa and Mrs. Claus seated in the mid-cabin row aboard DeVries’ restored Beaver.  Removing their headsets, the Clauses climbed out of the plane to the welcome of their young admirers, who had turned out in scores for their arrival at the museum.

Moments later, the queue to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus inside the museum wrapped around much of the lower-floor exhibit.  Elves in bright red and green ushered children forward to meet them beneath the cut-out USAir fuselage that forms part of the museum’s collection.

Santa’s helpers had been dispatched ahead of Santa One on an advance team, said Alexa, a 14-year-old elf, while ushering the long line of children awaiting their turn with Santa.

Alexa’s presence was “part of an elf exchange program,” she said.  “I’m sent down here [from the North Pole] to make sure which kids are naughty or nice, and then I report back to Santa.”

She prefers Seattle to the North Pole.  “It’s always cold up there,” she said.  “Yeah, I like snow, but I don’t like it constantly cold.”

“My favorite part was sitting on Santa’s lap,” said Christopher, 5, of Puyallup, Wash., after his turn visiting Mr. and Mrs. Claus.

News of DeVries’ North Pole attempt in 2008 made its way to the Claus workshop, said DeVries.  “Santa heard that we were trying to get to his house three years ago in the Beaver,” which helped inspire the Claus couple’s interest in stopping at the museum, DeVries said.

“What Doug wants for Christmas,” joked wife Robbi DeVries with Santa present, “is his fuel back.”

The fuel, all 2,400 pounds of it, is still waiting to be reclaimed from the unreached stopover point, the pilot said.

Santa Claus did not immediately comment.

Santa checks out the de Havilland Beaver prior to departure. (Photo by Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren)

Notes – Character actors Clyde Bock and Mary Jane Donaldson contributed significantly to the unfolding of this story.

On November 17th 2011 Photorecon was an invited guest of APSOCAL http://www.apsocal.com/ to attend the  NAF El Centro Photocall.  The chance to attend this event is one we look forward to, as this has to be the closest access to live military flight operations anywhere in the world. The event was able to take place due to a wonderful working relationship between  APSOCAL http://www.apsocal.com/ , AZAP http://azaerophoto.com/ and  PAO Michelle Dee. This relationship has afforded great access to the active runways  at NAF El Centro for a few years now. Ms. Dee and the entire staff at NAF El Centro go out of their way to help the attendees capture some of the best photos of our Navy and allied nations training the pilots of the future, along with keeping senior aviators current. This time out we had our usual T-45 trainers, F-18′s both legacy and super bugs and C2 COD aircraft.  Our visit also coincided with the CAF conducting  training at NAF El Centro. The Canadians were sending up F-18s all day, along with a lone c-130 conducting touch and go landings. The day turned out great with safe flying, great people and good photo opportunities.

Photorecon would like to thank  all the guys at APSOCAL and AZAP, and especially the PAO staff at NAF El Centro. We cant wait  till the next photo call.

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