Author Topic: Visiting Warbirds (Read 594 times)

Widewing · « **on:** September 04, 2005, 06:48:54 PM »

Yesterday, I was working in the house when I heard the sweet sound of a Merlin engine. I jumped up and ran outside, but was too late. The aircraft was now hidden from view by some huge oak trees.

Today, my wife and I took a late afternoon walk along the roads near our home, right on the shore of Long Island Sound. Around 5 pm I detected the sound of piston engine aircraft. I turned to my wife and said, "that sure sounds like a Merlin and a small radial. Scanning towards the west, I spotted two aircraft about 3 miles distant. I was fortunate that I had brought along one of my cameras and quickly dug it out of the camera bag. The aircraft didn't get closer than about a half mile. My Fuji S5100 has a 10X lens and I was able to get a reasonable shot of a P-51D and AT-6 flying formation. It's a bit grainy as the range was extreme.

Does anyone know why this Mustang and Texan are here on Long Island this weekend? I can't find any reference in the newspaper.

My regards,

Widewing

Guppy35 · « **Reply #1 on:** September 04, 2005, 08:39:19 PM »

No idea on why they are in Long Island, but the Mustang is based in New York

Robert Baranaskas, Northpoint, NY
- Registered as N751RB.
- Flown as Glamourous Gal.

Debonair · « **Reply #2 on:** September 04, 2005, 09:09:10 PM »

Same time last year in Jersy City I saw a B-17 aloft. One can only assume the explanation is the same (unless you are on the Hamptons end of Long Island)

Rino · « **Reply #3 on:** September 04, 2005, 09:14:59 PM »

Could have sworn that Northpoint is on Long Island, but I'm
having trouble finding it. I know the American Airpower museum
is on the Island, but they don't have a 51 anymore.

Widewing · « **Reply #4 on:** September 04, 2005, 09:29:02 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Guppy35
No idea on why they are in Long Island, but the Mustang is based in New York

Robert Baranaskas, Northpoint, NY
- Registered as N751RB.
- Flown as Glamourous Gal.

Thanks Dan, I checked it out at mustangsmustangs.net.

Northport is about 15 miles west of my location (also on the north shore). However, the nearest airports are Republic field in Farmingdale and MacArthur Airport in Islip. It's also possible, but unlikely that he keeps it at Brookhaven airport or Gabreski field out in West Hampton.

I'm out at Republic often and haven't seen it there. I work adjacent to MacArthur airport and haven't seen it there either. However, I have heard Merlins often enough while in the office to believe that it's based there, probably east of the Garrett hanger. I'll take a look next week.

My regards,

Widewing

cav58d · « **Reply #5 on:** September 05, 2005, 12:48:38 AM »

The Pilot of the AT6 is 25 year old Chris Barkansakas....Himself and father travel the country with LIWARBIRDS......Last I spoke with him he was working on an interview with CT ANG for a A-10 slot

Debonair · « **Reply #6 on:** September 06, 2005, 04:49:27 PM »

Earlier this summer I saw the same B-17 parked at KEUG (Mahlon Sweet, Eugene, OR).
I think the government is following me

SMIDSY · « **Reply #7 on:** September 07, 2005, 02:17:33 AM »

i see an anusual ammount of vintage warbirds when i go to santa cruz. a couple years ago i heard a single piston engine flying around. i look and sure enough it is a P51D flying low doing acrobatics over the water. just a couple months ago i saw a b17 flying low over the water near the boardwalk.

jpeg · « **Reply #8 on:** September 08, 2005, 02:52:44 PM »

It was most likely from the American Air Power Museum in Farmingdale, NY. They had a b17 and some other birds stop by this past labor day weekend.

Links to the American Air Power Museum website and pictures from a lot of aircraft that I've seen at that Museum are on my website (url in my sig)

Wolfala · « **Reply #9 on:** September 10, 2005, 11:00:03 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by cav58d
The Pilot of the AT6 is 25 year old Chris Barkansakas....Himself and father travel the country with LIWARBIRDS......Last I spoke with him he was working on an interview with CT ANG for a A-10 slot

A-10 - smart cookie. Best chances of living through a war in that.

Widewing · « **Reply #10 on:** September 11, 2005, 10:14:55 AM »

Five minutes ago, I'm sitting in the kitchen reading the newspaper and I hear that familiar Merlin again. I step out on the deck and that same Mustang flies directly over my house at about 800 ft... sweet sound. No time to fetch my camera. I guess it's getting quite a bit of flight time these days.

My regards,

Widewing