Before we get to the airplanes, let me introduce you to KGVE, Blue Bird Aerodrome and the Glicks. Here's an aerial shot of KGVE, and then two shots of a historic hangar that was moved here from _______ many years ago. To the left of that hangar is Caleb and Faith's T-hangar, which is "Grand Central Station" at KGVE.

This is what things look like first thing in the morning, and only a few minutes later things are starting to take shape for the day. Before long Faith was busy at the grill, and Elaine was getting things set up back at the main spread. This is typical of what you might expect over lunch time and in to the afternoon.

Elaine and Faith could be sisters, and they did a lot of things together in our short time there including Elaine getting a local tour on the golf cart and then in Faith's Aeronca 7AC Champ.

Aeronca 7AC Champ N82151, 1946 cn 7AC-777. Ooooh yes, this bespeaks "Champ" as we knew it in the 1940-50's. The Champ is easier to get into and out of than the J-3 Cub, and a friend of my vintage recently bought one for that reason. The metal prop and Cleveland wheels and brakes are an acquiesence to moderninity. Well, they're off and on their way home!

Aeronca 7AC Champ N85192, 1946 cn 7AC-3925. This little Air Knocker dropped in for a vist and probably some vittles. It still has a wood prop but is slicked up with those wheel pants. You've got a needle and ball there but you'd probably still want to stay out of the clouds! Headin' home!

Aeronca 7AC Champ N1003E, 1946 cn 7AC-4553. When is a 7AC no longer a 7AC? The vertical fin is the first clue that we're talking talking about a 7DC here, i.e. a 7AC modified to a C-85 Continental. And the electrical system is another clue, as you can see from the cockpit. Note the upswinging door. Aaaah - I think he's taking off here but it might be landing. In the old days things were done more casually than today, i.e. some 7ACs that were converted to the 7DC had the model number changed but some didn't.

Aeronca 7DC Champ N4009B, cn 7BCM-380, ex USAF, National Guard, CAP L-16A Grasshopper, probably military sn 47-1155, with the greenhouse windows. Originally built with a C-85-8 (no electrical) although I think it has an O-235 Lycoming now. If you search the FAA web site for 7BCM's you will find that serial numbers include the 7BCM -XXX series, some of the military series, i.e. 47-XXXX, and some of the 7AC-XXX series because of 7AC's that were converted to 7BCM configuration. This one must have been converted to 7DC status at one time and it retained that model number. A very pretty bird with a fuller panel than the typical 7AC! The German Shepherd hung around for hours and tried to get people to play his game.

Bellanca 8KCAB Citabria N5502A, 1978 cn 408-78, with Lycoming IO-320, waiting in the hangar and then heading out for some aerobatic work. (Are you aware of the relationship between "Citabria" and "Airbatic"?)

Champion 7GCBC Citabria N5252X, 1969 cn 190, Lycoming O-320. It took some real photoshop skill to show the sun on both sides like this! Or maybe it was morning and evening shots - - "who knows"!

Cessna 172 N7912U, 1964 172F cn 172-51912, Continental O-300, a clean old 172!   

Cessna 172 N13508, 1973 172M cn 172-62805, Lycoming O-320-E2D, 150-hp, on the level and covered up. It was flown later in the day. FAA says its a 1973 but its actually a 1974 according to TCDS 3A12, and probably a 172M Hawk II.

Cessna 172 N73852, 1976 (actually a 1977) 172N cn 172-67721, with Lycoming O-320-E2D, dropped in for a while. 

Cessna 172 N54452, 1981 172P cn 172-74977, Lycoming O-320-D2J, 150-hp. There's a lot of grass at KGVE and I spent a number of hours on that mower behind the 172! Glick said, "You don't have to do that!" I said, "If you came to our place, would you just sit around and watch?" End of discussion!

Cessna 177 Cardinal N3267T, 1967 cn 177-00567, an early Cardinal with Lycoming O-320-E2D. He went out for an eight minute flight, probably to blow the dust off. I believe it is locally based.

Corben Baby Ace N4731C, 1960 Corben Jr., MJA Sport cn 1. This cute little Corben dropped in for some fuel, along with the Cub behind it (N70497, below), and they were soon on their way. Looks like real fun on a warm day!

Kolb Twinstar MKIII N62079, 1994 cn GDE123, with a Rotax engine. Note the pop-out emergency parachute in front of the engine. This is a nicely finished Twinstar, although the paint scheme could make you feel nauseous if you stare at it. .   

Kolb Twin MK III Extra N46520, 2005 cn M3X03 4000 47, Lots of visibility here! Homer Kolb, the designer, was a friend of our family and I remember when he was into his first ultralight, with chainsaw type engines. N46520 also has a Rotax, but a different exhaust system and propeller than above.

Luscombe 8A N1516B, 1948 Silvaire cn 6143. June 26, 2010 was not a good day for One Six Bravo! From the accident report it seems that the student pilot accepted responsibility for what happened, contrary to some reports where it seems that the taildragger just mysteriously went off the runway all by itself. Here's a photo of it in a happier state.  

Piper J-3 Cub N70497, 1946 J-3C65 cn 17500. It has a wood prop but the 8:00x4 balloon tires are gone for the sake of more modern brakes. See that venturi down there? I saw a photo of a Piper in a 1940's magazine where the caption made note of a similar venturi and said it was for the pilot's relief tube! Well, he's off and on his way.

Piper J-3 Cub N3644N, 1936 J-3C65 cn 22903. Yep, another pretty little Cub. The panel is full-blown J-3, including a "bank indicator" as my 1930's Nicholas-Beazley Airplane Company, Catalog M would call it. Looks like an aux wing tank up there. Now this, folks, is how it oughta' be!

Piper PA-28 Cherokee N15416, 1972 PA-28-180 cn 28-7305072, Lycoming  O-360 (Actually a 1973). Many airports have their "out back", and Gordonsville, VA, GVE is among them! This Cherokee was probably once someone's pride and joy but is now awaiting some time, attention and $$$.

Taylorcraft L-2M Grasshopper, DCO-65 N58036, 1943 cn L-5635, USAAF 43-26323, showing 326323. "Incoming!" Yep, this is a quite-authentic L-2M. Nicely restored, and with lots of glass for seeing around as a Liasion aircraft. Nice vintage door handle there.

Vans RV-8 N52VV, 2003 cn 80718, Lycoming O-360-A1A. Wow! Wow!! WOW - what a beauty!! I think he needed to make a pass to check the runway. He visited a while and was soon on his way.