49th Annual Merced
Antique Fly-In a Success
Merced
Chamber of Commerce withdraws as Event Operator; Torch is
passed to Rich and Jan Basart.
by
Rick W. Pisio
RW Photos
Canceled.
Postponed.
Shelved.
All
of these words and others could have been used to
describe the 49th Annual Merced Antique Fly-In, if not
for the effort Rich and Jan Basart. When the Merced
Chamber of Commerce pulled out from operating the event
Rich and Jan picked up the gauntlet and kept the
gathering alive.
With support from the Antique Aircraft Association of
Blakesburg, IA, as well as the Schellville and San Diego
chapters, enough interest was generated to gather nearly
200 classic aircraft at Merced’s Municipal Airport
on June 2nd and 3rd, 2006.
The days flying demonstrations started with a pair of
F-16’s from the California Air National Guard in
Fresno making an overhead pass while in transit to the
airshow at Beale AFB.
The Rag Tag Air Force took to the air shortly thereafter
and did a number of formation passes that culminated in a
missing man formation during the national anthem. The Rag
Tag Air Force is based out of San Jose and consisted of a
Piper Archer, Globe Swift, Beech Bonanza, and Lancair
320.
Jon Nash of Orange, CA, provided an aerobatic performance
in his Edge 540 as did Doug Jardine of Murrietta, CA, in
his Sukhoi 26MX.
This year also brought the return of the popular Parade
of Flight which consisted of 11 classic aircraft flying a
racetrack pattern around the field. Leading the parade
was a replica of the deHavilland DH 88 Comet, a scarlet
air racer from the 1930’s. The comet was followed by
a mix of classic aircraft spanning over 70 years of
aviation history.
Following the Parade of Flight a North American P-51D
Mustang took to the air and performed some smooth
aerobatics as well as a few high speed, low altitude,
passes. Named “HELL-ER BUST” the blue nosed
aircraft was in the markings of the 486th Fighter
Squadron’s leading ace, Capt. Edward Heller.
The aircraft was being flown by Ed Shipley who was
ferrying the plane for its new owner, the JTS Historical
Aviation Foundation Museum from Florida to Washington
State.
The real attraction at the 49th Antique Fly-In were the
classic aircraft on display. On Saturday evening awards
were presented in different categories. Some, but not
all, of the winners were:
Mayors Trophy - Walter Bowe, 1928 Curtiss Robin
High Point Trophy - Bill Allen, 1930 Stearman CR3
Golden Age 1929-1934 - Brent Taylor, 1928 General
Aristocrat
Robin Reid 1929 Fairchild KR-34
Classic Age 1935-1941 - Carlene Mendiata, 1937 Monocoupe
90A
Ruth Holden and Rock Walters, 1937 Lockheed 12A
Joe Ciabattoni, 1937 Stinson SR7B
Bill Dennison, 1939 Fairchild F24R
Military Aircraft with Markings - Dick Bunting, 1951
Cessna L-19A Bird Dog
Military Aircraft in Non Military Markings -Bob Simon,
1943 Stearman N2S-3
Sports/Homebuilt - Ralph Belden, 1964 Liberty Sport
David O’Hara, 1976 Starduster SA-100
Bede Trophy for Most Outstanding Homebuilt – Richard
van Kesterson, Vans RV-4
Even though the number of aircraft in attendance was not
as great as in years past the event was considered a
success. The 50th Anniversary event in 2007 is off to a
good start with the approval by the Merced Airport Land
Use Committee of the plans for next year’s
gathering. If the energy and enthusiasm from 2006 can be
carried into the 2007 event then the 50th Annual Merced
Antique Air Fair should be an event that is not missed.
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