Watching the Flying Past

A farmer whose land is located near the Dubuque Regional Airport (DBQ) watches 41 T-6s take off to join AirVenture 2018 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Annually the T-6 Association conducts meetings and practices formations at DBQ in preparation for a week's worth of activities at the EAA event in Oshkosh. The hour and a half flight of T-6s from Dubuque to Oshkosh generally commences sometime between 1:00 PM and 2:30 PM on the third Sunday of July. Stay a bit longer at the airport following the T-6 take offs. You'll see a special salute to the airport and community from these aging warbird trainers.

Dreaming of the Wild Blue Yonder for an AT-6C Texan

Monticello, Iowa's small airport is the current home of this AT-6C Texan aircraft. Yesterday this plane, built in 1944 was towed to the fuel tanks at the time I happened to be onsite. I have seen this plane several times but have not actually observed it flying. Yesterday would have been a great opportunity for touring the 42N eastern Iowa countryside while peering from a real classic. Maybe next time. Read another story from me about the plane here.

How a GITMO Aero Trainer Shows No Signs of Slowing Down

To round out what became 'Plane Month" on 42N, here is an AT-6C "Texan" with US Navy markings recently on display at the Monticello, Iowa airport. N417AS takes part in the EAA events at Oshkosh, WI. Built in 1944 this particular plane has a Pratt & Whitney radial engine. Markings on the tail and undercarriage indicate the two seater was attached to the VC-10 attack squadron at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

This plane has a long history of flying and an extensive record of being based thousands of miles from here. Just to see these WWII-era planes in static display is exciting let alone seeing them actually fly within the friendly skies of the 42N latitude. Know that.