NAHI Restoration and Judging

by admin | Jun 21, 2019 | Air Race News

It takes a lot of dedication, hours and sweat to bring something almost 50 years old back to life. Take an aircraft from days gone by-perhaps a military fighter, a large transport, a classic or antique, even a medi-vac helicopter sitting in a barn or hangar.

Someone comes along and wants to revitalize it, study its history, whether it’s destined for static display or to take to the skies.

This is where the National Aviation Heritage Invitational (NAHI) comes in.

This prestigious competition features aircraft that are in original flying condition on static display on the ramp at the National Championship Air Races in Reno, Nev.

Established in 1998, the annual competition encourages the preservation of aviation history through the restoration and are judged by the strict standards set forth by representatives from the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum Restoration team. From the outset, the NAHI team set the restoration bar extremely high.

Awards are given in seven specific categories, Military, Classic, Contemporary, Antique and Large aircraft. The overall Grand Champion is awarded the Neil A. Armstrong Aviation Heritage Trophy.  When not at the competition the trophy resides at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum-Steven F. Udar Hazy Center in Virginia. The general public votes for their favorite in the People’s Choice category.

“We bring together some of the finest examples of restored vintage aircraft in North America to compete for the Grand Champion Neil A. Armstrong Aviation Heritage Trophy,” stated co-founder and Executive Director, Ken Perich.

 One such owner/restorer is David Bole of Buckley, WA. Bole, an aircraft maintenance inspector for Alaska Airlines is bringing his beautiful 1943 Howard DGA- 15P to Reno this year where it will sit with many other historical flying treasures.

Bole purchased the plane in August, 2011.  “It was a ‘flying’ restoration when I got it,” he said.  From then on, he worked diligently to complete the restoration. “It took about two years to get it in presentable condition.”

Bole looks forward to bringing his plane to NAHI once again. “Always a lot of fun and great seeing everyone. “I enjoy talking with the other participants and educating the public about my plane’s history.”

Chief Judge Colin Powers is no stranger to NAHI. He and his wife June won the 2003 Best Military aircraft in Reno with their 1943 Piper L-4H and then Grand Champion in 2005 at Dayton, Ohio. He explains, in order to be invited to the Invitational, applicants must initially meet certain criteria. “The aircraft must be 45 years or older and provide documentation and photos for the judging team to examine,” said Powers.

The judges look to see how original it is to when it came out of the factory or how it was 45 years ago. “The event has something for everyone interested in aviation and history,” said Powers.  “People love to see these aircraft as they were in the past- They like to hear the stories behind them and it’s a tribute to the restorers who invest their time and money to bring these wonderful aircraft for the public to admire.”

NAHI is still accepting applications. Please visit www.heritagetrophy.org for more information.

Pylon Racing Seminar Sees Largest, Most Diverse Class

by admin | Jun 17, 2019 | Air Race News

The annual “Rookie School” for the STIHL National Championship Air Races was held June 5-8

RENO, Nev. (June 17, 2019) —Training, preparation, practice and certification are all essential components in pilots participating in the 2019 STIHL National Championship Air Races. Each year the Pylon Racing Seminar (PRS), the only one of its kind, is held to help the pilots do just that.

“We have a one-of-a-kind event and that takes one-of-a-kind training to ensure we are putting on the best race possible in the safest manner possible,” said Fred Telling, chairman and chief executive officer of the Reno Air Racing Association.

PRS is required for rookies and open to certified racers to hone their skills. If a certified racer has not participated in PRS or the races in the last three years they are required to re-certify to be able to race again. The seminar consists of four days of intensive classroom instruction from experienced race pilots as well as extensive practice on the course.

“We are assembling the most experienced, skilled, trained and race-certified pilots to compete at the races in September,” said Telling. “Each class organization has its own set of rules, training and certification. At the end of every day all Classes and RARA discuss what can be done better to ensure every pilot is race ready.”

This year’s PRS class was the largest and most diverse the organization has ever had, with 129 attendees, 52 students (13 international students), 25 certified racers, 31 instructors and 13 officials with a total of 75 aircraft at Reno Stead Airport.

“We are seeing a resurgence in pilot interest,” said Telling. “This year’s class was impressive; we look forward to some great races this September.”

The 2019 STIHL National Championship Air Races returns Sept. 11–15, 2019, just 20 minutes north of downtown Reno. Attendees can witness the fastest motorsport in the world as six racing classes go head-to-head plus demonstrations by the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and the National Aviation Heritage Invitational. Tickets are now on sale. For more information, visit AirRace.org.

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About the STIHL National Championship Air Races          
The STIHL National Championship Air Races are held every September just north of Reno by the Reno Air Racing Association, a 501(c)(3). The event has become an institution for Northern Nevada and aviation enthusiasts from around the world with six racing classes, a large display of static aircraft and several military and civilian flight demonstrations. Independent economic impact studies have shown that the event generates as much as $91.7 million annually for the local economy. For more information on the 2019 STIHL National Championship Air Races, to obtain media credentials, volunteer, be a vendor or purchase tickets for this year’s event, visit www.airrace.org.

Just How Fast Can a P-51 Mustang Go?

by admin | May 29, 2019 | Air Race News

Military planes have been around for centuries. There is a multitude of types and sizes. Each plane has its own unique look, feel, and special features. One, in particular, the P-51 Mustang, comes in different versions and is among the fastest in military aircraft.

What makes the P-51 Mustang so special and how fast can a P-51 Mustang go? Let’s find out!

P-51 Mustang: The History

This plane has been in commission since the 1940s, during WWII. The chief designer of North American Aviation suggested building a plane from the ground up, rather than continuing to produce another licensed fighter for that time, the Curtiss P-40. The result was the P-51.

Created as a monoplane, with only one passenger; the P-51 was built as a low-wing style fighter fueled by an in-line, liquid-cooled Allison engine. This created a turbo-supercharge for the plane – a first of its kind.

This design was later called “Mustang” by the British, thus receiving its full name: P-51 Mustang. These planes joined the war in 1942 as low-altitude fighters. It was not possible for them to rise more than 15,000 feet. Despite this limitation, they did contain ample firepower and options for photography that most of the other fighter planes of the time sported.

Specifications

The P-51 took its first flight in May of 1941, at a speed of 425 miles per hour. With a 37-foot wingspan taking up 233 square feet of area, this plane sported many firsts of its kind. Later models of the P-51 were even equipped with a warning radar in the rear to alert of approaching aircraft from behind.

This plane was deemed “the most aerodynamically perfect pursuit plane in existence” by the Truman Senate War Investigation Committee in 1944.

Evolution of the P-51 Mustang

Over the years, new features and technology were added to the P-51 to keep it updated with the times. These updates began as early as 1942 when the Mustangs were equipped with the British Merlin engine for speed. Adding the Merlin engine increased the speed of the P-51A (original Mustang) by 110 mph.

This new prototype was brought back to the U.S. and mass produced in California and Texas. These new models were classified as the P-51B (California) and P-51C (Texas). Due to their new speed and classifications, the B and C models were able to fly higher and have a longer range. These details allowed the Mustangs to become the escorts for the U.S. bombing against Germany in 1943.

As time went on, the Mustang continued to update to the model we know today. By the spring of 1944, the Mustang had moved to the P-51D model. This new plane was equipped with a canopy, called the bubble-top, to protect the pilot and improve his vision. There were also updates made to the machinery as well. Extra guns and a new gunsight were added to the plane, along with a new feed system for the ammunition to reduce jams in the guns.

By the end of the war, the P-51H was in commission but did not arrive in time to hit the front lines of battle. This newest model was 50 mph faster than the D model and was considerably lighter than most of the previous models.

By 1946, there were over 15,000 Mustangs in existence – all types included. With WWII over, these planes were part of the U.S. Airforce. New aircraft and fighters began to emerge and force the Mustang to a second position for war. By the Korean War, the Mustang was transferred to the Air National Guard or surplused.

As it turned out, the long-range attributes of the P-51D brought the Mustang back into commission during the Korean War, as it could hit targets the other jet fighters couldn’t. Proving its usefulness, the Mustang remained with the Reserve and the Air National Guard until they were phased out in 1957.

Today’s P-51 Mustang

The last Mustang in service currently resides on display with the Air Force tactical unit. It is a recreation of the P-51D flown by Colonel C.L. Sluder, commander of the 325^th fighter group stationed in Italy in 1944. The name on the plane is “Shimmy IV” and is a production of his own creation to honor the Colonel’s daughter, Sharon, and his wife, Zimmy.

Today, the Unlimited Class at the STIHL National Championship Air Races in Reno regularly features modified P-51 Mustangs. In 2017, The P-51 Mustang, Voodoo, raised the bar for the P-51 models. Voodoo broke speed records for a plane powered by an internal combustion engine on the course. The pilot, Steven Hinton, has won multiple times in the Unlimited Class.

In 2017, Voodoo reached an average speed of 531 mph. This far exceeded the previous speed record in the books. Voodoo is currently the fastest of the P-51 models and is ranked as the fasted piston in the world. These planes have fought and served with and for the Armed Forces over the years and now they battle in a race for the best of the best.

The P-51 Mustang has so much history to its name. This plane has fought in many wars for the United States and has been flown by so many of the great military men of the times. Today, it’s breaking records in races and continuing to prove its worth. From the original P-51 Mustang of WWII, through today’s P-51D, like Voodoo; the comparison of these models with other military fighter jets is simply incomparable.

Nothing compares to the speed and aerodynamics of the P-51, as the slimmest fighter with long-range capabilities and speed like no other. The broken records, dating back to its inception, prove the P-51 Mustang is one of the top-performing planes in military history. What more could the U.S. Air Force ask for in a fighter? This plane does it all and has it all. Make sure to grab your tickets for the 2019 STIHL National Championship Air Races in Reno, NV for your chance to watch these amazing warbirds race head to head right before your eyes.