Nuuumannn's quick trip to Reno!
- Thread starter nuuumannn
- Start date
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Very nice feature on Pacific Princess, Grant. She's a great airplane with a great history over the last 40 years, Great owner/pilots, too. They even brought her to Reno to race one year a long time ago. Did not qualify but looked really good on the pylons.
Here's an air to air from 15 years ago.
Here's an air to air from 15 years ago.
Attachments
Again, some great stuff Grant. When I shot "The Gathering Of Warbirds" in '86 at Shafter, one of my cameramen, Jim Heldreth (Corregidor, Bataan, Nagasaki survivor), shot out of the nose of Heavenly Body making some early morning passes with a AVG marked Flying Tiger P40. Later during the afternoon flyby, he got some great footage of all the B25s (5?) in formation. I shot out of a Howard 250 in with the bomber group. The team knew I would be shooting video and when the 250 driver, Leo Loudenslager (?), chirped over the mike: "Execute, execute, execute" the entire fighter squadron passed from under the starboard nacelle across our bow trailing left. I was standing between the pilot and copilot seats taping. Went pretty good until running into everyone's propwash. PAX
MiTasol
1st Lieutenant
Nice to see they have fitted the bomb bay with multinational ww2 type bomb. Modellers note they have the single British shackle fitting on them.
The one thing I did not like about the B-25 was that the nose gear has no steering and can quickly lock in full left or right and when you use a combination of power and brakes to correct this is can go opposite lock real fast. Takes a while to get the feel for it.
The one thing I did not like about the B-25 was that the nose gear has no steering and can quickly lock in full left or right and when you use a combination of power and brakes to correct this is can go opposite lock real fast. Takes a while to get the feel for it.
- Thread starter
- #185
Nose wheel steering was extremely rare on WW2 aircraft. Most tricycle u/carriage aircraft were fitted with shimmy dampers and some had locks applied during pre-take-off checks, but of the A-20, B-24, B-25, B-26 and even B-29, there was no nosewheel steering. All these aircraft turned through differential braking. Nosewheel steering systems are quite complex as you probably know, and didn't see widespread application until the advent of jets. I remember reading an account of a test pilot taking an Me 262 up for the first time, saying that it suffered nose wheel shimmy on take-off, as there was no damper fitted to it.
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MiTasol
1st Lieutenant
agreed but I never got to maintain or operate any of the others so I cannot comment on them.
- Thread starter
- #187
That's awesome! She's a real beauty. On Saturday night it was out flying but I never got any photos as I was busy with the photoshoot.
- Thread starter
- #188
Now, we swing by the pits again and go say hi to these guys. As I've previously mentioned, Dreadnought withdrew on Wednesday because of engine trouble, but that didn't stop the aircraft from receiving quite a bit of attention and its crews were happy to oblige answer seekers. Each day they held impromptu discussion meetings, which I attended on a couple of occasions. It was fascinating hearing about this beast. Note one thing, in the oil cooler intakes in the wing leading edges are spray bars that inject water directly onto the cooler matrix to lower its temperature. I was intrigued about the function of these.
_ADP8621
This guy was gracious enough to answer our questions, so I asked about how the spray bars were controlled, if it were by vernatherm, i.e. thermostatically controlled. His answer was that it wasn't. There are switches in the cockpit and when the oil temp gauge reads high, the switch goes on. Obviously, running the spray bars at too high a temp could cause the matrix to crack, but it is down to the pilot to judge that while roaring around the circuit at high speed and at extreme low level. A fascinating wee snippet on the life of a Reno Racer.
_ADP8620
On the way I swung past Miss America's pit area, where it was undergoing yet more maintenance, another glimpse into the lives of these hard thrashers. Note the mini-me, Dreadnought had one as well.
_ADP8622
Check out the smoothness of that lifting surface and the upturned tip...
_ADP8623
Note also the cropped hori stab. The elegance and sophistication of a carefully maintained Reno racer is a sight to behold.
_ADP8625
Reclusive Yak Rushin' Thunder, I didn't see much of this aircraft. Each time I walked past it, there was a cover over its canopy.
_ADP8627
Since today focusses heavily on the T-6, here's Bare Essentials, which we'll see in action soon, but notice the poster to the left. American society is a funny thing to witness as an outsider. On the surface there's always a veneer of respectability and charm, and then you see reminders of the seedy side of the culture here and there, just to remind you not to get too settled into your established perceptions... The duality of this image never ceases to put a smile on my face.
_ADP8628
I then headed back to the media stand in front of the hangars as I wanted to catch up with a special lady. A couple of shots on the way.
_ADP8629
Two aircraft taxying out that will feature largely over the day ahead, Baron's Revenge and Six Cat...
_ADP8633
So, I went back to watch the T-6s head out for a practise blatt around the circuit so I could catch this lovely chicky. This is Marilyn Newton, she's a 76-year-old photojournalist who has been photographing every Reno Air Races since she was asked to cover the very first at Stead's Ranch by the paper back in 1964. I interviewed her for an article as she is something of a legend in the State of Nevada.
_ADP8654
An article about her in the Reno Gazette Journal, the paper she's been writing for since the 1960s. Check out the slide show of 12 photographs at the top of the article. Powerful stuff.
Here's some text from the article I wrote:
"Held at a private ranch on Bill Stead's property at Sparks, near Reno, Newton was sent to capture the first air races in 1964. "They sent me out to photograph it and I just fell in love with the planes and the people, so I've been here every year since," Newton said with a grin.
"I was the only woman in the Reno newspapers at that time", Newton said, "I was the only female photographer out here, too." Working as the only female in a male-dominated industry didn't seem to bother the redoubtable Newton much. "I think they figured I didn't know what I was doing, so they just let me do what I wanted to do and then they found out that I did know what I was doing!" Soon Newton gained a reputation as a steady hand at photography and a tenacious reporter who worked hard for a story."
"It wasn't long after her first photography assignments that editors saw she had an eye for capturing the moment. In 1967 Newton switched to photojournalism full-time with the Nevada State Journal, which eventually merged with the Reno Evening Gazette. "I worked for them for 52 years", said Newton. In 2022, locally known as "The Grand Madam of Photography" she was inducted into the Nevada Women's Fund Hall of Fame, and although retired from the newspapers, she still photographs state events, including the air races for them."
Note the badge on her cap, Fun Meter on "High".
_ADP8655
"We discussed the state of affairs that led to the end of the races as aeroplanes roared past at high speed. "It's been a good moneymaker for the city of Reno and they're the ones who did away with it", she said pensively. International freight companies have been given approval to transfer their operations from Reno Tahoe Airport to Reno Stead Airport owing to the large open spaces for building freight depots and a lack of commercial traffic. "So that's why they got rid of the air races," says Newton, "I think they should have tried to keep them."
Through the races, Newton's love for aviation grew. "I love all the planes but my favourites are the AT-6s. I love the noise of the engines, and I love the way they look." The Unlimited racers caught Newton's eye for their aesthetic. "The P-51s are beautiful. Magnificent to watch", she says, "but they don't have the engine noise like the T-6s do."
Newton photographing her favourites, the T-6s.
_ADP8656
Now, things get political (Trump poster notwithstanding
). I have previously mentioned there was no Biplane Class at this year's event and the owner of this snazzy Pitts Special has had the finger pointed at him for the reason why the class did not appear at this year's races.
_ADP8658
This is John D'Alessandris's Pitts Special Race 18. Last year, members of the Biplane Class voted to oust D'Alessandris from the races following qualifying in first place, owing to alleged unsafe practises. This led to a lawsuit from him, which then led to RARA cancelling the Class this year, against an outcry from the other Class participants, who believed RARA acted heavy-handedly in doing so...
_ADP8659
Not wanting to incur anyone's wrath unnecessarily, I don't have skin in the game here, but here is an article in Flying Magazine that details the sordid affair.
www.flyingmag.com
This didn't mean D'Alessandris wasn't getting a slice of the action at the last air races. He put his aircraft out on the hard outside his hangar for the public to examine up close, which must have annoyed RARA somewhat as his hangar is located almost directly opposite theirs on the taxiway. This beastie caught my eye inside the hangar, a Jet Provost T.3A! Looking on the interwebs, this was formerly XN553 with the RAF, which was delivered in 1961.
_ADP8660
D'Alessandris' P-51 looking very smart in its corporate-style livery.
_ADP8661
_ADP8662
_ADP8663
_ADP8667
Next, it's back out to Pylon Two in the hot, hot sun...
_ADP8683
See you there, folks...
This guy was gracious enough to answer our questions, so I asked about how the spray bars were controlled, if it were by vernatherm, i.e. thermostatically controlled. His answer was that it wasn't. There are switches in the cockpit and when the oil temp gauge reads high, the switch goes on. Obviously, running the spray bars at too high a temp could cause the matrix to crack, but it is down to the pilot to judge that while roaring around the circuit at high speed and at extreme low level. A fascinating wee snippet on the life of a Reno Racer.
On the way I swung past Miss America's pit area, where it was undergoing yet more maintenance, another glimpse into the lives of these hard thrashers. Note the mini-me, Dreadnought had one as well.
Check out the smoothness of that lifting surface and the upturned tip...
Note also the cropped hori stab. The elegance and sophistication of a carefully maintained Reno racer is a sight to behold.
Reclusive Yak Rushin' Thunder, I didn't see much of this aircraft. Each time I walked past it, there was a cover over its canopy.
Since today focusses heavily on the T-6, here's Bare Essentials, which we'll see in action soon, but notice the poster to the left. American society is a funny thing to witness as an outsider. On the surface there's always a veneer of respectability and charm, and then you see reminders of the seedy side of the culture here and there, just to remind you not to get too settled into your established perceptions... The duality of this image never ceases to put a smile on my face.
I then headed back to the media stand in front of the hangars as I wanted to catch up with a special lady. A couple of shots on the way.
Two aircraft taxying out that will feature largely over the day ahead, Baron's Revenge and Six Cat...
So, I went back to watch the T-6s head out for a practise blatt around the circuit so I could catch this lovely chicky. This is Marilyn Newton, she's a 76-year-old photojournalist who has been photographing every Reno Air Races since she was asked to cover the very first at Stead's Ranch by the paper back in 1964. I interviewed her for an article as she is something of a legend in the State of Nevada.
An article about her in the Reno Gazette Journal, the paper she's been writing for since the 1960s. Check out the slide show of 12 photographs at the top of the article. Powerful stuff.
Cameras, cops and courage: How Marilyn Newton's photography captured Nevada's history
Photojournalist looks back on 50-plus years of recording Nevada history.
www.rgj.com
Here's some text from the article I wrote:
"Held at a private ranch on Bill Stead's property at Sparks, near Reno, Newton was sent to capture the first air races in 1964. "They sent me out to photograph it and I just fell in love with the planes and the people, so I've been here every year since," Newton said with a grin.
"I was the only woman in the Reno newspapers at that time", Newton said, "I was the only female photographer out here, too." Working as the only female in a male-dominated industry didn't seem to bother the redoubtable Newton much. "I think they figured I didn't know what I was doing, so they just let me do what I wanted to do and then they found out that I did know what I was doing!" Soon Newton gained a reputation as a steady hand at photography and a tenacious reporter who worked hard for a story."
"It wasn't long after her first photography assignments that editors saw she had an eye for capturing the moment. In 1967 Newton switched to photojournalism full-time with the Nevada State Journal, which eventually merged with the Reno Evening Gazette. "I worked for them for 52 years", said Newton. In 2022, locally known as "The Grand Madam of Photography" she was inducted into the Nevada Women's Fund Hall of Fame, and although retired from the newspapers, she still photographs state events, including the air races for them."
Note the badge on her cap, Fun Meter on "High".
"We discussed the state of affairs that led to the end of the races as aeroplanes roared past at high speed. "It's been a good moneymaker for the city of Reno and they're the ones who did away with it", she said pensively. International freight companies have been given approval to transfer their operations from Reno Tahoe Airport to Reno Stead Airport owing to the large open spaces for building freight depots and a lack of commercial traffic. "So that's why they got rid of the air races," says Newton, "I think they should have tried to keep them."
Through the races, Newton's love for aviation grew. "I love all the planes but my favourites are the AT-6s. I love the noise of the engines, and I love the way they look." The Unlimited racers caught Newton's eye for their aesthetic. "The P-51s are beautiful. Magnificent to watch", she says, "but they don't have the engine noise like the T-6s do."
Newton photographing her favourites, the T-6s.
Now, things get political (Trump poster notwithstanding
). I have previously mentioned there was no Biplane Class at this year's event and the owner of this snazzy Pitts Special has had the finger pointed at him for the reason why the class did not appear at this year's races.This is John D'Alessandris's Pitts Special Race 18. Last year, members of the Biplane Class voted to oust D'Alessandris from the races following qualifying in first place, owing to alleged unsafe practises. This led to a lawsuit from him, which then led to RARA cancelling the Class this year, against an outcry from the other Class participants, who believed RARA acted heavy-handedly in doing so...
Not wanting to incur anyone's wrath unnecessarily, I don't have skin in the game here, but here is an article in Flying Magazine that details the sordid affair.
Lawsuit Potentially Upends Biplane Class at 2023 Reno Air Races
If an aviator flies in such a fashion that others consider dangerous, you can be sure that peer counseling will take place.
www.flyingmag.com
This didn't mean D'Alessandris wasn't getting a slice of the action at the last air races. He put his aircraft out on the hard outside his hangar for the public to examine up close, which must have annoyed RARA somewhat as his hangar is located almost directly opposite theirs on the taxiway. This beastie caught my eye inside the hangar, a Jet Provost T.3A! Looking on the interwebs, this was formerly XN553 with the RAF, which was delivered in 1961.
D'Alessandris' P-51 looking very smart in its corporate-style livery.
Next, it's back out to Pylon Two in the hot, hot sun...
See you there, folks...
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- Thread starter
- #190
I've not worked on any of them, so you're fortunate, but I've worked on nosewheel steering systems. They're bluddy troublesome sometimes...
Thanks G 
. When I shot Reno in '86, on the last evening I was wandering around trying to wrap up my affairs, when I caught some of the Dreadnaught mechanics between libations and thought I'd be able to get a quick interview with one. I asked him if they used any special equipment or tweaking to squeeze any extra power, he said "Rooster Spuie" and everybody just lost it and started cracking up . Reno will be missed. PAX
. When I shot Reno in '86, on the last evening I was wandering around trying to wrap up my affairs, when I caught some of the Dreadnaught mechanics between libations and thought I'd be able to get a quick interview with one. I asked him if they used any special equipment or tweaking to squeeze any extra power, he said "Rooster Spuie" and everybody just lost it and started cracking up . Reno will be missed. PAX
Lovely shots Grant!
- Thread starter
- #194
So, back to Reno and the last day of flying. This was the first T-6 heat that we caught out at the pylons. There was one more to go. You are all familiar with the aircraft, so I'll just place them up for your enjoyment.
_ADP8684
From L to R, Big Red, Honda, EZ-388, Bare Essentials, and Eros, not in shot is 999.
_ADP8685
Big Red.
_ADP8696
EZ-388.
_ADP8725
Bare Essentials.
_ADP8764
Honda.
_ADP8815
Eros.
_ADP8855
Big Red.
_ADP8882
EZ-388.
_ADP8774
Honda.
_ADP8818
999.
_ADP8953
Eros.
_ADP8902
Bare Essentials.
_ADP8760
Big Red.
_ADP8922
EZ-388.
_ADP8938
Next, the last T-6 heat. Ever.
From L to R, Big Red, Honda, EZ-388, Bare Essentials, and Eros, not in shot is 999.
Big Red.
EZ-388.
Bare Essentials.
Honda.
Eros.
Big Red.
EZ-388.
Honda.
999.
Eros.
Bare Essentials.
Big Red.
EZ-388.
Next, the last T-6 heat. Ever.
Peter Gunn
Master Sergeant
Excellent shots! I've said this before but it bears repeating, you're a heck of a great photographer! 
I bet it was a little noisy when those eight Texans came around together.
I bet it was a little noisy when those eight Texans came around together.
SaparotRob
Unter Gemeine Geschwader Murmeltier XIII
That's not noise. That's a chorus of angels.
MiTasol
1st Lieutenant
Excellent shots! I've said this before but it bears repeating, you're a heck of a great photographer!
I bet it was a little noisy when those eight Texans came around together.
You forget that 8 Texans/Harvards make no more noise than one Texan/Harvard because nothing makes more noise than a Texan/Harvard
- Thread starter
- #200
Excellent shots! I've said this before but it bears repeating, you're a heck of a great photographer!
I bet it was a little noisy when those eight Texans came around together.
Thanks Peter, I appreciate it. Having done it once, I'd love to be able to go do it again and put into practise what I learned to produce even better results. The quest for that great shot is never ending...
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