The Big Bird Fly in Texas
Gene Hempel
Where else could a modeler see five B-17 models flying in formation?
The Bomber Field organization did an outstanding job promoting its fourth annual Big Bird Fly-In. From September 18 to September 20, 1992, B-17s from Arkansas, Iowa, Louisiana, Missouri, and all parts of Texas converged at Bomber Field in Monaville, Texas. About 150 pilots from 10 different states entered approximately 225 aircraft.
Event details
- Flying began at 8:30 a.m. on both Friday and Saturday.
- Four to five aircraft were constantly in the air each day until 7:00 p.m., when the field was opened for general flying.
- On Saturday a full-scale Pitts presented a flying demonstration that was enjoyed by all.
Grand finale
The grand finale began at noon on Sunday, when the official flying ended. The show started with a full-scale flyby of an AT-6, a Stearman, a Pitts, and the Thunderbird, a B-17 from the Lone Star Flight Museum in Houston, Texas. There is something about those piston-powered aircraft that makes me feel nostalgic—I love it!
Awards
- B-17 Perpetual Trophy: Bram DeGidts, Siloam Springs, Arkansas
- Runners-up: Wendell Maakestad, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Dwayne Fosseen, Radcliffe, Iowa
(Aircraft were static judged in accordance with AMA 512/514 rules and also had to fly.)
- Best multiengine bomber: Rick Michelena, McAllen, Texas (B-25)
- Multiengine military award: George Ware, Wilson, Louisiana (Henschel 129B Tank Buster)
- Best multiengine civilian craft: Tom Street, Kingwood, Texas (Twin Beech D-18)
Judges and impressions
The chief judge for the B-17 static judging was Doug Greer, who feels that the B-17 models are getting better every year. The Big Bird Fly-In was awesome — I have never seen so many beautiful models at one show.
Those who could not attend the B-17 gathering in Texas missed a great show. Make plans to attend the event in September 1993; you won't regret it.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
