Aviation Photographers are Dedicated People

If there is group even more dedicated to the History of Aviation than the Pilots, Mechanics, Volunteers and Sponsors that keep our Birds flying, it may be the Aviation Photographers. These dedicated people spread the story and keep Aviation History alive through pictures and prose. Our reach to these twenty plus photographers will be multiplied by thousands, or hundreds of thousands by the time their pictures are published, posted or viewed.

On May 23rd, the Cold War Air Museum (CWAM) had the privilege and pleasure of such a group visiting for a sponsored event and dinner. They will have their own event posted on their web sites (along with much better photographs taken with much more expensive equipment). But it was a pleasure to watch them at work, even in the rain and catch a few quick photos of the photo takers with my trusty smart phone.

Event planning and co-ordination with Airport management allowed them limited, but close up access for some special picture taking. That is an advantage of an airport and aviation history oriented community such as ours. The only element not fully on board with today’s events was the weather.

The "Cavanaugh Caribou Came to CWAM" for the Photographer's Pictographic Pleasure. Making the 20 mile trip from the North to the South of the DFW Metroplex seemed as if it might not happen with Torrential rain and Tornadic Winds passing through the area earlier. Our thanks to the Cavanaugh Museum for helping to "make the day" for these Hunters of History.

Towards the end of the day, the Mi24 returned from the nearby State of Oklahoma. Weather had not been kind to the planned trip or event but the Bird and it's Crew made a safe return with another photo-op for the group.

With the photographers getting their pics and the crew getting the Bird safely put away before yet another storm passed through, the event ended successfully with a dinner for the group at the museum.

Mi-24 visits Bryan, Texas

A call to the Cold War Air Museum recently led to a quick trip to Bryan Texas. When the R4D from the sister museum on the field developed maintenance issues, the Mi-24 gallantly filled the vacant spot at the Coulter field airshow.

Bryan is the sister city to College Station, home of Texas A&M University.

Even with more aircraft flying in, and flying over, the Mi-24 was a big hit. And, the crew even remembered to take the fund-raiser T-shirts with them to the show.

The group takes a moment to pose with some of the CAP members that attended and helped with the show.

A prior post featured a story about one of the Faculty Members of the Bush School of Government and Public Service. The Bush Library and Bush School at Texas A&M house unique lessons and programs from the cold war era.

Cold War Air Museum Mi-24D "Hind" gets U.S. Airworthiness Certificate

The second Mi-24D associated with the Cold War Air Museum received its U.S. Airworthiness Certificate today!

Licensed in the Experimental Exhibition category, bord 120, will soon join her sister ship, bord 118, flying to airshows and events.

Museum President, Bruce Stringfellow smiles as he shows off this all important part of our flying machine. Standing beside him is Museum Director Jon Boede and two smiling officials from the F.A.A.

This project truly was a team effort and we want to thank everyone who contributed their time, talent and labor. We also want to thank the F.A.A. for their help and guidance with the project. Look for more blog posts about the story of bord 120 soon.

Congratulations All!

Cold War Air Museum at the Corsicana Air Show - Part 2

We've got a few more pics to share from the Cold War Air Museum visit to the Corsicana Airshow this year.

The Mi-2, as well as the Mi-24 drew plenty of interest.

Because the helicopters were perfectly happy to operate off the grass. More ramp area was made available for the fixed wing aircraft that needed a hard surface to park and taxi.

As Jon taxied by in the L-39, Andy got this shot of the Mils starting to develop lift power (and a UH-1 in flight behind them).

The top speed of the Mi-24 is well within the low end of the L-39's operational envelope, so Andy took several in-flight pictures of the Mil during his ride back to home base.

Thanks to Andy Nixon for sharing these additional photos with us.

CWAM at the Corsicana Airshow, Part 1

The Cold War Air Museum gets a fun opportunity to participate in the Corsicana Airshow every year.

The crowds enjoyed seeing our aircraft as well as a great many others.

Big kids and little kids are always fascinated to see flying machines, especially the Mi-24.

With the B-17 flying overhead and lots of other activities, there was plenty to see, hear and do.

Including getting your picture taken by our friendly guys.

The L-39 was a hit as well. With the price of fuel being what it is today, it is more of a burden for turbine aircraft owners to attend shows.

Old and new, a view of the B-17 on approach from the L-39 rear seat.

Thanks to Andy Nixon for sharing these fun photos with us. We'll have more soon in Part 2 of this series.

At the Cold War Air Museum - 14 May, 2011

Every weekend seems full of activity at the Cold War Air Museum. With an Airshow at Corsicana, Texas (KCRS) and visitors on the way to our Airport (KLNC), the day was loaded for work and fun.

With the Big Bird going to the show, Johnny was out early getting things ready.

All set, Johnny leads off in the Mi-2.

The faster Mi-24 soon followed with Coz at the controls. Andy Nixon joined us for the flight and we are looking forward to posting his pictures from the show soon.

And with the shortest flight time of all, Jon soon joined the others on the ground.

Not to be outdone by Corsicana, there was still plenty of activity at the home field.

With the establishment of an aerobatic box next to the airport, there is often additional activity like there was today.

A number of QB's and other visitors stopped by to enjoy the good weather and good company. We appreciate the visitors and donations received today.

Jan Collmer and his beautiful Extra 300, were among those welcomed.

And one of the other L-29's based at the field took advantage of the weather and good company to get out and get some exercise. There are few L-29's with better paint or detail than this one.

Of course, pretty planes attract pretty women. Dressed for a party they were attending later, these young ladies paused long enough to get their picture in today's post.

Just another beautiful day in Texas with great aircraft, great folks and great fun. Thank y'all and please come back again.

Mi-24 Air to Air Video

We are fortunate at the Cold War Air Museum to have the support of various groups and friends. A recent visit to the outstanding Garland Heliport near the Museum generated this video of the Mi-24 in flight.



Our friends at SKY Helicopter shot this video of the Mi-24 from one of their helicopter news ships, then edited it with their production equipment and added music just for fun!

Our thanks to the guys (and gals) at Sky for this fun production. Visit their web site (and YouTube) for more information and videos about their operations and equipment.

Mi-24D Bord 118 Photo Gallery

Last weekend the Cold War Air Museum finally got the chance to take up our newly-certified Mi-24D Hind helicopter for some air-to-air photos.

The pictures speak for themselves... many thanks to Miguel for the camera and Photoshop work to produce such beautiful pictures. The entire set of 190 photos can be found on Miguel's Flickr stream.

Mi-24 Fly-bys

The Cold War Air Museum Mil Mi-24D is flying on a regular basis now. We have had requests for pictures of the aircraft in flight, so Jon and Miguel are working on a new series of "in the air" photos. Their post will be up after Memorial Day. Until then, enjoy these short clips of the Mi24 flying by.

Mil Mi-24 Check Rides

Now that the Cold War Air Museum Mil Mi-24D is certified for flight and has flown off it's required program hours, pilot training and rating is underway.

With weather and maintenance co-operating, Bord 118 was turned around quickly for multiple hops over the weekend.

Watching the aircraft fly is, awesome. For the many people who have contributed to this effort, it was a beautiful day to enjoy seeing their work take flight.

The downwash from the massive rotor blades shakes the cameraman as the aircraft taxis by.

For the pilots working on their rating, every moment not flying presented an opportunity to hit the books and study the check lists.

The moment of truth comes when you climb in the big bird and actually take the controls in flight. After some initial time in the front cockpit with an experienced instructor, the qualified airmen climb in the back cockpit for further checkout.

We appreciate the support of the many people who worked hard to get the program approved and underway. The newly rated Mi-24 pilots, who had extensive previous rotary wing experience, exchange congratulations with their instructor and examiner.

Mi-24D Hind at the Cold War Air Museum now Certified for Flight

The Cold War Air Museum Mil Mi-24D Hind helicopter, Bord 118 received it's airworthiness certificate today and is now a flying aircraft!

As the final step in a six year process, the museum was visited by FAA Aviation Safety Inspectors from the Fort Worth MIDO (Manufacturing Inspection District Office) who reviewed Bord 118's paperwork and did a final inspection of the aircraft before issuing an Experimental Exhibition Special Airworthiness Certificate.

Noting some discrepancies in the pre-printed Airworthiness Certificate that they had brought with them, the inspectors required a manual typewriter to be located so that the certificate could be filled out. Amazingly, we were not only able to find one on the airport, but one with a fresh ribbon!

Here Bruce is seen proudly accepting the airworthiness certificate for the aircraft.

After a five hour "Phase 1" test flight period, accomplished over the next week or so, Bord 118 will be ready for the 2010 airshow season! A print from Aviation Graphics (shown below), depicts 118 as originally painted and equipped.