The folks at Red Stewart Airfield have an annual fall fly-in. I was there several years ago, and both times the weather was lousy! Because of approaching rain, several aircraft took off soon after I got there around 8:30. The sun was out for a short time toward noon and I got a few shots before heading home myself!

Red Stewart Airfield is one of the few remaining, truly grass-roots airports.They have quite a history of promoting aviation, and especially tailwheel aircraft. They have a wide range of training programs including glider and aerobatic training.

Here's the aircraft I was able to get reasonably good photos this year. (Sept. 24, 2011) First though - somebody brought this antique International fire engine for display, but he loaded it up and took it home when the rain got close and it was clear the crowd would be small. Photo 2 and Photo 3. Okay, now for the aircraft!

Aeronca 7BCM N1798E, 1946 cn 7AC-5365. A pretty little Champ that was built as a 7AC and converted to 7BCM along the way. The 7BCM has a C-85 but the FAA Register still shows an A-65. "Propping" it. Traditional Champ colors all the way! Heading out with a passenger. Probably about 65-mph now, setting up for a landing on Red Stewart's grass.

Beech 18 N3666G, 1951 C-45H cn AF-328, USAF sn 51-11771. Originally built as a C-18 series AT-7 or AT-11, and factory remanufactured to the D-18 series C-45G, in 1951. The C-45G had Aeroproducts props, and AF-328 was later converted to the C-45H with Hamilton Standard 22D30 Hydromatic props. It looks very stock except for the pointy nose. Okay, now we can see the square wing tips, cowl louvers, raised stabilizer and high tail gear. Depending on the kits it could be as high as #9465 gross, up from the original #8750. Aren't those pretty lines! Yep, that's what it is! A roll-up door to keep jumpers from freezing their butts on the climb to altitude. You can see the crew door at the front, probably from Six Gulf's freighter days. Classic Skydive decor. I've flown many different Twin Beech's and they are a real pleasure. A bit of a challenge sometimes, too!

Beech 18 N8640E, C-45H cn AF-510, USAF 52-10580. As AF-328 above, it was factory remanufactured from the C-18 series AT-7 or AT-11, but it was never a C-45G. It was the Grimes Mfg. "Flying Laboratory 4" from 1966-86, to demonstrate a variety of Grimes lights. It was recently resurrected and restored by the Grimes Flying Lab Foundation and is quite impressive!

Cessna 150 N48AK, 1973 150L taildragger cn 150-74402. This "150-150" arrived between rain showers. And no, the "AK" has nothing to do with Alaska! I know because I asked!!

Cessna 172 N8448U, 1964 172F cn 172-52348. Another drop-in for the day but he didn't hang around long 'cause of the weather.

Cessna 172 N2814L, 1967 172H cn 172-56014. Stewarts Aircraft Service's instrument trainer. .

Kitfox Classic IV N938PH, built in 2001. Yep, that's a Kitfox alright, and he's heading out for a few minutes of air time.

Piper J-3 Cub N26761, 1940 J-3C65 cn 4164. A pretty little Cub with oversized tires. The Stearman behind it taxiied out the runway and out of sight when it started to rain and I didn't get any shots.

Piper J-3 Cub N98286, 1946 J-3C65 cn 18554. This is one of the few remaining "working" Cubs. It's part of the Stewarts Aircraft Service fleet and is used for initial training and tailwheel transitions. This is how many Cubs looked in the 1950's and every cosmetic "defect" is actually a badge of honor for such an airplane. This is where you learn the basics, and many 747 drivers would wreck it. Yep, this one is for real! Well, it's time for a ride or some dual so here goes!

Piper J-3 Cub N77500, J-3C65 cn 21991 is another Stewarts Aircraft working Cub. That stripe isn't very accurate but it flys just as good this way.

Piper J-3 Cub N3548K, 1946 J-3C65 cn 22239 is based at Red Stewart Airfield. It looks like someone has some other interests too! Lots of hobbies and projects. "Letstakerup" and "We're back."

Pitts Special S-2B N53130, 1983 Aerotek cn 5021, a factory built Pitts with a 260-hp AEIO-540 Lycoming engine. It's based in a hanger right on Red Stewart Airfield.

Schweizer 2-22 N9905J, 1965 SGU 2-22E cn 240. Ah yes, a 2-22! I got my commercial and CFI-G in a 2-22 in New Hampshire in 1964. The operator gave me two dual rides, and then the tow pilot had to go home, so my instructor signed me off and towed me for a solo flight. I owned one and trained my sons in it. They've had a couple of them and I instructed the grandchildren too. The whole scenario changed when we went from towing with a poor-flying PA-18, to a 450-Stearman!

Schweizer 2-33 N17883, 1972 SGS 2-33A cn 253. Still considered a trainer, but MUCH more fun to fly! My glider time is all in the 2-22 except for when I had my CFI reinstated in a 2-33 in 2005. The 2-33 has dive brakes/spoilers on both the top and bottom of the wings, whereas the 2-22 is only on the top. They're a lot of fun to fly! Both gliders are part of the Stewarts Aircraft fleet.

Swift N78150, 1946 Globe GC-1B cn 2150. This pretty little Swift took off just as the rain was starting.

Ultralight. I have no idea of the model or identity on this one, but there he was so I got a shot. Maybe someone can help me!