Category: Valiant Air Command

Valiant Air Command Newsletter, 1st Quarter 2012

The latest edition of the “Unscramble” newsletter for the Valiant Air Command has been posted on their website.

Highlights include:

  • Pictures of the TBM restoration and engine run up from October
  • Plans for the 2012 Tico Airshow to include info of up to 6 B-25 Mitchells to be in attendance
  • A “Beer Garden” on the show line
  • Story of the engine fire on the C-47 “Tico Belle”
  • VAC acquisition of a retired US Navy T-34C Mentor and BAe Canberra, that was abandoned at Merritt Island

Tickets for the VAC TICO 2012 Airshow are available

Tickets to the Valiant Air Command’s 2012 Tico Airshow saluting the Doolittle Raiders are on sale for early bird discounts. Prices and ordering available after the jump.

VAC TBM restoration back to flight

The Valiant Air Command has been working over the past couple of years to bring back to airworthiness a Grumman TBM 3E. This aircraft was acquired in 2002 by the VAC from Environmental Aircraft Services and was previously flown by the US Navy and the US Forest Service. A detailed history of the aircraft can be found here as well a picture of this aircraft from 1962 when it flew for the US Forest Service.

The VAC is painting this aircraft as one of the planes of Flight 19, which was a navigation training flight of 5 TBMs that were lost. The anticipated first flight is early 2012.

VAC TBM wearing the marking of Lt Charles Taylor, flight leader of Flight 19 in October 2011. Photo used with permission of Bill Scheuerman.

 

Tico Airshow Performers for the 2012 show

The Valiant Air Command has announced that they have a P-47 coming to the airshow, which I believe is the first time a Thunderbolt will be attendance. They have also announced that a P-40, B-25, C-46 & F-4U Corsair will be attendance. Sounds like a great line-up.

VAC Ribbon Cutting Cermony on 16 June

The Valiant Air Command will have a ribbon cutting ceremony on 16 June for the opening of the new Vietnam War hangar. This hangar was started about a year and half ago and will honor the memory of the men and women that fought in the Vietnam War.