The Return of the Genny We Know
The National Warbird Museum held their 43rd annual Airshow on July 12-14, 2024 in Geneseo, New York. Also known as The Greatest Show on Turf, the place I call “Genny” returned to the traditional second weekend in July time slot after two years in June and in conflict with World War II Weekend in Reading, PA. Hopefully this is the last time I write about that.
I average ten airshows per season but only three are annual events and only one is Genny. A term I have coined is “the Genny Experience”. The show has always had a special place in my heart as my hometown area show. I look forward to it every year not only for the aircraft on the turf strip, but also the hometown feel and to see my Genny Family.
As a member and a camper, I am on the field long before and after the public show. Every morning, aircraft are towed out of the hangar and breakfast is being prepped at the Veterans tent for a small cost. In the evening, dinner is served at the Top Gun tent and requires a prepaid ticket. I partake in both and except for ice runs, I’d never have to leave the grounds. I was onsite from Thursday evening until Sunday.
Friday was practice day but Members are admitted to park and watch it. There is still a park and watch structure but more area to the right and left was opened for individual open seating. Not everyone flew but we saw a lot. It was also a very hot day and it stayed that way throughout the weekend.
On Friday night, I was able to partake in a photo flight aboard the Museum’s C-47, “Whiskey 7”. The weather could have been better, but it is still a lot of fun and the most privileged ride you can get. We were joined in the air by Rob Holland in his MXS, Thom Richard in his P-40 and Lou Horshel in his Corsair.
On Show day, the gates open around 9am and flying starts at around 1030. Two World War I Replica Fokker aircraft took off first and joined up together for a few passes.
Biplanes and Liaison aircraft were next and flew a few racetrack patterns past the crowd line.
The Museum owned Beech Staggerwing had its own time slot. Scott Haugh, the son of the previous owner, Granger Haugh, was present and shared the story with the crowd of the aircraft, the restoration to its current form and the ultimate donation to the Museum.
Thom Richard, a regular member of the Genny Family, performed in his P-40, “American Dream”. Thom knows the aerobatic box so well and treats us to multiple low passes. Thom posted on his Facebook page in September that he had sold “American Dream” to another caretaker. We will miss seeing her but Thom isn’t going away. He will be flying different Warbirds for other owners.
Jet noise filled the Genesee Valley early with an F-22 Raptor teaser. On Sunday, it was a Heritage Flight with P-51 “Bald Eagle” flown by Jim Beasley. The teaser lasted about 10 minutes and then it was back to Rochester with the main demonstration coming in the afternoon. I will dedicate a section later on the F-22 Demonstration Team and their ongoing relationship with the Museum.
Trevor Rafferty performed spectacular aerobatics in his powerful and unique, red and white, Pitts Model 12.
The Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association, an annual attendee, performed a three-ship demonstration in their yellow mounts. Four aircraft were scheduled.
Four fighters took off for the opening ceremonies. Thom Richard in the P-40, Scott “Scooter” Yoak in his P-51 “Quicksilver”, Lou Horshel in his F4U Corsair and a visiting Spitfire from the Canadian Warplane Heritage Association.
This is a good time to talk about the Veterans. At Geneseo, the Veterans are part of the show and are honored during the opening ceremony. The Patriot Riders motorcycle group parades to a parking location at show center. After dismounting, they hold their American Flags and form a color guard column. Veterans are brought out on a seated trailer pulled by a tractor. Those that can stand, do. Rob Holland performed a teaser as assembled Veterans looked on.
The Canadian and American National Anthems are played and the four ship of fighters flies the missing man formation over the crowd. I would have loved a four-ship flyby but it didn’t work out that way. Scooter landed and the other three stayed airborne for separate demonstrations.
Genny Family Member, Lou Horshel flew a demonstration in his Corsair. Originally scheduled, he was supposed to fly lead in the Jack Aces Mustang Flight Team with Ariel Lieudi but Ariel was unavailable. I am glad it worked out this way as I had not seen a Corsair anywhere in two seasons. That is why I give the Corsair the cover photo and a lot of love in the photos.
After the Corsair recovered, the P-40 and Spitfire entered the box together. They performed strafing runs with pyrotechnic support. Originally, this was supposed to be a Hawker Hurricane with the Spitfire, but the Hurricane had a maintenance issue on Friday and never took off. Thom had no problem replacing the Hurricane on Saturday and Sunday. These things happen at Genny and our pilots think about the audience and fix gaps or performances when they can.
C-47s “Whiskey 7” and “Placid Lassie” launched with the Round Canopy Parachute Team aboard. They dropped a few “Sticks” of paratroopers and then a simulation of a ground fight formed in front of the crowd at show center and behind our media area. This was a first for Geneseo. A German line held at the west end while American paratroopers advanced from the east.
A firefight ensued lasting a few minutes with simulated casualties. Ultimately, the paratroopers overwhelmed the German lines and forced a surrender. It was neat to experience but I acknowledge I was very close to it. I do not know how the rest of the view was from down the line or a few rows back in the parking rows.
Genny Family member, “Skipper” Hyle brought a different aircraft this year in the form of a World War II PT-17 biplane. He flew basic flight maneuvers taught to new airmen in the PT-17.
Rob Holland returned for his complete display. No matter how accomplished Rob gets, he always returns to the turf at Genny. Late one evening, I spotted Rob in the big hangar chatting with the crew members of the F-22 Demonstration Team.
“Scooter” performed a solo routine in “Quicksilver.”
The F-22 Raptor returned for the full, afternoon demonstration.
B-25 “Takeoff Time” taxied out and took off. It has been a few years since we had any bombers on the field. Two B-25s and a B-17 were scheduled but maintenance issues kept them grounded. After a few flybys and with the assistance of the pyrotechnic group, “Takeoff Time” dropped a load of watermelons on the target.
The final act was the Geronimo Skydiving Team. Dressed as superheroes such as, Ironman, Spiderman, Batgirl, and Mr and Mrs Incredible, they are an experienced group from Canada and fun to watch, especially on the ground in their costumes.
After dinner Saturday night, I felt something was going to happen, so I grabbed my camera and started walking along the flight line. I missed the first and second takeoffs of the fighters for a late evening photo flight. I adjusted my settings for a backlighted sunset shot and caught what I think is a beautiful frame of the Spitfire just in time.
Saturday night, a night photo shoot was arranged. Any photographer could pay for a spot where we were treated to an unreal ten aircraft! Two World War I Replicas, a PT-17, Two C-47s, a P-40, a P-51, the Corsair and two T-6s. Unfortunately, I did a poor job with my settings and did not realize until the event was over. I only have a few images worth sharing.
Some words about the F-22 Demonstration Team. For three out of the last four years, the F-22 Demo Team has flown at Genny. They actually requested it. That should tell you that Genny is not a typical airshow. I mentioned that at dusk one evening, I saw members of the team chatting with Rob Holland in the hangar. They get a ride on W-7, they eat dinner in the big tent each night, they slingshot shirts into the crowd, and one of them was seen wearing a W-7 hat. Razz and Superintendent, John were at the after-show dinner Sunday evening. All this despite the 30 mile or so drive to the aircraft up at Rochester. Truth: The F-22 Demonstration Team loves Geneseo!
If you have not experienced the Geneseo Airshow, consider this your invitation. As I mentioned, I attend a lot of shows but there is only one like Genny.
I cannot thank everyone individually, but my Genny family knows. The show was under new leadership this year. Executive Director, Kristina Gillmeister and co-director, Zach Waters did a great job from my viewpoint. Neither of them thought they’d ever be heading an airshow, but they are in the business now. Thank you for keeping it thriving with tradition and some fresh ideas. I also wish to thank Mike Killian who managed the media. From air-to-air shoots to nighttime shoots and everything in between, even though I disappointingly blew a lot of my night shots. I also need to thank the pilots and the ground crew. After a long and hot day, they worked the night shoot late into the night. It was incredible what they gave to us. Thanks also to Donna, Steve, Paul, Dakota, TT, Phil, Tom and the Wadsworth Family for what you do and for your friendship. Let’s do it again next year!
