Floyd Bennett Fly-In 9/8/07 (Lot O'Pix)

Went out to the fly-in at Floyd Bennett Field Saturday. The weather was beautiful, they had a decent crowd, and a nice variety of aircraft. I didn't count them, but there must have been at least 2 dozen aircraft on display. The AAM brought in most of their heavy hitters - the C-47, B-25, Corsair, P-40 and TBM were all on display. The Brookhaven Boys with their flashy fighters were there as well. They had a line of historic aircraft, many from Bayport Aerodrome or Brookhaven - several Stearmans, a bunch of old Cessnas and Pipers, and even two Tiger Moths. Also in attendance was an LC-130 from the NYANG - that is the ski equipped aircraft used to supply the scientific stations in the Antarctic. The Marines sent a CH-46E Sea Knight helicopter. We also saw helicopters on display from the USCG, NYSP, NYPD and FBI. I bumped into Tom Taylor who was also out enjoying the show.

They had the usual opening ceremonies and had a number of speakers, as there was some sort of dedication ceremony for a replica of the Wright Flyer, but it was tough to hear what was going on while wandering the flight line. Tom told me he heard there would be an F-117 fly-by, and sure enough there was. As one of the speakers was yammering about how he used to look through the fence at FBF as child, he said "And here comes the stealth fighter." Just then, the F-117 roared past and disappeared into the distance, never to be seen again - no time to even point the camera in the right direction, let along get any photos. Absolutely the worst waste of a fly-by I've ever seen. :(

Enough talk, how about some photos:

NYPD departing back to the barn at the end of the day.
http://moose135.smugmug.com/photos/193354760-L.jpg

http://moose135.smugmug.com/photos/193354889-L.jpg

After he parked it at the Aviation Bureau, the pilot drove back to the show site, and I got to talking to him. He asked how his departure looked, he thought he had the nose way too low as he flew past.

This one wasn't part of the show, but made several low passes while coming and going to the Aviation Bureau.
http://moose135.smugmug.com/photos/193354948-L.jpg

http://moose135.smugmug.com/photos/193355695-L.jpg

http://moose135.smugmug.com/photos/193354188-L.jpg

USCG Aerospatiale HH-65C Dolphin out of Atlantic City
http://moose135.smugmug.com/photos/193353769-L.jpg

USMC Sea Knight
http://moose135.smugmug.com/photos/193353591-L.jpg

http://moose135.smugmug.com/photos/193353391-L.jpg

http://moose135.smugmug.com/photos/193353908-L.jpg

NYSP Bell 430 - this is in executive configuration, and is used to fly Governor Spitzer and other state officials.
http://moose135.smugmug.com/photos/193355068-L.jpg

FBI Eurocopter AS350 from the NY district. I was talking to one of the pilots, and mentioned "I never knew the FBI had any copters in the area." He said "Yeah, we like to keep it low key, I'm surprised they had us come here." It's used for standard law enforcement stuff, surveillance, secure transport for VIPs, etc. No secret stuff, at least nothing he would talk about :D
http://moose135.smugmug.com/photos/193355310-L.jpg

http://moose135.smugmug.com/photos/193355401-L.jpg

Stearman from Bayport
http://moose135.smugmug.com/photos/193355574-L.jpg

deHavilland Tiger Moth
http://moose135.smugmug.com/photos/193356041-L.jpg

Tiger Moth's airspeed indicator, mounted on one of the port wing struts
http://moose135.smugmug.com/photos/193356127-L.jpg

http://moose135.smugmug.com/photos/193355863-L.jpg

They also had a display of vintage NYPD cruisers. I know a couple of the guys with that group as well.
1951 Plymouth Concord
http://moose135.smugmug.com/photos/193356571-L.jpg

1967 Plymouth Fury
http://moose135.smugmug.com/photos/193356798-L.jpg

And finally, this is Brooklyn, so of course they had to have Ralph Kramden's old ride.
http://moose135.smugmug.com/photos/193356329-L.jpg

Great stuff Moose. Thanks for sharing.

Nooooooooooooooo!
I missed it :( :(
I thought it was next week. There is still the TEB fly in.
Great shots though!

Moose, thanks so much for sharing. i had no idea it would be that big! Excellent coverage!

Nice shots Moose, was there any demo's? Was this going on today as well?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by njgtr82

Nice shots Moose, was there any demo's? Was this going on today as well?

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Yes, with Spirit of Freedom DC-4 (C-54?) arriving to join the festivities.

Incidentally, along with Wunala, (is anyone else besides me in NY bored of this plane already?), Pegasus Aviation 757 was inbound to JFK as well. Primaris is full Constellation colors was over by the former El Al Cargo, so perhaps it was subbing for that flight once again?

Tom

Quote:

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Originally Posted by moose135

I bumped into Tom Taylor who was also out enjoying the show.

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Where the hell did that come from? Of course you know I meant Tom Turner. That's what I get for posting at 2:22 am after a full day at an airshow http://moose135.smugmug.com/photos/183650037-L.gif

No real "demos", only a fly over or two when the various aircraft where arriving or departing. The NYPD guys consistently did low flyovers when coming or going to the Aviation Bureau pad. And the NYPD K-9 unit did a demo with their dogs. Otherwise it was all static.

Great shots Moose! Didnt know it was such a huge event!

Great pics Moose, sorry I didn't go but like others said didn't realize it was more than just a couple of planes. I've never been to Floyd Bennett and thought the runways were inoperable, I guess that is not the case!

wow moose, those vintage RMPs are beautiful. and nice shot of 412 too! wish i could have made it out this weekend, i was distracted by an out-of-town guest. any more shots on your smugmug?

>Moose, thanks so much for sharing. i had no idea it would be that big! Excellent coverage<

Absolutely GREAT COVERAGE!! I also had no idea they would have that many copters there or I would have
gone but I just didnt have the desire to drive from Eastern Nassau to Floyd. I HATE the Southern State/Belt this
time of year.
Great shot of the FBI AStar. That ship has been around here for at least 7 years or more. They had the call sign
"Idaho 1 - 9" at that time. Not sure what they use now. The FBI/Justice Dept. also have had Bell 412s (dark colored,
yes BLACK helicopters ) working these parts, especially the days/weeks after 9/11.
Hey, is that NYSPD 430 the ship involved in "Troopergate"? :lol:
Thanks again. Sorry I missed out.

Not to make you feel one way or another Gerard, but just so you know, on Saturday they were "expecting" up to 19 (yes, NINETEEN) helicopters. With all the fixed wing aircraft, a blimp, C-130 and concorde etc, that 1960s bus Moose showed a picture of here, I was very pleased...however, only about 5 choppers actually showed up while I was there. Not sure if there was a jackpot on Sunday or not.

All in all, probably the most successful fly in I have seen at Floyd Bennett. There were some real gems that visited in past years, but the public turnout was pitiful. This year though we had a real nice sized crowd to legitimize it as an event, and yet, small enough that after the first couple of hours you could walk around the aircraft almost like it was the day *before* an airshow without the crowds.

Tom

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Gerard

Absolutely GREAT COVERAGE!! I also had no idea they would have that many copters there or I would have gone but I just didnt have the desire to drive from Eastern Nassau to Floyd. I HATE the Southern State/Belt this time of year.
Great shot of the FBI AStar. That ship has been around here for at least 7 years or more. They had the call sign "Idaho 1 - 9" at that time. Not sure what they use now. The FBI/Justice Dept. also have had Bell 412s (dark colored, yes BLACK helicopters ) working these parts, especially the days/weeks after 9/11. Hey, is that NYSPD 430 the ship involved in "Troopergate"? :lol:
Thanks again. Sorry I missed out.

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>Not to make you feel one way or another Gerard, but just so you know, on Saturday they were "expecting" up to 19 (yes, NINETEEN) helicopters. <

If I heard that I would have taken a deep breath and forged ahead into the traffic. LOL!!
Actually would have taken a northern route into Floyd as per my Queens days.

>All in all, probably the most successful fly in I have seen at Floyd Bennett. There were some real gems that visited in past years, but the public turnout was pitiful. This year though we had a real nice sized crowd to legitimize it as an event, and yet, small enough that after the first couple of hours you could walk around the aircraft almost like it was the day *before* an airshow without the crowds.<M

I wish there was more publicity for this event. Except for this forum(s) I read or heard NOTHING
about it.

Thanks for sharing. I missed many of these aircraft on Sat. as I spent a while up in the Control Tower getting a bird's eye view then I took the yellow school bus over to Hangar B to watch the historic aircraft restoration. I spent lots of time by airship N602SK. I also enjoyed the airshow put on by JFK at the same time; aircraft were using the Canarsie Approach so I caught saw several B744s and A346s. I missed the FBI copter and several others. By the time I left Hangar B, all the aircraft, except for Concorde and the blimp had left. Glad I went; it was better than I had imagined. Floyd Bennett put on a great show and the weather cooperated, too. I was wearing my blue Pan Am tee.

Looking at the close-up (2nd) picture of the PD 119 it looks like they have a second FLIR/Camera in the rear as opposed to a Nightsun though that could be there but not in view. Also above the rear sliding door it looks like a hard point for a rescue hoist. I had read that all the Koalas would have rescue hoists but maybe they are detachable and only hooked on when the mission dictates.
Excellent shots. I've seen the Koala many times flying around but not close-up like this.
Would have been nice if they pulled out the "unmarked" ship # 23 but I guess that is still
TOP SECRET!!! :D