2019 Reno Air Races
- Thread starter NVSMITH
- Start date
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at6
1st Sergeant
Wish I could go. Haven't been since '88.
Dash119
Senior Airman
I haven't been for nearly 30 years, next year for sure...
FLYBOYJ
"THE GREAT GAZOO"
Was the highlight of my aviation career, some of my best times, some of my worse. After losing some folks very near and dear to me I gave it up in 2016.
I am following this....
STIHL National Championship Air Races | Reno Air Races
Sadly the unlimiteds are a bit depleted this year (and last year).
No ''Dago Red,'' ''Rare Bear,'' ''Strega,'' ''Voodoo,'' ''Precious Metal''.....
So no more 500+ mph laps in qualifying.
2019 Unlimited Aircraft
Only two unlimiteds making 400+ mph
STIHL National Championship Air Races | Reno Air Races
Sadly the unlimiteds are a bit depleted this year (and last year).
No ''Dago Red,'' ''Rare Bear,'' ''Strega,'' ''Voodoo,'' ''Precious Metal''.....
So no more 500+ mph laps in qualifying.
2019 Unlimited Aircraft
Only two unlimiteds making 400+ mph
FLYBOYJ
"THE GREAT GAZOO"
Strega & Voodoo
Geez, who would have thought an 'old' Vampire would be up there; that's a surprise.....
I was always more interested in the 'warbirds' and listening to the sounds of radials and V12's.
View attachment 552038
Geez, who would have thought an 'old' Vampire would be up there; that's a surprise.....
I was always more interested in the 'warbirds' and listening to the sounds of radials and V12's.
View attachment 552038
FLYBOYJ
"THE GREAT GAZOO"
Strega & Voodoo
Geez, who would have thought an 'old' Vampire would be up there; that's a surprise.....
I was always more interested in the 'warbirds' and listening to the sounds of radials and V12's.
View attachment 552038
The jets do sound like a flushing toilet as they go by the grandstand, the only way you appreciate their sound if you're at one of the pylons where they have to fly low (used to be pylon 7). Aside from that, there's nothing like the sound of a radial or Merlin at high speed
For the first time, I'll try and catch the jet class. I just never gave it much thought when all I saw were L-39's before (no disrespects if you were an L39 airframe driver).
soulezoo
Senior Airman
I miss Lefty Gardner. 
dick56
Airman
I really miss Darryl Greenamyer. He went West 10/01/2018...RIP.I miss Lefty Gardner.
I miss Lefty Gardner.
His old P-38 is with Redbull now. I think they have an F4U Corsair too. Lefty's old P-38 looks beautiful (polished alloy)
..........Found it on Utube
The record is held by an L-29 with a RR Viper engine. Such a combination must be registered as experimental, and is no longer legal in the jet class.Strega & Voodoo
Geez, who would have thought an 'old' Vampire would be up there; that's a surprise.....
I was always more interested in the 'warbirds' and listening to the sounds of radials and V12's.
View attachment 552038
If one was available and accepted by Racing Jets Incorporated (the outfit that runs the jet class for the Reno Air Racing Association), I believe an L-159 would meet the race rules (no swept wings, no afterburner). There is still a hard 525 mph course limit. Exceed it once, you recieve no time for the qualification session or race that you're in. Exceed it twice, and you are DQed for the entire event.
FLYBOYJ
"THE GREAT GAZOO"
No - I was a crew chief - I stuffed the pilot in the barrel and shot him out of the cannon.For the first time, I'll try and catch the jet class. I just never gave it much thought when all I saw were L-39's before (no disrespects if you were an L39 airframe driver).
The jet class is mainly L39s, but there's a few L29s and this year a Vampire. At one time they allowed more aggressive modifications, that since ended.
FLYBOYJ
"THE GREAT GAZOO"
ALL the jets racing are registered experimental regardless if they carry a factory stock engine or not.
I see it's a two-seat Vampire (big flat windshield, though sloped, but with a wider cross-section that goes with it) a single seater might do better(?) .....for somebody willing to spend what is clearly big money to race at Reno)).
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Skyediamonds
Staff Sergeant
- 1,264
- May 26, 2018
I live in Reno. I'm attending this year's events. If anyone wants a photo or short vid, l'll be visiting the pits today (Friday) as well. I'll see about providing a synapse of what's going on for everyone. No promises (just CyA'g).
FLYBOYJ
"THE GREAT GAZOO"
you're correct but as you mentioned, it's a matter of availability and money. Despite that, the Vampire is doing great and I bet he's actually slowing down on parts of the course so he won't exceed the course "speed limit."
