Wings and Wheels

The Razorback Chapter of the Experimental Aircraft Association at Grider Field in Pine Bluff, Arkansas restored this Fairchild PT-19 World War II training aircraft to flying condition. There was a method in their madness. Grider Field was a pilot training facility in World War II.  The PT-19 was the plane used for pilot training. By their actions, the members created historical value for the community and added one more plane to the national inventory of restored WWII aircraft. The plane here is on display during the organization’s annual Wings and Wheels Fly-in and Car Show, September 20, 2013.

If you are into airplanes, old and new, and cars of the same breeds, Grider Field, the Pine Bluff, Arkansas municipal airport was the place to be September 2013. The Razorback Chapter of the Experimental Aircraft Association, headquartered at Grider Field rolled out their impressive collection of experimental and World War II aircraft for all the world to see up close and personal for their Annual Wings and Wheels Fly-in and Car Show. They invited a local car club to bring their custom vehicles which were equally impressive.

Click on the formation to see the original picture, story and more pix.

One of the cool parts of any air show is seeing pilots show off. They love it and you love it. In this case, a local group, The MID SOUTH RV-ATORS, all builder-pilots of their own RV performance aircraft put on a fine show of formation flying. The show was complete with trailing smoke and the hair-raising throb of reciprocal aircraft engines whizzing buy at altitudes low enough to get the decibels you love to hear. You can see one of the formations and other pictures from the event on the Photo of the Week page  at Corndancer dot-com, where this story started. We’ll wait here while you look.

You are eyeball to eyeball with a finely restored North American AT-6, World War II era advanced trainer, one of the restored aircraft owned and maintained by Razorback EAA Chapter members. This plane was the last trainer fledgling pilots would fly before taking the controls of combat aircraft.

Side view of North American AT-6. Unlike many trainers of the WW II era, this aircraft was sturdily built and saw service in many foreign air services as a fully-armed combat aircraft.

This is the business end of a World War II Aeronca L3B. The light plane was used for observation and we presume, occasional VIP transportation. We are fortunate that the engine cowling was removed for this display. The four-cylinder engine required 73-octane gas, high-performance juice in those days.

Aeronca L3B side view. Lots of visibility and precious little bullet-proofing material. This little bird was a legendary performer. The recommended cargo limit was ten pounds. It has a 12-gallon gas tank.

This is the pilot’s compartment in the L3B. The basics are there and the gas tank is just above your knees. This is aircraft 101a. While some bodily contortion was required to capture this image, no photographers were injured.

Metallic Wasp

Pratt and Whitney radial engines are legendary for their quality, sturdiness, and longevity. The engine you see below is a nine-cylinder Pratt and Whitney Wasp attached to a Vultee BT-13 undergoing maintenance. The engine is OK, the gas tanks on the plane are getting the fix. I have been flown for an aerial photography session in this aircraft. See a view from the cockpit and a view in the cockpit from that trip.

You see two of the nine cylinders which make this 450 horsepower Pratt and Whitney wasp twirl. When this big boy cranks up, the neighbors know it.

The MIDSOUSTH RV-ATORS led by a restored 1943 Howard DGA-15 do one of many formation flyovers during the show.

A couple of guys are inspecting a thirties era “hot-rod” Ford truck. The vehicle was for sale, but apparently the yellow beauty was not tempting enough to bring out any checkbooks.

A fine piece of patriotic art adorns the engine compartment of a late model Corvette at the show. Sa-lute!

See more pictures of this event in our Wings and Wheels gallery. Forty-five pix in all from this event.

The annual Wings and Wheels Fly-in is a shining example the good that comes from people who don’t mind volunteering sweat and putting their money where their mouth is. Our congratulations to the Razorback Chapter of the Experimental Aircraft Association for a fine community event. Great job!

Joe Dempsey

Weekly Grist for the Eyes and Mind.

http://www.joedempseyphoto.com/
http://www.joedempseycommunications.com/
http://www.corndancer.com/joephoto/photohome.html

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