Warbird Fly-In

Clouds, wind and chilly temperatures couldn't keep die-hard aviation enthusiasts away from Tehachapi's Second Annual Warbird Fly-In on Saturday, September 27. People bundled up to enjoy the show which was organized by the Tehachapi Society of Pilots and organized by Kim Nixon. The event got underway with a prayer from Chaplain Lieutenant Colonel Wes Clare with the 144th Fighter Wing of the California Air National Guard out of Fresno. He is also a Tehachapi resident and Rector of St. Jude's. The invocation was followed by the national anthem beautifully sung by ten-year-old Brinley Marx. The day's festivities were narrated by well-known local pilot and veteran Reno air racer, Bruce Lockwood. Lockwood kept the crowd entertained with anecdotes, historical data and technical descriptions of the various aircraft and engines.

For anyone who wanted a plane ride, J. R. Smith from Oceano, Calif. was on hand with his bright yellow 1943 Stearman biplane. Smith said he learned to fly from his father who was a World War II flight instructor. He said that even though the wind was strong, it was steady so the rides weren't bumpy.

Dave Cummings from Camarillo arrived around 10 o'clock with his 1951 Grumman Albatross. There are only 13 of these aircraft still flying and this is the only one still in commercial use. During the Korean War it was used by the Air Force for Search and Rescue in the Pacific Theater. In 1981 it was retired for scrap but rescued. The Albatross is an extremely versatile plane which can fly 3,000 miles without refueling and land on a runway as short as 1,500 feet. It has a very slow (72mph) stall speed and can cruise at 165 knots, thus the name Albatross.

A World War II P51 Mustang fighter piloted by Matt Jackson of Van Nuys was also a big hit. When asked what was the hardest thing about flying into Tehachapi, his reply was, "Flying under the clouds and not hitting the windmills." This particular plane was powered by an Allison engine that was built here in Tehachapi for this plane by Kim Nixon's husband, Mike. Earlier Mustangs were powered by a Merlin engine, an example of which was mounted to a truck bed and run at full (deafening) power.

Visiting from Bakersfield were Ernest and Ellizabeth Herrera who are both veterans of the Korean War and both former members of Strategic Air Command. They are scheduled to join the November 3rd Honor Flight Kern County trip from Bakersfield to Washington, D.C. Elizabeth said she was very impressed that the Tehachapi Warbird Fly-In was a free event to the public.

Tehachapi resident Tim Collins and his wife Jenna brought their three children to watch the planes. Sons Dylan and Kyle both love airplanes. Dylan had asked for a visit to the airport for his birthday. Their daughter Riley also joined in the fun.

Around noon, the public was allowed to go onto the field and view the old warbirds up close and personal as well as some of planes owned by our local pilots. All in all and even with the threatening weather, the event could be called a smashing success.