Reno Air Races 2205


Reno Air Races 2005
	The Reno Air Races are the ultimate expression of raw power just barely under control. The sights, sounds, smells, and the overall experience are impossible to understand until you are there in person. Here are some of my favorite pictures from 2005.
	The Rare Bear. An abandoned Grumman F8F Bearcat wreck was the basis for this awesome airplane. The list of modifications is huge but the results are even bigger. A modest increase in horsepower from 2400 stock to 4000+ in racing form result in a top speed of 490+ at 5000 ft. My favorite airplane in the whole world! Lots of information at www.rarebear.com
	As I watched the unlimited class final I was incredibly disappointed that Rare Bear came in second. It wasn't until the following day that I found out "the winner" had cut a pylon so the Bear only had to stay on his tail and fly a "clean" race to take the win. I still get goose bumps thinking about that race.
	An A-10 Warthog does a dirty flyby with everything hanging in the breeze. Incredibly ugly but an effective support weapons platform.
	One of many AT-6 Texans at the races. The Texan race is always exciting, I think there were about a dozen in the race!
	This beautifully restored Corsair flew a graceful aerobatic routine set to music. The number of man hours in the rebuild was staggering but it flies regularly.
	Raw power on the wing. Nothing like do a minimum speed dirty pass and pouring on the coals at stage center, rotating to vertical, then proceeding to accelerate out of sight in a few scant seconds.
	An L-39 Albatros taxis out for the jet race. 400+ miles per hour, wing tip to wing tip, a few feet off the deck, what could be more fun than that?
	Hmm, stealth in the daylight doesn't seem so stealthy now does it? A unique airplane with a sound to match.
	A tribute flight, definitely something you don't see every day!
	A Grumman F7F Tigercat. This plane should have won an award just for the sound of the twin engines when it thundered by! It also happens to be one of only a few flying left in the world. Not a show performer but racing, what a treat.
	The Canadian Snow Birds in a tight formation of seven aircraft. Their air show was the epitome of grace and style and precision flying often with several feet of overlap.
	This picture hangs on my office wall, right next to the Rare Bear. I almost fell over backwards taking this picture. They flew directly overhead on this pass.