JBLM Airshow & Warrior Expo 2016 – The Warbirds

The Saturday of the Joint Base Lewis McChord – JBLM Airshow & Warrior Expo 2016 (August 27th-28th, 2016) was plagued by strong dusty winds. This meant that some of the warbird flying displays just could not go ahead. Regardless the show went on and we still got to see some great World War Two and Cold War era aircraft take to the sky.

The Warbirds

In the historic aircraft category, the Cascade Warbirds took to the sky in a number of training aircraft – a pair of North American T-28 Trojan’s, an IAR-823 from Romania, a pair of Ryan Navion’s and a North American SNJ. The Erickson Aircraft Collection took up there 1944 Lockheed P-38L Lightning “Tangerine” (their Japanese Nakajima Ki-43 Hayabusa “Oscar” taxied but did not fly due to the strong winds – a shame as they were going to simulate a P-38 vs Ki-43 dogfight!), the Flying Heritage Collection had their North American B-25J Mitchell bomber and early jet age wise the Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star “Ace Maker II” put on a spirited display.

Cascade Warbirds

Cascade Warbirds – North American T-28 Trojans

Cascade Warbirds – Ryan Navion’s

Cascade Warbirds – T-28’s, SNJ, IAR-823 & Ryan Navion’s

North American B-25J

Flying Heritage Collection North American B-25J Mitchell

The FHC B-25J was manufactured in Kansas in 1944. It ultimately served with the Royal Canadian Air Force until sold off as surplus in 1961

A great looking aircraft!

Bomb bay open

Another fine flying display in the B-25J Mitchell bomber

The B-25J back on terra firma

Lockheed P-38

The Erickson Aircraft Collection Lockheed P-38L Lightning and their Japanese Nakajima Ki-43 Hayabusa “Oscar” taxied out to the runway but the latter did not fly due to the strong winds

Erickson Aircraft Collection Lockheed P-38L Lightning “Tangerine”

The P-38 was said to be known to the Germans as “der Gabelschwanz-Teufel” – “The Fork-tailed Devil”!

A fine bit of flying by Bud Granley in the Erickson Aircraft Collection Lockheed P-38L Lightning “Tangerine”!

“Tangerine” taxiing back after the flying display

P-38 firepower – a 20mm cannon and 4 x 0.50 caliber machine guns!

Lockheed T-33

Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star “Ace Maker II” taxis past Lockheed P-38L Lightning “Tangerine”

High level T-33 aerobatics

T-33 smoke pass

Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star “Ace Maker II” barrel roll

Some fine flying in the old Shooting Star

Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star “Ace Maker II”

It is always good to see such historic aircraft fly and it is a credit to all the pilots that took up the strong wind challenge to put on a great show. We salute you!