Aviation Nation 2016: 75 Years of Airpower – Part IV

Aviation Nation 2016 celebrated “75 Years of Airpower” at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada. In addition to all the modern flying tech of today (please see my previous post) the Nellis Heritage Parade component of the air show included various warbirds from World War Two and the Korean War era, accompanied with plenty of pyrotechnics!

Replica Aichi D3A Val dive bomber built from a Vultee BT-15 trainer

Nellis AFB under Japanese attack!

Curtiss P-40N Warhawk (with a second seat added)

North American SNJ-5 Texan – N2550 (c/n 88-15348 / USAAF Ser. No. 41-34418 / USN BuNo 43683)

Bell P-63 Kingcobra fighter

The Kingcobra was an improved design over the P-39 Airacobra but despite this one being in USAAF markings they were primarily used in WW2 by the Soviet Union

The P-63 like its predecessor the P-39 had the unique engine behind the cockpit layout

USAAF North American B-25J Mitchell “Photo Fanny” takes off

The North American B-25J Mitchell was a versatile medium bomber put to great use during World War Two

A big old Consolidated PB4Y-2 Privateer takes off at Aviation Nation (as used by the US Navy as a maritime patrol bomber and later a civilian fire bomber)

The big Privateer on an attack run

The Consolidated PB4Y-2 Privateer was developed from the B-24 Liberator and is a great looking aircraft – check out the guys in the rear side window taking photos!

A view of a PB4Y-2 Privateer coming in like this was not one an enemy submarine captain would have liked to have seen!

USAAF North American P-51D Mustang “Dolly” – The P-51 saw valiant service in both WW2 and Korea

1950’s era North American T-28 Trojan Trainers

As the PB4Y-2 Privateer lands a Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star takes off

Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star “Ace Maker II” jet trainer

The T-33 makes a low fast pass at Aviation Nation

Soviet Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-15UTI two-seat trainer

Soviet Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-15UTI two-seat trainer

The single seat MiG-15 caused a stir when UN pilots first encountered it during the Korean War (1950-1953) and this lead to the first jet on jet air battles

The mountains make for a spectacular backdrop as the MiG-15UTI zips by

USAF North American F-86 Sabre “Jolley Roger” – The F-86 became the “MiG Killer” of the Korean War

North American F-86 Sabre jet

North American F-86 Sabre jet

Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-15UTI

These warbirds could also be seen on static display throughout the day. There was so much to see during the air display, I unfortunately didn’t get to spend a lot of time in this area and it really wasn’t until the end of the show that I wandered through there.

Top to bottom: Replica Aichi D3A Val dive bomber built from a Vultee BT-15 trainer, Curtiss P-40N Warhawk and North American B-25 Mitchell

Curtiss P-40N Warhawk and Bell P-63 Kingcobra

Top to Bottom, Left to Right: Consolidated PB4Y-2 Privateer, Rockwell OV-10 Bronco, North American F-86 Sabre, Supermarine Spitfire Mk.XIV and North American P-51D Mustang

The Vietnam War era aircraft provided a real treat in the chance to see the last public air show flights of the McDonnell Douglas QF-4 Phantom II. A Cold War warrior legend that’s time is coming to an end. The F-4 was a major combat aircraft of the USAF from 1963 until 1996 but they will retire the last of these now aerial targets in December 2016 (please see my earlier post for more on saying Pharewell to the Phantom).

A USAF McDonnell Douglas QF-4 Phantom II soars into the sky following take-off

McDonnell Douglas QF-4 Phantom II

There was also a spirited solo flying display featuring the Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star jet trainer known as “Ace Maker II” (many a fighter pilot earned their wings flying the T-33). The T-33 then joined in on a jet vs jetcar race against the impressive Smoke-N-Thunder Jetcar powered by a Westinghouse J34-48 jet engine that was originally used in a North American Buckeye T-2A trainer. From what I could tell it was a 1 all draw over the 2 days of races.

Smoke-N-Thunder Jetcar

Smoke-N-Thunder Jetcar – letting the jet engine roar!

A smoky low pass by T-33 “Ace Maker II”

And they’re racing!

BOOM! Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star “Ace Maker II” vs. the Smoke-N-Thunder Jetcar at Aviation Nation 2016

Smoke-N-Thunder is gaining on the T-33

The race was so much closer than you would think!

The military side of things was also complemented by some spirited civilian flying including aerobatic flying by Vickie Benzing in her 1940 Boeing Stearman and Chuck Coleman in his Extra 300. There was also an impressive “bit” of mass formation flying by the West Coast Ravens with up to 24 custom-built RV aircraft!

Vicky Benzing – Boeing Stearman (1940)

Chuck Coleman – Extra 300

West Coast Ravens assembly and take-off

The West Coast Ravens mass formation of 24 RV Aircraft

The West Coast Ravens mass formation of 24 RV Aircraft

A much smaller 8 ship pass by the West Coast Ravens

This was my second time at Aviation Nation. I cannot wait to attend another as it is action packed with fast jets, along with warbirds and other interesting aircraft and weaponry displays. People from around the world come to this show and it’s not hard to see why (some 300,000 people attended the event over the 2 days!). It is just one of those great aviation events that should not be missed!

Commemorative Air Force SOCAL Supermarine Spitfire Mk.XIV depart Nellis AFB