2005 Top Gun

Photos by Cliff Root

AMPS member, Cliff Root, spent the weekend at the 2005 Top Gun event and submitted the pictures shown below. We want to thank Cliff for taking the time and effort to share these beauties with all of us, less fortunate, who could not attend this magnificent event.

Cliff Comments: Not Shown, too busy watching to take picture – Fantastic half-time helicopter show by college student. The announcer has been doing these shows all over the country for about 17 years and he said it was the best demonstration he had ever seen.

Big Douglas B26 bomber, approximately 10-12 ft wingspan, probably weighs close to 100 lbs. Aborted landing due to crosswind, stalled, was unable to gain speed or height, veered right, mushed into an oak tree and fell into the pilots pit area. Sorry - no follow-up information.

Summary – A great show, lots of big beautiful scale models and great halftime shows on Saturday and Sunday. Free admission and practice starts on Wednesday. Admission on Friday, Saturday and Sunday is $10/day but you can get in free if you get there early. Parking is free or $5/day if you park along the runway in the shade under the oak trees. RV sites are available in the back. Bring your canvass chairs and sit in the shade along the runway or bring your sunscreen and sit in the free bleachers. Daily attendance was approximately 1,000 people. Many of the planes are the same each year. The pilots can fly the same plane for three years and then they have to get a new plane. They can still fly their old plane in some of the other events.

Ed. Note: If you have any additional information on any of the planes shown please email it to me.

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