Did you hear the roar of the R2800 or the purr of a Merlin passing over head this weekend?  Then you were probably fortunate enough to attend the Chino Air Show.  It is one of the most incredible air shows in all of Southern California and possibly the best show in the United States for fans of WWII aircraft.  Located in the heart of Southern California, The Chino Planes of Fame Museum puts on a spectacular display of airpower each May in celebration of the men, women and machines that ruled the skys over 50 years ago.  The popularity of the show has grown significantly over the past several years and advertisements can be seen and heard on Southern California’s more prominent radio stations and other aviation magazines.  Even with the economy as tough is it is and the sun as grueling as it can be and the flys swarming rampantly out on the tarmac, surprisingly thousands of spectators came to see the sights and sounds of the incredible iron horses for an astounding $20.00 per person.  A fee that seems a bit steep compared to a free military air show, until you realize what you’ve just seen is well worth the price of admission.

F4U Corsair Banking Hard around the circuit honoring the fighters of the Pacific.

 If you’re an early riser take the chance to wander the pit and see all of these powerful warbirds up close and chat with some of the pilots before they perform the days show. Some of the aircraft at the show are the only flying aircraft left in existence and a close up opportunity to get near these aircraft can be just as rare. The other positive to going early is the overcast layer is still thick and blocking out a majority of the sweltering sun while taking pictures of the static displays and then sitting in and relaxing for the rest of the day as the show is performed.

The F6F Hellcat had one of the best kill ratios of any WWII fighter with it's ability to outclass the Japanese Zero in almost everyway.

 Each year there is a theme to the show and this year it was a tribute to Grumman manufactured aircraft:  The Duck, Hellcats, Wildcats, Bearcats and Tigercats.  All with beautiful sounding radial engines with thousands of horse power to help them leap into the sky and help the pilots perform maneuvers made to seem easy by their skill and finesse.  The president and the Planes of Fame Museum Steve Hinton, one of the best in the business performed aerobatics in his meticulously restored F7F Tigercat as we entered the air show. Smoke trails made it almost impossible to miss the massive twin engine fighter as it looped and rolled around stage center.  A side note, In previous years it’s taken some time to park and wait for a tram to come pick spectators in mobs of overheated guests.  This year everything was running like clock work, trams were arriving every 2 minutes and there was almost no wait to get to the show.  

The P-38 Lighting was nicknamed the Forked Tailed Devil and is one of the most recognizable aircraft of WWII.

 We arrived at the gates just in time for the Pulse Jet Ground Demo.  Some would believe watching a jet engine on the ground would be undesirable, but I for one had never heard the sound of this terror weapon and found it to be completely fascinating.  Knowing the fear that this sound must have driven into the people of England or the greater fear of the engine going silent and the war head attached to the rocket V1 buzz bomb gliding in for destruction.

The Flying Tigers used the P-40 in China and the Shark Mouth became a symbol of their aircraft.

To our amazement there were hundreds of aircraft on the ground display, not just in the in the show boundaries, but the many civilian aircraft that can be viewed while on the tram ride into the show, just sitting out on the tarmac.  Many need to be refurbished while others are in great flying shape.

 As we walked from one end of the show to the other the roar of a Mig 15 and F-86 Sabre took to the sky for a simulated dual similar to how they would have competed in the Korean Air War. Traveling near the speed of sound only feet from each other as they traveled several thousand feet into the clouds and then hurtled towards they earth like to rocks being pushed by a rocket to only pull out of their loop only feet from the earth.

 As the jets turned base Zeros, War hawks, a Lightning, a Corsair, an SBD, Hellcats, Mustangs and a Val Dive Bomber pushed their throttles to the fire while and began the circuit around the pattern.  The P-40 grabbed onto the Zero’s tail and smoke began to trail as if hit by the devastation of the 6 fifty’s mounted in the aggressors wings. The roar of their engines could be felt in your chest as each one buzzed the tower then headed directly for the show center.  The massive B-25s and P47s took flight along with a Yak 3 as the previous aircraft descended.  It was a constant stream of aircraft overhead never having to wait more than 10 seconds to see one of these beautiful birds.

The largest single engine aircraft the Hawker Sea Fury entered production to late to see action in WWII.

 As the European theater aircraft started to come to rest the sounds of the 3 Bearcats flown by “The Horsemen” fired up their engines and taxied for takeoff.  They typically fly P-51D mustangs, but to show tribute to Grumman and keep with the theme of the show they flew the F8F Bearcats.   This is a must see show for any fan. Demonstrating some of the tightest formation flying in the industry only surpassed by the Blues and the T-Birds.  Rolling and looping in their post WWII aircraft, they demonstrate maneuvers used by the original Blue Angles, who flew Hellcats and Bearcats.  

The Horsemen changed steeds for this performance to keep in line with the shows Grumman theme.

 The sound of the Sea Fury could be heard as Brian Sanders took off in Argonaught, sister ship to Dreadnaught who has competed in the Unlimited Gold Class in Reno. His demonstration is quite unique as he has developed a smoke system that shows the wake vortices.  It’s an impressive demonstration as it appears that 2 horizontal tornados are coming off of the tips of the wings and they sit floating in midair for several minutes after he has passed.   While he flys his routine, all of the previous warbirds gather on the ramp for one massive gaggle that flocks to the sky. 

 Lead by 3 Tigercats about 25 aircraft are launched for one giant formation flight.  It’s an awe inspiring site that brings to memory the days of thousands of waves of aircraft launching into the sky to do battle.  It takes about 5 minutes for all the aircraft to take off and gather into formation.  A most impressive site even for those not into aviation.

The A-10 Tank Killer is one of the most effective and capable Aircraft in the US arsenal.

 The show is then followed up with the west coast A-10 demonstration team who pushes the tank killer to the edge of its envelope is it does high speed passes and hard breaking turns.  One of the ugliest aircraft in the current USAF, this is a bird built for a specific role in which it is second to none.  While circling over head a P-38 lighting and two P-51 Mustangs join in formation for the United Sates Air Force Heritage Flight.  This performance gives audience members a time to reflect on the importance of the men and women who served this great country and the machines that supported them.

Common at most air shows these days The Heritage Flight is a very solemn time to reflect.

The final display of the day is the giant C-17 Globemaster Transport Aircraft.  This four engined behemoth seems to defy gravity with its’ slow flight, steep takeoff angles, and ability to stop on a relative dime.  When landing it can even taxi backwards to takeoff again.  It was almost sad to see this aircraft fly as I knew the show was coming to an end and I’d have to wait another year to see the Chino Air Show.

Overall this is an impressive air show and worth taking the time to visit.  I would recommend this to people of all ages.  Keep on donating to their great cause and keep’m flying.