ROSE TRAVELS AND ACTIVITIES
Central
Texas Airshow
Temple –
May 1 & 2
By Tim Black
There must be an airshow somewhere in the state of Texas, it's scheduled to rain all weekend. This is the way the Temple trip started out. On Friday our intrepid group of aviators met and loaded up for the short flight to Temple. Ron Dietes as Aircraft Commander, Tim Black as Co-Pilot, Phil Locket as Flight Mech, and a cast of hundreds, including Lettie Dietes, Greg Young (on his maiden voyage), Jim Liles, William Foster, and Julie Pulcipher were the selected crew. (Howard Martin was off somewhere at some Middle School in Burnett signing autographs as the last living original Doolittle Raider).
The weather on Friday actually turned out to be the best over the weekend. Upon arrival at Temple (among some confusion as to where the rental car lady was) we picked up our packets and headed to the hotel, Super 8, in beautiful downtown Temple. After a fast change of clothes, and a Mexican food dinner (with the appropriate number of beers) we headed to Jim Liles hangout (he has one in every city), the Veterans of Foreign Wars nightclub and casino. A grand time was had by all, dancing to the rhythm of the fantastic "Juke Box Brothers", throwing darts, and playing shuffle board. Tim needs to practice hitting the opponents instead of his own players.
The next day found us all supporting the JROTC pancake breakfast at the airport while we waited for the rain to stop. The gates opened on schedule and all 20 people had the run of the field until the clouds lifted enough around noon for the flying to take place. Then the show went on as scheduled for the masses, all 25 of them. The Rose flew her normal fantastic routine, using the skill and cunning of her crew, to wow the crowd with the Doolittle passes and the European Theatre routine. Oh yeah, the Dog, the A-26 from Waco, and a C-45 also joined us for the last passes.
Saturday night found the group again at the Jim Liles famous resort and spa, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Multiplex of games and refreshments. The crowd that night was much improved over Friday and the Rose attendees made themselves well known to the crowd. As a side note, as the night wound down, and the patrons were departing, a chant of "Rose, Rose, Rose,..." was heard to echo throughout the neighborhood.
Sunday brought a much bigger crowd with the improved weather. The px did fairly well along with the cockpit tours. The show went on as advertised with the Rose being the "main" attraction again. True to our slogan, the Rose was the last to leave to return to San Marcos.
After bedding down (no slur intended) the Rose, all departed their separate ways with the knowledge they had once again made the Rose proud.
USAA
Flyover
San Antonio – May 8
(From the Air)
By Justin Moore
Saturday May 8th, 2004 will be a date I remember for the rest of my life. It’s the date I experienced
flight in a living part of aviation history. A flight of fun, adventure and awe in the “Yellow Rose”, a North American B-25 bomber. I know the Rose. She’s an airplane I vividly remember from my childhood when I lived about a ½ mile from Stinson Municipal Airport.
This incredible airplane, like the others in these photos, is maintained by the hard work and dedication of the Commemorative Air Force. These photos are dedicated to the men and women of the CAF who keep these incredible flying machines in working order. They are also dedicated to the U.S. Military, past and present – that continues to keep our country safe and our
freedom intact.
The Rose leads the Devil Dog and 2 T-6’s over USAA Complex
Photo courtesy Bob
Gardner
I joined this flight thanks to Shane Arnwine and Renee Burgess, after volunteering to take photos of USAA’s “Springfest 2004”. I vowed to
capture some incredible images to thank them for giving me this unique opportunity.
My fellow passengers on this flight were Mike Bishop and Mr. & Mrs. Dave Keeler. It was a joy flying with
them! I owe them a special thanks for doing a superb job of spotting great photos for me as I jockeyed back and forth between three different views out the airplane. Prior to the flight, Howard Martin – a member of the flight crew – provided some fascinating details about the history of the “Yellow Rose” and the flight characteristics of the B-25 bomber.
Our mission was to depart San Marcos Municipal Airport (the home of the Rose) and make three fly-overs of USAA. En-route, we orbited Fiesta Texas before making our fly-overs of the USAA campus.
The flight crew removed a small portal on the right side of the airplane that let me shoot photos of the “Devil Dog”, another B-25 bomber that flew in formation with us. With no glass or metal between camera and bomber, I was destined to get some amazing shots!
It was inspiring to fly in formation, a testament to the skilled pilots that made it all too easy. Thanks to all of you for making it a fun and safe trip…
I’ve posted several photos which you can view by visiting the link, below:
2004 USAA
SPRINGFEST – CAF FLY-OVER – MAY 8TH, 2004
More photos will be uploaded as time
permits.
USAA
Flyover
San Antonio – May 8
(From the Ground)
By
Chuck Clayton
It was raining on Saturday morning, the 8th of May, the day of the scheduled flyover at USAA. Throughout the day, the clouds came and went, leaving the flyover questionable.
We had a graduation reception to attend at 2:30 at Los Barrios for Melissa Moses, Jack and Minnie Reeves granddaughter who had graduated summa cum laude from college.
Jack and I left the party about 4:30 to go to the USAA Spring Carnival. Traffic was heavy in the area, but we were directed to go another gate where we were sent to the top of the parking garage. After checking in we were joined by Lettie Dietes who had performed at
4pm. Rain had cut their performance short.
We contacted the incoming aircraft at approximately 5:30.. while keeping in contact with Shane from USAA. We passed instructions to the flight which was set in a holding pattern to the southwest. Ron and Tim in the Rose, Grant in the Devil Dog, and Calvin and Ron Iberg in the T-6’s.
At 5:55 Shane gave us the word to GO!! The sun was shining, the day was great for flying. First was a Trail Formation, then a 2 and 2 formation, and then all four in a Spread Formation. They looked beautiful from the ground. Shane requested the bomb bay doors be open on the last pass. The crowd loved it!!
Jack and I left immediately so we wouldn’t be tempted by all the good food offered. (The South Beach diet strikes again.)
EAA
REGIONAL FLY-IN
New
Braunfels
May 13 –
16
By
Julie Pulcipher
The Rose once again was present at the Southwest Regional Fly-In held at the New Braunfels airport on May 15 & 16th. The Rose arrived ahead of the weather on Thursday night thanks to Ron, Grant and Jim Liles. With bad weather in the forecast for the evening they buckled the Rose down for the night to keep her dry and comfortable. The morning of the 15th brought some nippy and windy conditions. The weather, however, by mid afternoon started to clear and more aircraft started to arrive. Things were a bit slow for the Rose on Friday. Cockpit tours were dismal and with a limited crowd the PX business was sluggish. Despite the crowd, the Rose as usual, had plenty of
support from squadron members. Chuck, Jack, Brad, Grant, Bob and I were there from noon on, Ron and Mike Francis showed up a little later that day eager to help. We ended up being parked about midway down the taxiway from the new terminal. Further down we could see the DC 6 and Bluebonnet Bell towering over the other aircraft. Friday night the troops headed off to the “Trough”, the local pub in downtown Barbarosa. The owner of the establishment allowed us to bring in our own food. So Jim Liles and Phil Lockett met us there with freshly grilled hamburger, salads, paper plate, utensils etc. We had a feast, talked about the day’s events, played some shuffleboard and took turns making up some tall “tails”. (Complements of Exxon – who had an aircraft on display). On Saturday the skies were clear and the weather was beautiful. The pattern was full of incoming aircraft. A Jenny and Curtis could be spotted overhead arriving from the Kingsbury. Saturday’s crew consisted of Ron, Bob Gardner, Grant, Brad, Dave, Clayton, Jack and Bret. PX sales and Cockpit tour business did pick up somewhat but nothing overwhelming. Several Centex members
arrived later that morning, Bob in the T -34, Calvin in his T-6 and the Yaks. They performed a nice formation flyover on their departure. I wish I was more versed in identifying different aircraft but I’m not, so I had to defer to what aircraft were pointed out to me by the Rose
crewmembers. All I know is there were lots and lots of home-builts. The Exxon Flying Tiger was on also on display. This plane holds 28 world records for a piston driven aircraft, including the fastest ascent to 20,000 feet. The pilot Bruce Bohannon, will be attempting to break the altitude record in the U.S. for a single engine prop plane later this summer. Well, under clear skies Saturday evening, a lot of the aircraft started their departures home. About 5 pm. Ron, Grant and Mike Francis packed up the Rose and headed home after another fun filled weekend.
Dyess AFB
Abilene –
May 21-23
By Greg Young
On May 21, the Yellow Rose left San Marcos headed for Dyess AFB in Abilene to continue the Rose squadron's mission of presenting this fine old gal to the admiring public. There was a crew of eight on board under the command of Grant assisted by a "borrowed" copilot, Kent Holiday, from the Devil Dog squadron. The Rose was the lead
element of a two aircraft formation, the other aircraft being the only flying P-39 (Miss Connie) in the world which was being flown by veteran pilot, Sandy Sansing. The Rose climbed up to 4500 feet and Sandy pulled up and flew off the right wing, allowing some excellent air to air photography of the P-39 which was enroute to its first airshow with the new engine. While enroute, the plexiglass blew off the top turret of the Rose, causing a little surprise and noise in the now open sunroof. This did not affect the flight or safety of the Rose and before long, our two ship formation was doing a formation pitch out landing there at Dyess.
Once the aircraft were secured, the crew went to the welcome reception in what turned out to be the old SAC alert building. Needless to say, some of the crew had to re-live their old days in the Air Force as the alert building also was our quarters for the night.
Bright and early the next morning the crew was out at the flight line getting the Rose ready for the day. Unfortunately a high wind precluded any PX sales but we were open for cockpit tours and of course the Rose attracted what spectators were able to come by in between the flight line being sanitized by the Air Force. Grant and Kent put on the Rose's usual fine performance, Big Bob Gardner was staying busy as this was his first airshow flight as the Flight Mechanic, Way to go, Bob. At the end of the show, we were able to obtain more fuel above and beyond what we had been allotted so that was a good thing. Of course, the Rose crew continued the tradition of staying until the very end. Saturday evening the Rose and Miss Connie returned to San Marcos at a higher atltitude of between 6500 and 7500 feet.
Again Sandy positioned the P-39 for more aerial photography.
Another formation pitch out and the Rose and Miss Connie were back at San Marcos.
As the newest member on the crew, I continue to be impressed with the teamwork
and dedication shown by the men and women of the Yellow Rose
squadron as we present this fine airplane to the public. I look forward
to working and learning about the Rose for years to come.
Barksdale AFB
Bossier
City LA
April 23-25
By Dick Hendricks, Missouri
Wing
Col. Everett Feltham (aircraft commander) and I (both from the Missouri Wing) considered it an honor and privilege to have the opportunity to fly Yellow Rose to the April 23-25 air show at Barksdale AFB. Thank you all for the wonderful hospitality from the moment we arrived to the moment we departed for home. Our whole crew (Jim Lyles, Bob Gardner, "Mad" Jack Reeves, Tommy and Brenda Koepke, and Mike Francis) were exceptionally helpful, and are obviously very dedicated to the CAF and the
Yellow Rose Squadron. Everett and I felt like we were very much a part of the crew and experienced very little "learning curve" for your Squadron's operational procedures.
The flight to Barksdale on April 23 was in good VFR weather and uneventful. The next morning there was a low overcast, which only allowed for an abbreviated program after a delay. We finally got airborne with Sandy and the Tora group. The weather was worse the next day to the point that the whole show was cancelled.
During the "down time" we were treated to unclassified tours of the B-1, B-52, and KC-10 aircraft. Although some performers did depart on Sunday, we decided that it was probably prudent for us to remain over night - as did a few others. The weather improved significantly the next day (Apr 26), so we had an uneventful trip back to San Marcos.
Our Air Force Bomb Wing host deserves a lot of credit for all the planning and preparation that went into the whole event. Upon arrival we were treated to a "welcome aboard" function at the base, and then to an evening/night practice air show. We were given our own loaner van for transportation, and billeted in a motel with private rooms. The second night we attended a wonderful buffet where the food was great! The Air Force demonstrated exceptional flexibility and accommodated everyone as well as possible, given the poor weather conditions, delays, and show cancellation. The third night (which was unscheduled, of course), we were given private quarters in the Air Force Inn. All personnel were very polite and extremely helpful, which is a reflection of good military leadership and discipline throughout the whole rank structure. This might sound like a plug for the Air Force, which I certainly would not do (being retired Navy!) but these guys deserve a big BZ (a "Bravo Zulu" signal flag which means well done!).
Thank you all again for your exceptional hospitality and the opportunity to fly Yellow Rose. She obviously receives much TLC and is in outstanding shape. I was quite impressed with the signatures on her port side!! Thank you also for the signed pictures of "Rose," the patches, and the appreciation letter signed by many of you! BZ to the Yellow Rose Squadron!!
