AirShowPix Productions
"Where Images Take Flight"
Nevada County Airfest
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Warbirds return to Nevada County Airport - By Clark Cook, Editor The Nevada County Airfest took to the skies once again on July 10-11 in what was a spectacular display of warbirds, homebuilts and antique aircraft. Hosted by the Nevada County Airport, located outside of Grass Valley and directed by Tim O'brien, hundreds of people both locally and from as far as Southern California attended the two day event. A 1940's themed dinner/dance kicked off the event on Friday evening, with a mock "air raid" and a water drop performed by Cal-Fire Air Attack Base aircraft.  As the band, Sister Swing kept party goers on their feet, two T-6 aircraft representing Japanese Zeroes were secretly launched. Several minutes later, the air raid sirens sounded off alerting everyone in the hangar as the two aircraft "strafed" the airfield adjacent to the hangar. Moments later, Evan Wolfe quickly took to the skies in pursuit of the enemy aircraft in his T-28C. During the dogfight, Wolfe "shot down" one of the aircraft as the other retreated. This small show was supplemented with a water drop by Cal-Fire's S-2T Tanker, followed by fly-over's with the unit's OV-10 Bronco. Both aircraft along with a second tanker are based here at the Grass Valley Air Attack Base. Saturday's event started out with a traditional pancake breakfast hosted by Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Chapter #1175. Several homebuilt and antique aircraft were on display on the nearby tarmac, along with many warbirds that were flown in. Aviation enthusiasts who arrived early were able to see several of these aircraft on display arriving, including an HU-16 Albatross, flown in from Santa Rosa. This was the largest aircraft on the static display. The "early birds" also had an opportunity to photograph these aircraft during the early morning hours. One of the more unique aircraft was a 1956 Aerocar, a design by Moulton Taylor. Arriving aircraft had the people of NorCal Approach busy as they directed aircraft in the air and on the ground from a temporary control tower,  located further up the field. At the same time, Cal-Fire pilots were performing preflight procedures for the air attack demonstration. The event officially kicked off with the National Anthem accompanied by a local Color Guard presenting the American Flag. Shortly after, An OV-10 Bronco, S-2T tanker and a Rockwell Aero Commander lead plane started their takeoff roll. The trio demonstrated fire supression tactics accompanied by a water drop from the tanker. The demonstration also included a rescue demonstration performed by a helicopter rescue team. Cal-Fire's facility was also open for the general public to tour. Many of the showcased aircraft performed a series of fly-overs, including a formation of Diamond aircraft and a turbine powered Lancair kit aircraft. The local RC Modelers were allowed to have command the airspace for a short time after the homebuilts landed. This was cut short, due to a real time call for Cal-Fire. The modelers performed flight demonstrations which included a pylon race. Warbird fly-bys included WW-II trainers - BT-13, T-6/SNJ's, Nanchang CJ-6's and T-28's. Fighter aircraft represented included P-51's, TBM Avenger and a rare YAK-11. In addition to the fly-by's performed by aircraft displayed here, a T-38 from nearby Beale Air Force Base made a high speed fly-over and two L-39's flown by the Patriots Jet Team performed a few fly-overs and "breaks". After the official flying concluded, several of the visiting aircraft departed making for wonderful photographic opportunities. |