Red Tails Over Genesee Valley

By Stan Piet and A. Kevin Grantham

It is truly a rare occasion to have four P-51 Mustangs flying perfect formation for the benefit of the camera lenses. Leading the Mustang element is Chris Baranaskis (Galmorus Gal) followed by Mark Murphy (NEVER Miss), Skipper Hyle (CAF P-51D), and Doug Rozendaal (Tuskegee Airman). (Stan Piet)Beginning its fourth decade of air show activities over upper New York State’s serene countryside, the Geneseo-based 1941 Historical Aircraft Group (HAG) saluted the Tuskegee Airman of the 332nd Fighter Group (FG) as this year’s backdrop for “The Greatest Show on Turf.” Several Red Tail veterans were in attendance featuring Lt. Col. Leo Gray, from Miami, who continues his retirement avocation of presenting the daunting story of how his fellow afro-American aviators fought the ingrained prejudices of the period in their rise to equality and personal excellence during WWII. Gray entertained and lectured numerous school groups over four days recalling his personal challenges and encouraging young students to strive to the same heights to ensure their future direction.

To complete that experience the HAG was fortunate to have on hand the Red Tail Project P-51C from the Minnesota Wing of the Commemorative Air Force (CAF). Their Mustang has only been back in the air in the past year after suffering a major engine failure and devastating crash in 2004 that took the life of then project leader Don Heinz. In his memory, the airframe was rebuilt and the project continues as a “Rise Above” education program to keep the “Tuskegee Experiment” story alive for generations to come. After Gray’s lecture, the CAF’s Red Tail Mustang, which was kept positioned near the project tent, was brought to life several times and flown by pilot Doug Rozendaal to the delight of the various school groups.

Notwithstanding the Red Tail’s starring role in the event, there was much more offered up to the public on the two show days of July 10 and 11. With the entire Northeast area of the country experiencing severe drought and extraordinary heat for almost a month, well-needed drenching thunderstorms swept through the area the Friday afternoon before the event, dropping up to six inches of rain and bringing spectacular air show weather for the weekend. The storm delayed about half of the expected aircraft, mostly from the Canadian side, until Saturday morning, but all scheduled arrivals made it in for the listed show-performer roster, which lasted an amazing seven hours!

Dan Dameo flying the American Air Power Museum’s Goodyear FG-1D Corsair (BuAer: 67089). (Stan Piet)Arrivals featured many of the usual favorites that have appeared in previous years including Skyboss, the Goodyear FG-1D Corsair flown by Dan Dameo along with North American Aviation B-25 Miss Hap piloted by Jim Vocell and Ryan Parente, all from the American Airpower Museum at the old Republic Factory on Long Island.  P-51D Glamorous Gal from Warbirds Over Long Island was brought in by Chris Baranaskis, which got plenty of flight time over three days. Besides the Red Tail Project Mustang, two other P-51Ds were part of the flight schedule.  Never Miss now based in Albany, NY with new owners David and Mark Murphy and the CAF Dixie Wing’s fourth FG marked Mustang flown by Skipper Hyle came in from Peachtree City, Georgia.

Tom Duffy’s B-25 Take Off Time was one of two Mitchells to joining the weekend event at Geneseo. (Stan Piet)The CAF also brought along two of their summer mainstays, the SBD Dauntless as a static display and the SB2C Helldiver which was flown along with Dave Tinker’s Avenger, Ida Red, with Glenn Goldman piloting and Corsair SkyBoss as a WWII Navy act for the show.  Other show participants included Kevin Russo who returned after several years of absence performing a precision aerobatic act in his pristine SNJ.  As well, B-25 Take-off Time with owner-operator Tom Duffy and crew from his ever-expanding facility in Millville, NJ flew two separate sorties each day. Another surprise visitor came in the form of Jerry Yegans’ newly reconditioned and immaculate DH-89 Dragon Rapide in civil markings from the Fighter Factory in Virginia Beach arriving on Saturday morning for static display. The HAG’s D-Day marked C-47 and the B-17F Not to be out done – Jerry Yegan flew his magnificent Dragon Rapide to Geneseo. What an airplane! (A. Kevin Grantham)Memphis Belle from the Military Aircraft Restoration Corporation, currently based at Geneseo, further complemented the World War II themed show birds.

As usual there was a strong presence from Mt. Hope, Ontario supplied by The Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum. Along with the crowd pleasing Harvard Demo Team, the Museum brought along two first time visitors to the show. Their rarely flown Mk 6 Fairey Firefly in 825 Sq. markings as operated by Canadian Navy from 1946-1954 was a real treat to see in the air. As well, their recently completed, more than 25 year restoration, Westland Lysander, made an outstanding site in its yellow with black striped target tug markings The Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum’s Westland Lysander War sporting its Bumble Bee paint scheme was one of the rarest aircraft to attend the show. (A.Kevin Grantham)from No 400 Sq. City of Toronto. 

The Great War Museum from Brampton, Canada near Toronto continued their regular presence supplying two Fokker Dr-1s, their Sopwith 1-1/2 Strutter and their S.E. 5a.  Comparing their lumbering but highly maneuverable craft, during their dog fight sequence, to the higher performance WWII vintage craft, gave one a unique historical perspective comparing the piloting skills required between those two wars.

The USAF’s Viper West Demo Team, piloted by Major David “Booster’ Graham woke up the usually tranquil Genesee valley with his F-16s high energy performance.  Rumors from the local business and restaurant owners tell us that, every year about this time, the cows dry up and the hens don’t lay.  This natural phenomenon still remains a mystery!

It was an honor to have Lt. Col. Leo Gray on hand at Geneseo. Each day he related his life experiences to hundreds of school children. (A. Kevin Grantham)Re-enactors and their artifact equipped encampments are beginning to make a solid presence at the show with groups from several Northeastern states setting up camp this year.  We look forward to seeing their well-received activities expand in future years as they really complete the recreation experience provided by the scenic backdrop at Geneseo.

The Geneseo show is a unique treasure locked away in a most unusual location.  With opportunities to see both Canadian and US based warbirds in one venue we encourage our West Coast airshow enthusiasts to put this one on your “bucket list.” You won’t be disappointed!