Pictures from yesterdays show

[Fabo]

So, I figured you might like a few pictures from the airshow that took place yesterday on local airport. Since I did not take my camera with me, I will upload some pictures from my friend. Unfortunately, batteries ran flat in the middle of day, so there are no photos of Slovak Air Force display, which introduced Mi-24 "Hind", L-39 Albatros and MiG-29 "Fulcrum".

First foto shows SkyEurope-colored Z-37-4 you might already know from the forums, which did looooow flypasts, looow turns and so on, second shows the smallest biplane of the world - Baby Lakes and historical trainer Buecker Bestmann, who flew some kind of air chase.

[Fabo]

Last picture shows the star of the day - at least for me.

This is a beautifully restored Boeing Stearman with its pilot Jurgen Kraus. It was a real highlight of day to help him refuel his plane, and I dare to tell you that there is no more beatiful sound then a radial starting....

[FlyboyGil]

I dare to tell you that there is no more beatiful sound then a radial starting....

A RR Merlin starting up!

[Oddball]

ah the stearman all noise and no go. you're right gil nothing sounds better than the poping of a merlin on tick over

[Mike]

The best starting sound for me is the 2,000 hp Pratt & Whitney R-2800 of a F4U Corsair !! 

But I actually have a couple of logged hours in a Boeing Stearman and really enjoyed the "all noise, no go" experience.
Believe me, in an open cockpit like that . . . you feel like you're going !!   

[Rooster Cruiser]

I have to concur with Mike.  An R2800 is an awesome sound...  reminds me of 500 Harleys going down the Highway.  But any radial engine looks and sounds good on start up.  My dad owned a C195 for years, and I just LOVED the noise it made!     I was hoping I would inherit that old Beer-Barrel Cessna someday, but dad traded it in for a C182 and some cash back in 2000.  Oh well...  maybe someday I'll get to fly another round engined airplane again.  Meantime, these turbines are what makes me money so I gotta stick with them no matter how much they whine!

Fabo, great pics.  Looks like you had a fine day to enjoy an airshow.

RC

[Mike]

Yeah, the sound of a turbine starting up (especially an Allison, Turbomeca, T-53, or Honeywell) sounds like MONEY to me .... 

but an R-2800 is nostalgia ...

[Oddball]

ok what about the original turbine engine............the whiittle?  seen a running one mounted on a trailer at Duxford last year the bloke had to hand crank it to get it turning over. got pics but its on my mobile phone and lost the disc so i can transfer it over to the pc 

[FlyboyGil]

I do agree with the sound of radials though. Like 500 Harleys is right!!! And Mike I'm jealous that you have several hours on Stearmans! I have about 20 minutes on a Harvard (Texan) which cost me $200! And for the starting thing, dang almost never near started!!!



I remember going up to Northern Ontario for and camping near some float operations. When those Beavers wound up and took off, a thing of beauty. And the noise!!!! What a noise!!! I still stand by my original conclusion though. RR Merlins winding up. You guys need to see more Merlin powered planes (particularly a certain 4 engined Beastie!), then you'll know!

[Rooster Cruiser]

Here's a few for ya, Gilly.  I once had the chance to ride in the back seat in an SNJ that was part of a six-ship formation flight over the Flying Cloud Airfair at Minneapolis, MN.  Lead ship was a Beech 18.  'Twas an awsome day for me!   

[FlyboyGil]

THAT'S AWSOME!!!! We're both backseat SNJ pilots. But your flight was much better than mine!! A flight with a whole bunch of beautiful planes (Insert Jealousy Smiley here.... Ah hell I just use this one  ) The neat thing about my pilot was he did a wing over. Neat to look up and see Lake Huron!!! Good flight still. Can't wait until I get my 200 hours, and then I start training on them!!!!