Warbirds and Airshows - 2013 Great Georgia Airshow

2013 Airshows
Titusville (Tico), FL NAS Key West, FL Chino, CA Indy 500 Fly-Over Reading, PA WWII Weekend CWH Show, Hamilton, ONT Dayton, OH Muncie, IN Topeka, KS Purdue University, IN Thunder over Michigan, Belleville, MI Hillsdale, MI Marion, IN Waukegan, IL Glendale Airport, Kokomo, IN Rome, GA Peachtree City, GA Houston, TX Urbana, OH B-25 Gathering B-25 Doolittle Memorial Fly-over at Dayton, OH

The Great Georgia Airshow Warbird Photo Review
Warbirds at Falcon Field, Peachtree City, GA - October 12-13, 2013 - Photos taken Sunday October 13.

This was the second of a double header airshow weekend in Georgia, the previous day being in Rome, GA.

Airfield orientation for photographers: Facing west.

At both shows for the weekend I purchased the on-field parking as I was not interesting in taking a bus from the remote parking lots to the show sites. Arriving at Falcon Field at Peachtree City, GA, and parking in the first row of the preferred lot, here is what I saw from my truck just as the CAF's Rednose P-51 did a high speed pass down the runway (Not visible.). I knew it was going to be a great warbird day!

Walking over a little closer I took this shot. Included on the warbird ramp was Doug Mathews' T-33, B-25 "Killer B" owned by Tom Riley who always gives a good show and Dave Hansen's PV-2 Harpoon from Utah. There are also two Japanese Replicas, three T-6s, a Corsair, SBD, PT-26 and the P-51 that has taxied back in.

Off to the north the Skysoldier AH-1 (The Skysoldiers have enough assets to give rides at two shows on Georgia at the same time.) is using the side of the hill as an LZ.

During the day looking to the north one could see the Cobra doing attack dives over the pine trees of Georgia. The riders in front were getting their $450 worth out of the rides.

The Huey lifts off for the first of many rides during the day.

The Dixie Wing of the CAF is located at Falcon Field and one of largest Wings, aircraft wise, in the organization. The Dauntless is one of them and was scheduled to fly but the mechanics were working on it all day and it never got to fly in the show.

The Dixie Wing just took control of this Corsair. Unfortunately it did not fly in the show on Sunday.

The first order of business at a show is figuring out the best place to set up and watch the event. Just to right of the P-51's prop is a group of chairs, mine being the one the farthest away from the camera but closest to the throat in and out of the warbird ramp. Surprisingly, I once the show got going I was the only enthusiast in the area. Being so close to the ramp normally draws the aviation photographers and enthusiasts. All the warbirds off the north ramp had to pass by my location. With the hot ramps and the speakers behind the crowd line the view from along the front was unobstructed. Note the Huey in the background.

Misty Blues leader Cindy Irish does the opening flag jump.

Taxiing out in one of the warbirds operated by the Dixie Wing for early in the show fly-bys. One of many that passed right by me all day.

Doug Matthews put on a fine demonstration with his T-33.

B-25 "Killer B".

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The Harpoon is actually quite maneuverable and it turns around for the next pass.

PV-2 Harpoon "Attu Warrior" got in several strafing runs during the show.

Both Georgia airshows had the typical jet truck vs. aerobatic aircraft race that is now standard at shows. What set made this one better was the wall of fire and unrestricted viewing from the crowd line. The Flash Fire jet truck starts from a standing stop as in this case Matt Chapman had the air start. Here the Flash Fire jet truck, advertised as the fastest at 375 mph has just blown by Matt Chapman.

The jet truck is long gone and probably applying the drag chute as only Matt Chapman is in the frame. Note the debris from the explosive charges above the fire ball.

Matt Younkin takes off as the Mustang comes back in.

The Aeroshell Team finished off the show.

Titusville (Tico), FL NAS Key West, FL Chino, CA Indy 500 Fly-Over Reading, PA WWII Weekend CWH Show, Hamilton, ONT Dayton, OH Muncie, IN Topeka, KS Purdue University, IN Thunder over Michigan, Belleville, MI Hillsdale, MI Marion, IN Waukegan, IL Glendale Airport, Kokomo, IN Rome, GA Peachtree City, GA Houston, TX Urbana, OH B-25 Gathering B-25 Doolittle Memorial Fly-over at Dayton, OH