A pair of P-51 Mustangs
, "Speedball Alice" behind the tree and "Flying
Dutchman" to the ouside, fly on the backside of the course. A plane must
always pass on the outside and above the inner aircraft on the course. This
allows the lower aircraft to see the outside aircraft at all times.
The AT 6 class is very competitive
The AT 6 class is very competitive. As these two pass overhead they appear to
be in a tie but the farther aircraft is up higher and slightly slower.The near
aircraft is diving in his attempt to pass the other aircraft on the outside.
Sport
class racer#7, flown by Dan Wright, flies around the course. Mainly homebuilt
kits these planes have the same flight rules and risks as do the larger
aircraft. The slower ones still fly above 250 mph 50 feet off the ground.
Bill Rheinschild's "Bad Attitude" Hawker Sea Fury
Bill Rheinschild's "Bad Attitude" Hawker Sea Fury pilot looks ahead
for the next pylon. These fighters were built to land on British carriers making
these aircraft both tough and fast.
A Czech built Yak-11 named "Czech Mate"
A Czech built Yak-11 named "Czech Mate" belonging to Sherman Smoot
begins his pylon turn during a practice run around the course.
"Czech Mate"
"Czech Mate" just before his "dead stick" touchdown.
Czech Mate had a prop governor problem and he had to dead stick the aircraft
onto the runway Monday during qualifications. He got it down with no problems.
They test started the engine later in the week and it ran but after talking
with the engine specialists, and the fact that the RPM gauge had pegged out
at 3900, they decided not to fly during the races and tear down the engine.
HA1112 Messerschmitt Me-109-G6
Reno brings many different aircraft for both racing and the restoration competition.
This Spanish licensed built HA-1112 Messerschmitt Me-109-G6 was at Reno in 2002
year along with a B-25 Mitchell, P-63 King Cobra, PT-17, and many other aircraft
that were on static display.
"Risky Business" race number 45
does a standard Mustang two wheel
landing. This a/c is also owned by Bill Rheinschild. The primary runway slopes
up to the east. This means planes usually take off and land uphill into the
prevailing wind at Stead airport.