Saturday, August 10, 2019 (Oceanside RV Resort, Saanichton, BC)

After all the nice weather we have had lately, it's unfortunate that it changed dramatically for events happening this weekend...events that thrive on sunny weather. Oh well...always at the mercy of the weather!

The local RC Club...Victoria Radio Control Modelers Society...is holding its annual airshow this weekend. Unfortunately the grand kids are out of town, but of course Steve is anxious to go...so with camera, chair and umbrella in hand, I dropped him off at the airfield.

I'll pass you onto Steve....

I got there about 20 minutes before the show started and the crowds were light giving me lots of time to check out the static displays. This is the 18th year for the show and entrance is by donation with all proceeds going to Santa's Anonymous. The air strip is rented from Michell Farms...

We saw Snoopy fly at the Qualicum Air Show last month...

Those of you that know your planes are probably wondering why this American built P-47 Thunderbolt affectionately known as the Jug is sporting German markings. Later in the show it was explained that during WWII an American pilot got into difficulty and accidentally landed at a German airstrip. The Germans changed the markings and test flew it. Apparently the Americans eventually stole it back.

I was very impressed at the number and size of these planes compared to the Quartzsite Desert Flyers Fly In Show. I'd like to join this club but they have a huge waiting list...

The show began with a tow plane towing a banner that said "Victoria's Largest Little Air Show"...

First up was a very good stunt pilot from California...

He did all kinds of stalls, snaps, rolls etc., but could he ever hover his plane like a helicopter...

He even tapped the ground with the tail! Pilot Bob Sullivan on the left...I think he may have flown at the show in Quartzsite too...

Father and son team from Utah were up next...

P-47 Thunderbolt (Jug)

These jets are hard to get a photo of...he was clocked at 208 kph/129 mph on his high speed pass and has gone faster before!

A flying Iron! Years ago they even had a witch on a broom...amazing what they can make fly...

This is a model of a local favourite of us Islanders...the Coulson Flying Tankers Martin Mars Water Bomber. It's based up island on Sprout Lake near Port Alberni. Originally built as American troop transports near the end of WWII, only 7 were built and this is the only one left that can still fly. It's been retired from active service since 2016 with the lack of fire fighting contracts from the British Columbia government and may eventually be a museum piece if they can find a buyer...

When I was a kid my dad, brother and I were fishing in Brentwood Bay. There was a forest fire on nearby Finlayson Mountain and the Martin Mars was scooping water from the bay. When he took off and flew over us it was like a saltwater rainfall, but being on a hot summer day it was refreshing...

Click here to watch a 3:38 you tube video of this beast taking off, scooping and doing an air drop...

Another flying boat used in the 30's by airlines. Notice it doesn't have floats on the wings but a smaller wing below to stabilize it in water...

The American built P-47 Thunderbolt with German markings doing a high speed low level flyby...

Mil Mi-24 Russian Gun Ship Attack Helicopter and troop transport that has room for 8 passengers..

This thing was huge and had a real turbine engine and all the navigation lights...

It was used in Afghanistan...

Landing...the pilot on the right is from Seattle...

A-10 Thunderbolt...affectionately known as the Warthog because some think it's ugly...it's beautiful!

It replaced the older P-47 Thunderbolt prop type from WWII...

So the pilot parked his chopper in front of me to display it and I swear every spectator here surrounded me! I overheard a guy ask the pilot if he built it and he replied "I wrote the cheque!" I'm sure you could buy a car for what he must have paid for this!

What you looking at?! This thing was really cool and I think my favourite of the show...

During a small break I stretched my legs...three P-47 Thunderbolts...

P-47 Thunderbolt and an A-10 Thunderbolt with real jet engines...

WWI fighters...

Snoopy taking of in search of...

...who else...the Red Baron!

You're all mine now Red Baron!

Oh ya Snoop Dog! Unfortunately Snoopy lost control and crashed and the Red Baron escaped to fly another day...

Next up were WWII fighters...P-40 Warhawk...

P-47 Thunderbolt and an F-4U Corsair in the distance...

F-4U Corsair...

Another P-47 Thunderbolt...

Supermarine Spitfire...

P-51 Mustang...

It was getting tough holding an umbrella and trying to focus my Nikon camera with only two hands...I think the blurry line is my umbrella handle...LOL!
Canadian Armed Forces Canadian built de Havilland CC-115 Buffalo Search and Rescue aircraft

He did a couple of flybys dropping a total of 10 Search and Rescue (SAR) personal...that was cool!

Then it was time for civilian type aircraft...

P-47 Thunderbolt on display after his flight...

The Russian chopper pilot from Seattle checking out the Buffalo...

They held this demo derby in the air twice, and it was amazing how hard it was for the pilots to collide their cheaply built planes. On the first round there were only a couple that collided and on the second round there were no collisions. It seems it's only easy to collide when you're trying not to with your expensive plane...LOL!

It was like watching a bunch of bees swarming around...

They were starting to repeat the show and I was cold, so I texted Dianne at 2:30 to come and pick me up.

It was a great air show with some very talented pilots and awesome planes...I've got a lot to learn! Too bad it was such a gloomy and sometimes wet day...didn't make for great photos...

While Steve was at the airfield, I went and bottled wine at Wine Kitz, and then drove to Rob and Angie's house. After picking up the mail and watering the deck plants, I headed back home and did a bunch of odds and ends. I was in Sidney when Steve texted me that he was ready to be picked up.

Once home, we just relaxed inside for the rest of the afternoon...it was cool out and after sitting outside for most of the day, Steve was chilled through!