where i've been

My apologies for not tending this blog since Oshkosh. My work got busy and I really didn't have any news to post on the Antique Airplane front.

My company sent me to Paris the whole month of September. I was able to bring my wife and daughter over the last 10 days for vacation. We spent half of the time in Paris and the other half in Nice.

They sent me again the Friday after Thanksgiving until last Wednesday. The second trip wasn't nearly as much fun as it was cold/grey/rainy there. It didn't help that I caught a cold at the end but am over it now.

This year it appears I'll be spending most of my time there so I won't be able to attend my fly-ins. The Fairchild is going to collapse into the ground from disuse. I'm planning on having Glenn annual her and then having he and my friend Ken Webb take it around the patch whenever they fell the need.

I may start a new blog about my time in Paris.

Oshkosh 2017

     Drove up to Oshkosh this year. Sky had to work, so it was kind of lonely. Seeing a bunch of friends up there helped. Camped in Row 11 (from the highway or Minnesota border, I don't know which) but only a block from the showers and country store.

 Two reenactors played "Rosie the Riveter" with Doc.

 B-25 at Twilight Air Show doing 30 Seconds over Tokyo.

 Cockpit of A-20--it's narrow!

Captains chair of the B-25.

Dick Wallings (RIP) Waco CSO taxies out.

Buecker Jungmeister

 Mig 17 with afterburner lit.

 Three F-86s

 Three P-63 King Cobras.

 B-29 "Doc"

I got to sit in it!

     The Atlanta wing of the CAF stopped by in their P-51 Mustang and P-63 King Cobra on the way to Oshkosh Saturday. This is one of four Cobras that are scheduled for theirs years event, another was standing by at St Charles County (Smartt) Field.

I just lucked out in seeing it. I had gone to the airport to do my usual on Saturday: drink coffee, eat donuts and tell lies. When I heard they were do in, I panicked. I only had my little point-n-shoot camera with me. We usually don't get such celebrities stopping by during Oshkosh week.

They landed exactly on time and taxied to the ramp.

Their visit coincided with the Missouri Historical Aviation Societys BBQ. I don't whether this was planned or not. The pilots were invited in, feed hamburgers and brats and just chilled for a while since St Louis was 108 degrees Saturday.

I had called my wife and bless her heart, she came out to the airport with my good cameras. I couldn't let the deed go unpunished, so here's a picture of her with the P-51.

I lucked out and the P-63 pilot was a Southwest pilot that I had mutual friends with in both the industry and Warbirds. He invited me to sit in the Cobra and I gladly accepted.

Here's one of the pilot, Mark Todd, putting gas in the P-63.

     While they were inside eating lunch, I brought MY Mustang (cough...car) up and had friend Laura Holland O'Brien take a photo of me with the two Mustangs.

     The pilots said their goodbyes, fired in and taxied out.

They took off, made a low pass and headed up to Smartt to pick up the other King Cobra.

Safe journeys friends!

OT: Stars Wars night at O'fallon Rascals (Single-A) game.

     I apologize for the number of off-topic posts of late, but not much is going on with airplanes for me or for Creve Coeur for that matter.

And I've been shooting really well lately. It seems like every time I go out with a camera, I bring back at least one shot I really like and enjoy.

Last night we went to Star Wars night at the local Single-A ballfield. The local team had a home game. The were playing the team "from the other side of the river-the Gateway Grizzlies." I'm not much of a baseball fan anymore. Too many strikes over too much pay for a game that goes on too long and a season that seems to last forever. Just don't have the time for it.

But for the people that play the game, I appreciate your effort and enthusiasm. I really like going to these minor league games because you know all the players are trying to make the bigs. You have to admire them for following their dream.

Lindsay dealt with the Storm Troopers while we got nachos.

Good seats in the shade.

I really like getting up close to the players where I can get these great shots.

Will Anderson warms up for the Grizzlies.

Lindsay demonstrates her lightsabre prowess.

Waco Fly-In

     Scenes from the 2017 American Waco Club Fly-In.

Upcoming American Waco Club Fly-In.

     Scott Johansson has the upcoming American Waco Club Fly-In on his mind as he stands near the one-of-a-kind Waco JWM.

Airport kid and Airport dog.

Charlie and Brody.