Attended the Reno Air Races a few weeks back. It was a fantastic weekend made even better by having entry to the pits on both days so right in amongst the action.
The Texas Flying Legends put in a great display on both days and the Unlimited Gold Final was a really exciting duel between P-51s Strega and Voodoo. Loads of T-6s, P-51s and quite a few Furies….
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By: jschillereff - 27th October 2017 at 00:35
It’s actually a small hand held 4K camera (Sony AX-53) with a nice 20x optical lens, Reno was its first outing and I think it did great!!
Jason
By: Mothminor - 26th October 2017 at 21:10
Love the video, Jason! Great to see the whole race again and to get the pilot’s view – wow! Thanks very much for posting it :eagerness:
We really enjoyed the whole experience over the weekend and the Unlimited Gold Final really was spectacular – Voodoo came so close to winning…what a race!!
It was nice to meet you – thanks for taking the time to say hi 🙂
By: trumper - 26th October 2017 at 15:17
:eagerness: ^^^^ Thank you for that video.Is it still a good spectator experience ,i assume it was quite a long lens you used so are they along way away?
By: jschillereff - 26th October 2017 at 12:36
The gold final was amazing!!
Hope you enjoy the video
Jason
By: Zac Yates - 25th October 2017 at 23:28
Unfortunately the Jet Class rules prohibit any wing sweep beyond a certain degree so the 262 would only be doing show laps. (I would love to see a P-80 fly anywhere…) That’s why the Jet Class is almost exclusively L-29s and L-39s. Plus the FAA instituted a max speed of 520mph for safety.
Tugnaut is an impressive piece of kit!
By: STORMBIRD262 - 25th October 2017 at 06:58
where’s a 262 when you need one, these new build one’s would do, but if paul allen’s one is up and running, race a p 80 or something like that
By: ZRX61 - 25th October 2017 at 05:08
The gray tug in post #11 is a Ford Moto-Tug, they quite desirable & a ****** to find for sale. It’s based on the 9N
By: Mothminor - 24th October 2017 at 22:46
That was a real pity – always sad to lose any vintage aircraft and it seems it was damaged beyond repair (thankfully with no fatalities)
One other British design from the past was also present at Reno in the shape of the cockpit section of a DH Heron ex-Hawaiian Air Tour Service –
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By: Zac Yates - 23rd October 2017 at 23:07
The brown-cream Vampire was Pete Zaccagnino’s machine which won in 2015 and had a nasty belly landing last year after a canopy issue (a blowout, I think?).
By: Mothminor - 20th October 2017 at 20:55
Earlier mention of the aircraft tug “Tugnaut” reminded me of this –
“Tugnaut” in pushme-pullyou guise with a pair of Furies
By: Mothminor - 20th October 2017 at 16:55
The black Vampire was also wearing a strange camo scheme last year – green and silver. It was probably easier to photograph though as my camera was struggling with the glossy black finish!
By: ozplane - 20th October 2017 at 14:27
Thanks MM. I think I’m getting confused with the one that won in 2015 wearing an odd brown and cream camouflage scheme. I think it might have had an incident shortly thereafter but good to see British designs doing well at Reno.
By: Mothminor - 20th October 2017 at 13:16
Hi ozplane,
The Vampire appears to have finished 3rd in the Gold Final last year. Yes, it is the same one – N172LA. The serial it carries is its former Indian Air Force number.
By: ozplane - 20th October 2017 at 12:56
Was the Vampire the one that won the “jet” race last year?
By: Mothminor - 20th October 2017 at 10:39
Mustn’t forget the jets – a few classics on show –
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By: Zac Yates - 19th October 2017 at 23:11
Lovely! Thanks so much for sharing! I’ve just started a model of Full Noise so I’m always happy to see more of her. She’s been a favourite on the NZ circuit since restoration and the community really got in behind Graeme and the team. I no longer feel like the only Reno fan in the country!
By: Mothminor - 19th October 2017 at 21:32
Originally posted by hampden98
Is the yellow tug WW2 vintage?
Looks like the type the used to pull bombers with?
I’m not sure about Tugnaut’s history but there were at least a couple of other tugs which looked about that era.
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By: Mothminor - 19th October 2017 at 21:25
Originally posted by ozplane
Nothing prepares you for the noise as they come round the pylon on to the finishing straight on the first lap of the Gold Final. One P-51 at full throttle (plus a bit) is great but four or five is absolutely awesome. Throw in a couple of large American radials and it’s aviation nirvana.
It is amazing! A real “Wow” moment! The atmosphere was even more enhanced by having some of the Strega team right behind us!
By: Mothminor - 19th October 2017 at 21:18
Originally posted by DazDaMan
Not often you see a Spit with a race number these days!
I think it suits it too! MK959 also gets my vote for the How Low Can You Go? prize 🙂
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By: Mothminor - 19th October 2017 at 21:10
Originally posted by K5054NZ
Aww, nothing about the first ever New Zealand Unlimited entry, the Yak-3 Full Noise?
Yes, just trying to save the best for last! 😀
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Duck walk video on Youtube –
Wonderful to see the Yak and credit to all involved for taking it across to the States.
Good luck with your plans for next year. I think your wife will love it there – it really is a fantastic atmosphere and the racing is virtually non-stop from early morning (when it can be quite chilly!) to late afternoon. Great fun!
My favourite racer was one of the jets! “Sluggo” the Delfin had a lovely howl every time it passed 🙂
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October 18, 2017 at 9:00 pm