This page contains pictures from the 20th Annual Mercer County Jumbo Jamboree Air Show held at Warren Kruse Field on May 23rd and 24th, 2009. Click on a picture to see a larger image (use Back to return). Higher-resolution images of the models are available to their owners by emailing a request to webmaster@mcrcs.com.

Preflight

Every event at MCRCS begins with unloading the shed.	This year, a group of regulars led the charge to set up,	but the undisputed general was again John Tanzer.	From the correct assembly of the tent poles,	to the intricate steps of the pole dance,
he directed, as others like Paul Abati	and Bob Bennett completed the impound.	Jim Meighan added the final touches	as Allan Shear and Keith Zimmerly fired up the pilots.

By the Dawn's Early Light

The coffee was ready at first light.	Tents and airplanes begin to fill the pits.	Pilots jittered with excitement.	Peter Malagreca assembled his 105" GeeBee.	Mark Ciaglia added wings to his 88" Pitts Python.
Checking over an L-4.	Assembling an A-26.	James McDaniels secured the landing gear on his Nieuport 11.	John Zissa unpacked his large inventory of airplane shirts.	Patty and Dave Sagot unpacked their hobby shop.
Michael Shauger prepared to start Craig Miebach's PT-19.	Scott Bonono also hoped to be first up with his Zero.	It was a good start for the Allies.	But less so for the Axis.	Meanwhile, a collection of models awaited their chance.

Skyward Bound

It looked like the perfect end to a perfect flight,	as Craig Miebach/s PT-19 made a "scale" landing.	Anthony DiSimone's AT-6 jumped into the sky.	Inverted is a scale maneuver for a Cub.	By 9:15, there were a number of readied airplanes in reserve.
Aleksey Lomov brought two 80" P-51Ds.	In all, there were six P-51s at this year's event.	This Yak was Mark Ciaglia's more subdued entry.	Scott Bonono's Zero prepared for touchdown,	and completed one of the day's many "scale" landings.
Je vois tout.	A unidentified Rearwin Speedster zipped by.	Gene Gavin's Eindecker made a nice scale takeoff.	Inverted is scale for an Eindecker, right?	James McDaniels demonstrated short-field technique.
Michael Schauger's Stearman brightened the foliage.	John Palestr started his bright red-and-yellow Extra 300,	and took to the air.	Paul Stutesman helped Pat Monacelli start his Extra 260.	John Braun's German P-51 always gets a double take.
This A-26 seemed unstable after losing its cockpit.	The landing was a bit hard and uneven,	but it appeared the model would fly again another day.	Larry Alles Sopwith Pup at the top of a loop.	It was for sale on Saturday, at least for a short time.
Mark Ciaglia loves to blow smoke with his Pitts Python.	Frank Beshears flew this PT-17 build by Gene Gavin.	Antony DiSimone's AT-6 touches down.	Michael Shauger's Stearman contrasted nicely with the sky.	John English's P-38 zipped around the pattern.
Dan Basovitch flew this Reactor,	despite having a thumb broken in two places.	Greg Lucidi was the MC of the event,	interviewing important people, like District II VP Gary Fitch.	Allan Shear added color by interviewing pilots.
Hank Likes flew this Piper Vagabond.	Peter Malagreca's GeeBee sported a sharp color scheme,	which looked good against all backgrounds.	P-51s ruled the event, Aleksey Lomov's shown here.	Paul Sitler's Challenger II descended in a cloud of smoke.
Mike Luciano's Big Hotz, one of a few non-scale entries.	Bob Bennett starting his SE5A.	Mark Ciaglia's Pitts, as usual leading a trail of smoke.	Harry Jenrin's Double Vision took off,	and streaked across the sky.
Toward noon, many watched from the food line.	Scott Bonono's TigerCat breaks ground.	Streamers add interest to a fly by.	Ray Williams scratch built this Rhone Rotary.

In Search of Beauty

Hank Likes' Vagabond, 11', 22 Lbs., G-62.	Anthony Pansim's P-40, 83", 23 Lbs., DA50.	John Palestr's Extra 300, 84", 16 Lbs.	Peter Malagreca's GeeBee, 105", 18 Lbs.	Dan Basovitch's Reactor, 85", 15 Lbs., DA50.
Mark Ciaglia's 88" Pitts Python and 88" Yak.	Gene Gavin's Eindecker.	Michael Marafioti's Yak 54, 101", 26 Lbs., 3W85.	Michael Marafioti's P-51D, 85", 24 Lbs., G-62.	Kevin Maher's PA-18 Clipped Wing Cub, 85", 18 Lbs., G-38.
John Eskow's Fokker DR.1, 80", 15 Lbs., SA170.	Frank Beshears' PT-17, 18 Lbs., Saito 5-cylinder.	Harry Jenrin's Twin Racer, 107", 25 Lbs., 2-25cc.	Dale Wirth's Sopwith Pup, 80", 12 Lbs., G-23.	Alan Newton's PT-17, 90", 27 Lbs., Fuji 50.
Ken Karpinski's Low Wing Stick, 83", 15 Lbs., G-23.	Edward Faup's P-51D, 82", 23 Lbs., Fuji 43.	John Braun's German P-51B.	Aleksey Lomov's P51Ds, both 80", 16 Lbs., Saito 180.	John English's P-51D, 85", 21 Lbs., OS 2.13.
Nobu Iwasawa's Nieuport 11, 70", 17 Lbs., G-38.	Pat Monacelli's Extra 260, 105", 35 Lbs., DA100.	Tom Dyl's P47D, 85", 27 Lbs., Q-52.	Paul Abati's Spacewalker.	Paul Sitler's Challenger II, 61", 14.5 Lbs., US41.
Carl Gubkin's PT-19, 89", 15 Lbs., Saito 180.	Bob Bennett's SE5A, 19 Lbs., Fuji 33.	Justin Schneyebber's Ryan STA, 82", YS120.	Rick Andrese's Nieuport 17, 108", 25 Lbs., G-62	Rick Andrese's Taylorcraft, 104", 16 Lbs., G-26.

The People Chose

The People's Choice contest is a good time to see

all of the airplanes up close.

Everyone in attendance is entitled to a vote.

Some models can be a bit intimidating.

Larry Alles, two-time winner last year, received his awards.

And the Winner Was

Tom Dyl's Top Flite P-47D was the Peoples' Choice this year.	Tom's P-47 has an 85" wingspan.	Weighing 27 pounds, it is powered by a Quadra 52.	Tom controls it using a Futaba 9C radio.	The retracts were made by Robart.
The propellor is a Zinger 20-10.	It exhibits a commanding presence in the air.

Flying Continued All Afternoon

Gene Gavin's Eindecker, right side up this time.	Patrick Hickey's L-4 Cub.	Larry Alles helped Rick Andrese start his Nieuport 17.	Eric Henderson starting his Red-Tail P-51.	Eric's Red-Tail P-51 taking off.
John English saved his energy for flying.	Yaks weren't quite as prevalent as P-51s.	John Eskow's Fokker Dr.1 taking off.	Anthony Pansim's P-40 seemed to eat the sky.	Michael Marafioti starting his P-51.
It's hard to explain why kids can't ride in a GeeBee.	No wheel? No problem!	Just follow the smoke to Mark Ciaglia's Pitts.	Don Rowley helped Paul Abati start his Spacewalker.

The Flying Farmer Bites the Dust

Adam Lilley, an accomplished pilot with years of experience,	often thrills the crowd with his Flying Farmer routine.	Doing un-Cub-like maneuvers, close to the ground,	and close to the trees,	he seems to continuously cheat the inevitable.
Losing a wheel has been a mainstay of his performance,	but this year he extended it to losing a wing.	Interviewed by Greg Lucidi, Adam explained how	that part of the routine may need more work.

It Just Looked Like a Beauty Contest

Drawing 50/50 tickets requires an honest face.	Addison Calla appeared to provide one.	The best part: Interviewing pretty girls, like Kaela Sarcone.	"... and, of course, I'd work to end world hunger."	The contest's token male, Ben Soos, drew a ticket
and demonstrated how this is the best job of the event.	"Oh please let my dad win the airplane."	"I'm not married, don't have a boyfriend, and don't want one."	Samantha Joyce drew the final ticket.	The final prize found a good home.

Sunday was Also a Day of Flight

Ketih Zimmerly and Bob Levandski both built Avros	Bob Levanduski completed the field assembly of his.	Keith Zimmerly starting his engine.	Keith's Avro floated below the clouds.	Rick Andrese's Nieuport joined the formation.
On a calm Sunday morning, the Avro lazes along.	Of course it's not limited to straight and level,	a loop here and there fitting neatly into the program.	Frank Figurelli starting his bright red Eindecker.	Red contrasts nicely with blue.
Rick Andrese's Nieuport 17 up close.	John Tanzer flew this Arado AR-81.	The AR-81 was designed as a dive bomber.	This Ultimate Bipe showed up on Sunday morning.	It appeared to belong to John English.
Rick Andrese flew this Taylorcraft on Sunday.	Don Rowley flew this "trainer."	This red-and-white GeeBee also appeared on Sunday,	and seemed to belong to John English	Everyone, it seems, wants to ride in a GeeBee.
Pat "Binky" Monacelli loves to fly:	Straight up,	on the side,	or upside down.	The event appeared to provide good family entertainment,
for family members of all ages,	and lots of photo opportunities as well.	The shade tree is always popular among club members.	The tent is a good spot, too.	It's a lot like eating at the airport restaurant.

Food for Thought

The fact that we have lots of good food at MCRCS events	is due in large part to our enthusiastic kitchen staff.	Led this year by executive chef Brian Bunda,	Seth Hunter (smiling) felt that kitchen duty was the best.	New member Bob Zupp, on the fryer, heartily agreed.
Frank Figurelli, a kitchen veteran, was more reserved.	Russ Brueninger just loves to hear those onions sizzle.	Events VP Armand Graziani recruited his whole family,	including his wife, Joanne, and both daughters:	Amanda shown here, and her sister Joanna.