FEATURED PHOTOS OF 2009
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WHF A-4B Skyhawk takes to the air!
On Tuesday, December 1, 2009, shortly after 1:00pm, the Foundation Douglas A-4B Skyhawk made it's first post-restoration flight at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh. The aircraft had last flown on May 4, 1992, more than seventeen and a half years ago. After an extremely successful test flight, the aircraft continued home to Waukegan Regional Airport, escorted by the Foundation L-39 Albatros, later that same day. This marks the end of an extended restoration project that began two and a half years ago.
The pilot for the Skyhawk test flight and the flight to Waukegan was Lt. Col. Munson (Sid) Snedeker, USMC(ret.). Flying chase in the L-39 were Paul R. Wood and David Staffeldt.
The Warbird Heritage Foundation would like to thank David Staffeldt, Sean Roarty, and all of the people involved in the restoration effort for their outstanding work. We hope to begin regularly flying the Skyhawk during the 2010 airshow season.
Steve Kirik earns Sukhoi Su-27 Type Rating!
Steve Kirik, WHF Demonstration Pilot and Safety Officer, has completed his checkout and has earned an Experimental Type Rating in the Sukhoi Su-27 Flanker! Steve is now the only U.S. civilian with a Type Rating in this aircraft. The Su-27 is a highly agile, long range, fly-by-wire, air superiority jet fighter with a top speed of Mach 2.35. It was developed by the Sukhoi Design Bureau for the former Soviet Union in response to the F-15 Eagle.
Steve is pictured below with one of two "Westernized" Su-27's owned by Pride Aircraft of Rockford, Illinois. Congtratulations Steve!
Read more information on the Sukhoi Su-27 from the free online resource 'Wikipedia'.
AirVenture Oshkosh 2009 - Warbirds in Review
At the "Warbirds in Review" Forum on Tuesday afternoon, Cmdr T. R. Swartz, USN(ret.) recounted his experiences flying the A-4 Skyhawk and other aircraft during his 23 year naval career.
On May 1, 1967, while a member of Squadron VA-76 aboard the aircraft carrier USS Bon Homme Richard (CVA-31), Cmdr Swartz shot down a MIG-17 with an unguided ZUNI rocket. He was credited with the only air-to-air kill by a Skyhawk during the Vietnam War. The Foundation A-4 Skyhawk is painted in the markings of Cmdr Swartz's aircraft to commemorate this event. We were pleased to be able to provide our recently restored Skyhawk as the backdrop for his presentation.
2009 Air Show Legacy and Heritage Formations
Foundation aircraft are shown below flying with other contemporary and historic U.S. military aircraft in various Legacy Flight formations during the 2009 airshow season. Our T-2 Buckeye can be seen flying as part of the Navy Legacy Flight program with the United States Navy F/A-18 Hornet and Super-Hornet.
AirVenture Oshkosh 2009 Video
The video below feature the Foundation F-86 Sabre and T-2 Buckeye flying alone and in various formations during the week of AirVenture Oshkosh 2009.
The following video was shot by an individual known as "SLICK". Read more about him and see more of his work.
After an excellent 10 day trip that was condensed into 6 hours of HD video, I am finally able to present to you this year's EAA Airventure music video