Wee Willy IIFootage of the 1979 race from a US TV sports show is on youtube. The footage includes the Red Baron accident, and an interview with a very youthful Steve Hinton after his recovery in hospital. Watching the footage makes you realise how lucky we are to still have Steve with us…
Very interesting footage and I remember the crash too. The one thing I didn’t can be chaulked up to confabulation. I do beleieve that Steve did pilot Tsunami at some point. Is this correct??
Another interesting item is that Darryl Greenameyer was mentioned and Darryl I believe still holds the world’s low altitude speed record in his “homebuilt” F-104 Reb Baron of 1,000mph. Did Darryl previously pilot the Red Baron modified P-51?
Saw Jim Lampley last weekend on HBO’s “Friday Night Fights”. In later life Jim has become something of a zany character.
Another interesting feature is prop evolution. Today’s are rather stubby. At one time Strega had a scimitar styled prop but they have gone back to a more traditional version. The Red Baron had chopped off tips. Another contra rotating prop was Miss Ashley II (mentioned in other threads) which crashed in 1999. It too had a Griffon engine.
Sorry for my initial mistake and thanks for this YouTube link.
Cheers,
Stu
Wee Willy IITsunami
More interested IMO is the Tsunami link on the Platinum Plus page. Tsunami was of course a Gold Cup winner and was famously flown by Steve Hinton who survived it’s crash. I recall Tsunami at some point had contra rotating props like Miss Ashley II which I sadly watched disintegrate back in 1999 when it’s Lear Jet horizontal tail tore off destroying a fabulous aircraft.
Wee Willy IIWee Willy IIWee Willy IIIt was Bob Hannah, former MX racer.
Thanks for that info.
Wee Willy II2010 final was cancelled owing to high winds.
But I believe he won the race due to his standing after prelims.
Wee Willy IIPS…a few comments about the video. As the aircraft form up, Steve Hinton flies the T-33 Shooting Star pace aircraft trailing smoke so all the racers see him. On his right is his son Steven Hinton 23 (22 at the time) flying Strega the 2009 champion. Strega is the fastest aircraft after Dago Red (not racing) which holds the Unlimited lap record of 520+mph.
Anyway, the aircraft line up in accordance with their qualifying speed. VooDoo is third and Rare Bear a previous multi winner is second. As the aircraft cross the ridge they dive down to the first pylon. When Hinton in the T-33 is sure everyone is lined up he climbs up and says “Gentlemen….you have a race”. You can see VooDoo’s speed in the upper left increase leading up to the T-33 climb out. As they race you can see the white Strega streak away from VooDoo. No doubt Strega is going over 500mph at the time. The course is just over 8 miles. The far end is a turn and then the backstretch called “The Valley of Speed” is where racers reach their maximum and some drop down to just over the scrub/desert floor. There are a number of racing buffs who hang out on the ground back there. I haven’t but the sense of speed must be fantastic.
Strega wins the 2010 race for the second time and was expected to repeat this year as Dago Red was not in it.
Mechanical “fitness” plays a big part. Rare Bear has frequently been scratched because of mechanical problems but won the two years previous to Strega’s return.
It is IMPORTANT to note Tiger DiStefani used to own and fly Strega but retired, something perhaps that Jimmy Leeward should have done as 74 is quite old to fly Unlimited’s. IMO 60 is probably the max age for this class of aircraft racing and look for some kind of age restriction if the event continues next year. One has to have lightning reaction times. I’m not saying a younger man could have recovered Galloping Ghost with it’s trim tab failure but Jimmy Leeward seemed to have some kind of friendly vendetta with Tiger D and challenger him to come out of retirement and race him.
Another thing to note, people have said an old man flying a 75 year old aircraft…well the “aircraft” was entirely rebuilt (see Jimmy Leeward’s website) and was practically brand new.
Who knows how fast it might have gone but one must note these are “experimental” aircraft and crashes have happened.
Thought some of you would like this background info.
R.I.P Jimmy and may the ether allow for happy flying and to play your final two aces and see how fast GG can go.
Wee Willy IIAFAIK the fast climb is a default maneuver if the pilot experience technical problems – to bleed off speed.
I was at that event. As the Unlimited’s dove down towards the first pylon, VooDoo climbed steeply. The announcer noted it and said that when aircraft are in trouble they climb high to get out of the pattern and are better suited to select a landing site. It was not known that the pilot (forget his name….Skip Holm???) said that G’s forced him to the floor and he had to claw his way back up to regain control. Eerily, Galloping Ghost climbed too but he was in a trun off the last pylon and much lower. You will note in one of the photo’s that no helmet is visible in the cockpit. G’s have forced Leeward to the floor as well as his climb was even more abrupt than VooDoo’s.
I was also at the races when Miss Ashley II a contra rotating prop heavily modified P-51 with Lear Jet wings crashed . As the aircraft passed before the stands there was a conflagration in the sky. This was in 1999. At first I thought two aircraft had converged but it turned out the tail wings tore off leading to torque/torsion which caused the Lear Jet wings to separate and the body of the plane disappeared over a hill all in a matter of seconds. That came as the final race of the day and the Thunderbirds were supposed to perform after but were cancelled. A pall settled over the airshow crowd who are all ardent aircraft afficionado’s. I was not at this years event but thought I’s post this YouTube offering of VooDoo in last years Saturday Gold Cup race. It’s the best I’ve ever seen. Go full page and listen to the sound of a Merlin in full bloom. The view is similar to the one I had of the pilot when I rode in Wee Willy II but I was only doing about 260-270 mph.
Stu
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2TQ8dJDMFE
Quick PS…the climb I saw Voodoo do was NOT the slow one in this YouTube video rather it was back in 1990 something (possibly 99 same year Miss Ashley crashed). He abruptly climbed rapidly right after start.
Wee Willy IIStu, the package is totally legit. Friend of mine done it a few years back, when they were still operating the Foxbat – I’m ever so slightly envious. For 17,000 euros though, its hard to top trump that as an experience.
Thanks PBY. I assume the Foxbat was strictly a “speed experience”. They advertise the MiG31 as a “nap-of-the-earth” adventure.
What does concern me is that the flight envelope is left to the discretion of the pilot. Assuming I qualify for 7 G manouvers (MiG 29 max’s??) I’m hoping that will happen and not just go for a cruise (an expensive one at that). Did your friend elaborate on his Foxbat flight?
Wee Willy III don’t know the current status of Delta Jets. I remember seeing them at Kemble not that long ago – your eyes are everywhere if you know there’s a Hunter aiming for the same runway as you.
Down the road from me they offer rides in the T-33 Shooting Star and the P-38 Lightning (not the English Electric variety but just as rare). That’s the Planes of Fame museum at Chino.
If you want to test your stomach and G-tolerance first, I’d highly recommend a trip with Ultimate High at Kemble. They’d likely also know the status of Delta Jets as I believe they have shared some crew between the two organizations (including an ex Red One).
Thanks Mark. I rode in Wee Willy II (P-51D) out of Chino. Will try and attach some pics. Was back in 1998. Cost approx $500.00 (much more now). The T-33 back then was $1,500.00 for 30 mins.
Will check out Ultimate High.
Thanks,
Stu
Wee Willy III can’t vouch for the outfit, probably good but ‘buyer beware’. You may have some protection if using a credit card.
Some alternatives that I know are bona-fide are Thunder City in Cape Town, South Africa with Hunter, Buccaneer and Lightning rides, and Delta Jets in Kemble, Glos., UK with their Hunters.
Whatever you choose, I’m jealous. Maybe one day……..
Tried Delta Jets website and found it unfunctional. A page comes on but when you try and log on nothing happens. Either site is down or “other”. Shame because I would love to fly in the Hunter as an alternate should the Nizhny venture not pan out.
If you know anything further please let me know.
Cheers,
Stu
Wee Willy IIGood points and valuable information.
I expect the Russians are a little more “cavalier” about these things but I will be sure to take out a life insurance extremely high premium for the ride in case a bailout (or crash). I am theorizing there will be some centrifuge evaluation but if memory serves me correct chaps like Steve Irwin and Paula Creamer (to name just a few) did not have to go through all the requirements you list. I heard Tiger Woods woofed in his face mask. That sound like a bad thing which could be a suffocating issue. A G suit is provided etc. I think the “edge of space” experience might be in the MiG31.
My chief concern (other than authemticity) is that the “ride” is left up to the discretion of the pilot and that is exphasized. As I said in other posts I don’t want a 45 minute “cruise” around the region for that kind of money. If I suspect anything fishy I will opt for the Hunter experience in the UK which undoubtably is a lot cheaper.
Lastly I have a year to source out people who have done this and the website communication lists a few e-mail addresses of folks who have done this (bona fide I hope) and I’ll check out their comments.
Thanks for your input and I envy you flying in “The Bone’.
Wee Willy IIThanks Keith. See you PM’s.
Cheers,
Stu
Wee Willy IIMiG 29 UB afterburning takeoff into vertical.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2bzpP-QpXY
Courtesy Historic Flight Foundation USA.
This is what it’s going to be like…..
Wee Willy III can’t vouch for the outfit, probably good but ‘buyer beware’. You may have some protection if using a credit card.
Some alternatives that I know are bona-fide are Thunder City in Cape Town, South Africa with Hunter, Buccaneer and Lightning rides, and Delta Jets in Kemble, Glos., UK with their Hunters.
Whatever you choose, I’m jealous. Maybe one day……..
The thought of Hunters is a strong lure Mark as it was my favorite jet growing up. I used to draw them and even whittled one out of a broomstick handle. Maybe as an alternate but the lure of climbing aboard some Russian “heavy metal” and going supersonic and at the discretion of the pilot TAKING THE STICK will be the ultimate.
Thanks for your comment.
Stu
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