The annual Pumpkin Drop is held at St. Charles, Missouri’s Smartt Field. Pilots can enter a contest to drop a pumpkin on a target and around noon, the warbirds come out with their bomb bay doors loaded with pumpkins. Here is the Commemorative Air Force’s B-25 Mitchell dropping her pumpkins. Click on the photo forContinue reading “Pumpkin Drop”
Tag Archives: Commemorative Air Force
PT-17 Stearman
The Commemorative Air Force has some great warbirds at the “Missouri Wing” in St. Charles, MO. In addition to this they have the B25 Mitchell “Show Me”, TBM-3 Avenger, L-3E Grasshopper and the PT-17 Stearman shown here. The Stearman (Boeing) Model 75 is an American biplane was formerly used as a military trainer aircraft, ofContinue reading “PT-17 Stearman”
TBM-3E Avenger seconds before takeoff
The Grumman TBF/TBM Avenger stands as one of the most rugged and formidable carrier-borne torpedo bombers of World War II. It incorporated structurally lighter construction, enhanced avionics, and specialized surface-search radar housed in a pod on the right wing—transforming the massive single-engine aircraft into an incredibly effective anti-submarine hunter and night-patrol bomber. This photo wasContinue reading “TBM-3E Avenger seconds before takeoff”
B-25 Mithchell – Show Me
Show Me is a member of the Commemorative Air Force, Missouri Wing, Located in St. Charles, Missouri. Here is Show Me taking off for a target run at St. Charles Smartt Field Pumkin Drop. The Pumpkin Drop is an all-day event at the field where any flyers can participate by flying over a target andContinue reading “B-25 Mithchell – Show Me”
Waking the Beast
If someone woke you up, you would be grumpy too. Starting this Wright Twin Cyclone’s 14 cylinders is fun to watch as it kicks and backfires during the startup process. Here you see the co-pilot watch the engine as each cylinder comes in line until they all are working in unison. Once all is running smoothlyContinue reading “Waking the Beast”
Spanish Lady
“Spanish Lady” is Nose Art on a North American Aviation T-6 Texan. The Spanish Lady is a 1949 North American T-6G Texan. She was originally manufactured by North American Aviation in 1944 as an AT-6D and was used to train allied pilots during World War II. The Texan is two-seat aircraft and served as theContinue reading “Spanish Lady”
Stearman
Commemorative Air Force’s P-17 Stearman. The Army and Navy both used the trusty Stearman where they were referred to primarily as a PT-17 with the Army and a N2S-3 with the Navy. Although the Stearman was challenging to fly in the hands of a student pilot with no previous experience, it allowed instructors to quickly evaluateContinue reading “Stearman”
Show Me
B-25 Mitchell “Show Me” taxis in after a short flight. Following is a PT-17 Stearman. St. Charles’ Smartt Field is home of the Missouri Wing of the Commemorative Air Force which has the B-25, the Stearman and a TBM-3 Avenger. The Wright Twin Cyclone engines power this beast to the delight of air show attendeesContinue reading “Show Me”
TBM-3E “Avenger”
The Avenger is part of the Missouri Wing of the Commemorative Air Force stationed in St. Charles County. This photograph is from their Open House held in September 2016. For free you visit the St. Charles Smartt Airport, walk around to see the planes and watch them fly. See more photos: https://greatrivers.smugmug.com/Events/Pumpkin-Drop/
Show Me!
B25 “Show Me!” at St. Charles Smartt Airport. Photo from their annual Pumpkin Drop event. Click here to see more photos from the event. Click here to see “Show Me!” flyover.