WINGS OVER BLAKESBURG

Now in a CSO configuration, the plane has heen repainted in the colors of the ASO flown hy Johnny Livingston in those races. N662Y was one of 25 aircraft involved in the 2003 National Air Tour, completing the 4000-mile journey with only a tail wheel problem that required a change in Atlanta. Dave confided at Blakesburg that he had a marginally reliable engine during the tour and was not sure the airplane would make it through. Jeanne and Dave were first-time guests at the fly-in and seemed to enjoy the laidback atmosphere and the good company.

The 2004 edition of the fly-in was a resounding success, blessed with a spell of blue skies, comfortable temperatures and low humidity (for this location and this time of the year), giving an extra incentive to the members to join in. Three hundred and eight airplanes attended the gathering, confirming the observed trend towards a revival of antique aviation. Such number and variety of airplanes has not been seen in Blakesburg since the late 1960s, according to the general consensus.

Variety is the spice of life and even though Blakesburg's main focus is on antiques, the event always presents a good cross-section of the various aspects of aviation, from WWI replicas to classics, Warbirds, and even contemporaries. It offers a selection of all forms and shapes taken by our favorite machines, from monoplane to triplane, single or multiengine, wood and fabric or metal... The choice is yours, and it is all there.

On the field, Warbirds were few, but of outstanding quality. Top choice was Dem Pellegreno's Fail-child XNQ-1 N5726 (BuNo 75726), a oneof-a-kind trainer that had its fate sealed by the ubiquitous T-34 which won the contract for the first postWWII Navy specially designed trainer. One cannot argue it was not the right choice. However, the Fairchild is an intriguing machine, and should have reached, at least, limited production.

Looking ungainly next to the Fairchild was the Consolidated Vultee L-13A N128LG (s/n 46-165), one of the few examples left of an airplane the Air Force did not really want. The L-13 could pretty much do all the dirty work required, but it could only do it slow, a state of affairs that was not very gratifying for its pilots. After a short career, the type was retired from the inventory and soon forgotten. Even Carl Walchshauser, its current pilot, is growing a little weary of the beast, and is trying to sell it.

On the antique side of things, it is almost impossible to single out any airplane. The offerings were so numerous and varied that any choice can only he subjective.

However, the Pasped Skylark W-I (N14919, c/n 1) has always been a favorite of the antique community. This airplane looks straight out of a Smilin' Jack comic strip with its Art Deco shape and its braced wheel pants. In flight, the machine epitomizes an era when shape primed function. Thanks to Buzz Penny, its owner, the Skylark managed to survive the passing of time and attracts as much interest now as the day it was bom.