Polikarpovs, anyone? Bonus content included...

[Violator]

Yesterday was another flying day for the FHC at Paine Field. The theme was Russian aircraft, so they flew their Po-2 and I-16. The third aircraft, although airworthy, only taxied. It was still quite a treat. Cheers!

 

[Crimea_River]

Good stuff!

 

[rochie]

love that I-16

 

[Airframes]

Good stuff.

 

[A4K]

Great pics mate! Who owns the MiG-29?

 

[lindsay]

I also love the I-16. I went to the 2010 Wanaka airshow hoping to see one up close, but was dissapointed that not one was in attendance!

 

[A4K]

I think they sold almost if not all of them (including the one in the above pics if I'm not mistaken.)

 

[Wildcat]

Fantastic, love those I-16's

 

[Violator]

Great pics mate! Who owns the MiG-29?

Thanks A4K. The Flying Heritage Collection owns all three planes, although the MiG is not usually on display with the others. The rumor I've heard is that Paul Allen hangars it at Boeing Field in Seattle, ~30 miles south of Paine Field. John Sessions, a Seattle attorney who founded Historic Flight Foundation (also located at Paine Field) purchased the MiG from the Ukraine. It was restored by an outfit in Arlington, WA (about 20 minutes north of Paine Field) and shortly thereafter it was announced that Sessions had sold the plane to FHC. Another rumor is that Sessions has a couple more 29s waiting to be restored. Let's hope so!

 

[evangilder]

Great stuff! The I-16 is something else to see, but looks like quite a handful to fly. I once heard someone say that if you could fly the I-16, you could fly anything.

The warbird world swirls with rumors. I have also heard of a couple of 29s, but until I see them, I'm not holding my breath. I couldn't imagine what it must cost to own, fuel and maintain something like that. Could you imagine how much an annual would cost for something like that?

 

[Gnomey]

Cool shots!

 

[vikingBerserker]

Very cool!