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ISSUE 577 - March 2019
Over 9,000 Total Ads Listed
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| 2018 National Stearman Fly-in - Part II |
By Kevin Moore, Contributing
Editor & Photographer
Watford, Ontario, Canada |
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| Last week we started a visit to the 2018 National Stearman Fly-in at Galesburg, Illinois and spent some time with Phillip Wolford in the Jet Blue US Navy Stearman. This week we return to Galesburg once again. |
| In 2018 National Stearman Fly-in - Part I we had arrived at Glaesburg, Illinois for the week long event to see some 40 - 50 Stearman aircraft either parked, flying or in the circuit at the airport. We return this week for more about the 48th annual event. |
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| Having some fun doing an air-to-air shoot with a gorgeous Stearman, NC65543, flown in from New Jersey by owner & pilot, Scott Murphy. |
| As an aviation photographer, one of the most enjoyable opportunities you can have at any aviation event is the opportunity to get some air-to-air shots and, at the NSFI, that can happen through planning or by somebody forming up on your wing on your way somewhere. On the way to Kewanee for the luncheon, we arranged to do some formation with Scott Murphy in his lovely Stearman, both too and from Galesburg to Kewannee. It was a lovely day for it and we certainly took advantage of the good weather. |
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| Unwanted ballast in any aircraft is an issue but a gallon or more of water trapped in your rudder can be a serious issue. Here, water was found and drained by using a heated prod, placing a small hole in either side of the bottom of the rudder. A future workshop subject perhaps?! |
| During the day, different workshops are made available for owners and pilots to attend such as fabric repairs, aero medical issues and more as well as a formation flying contest and, almost every evening, a meal held in the Jet Blue Hangar at Galesburg Airport. No matter your interest, you will never be bored when you attend the NSFI. Whether you choose to attend the workshops or fly-outs or just want to go flying every day, as long as the weather cooperates, you'll have a busy and truly amazing week spent with like-minded individuals. |
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Stearman owner & Pilot, Hans Nordsiek, made the trip from the Netherlands
for the fly-in and to entertain young (and old). |
One of the highlights of the non-flying events was the visit by Dutch KLM & Stearman pilot (and owner) Hans Nordsiek. However, Hans is also an accomplished children's entertainer, story teller and author, instilling the interest of aviation in the youngest future pilots. Through the use of props, such as his puppet, Hans keeps the kids entertained, as well as the adults. |
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| The NSFI had a great little store going, left, where you could purchase a souvenir or two of your visit including t-shirts, patches, decals, models and much more including this fantastic kiddie pedal powered Stearman, right. |
| The National Stearman Fly-in folks organised a great event from pre-fly-in information, to daily briefings, a small booth selling lots of different Stearman and aviation items and some of the most kind, happy and helpful volunteers. All the NSFI folks were among the most hospitable and friendly people you'll ever meet in aviation. For those who flew in, transportation could be arranged too and from hotels or into town for a meal, whatever you needed, they were there to help. They are, truly, a great bunch of folks! |
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The radial engine is one of the things that makes the Stearman so recognizable,
on the ground or in the air, whether cowled or not. |
| Many of the Stearman aircraft that attend the event are painted in various US military liveries including USAAF and US Navy. Many of those seem to have the original Lycoming, Jacobs or Continental engines with some later versions having the Wright. However, there are many aircraft operating with the big and powerful 450 engines which make them faster and quite thirsty for fuel. Regardless of the engine make or size, the unmistakable sound of the big radial engine powering the Stearman into the air makes heads turn wherever it goes. |
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| Many Stearman owners utilised some form of cover, left, while on the ground to help protect the engine, and components, from weather. A rare sight on a Stearman is something often referred to as a "winter muff," the yellow cover behind the propeller used to help keep the engine warm during winter operations on RCAF Stearman aircraft. |
| There are many variants of the Stearman, including different size and types of radial engines. Many Stearman aircraft were originally fitted with a completely open engine but there are others that wear a cowl to help protect the engine, both on the ground and in flight. Some folks have fabric engine covers to help protect the engine, and its components, from weather when tied down outside. Stearman aircraft used by the Royal Canadian Air Force had a cover that some refer to as a "winter muff" or "heat muff" used in winter weather operations to help keep the engine warm on those arctic weather like days! |
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Two aircraft that offered rides to visitors was the Jet Blue US Navy Stearman, left,
and the red & orange checkered tail Stearman known as "Tillie," right. |
| During the NSFI aeroplanes are coming and going throughout the day. If you're not a pilot of a Stearman or are just an aeroplane enthusiast, and you want to go for a flight, there are different aircraft onsite that allow for paying passengers including the Jet Blue US Navy Stearman and the red & yellow checkerboard tailed "Tillie" Stearman. You'll absolutely love going for a flight in one of these iconic aircraft and I guarantee you will not get out of the aeroplane without a huge grin on your face. |
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| The Wolford's hosted a delicious luncheon, inside their farm shed/hangar, left, at their family farm and airstrip. Though the week is all about the Stearman, not to be left out was their gorgeous "Aeronca" Champ, right, sitting just inside the farm shed/hangar door. |
| One of the events looked forward to the most is the fly-out to the Wolford Farm on the Friday of the fly-in week. The Wolford's, Phillip, Matt and Daniel, as well as the family patriarc, John, hosted a wonderful luncheon for everyone in attendance at the NSFI. Normally, those with an aeroplane, fly to their family farm airstrip and enjoy a couple of hours of aviation chin wagging and some delicious food. Unfortunately, the weather just did not cooperate so road rides were arranged instead. Regardless of the poor flying conditions, it was a great time spent with wonderfully, like-minded folks. |
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| Daniel Wolford flying his bright, training yellow Stearman, left. Daniel Wolford's Stearman, right, in the parking area at Galesburg awaiting a return to the sky. |
| Next week we'll make a final trip to Galesburg and the 2018 National Stearman Fly-in - Part III. |
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| There are many different liveries that Stearman aircraft appear in, many are former military configurations, left, while others wear some form of personal civilian colour, right. |
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| Aaron Marshall and his daughter, Skylar, made the trip in their lovely Navy Stearman, 917, and spent a few minutes along side us, left, on the way to Kewanee. Aaron & Skylar landing at Galesburg after a flight, right. |
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| Heading out for some flying after the weather cleared a bit near the end of the week. |
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How a beautiful Stearman may have looked on the grass
at the family farm or country airstrip in the 1950s. |
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