- Welcome to Aviation Photographers of Southern Ca..
Posted by Midnight Mover
- November 19, 2010, 10:29:12 PMQuote from: Realbigtaco on November 17, 2010, 10:18:28 PM
Nice stuff Eric. Well me and you both got rides for Veterans day. I got to fly twice on Saturday with Jim Ostrich in his T-34 from the Warbirds West Air Museum in El Cajon. It was a warbird fly in which also had a great talk with 90 year old (bit still sharp as a tack) Brigadier General Robert Cardenas. And one of his many claims to fame is A B-49 test pilot, and the pilot of the B-29 that dropped Chuck Yeager on his historic flight. Any ways the first flight was out to the east county for some LOW flying over the desert. Next flight was a seven ship formation flight over the cross at Mt. Soladad then down the coast and into San Diego Bay. Awesome, awesome experience for my first ever T-34 flights.
Very nice
Posted by rander
- November 18, 2010, 03:06:45 PMQuote from: evangilder on November 18, 2010, 08:41:55 AM
They were. There was an issue with the main wing spar that was exhibiting signs of fatigue cracks. There were folks in Texas that were using them for simulated air combat and some people doing aerobatics in them. A couple of those had a wing come off in flight. Most of the T-34 pilots are doing formation flying and lighter G loads, but because of the high airframe stress done by the air combat and aerobatics pilots having issues, all T-34 A and B models had to be inspected and are under flight restrictions on speed and G load. Now that the ALEC issues have been addressed and methods of compliance are in place, the fleet is in a better position. There are three (I believe) methods of compliance for the wing spars that are now approved.
Thanks Eric
Posted by evangilder
- November 18, 2010, 08:41:55 AMThey were. There was an issue with the main wing spar that was exhibiting signs of fatigue cracks. There were folks in Texas that were using them for simulated air combat and some people doing aerobatics in them. A couple of those had a wing come off in flight. Most of the T-34 pilots are doing formation flying and lighter G loads, but because of the high airframe stress done by the air combat and aerobatics pilots having issues, all T-34 A and B models had to be inspected and are under flight restrictions on speed and G load. Now that the ALEC issues have been addressed and methods of compliance are in place, the fleet is in a better position. There are three (I believe) methods of compliance for the wing spars that are now approved.
Posted by rander
- November 18, 2010, 08:04:02 AMWhy are the Mentor's going to be grounded?
Posted by evangilder
- November 18, 2010, 07:46:38 AMGreat stuff, Chris! I have flown with those guys quite a few times over the years. Great group of guys. I see that Kevin Carson took his drop tanks off.
The grounding is finally off the table as they are getting the ALEC issues and other things resolved.
The grounding is finally off the table as they are getting the ALEC issues and other things resolved.
Posted by kick Z tail out
- November 18, 2010, 07:00:38 AMVery cool! Love the Tarawa you caught in one of the shots too.
Posted by NikonGuy
- November 17, 2010, 10:41:42 PMSweet! Real cool shots you took, Chris! 
Posted by Realbigtaco
- November 17, 2010, 10:18:28 PMNice stuff Eric. Well me and you both got rides for Veterans day. I got to fly twice on Saturday with Jim Ostrich in his T-34 from the Warbirds West Air Museum in El Cajon. It was a warbird fly in which also had a great talk with 90 year old (bit still sharp as a tack) Brigadier General Robert Cardenas. And one of his many claims to fame is A B-49 test pilot, and the pilot of the B-29 that dropped Chuck Yeager on his historic flight. Any ways the first flight was out to the east county for some LOW flying over the desert. Next flight was a seven ship formation flight over the cross at Mt. Soladad then down the coast and into San Diego Bay. Awesome, awesome experience for my first ever T-34 flights.
Posted by kick Z tail out
- November 17, 2010, 05:52:04 PMI'd prefer to have the C myself, but you can't deny that they're all cool little airplanes! I also like that first one with the drop tanks, specifically the blue camo scheme!
Sad to hear about the possible grounding. That sucks.
Sad to hear about the possible grounding. That sucks.
Posted by CHILIBEAN
- November 17, 2010, 05:30:34 PMyes those are some cool air shots
Posted by NikonGuy
- November 17, 2010, 05:02:48 PMCool air to air shots, Eric. 
Posted by evangilder
- November 17, 2010, 11:21:27 AMHere are a couple from Saturday.
Posted by evangilder
- June 17, 2009, 03:31:33 AMI know a couple of guys that have drop tanks. They say it does add some drag, but it increases their range. With all the things going on with the spars and different ADs on the Mentors, they have a speed limitation (the exact number eludes my memory at the moment). It is sad that there is a likelihood of a majority of these being grounded next May. The T-34 Association is working with the FAA and a number of maintenance facilities to try and keep that from happening.
When I saw Kevin Carson's T-34 on Friday when we arrived at Palm Springs, I knew I had to get some air-to-air shots of that airplane. The color scheme is beautiful and I knew against the Palm Springs terrain, those colors would snap.
Here is another T-34 with drop tanks, taken during a Veteran's Day flyover over Santa Barbara:
When I saw Kevin Carson's T-34 on Friday when we arrived at Palm Springs, I knew I had to get some air-to-air shots of that airplane. The color scheme is beautiful and I knew against the Palm Springs terrain, those colors would snap.
Here is another T-34 with drop tanks, taken during a Veteran's Day flyover over Santa Barbara:
Posted by Midnight Mover
- June 16, 2009, 10:21:17 PMQuote from: phantomphan1974 on June 16, 2009, 09:33:03 PM
Like the one with drop tanks. I know its alot of drag but it looks cool!
Some cool colors too
Posted by phantomphan1974
- June 16, 2009, 09:33:03 PMLike the one with drop tanks. I know its alot of drag but it looks cool!