The Rick Mercer Report

Thursday, July 22, 2010

KC-135 Stratotanker


The Maine Air National Guard, also known as the "MAINEiacs," are providing KC-135 Stratotanker at our air show this year. They were around last year and have decided to stop by again. We're glad and appreciative to host these fine gentlemen again.
Serving with the United States Air Force since 1957, it is one of just six military fixed wing aircraft with over 50 years of continuous service with its original operator. Studies conclude many of these aircraft could be flown until 2040, with ages reaching 80 years before reaching lifetime flying hour limits.
This thing is also a large piece of machinery.
Take a 707 Jumbo Jet and turn it into a flying fuel truck with a "hose with wings" sticking out the back. In operation since 1957, the KC-135 Stratotanker is used primarily to re-fuel aircraft during flight. Modified KC-135s, however, serve as flying command posts, pure transport, electronic reconnaissance, and photo mapping craft.
We'll have some stairs available for the crowds to see inside of this tanker and walk around.
Don't miss the tour on this one. Tickets are on sale now.
Sounds of Freedom II

Monday, July 19, 2010

Let's Get Serious With Our Extra Special Guest



The B-52 was America's first long-range, swept-wing heavy bomber. Now entering its sixth decade of service, it continues to be an important element of the U.S. Air Force bomber fleet. No bomber in U.S. military history has been called upon to remain operational as long as the B-52.
With a 185-foot wingspan, a length of more than 160 feet and a gross weight of more than 480,000 pounds, the B-52 earned the nickname BUFF, short for Big Ugly Fat Fellow.
Serious hardware
Crew: 5
Length: 159 ft 4 in (48.5 m)
Wingspan: 185 ft 0 in (56.4 m)
Height: 40 ft 8 in (12.4 m)
Wing area: 4,000 sq ft (370 m²)
Empty weight: 185,000 lbs (83,250 kg)
Loaded weight: 265,000 lb (120,000 kg)
Max takeoff weight: 488,000 lb (220,000 kg)
Powerplant: 8× Pratt & Whitney TF33 P-3/103 turbofans 17,000 lbs thrust each
Fuel capacity: 47,975 U.S. Gal
Maximum Speed: 560 kt (650 mph, 1,000 km/h)
Combat Radius: 4,480 mi
Service ceiling: 50,000 ft (15,000 m)
Rate of climb: 6,270 ft/min (31.85 m/s)
And it's coming to Windsor August 21 & 22.
Sounds of Freedom II
And then some..................

Friday, July 16, 2010

F15-C



They're back.

The F-15C's from Idaho will be back for a return engagement this August in Windsor.

The McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle is a twin-engine, all-weather tactical fighter designed to gain and maintain air superiority in aerial combat. It is considered among the most successful modern fighters with over 100 aerial combat victories with no losses in dogfights. Following reviews of proposals, the USAF selected McDonnell Douglas' design in 1967 to meet the service's need for a dedicated air superiority fighter. The Eagle first flew in July 1972, and entered service in 1976. The F-15 is expected to be in service with the U.S. Air Force until 2025.

The pilots in 2009 were exceptional in showing the crowds(line ups were all day) a close up inside look at one of America's premier fighter aircraft. From what we were told, it was well worth the look.
Air superiority is coming to Windsor International Airport August 21 & 22.
Sounds of Freedom II

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Pete, Dave and Kent,(Az too)



The three aircraft flown today were all built in 1941 and have been in continuous service for over 60 years due to the care and support of their operators. Harvard #1 and Harvard #3 were both manufactured in Inglewood, California by North American Aviation (the same people who brought the world the P-51 Mustang fighter later in WWII). Harvard #2 is a true Canadian Harvard as it was built under license by Noorduyn Aviation in Montreal, Quebec.
The Harvard is a Pratt & Whitney powered, dual tandem seated, low winged metal monoplane (with the exception of fabric covered control surfaces). It's 600 HP supercharged engine directly drives a 9'1'' metal Hamilton Standard constant speed propeller. This combination of a radial engine and supersonic propeller tips give the Harvard it's distinctive roar.Originally used as advanced trainers by the RCAF for the purposes of night, formation, aerobatic, light bombing and gunnery (later rocketry), they earned the nicknames of 'The Pilot Maker' and 'Yellow Peril'. A common military saying was simply, "If you could fly a Harvard well, you could fly anything".
To not only see yellow Harvards against a blue sky billowing light smoke, but hear and feel their pulse is an incredible experience shared with airshow spectators. The combination of subsonic, transonic and supersonic sections of the prop release a roar that is the music of the Harvard.
Sounds Of Freedom II
Tell Your Friends.

Monday, July 12, 2010

MIlitary Muster August 14-15 2010


The 2010 Southern Ontario Military Muster!
The Canadian Transportation Museum and Heritage Village has scheduled a two-day military event to be held 14 -15 August 2010. This public two-day event will showcase the tools that past and current generations have used to protect our freedom. Although this focus is on WW2 and later, there will no doubt be reinactors from 1812 and WW1 as well. Planned events are drive-bys to exhibit the various vehicles with an MC describing the vehicle to the public. There will be tactical demonstrations from section to platoon to joint attacks. There will be an encampment for both allied and axis participants an opportunity to advertise your organization and there will be an active flea market. This is the first event of this kind in the area and with the proximity of our US allies it will prove to be quite an experience.
The CTMHV location is ideal for such an event. Situated on a 100 acre property with all the amenities to accommodate large crowds, the museum actually hosts a big Harley Owners' Group (HOG) weekend gathering, two car shows each year which draw up to 600 show vehicles and 3,500 plus spectators, in addition to flea markets, antique shows, auctions, rock 'n' roll outdoor shows and weekly cruise-ins. The site has a 50's Diner, gift shop, museum, historic village, stand alone bathroom facilities with hot showers, a village kitchen and a large covered pavillion, BBQ and bond fire facilities and a great camping site bounded by 14 wineries and many quaint bed and breakfast locations. The most recent car show in September 2009, included for the first time a host of WW2, Korea and modern military vehicles. The response was outstanding. It is as a result of the feedback received that we are organizing this international event.
The planning of this event and the choice of dates is no coincidence. Just one week after this event, just 15 miles away, the Windsor International Air Show will take place on August 21 and 22 and is expected to draw up to 40,000 spectators and showcase many aircraft from WW2 up to the present along with several other world class performers. This will be another opportunity to showcase hardware.
It is hoped that you will plan to participate in this event. If you require any further information please feel free to contact myself or Mickey Moulder.
Sincerely,
Mike Timoshyk
The Windsor International Air Show will be there selling tickets for the Air Show.
See you soon.
Sounds of Freedom are all over the place!

Saturday, July 10, 2010

Slightly Different And Back in Time


If barnstormers were the most exciting daredevils of the late 1920s, then wing walkers were the most extreme and intrepid individuals among them. Barnstormers were pilots and aerial stunt people who made a living entertaining crowds with breathtaking feats around the United States and Canada during the "Roaring 20s". While all wing walkers were barnstormers, not all barnstormers performed stunts outside the safety of a plane's cockpit. Wing walkers were the ultimate risk-takers of their day. As one promoter explained to his aerial stuntman: "Don't ever forget that we're both capitalizing on [the chance of your] sudden death." The entire wing walking phenomenon was founded on a bravado mentality. Every time a wing walker headed out to perform another stunt, his or her attitude became a game of one-upmanship with his or her rivals. The underlying and unspoken attitude among them was: "Can you top this?"
Back in the days......
(Taken from US Centennial of Flight)
Following the lead of great historic wing walkers like Ormer Locklear and Jessie Woods of the 1920s, Jenny performs both atop Ol’ Smokey as well as between the wings. Braving the unyielding winds, she performs both classic wing walking stunts (such as the top wing aerobatics and inverted pass), as well as more rare maneuvers (like the Daring javelin hang) in her amazing display with Pilot Walt.
The action is on the feild. Don't forget to see the static military aircraft you can actually get in to see and feel!
Sounds of Freedom II

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Confirmations Are Starting

Two F-16C's will be stopping in Windsor for a visit. Get the chance to take a look at these aircraft up close and meet the pilots who fly them.
The F-16 is a single-engined, supersonic, multi-role tactical aircraft. The F-16 was designed to be a cost-effective combat "workhorse" that can perform various kinds of missions and maintain around-the-clock readiness. It is much smaller and lighter than its predecessors, but uses advanced aerodynamics and avionics including the first use of a relaxed static stability/fly by wire flight control system, to achieve enhanced maneuver performance. Highly nimble, the F-16 can pull 9-g maneuvers and can reach a maximum speed of over Mach 2.

Sounds of Freedom II

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Air Show Time!








Rob Reider
So much in demand on the air show circuit we had to book him before he got home from the 2009 show!
We are grateful and pleased to have one of the air show circuits premier announcers describe the accurate historical fact along with color commentary the pilots and aircraft who are the real deal in aviation.
Watching the aircraft is one thing. Listening brings the action alive.
Check Rob out at his web site and see for yourself how hard he works to bring the excitement of an air show up close and personal.
http://www.robreider.com/


Continental Air Shows
Forty years ago, Continental Air Show Productions brought the first integrated sound/communications/air boss/announcer platform to the air show industry. Owner Bill Bordeleau, an award-winning air show announcer, recognized the need for consistent, high-quality public address sound over long show lines. Now, in the 21st Century, Bill has reinvented, from the ground up, the newest air show command center in the industry. New radios and antennas, new headsets, new intercom, new speakers and subwoofers for your VIP area, and the largest trailer-top deck in the industry make Continental Air Show Productions an extraordinary asset.
In addition to the nearly one mile of show line sound system coverage, CASP was the first in the industry to utilize dual microwave transmission systems to connect additional speakers to extend the sound on the air show grounds.

We’ve combined two of the best in the industry to bring the action, sounds, feel and historical significance to the Windsor International Airport.


feel the roar…..hear the history….excite your senses…..
Be on the field, August 21 & 22, 2010 for the Sounds of Freedom II.
The best place to be for the family all weekend.



Photo courtesy of Eric Dumigan http://www.airic.ca/