37 ship at AirVenture 2009

Stu McCurdy · #1 07-20-2009, 11:32 AM

In case anybody is interested, we are again planning a Large Formation for AirVenture this year. We set a Guinness World Record with the 35-ship close formation in 2007. This year we are planning a 36-ship, or maybe larger, close formation so we can improve on the record.

Our arrival at OSH will be on Sunday at 1305 in conjunction with the dedication of the new Main Gate. They want us to make a West to East pass across the gate and Aeroshell Square, then land. We will again fly overhead Tuesday and Wednesday 1130-1200, conducting a series of shape changing passes, culminating in a big 36-ship Diamond.

Just look for the Yellow shirts with the 36-ship Diamond on the back.

aviationgeek84 · #2 07-20-2009, 12:25 PM

Hi there,

Just for future reference... just wondering how this formation is organized and how one gets involved? Just wondering for future (waaay out in the future) reference.

Kahuna · #3 07-20-2009, 01:11 PM

Previously mentioned here.

This is a good place to start.

aviationgeek84 · #4 07-20-2009, 01:38 PM

Kahuna,

Thanks much.

bswat · #5 07-21-2009, 02:57 PM

With 36 airplanes in the formation, why wouldn't you consider non-standard formation shapes--like spelling 'RV'?

Bill Swatling
RV-7 (forward fuselage)

Kahuna · #6 07-21-2009, 04:16 PM

Im afraid the spelling of letters or words only works in small numbers of planes. Larger numbers of planes like this and you must keep everyone tight for safety and stability of the formation.

You could seperate the formations and make letters, but we dont want to seperate and spell, we want to fly the planes together in symetrical formations. Its just what we do. Making letters is for small numbers.

If you have ever seen folks try spelling with more than ~12 planes, you will know what Im talking about. It looks terrible and folks on the ground look up and gag themselves.

Good question though.

lbgjb · #7 07-21-2009, 05:37 PM

at the gathering of the mustangs in Columbus--they had a huge gaggle (If I remember correctly they wanted to have 51) of mustangs spelling out 'P-51'. they really did a great job. 36 planes spelling our VANS RV would look great!!! larry

RV8iator · #8 07-21-2009, 07:41 PM

But this is not what we shoot for. We try to keep everyone of the planes within about a wingspan of the ship it's flying off of.

The 51's were great but not the kind of formations we do.

David-aviator · #9 07-21-2009, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lbgjb

at the gathering of the mustangs in Columbus--they had a huge gaggle (If I remember correctly they wanted to have 51) of mustangs spelling out 'P-51'. they really did a great job. 36 planes spelling our VANS RV would look great!!! larry

I was there that week end.

It was a great show and the "51" formation was ok, but of course everyone knew it was supposed to be a "51".

Such performances are not easy.

I was at the event at the invitation of a friend who had flown combat in 51's during the big war. I think he wanted company, a driver, and someone who would appreciate what the gathering was all about.

One of the high lights was meeting Charlie Wilson, his roommate during those days at Madna, Italy who is the only pilot known to have been rescued from behind enemy lines by another P-51 pilot. Wilson took a shell hit that burst his coolant system and he had to put the airplane in a field. Major Wyatt Exum decided to land and pick him up. They almost did not make it but with bullets flying in their direction, it was 60" of MP and 3000 rpm and they were flying - with Wilson about 2/3's in the airplane behind Exum and the canopy open.

This is not a BS story.

It is all recorded in the book "Spitfires and Yellow Tail Mustangs" pages 134-135.

My friend Tom Watkins is mentioned in the book regarding the unknown twin fighter he shot down as it dived toward a formation of bombers. Gun camera film revealed the airplane was actually Russian as it had an exposed tail wheel. No one knew why a Russian would be attacking our bombers so it remained an unknown rather than provoke an international uproar.

Enough war stories....back to the big formation on Sunday.,,,hope to see it from the ground at OSH and therefore will launch at oh dawn hundred from Missouri so as to arrive well ahead of the appointed out hour of 1305.

Here's to a good weather day (and safe flying).

RV8iator · #10 07-21-2009, 08:06 PM

is a great book.
My uncle, Joe Randerson was in that squadron and also has his story told in the book. (page 135, upper right photo) His 51 was shot down in Yugoslovia while on a straffing mission and he was MIA for several weeks. The underground had him and nursed him back to health before returning him home.

He is currently living in Llano, TX. He's a spry 88 years old and still rides his motorcycle several hundred miles a week.

His older brother, my Uncle Luther Randerson is a spry 92, living in Midland and still plays 18 holes 3 or 4 times a week. He was a Colonel in the US Army Air Corp and flew every single engine fighter and most of the light bombers.

We just had a family reunion last weekend and listening to those two tell stories is really fun.