Thunder Over the Coconino 4
Antique Aircraft Fly-In and Car Show
Grand Canyon Valle Airport, Valle, AZ

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My compatriots at the Flagstaff Route 66 Car Club told me that this was a good show to go to, so I shined up the Mustang and sent in my registration. They were right, not only were there numerous classic (and some not so classic but interesting anyway) cars, but tractors and tons of historical aircraft also. Since I was there for the car show I wasn't planning on really checking out the aircraft but the aviation collection they have here is better than any aviation museum I have ever been too.

This is one show that I will be back for next year.

The Grand Canyon Valle Airport is halfway between Williams and the Grand Canyon via AZ 64 and is also halfway from Flagstaff to the Grand Canyon via AZ 180/64. It doesn't look like there is much there but it is a must-stop if you are into old aircraft.

Most of my pictures from this show are VR Panoramas. My point-and-shoot camera broke (dang!) early in the day and since I didn't bring a 'normal' lens for my DSLR (doh!) I didn't get many 'regular' photos.

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A Car Show

VR Panorama of the entry to the car show area at the Valle Airport. There was quite an eclectic mix this year. ('08)
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VR Panorama of more Valle Car Show participants. This shot is further to the north on the east end of the main car show area. ('08)
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VR Panorama of the north end car show parking area. ('08)
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VR Panorama from the north side of the main show parking area in front of the registration tent. ('08)
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VR Panorama shot at the northwest corner of the main car show parking area. ('08)
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VR Panorama shot from the center of the south side of the main car show area. ('08)
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VR Panorama at the southwest corner of the car show area. ('08)
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VR Panorama from the west center end of the car show area. ADOT supplied a brand new snow plow and the airport fire
department supplied a new pumper. ('08)
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And Lots of Airplanes

HERE...IT...

COMES...

UM...GOES...

Nothing like a P-51 to symbolize speed. Particularly when making high-speed low passes over the field. I think I've added a ride in one of these to my 'bucket' list (only $750).

Helecopter rides were cheaper ($30).

The Tri-Motor was running all day too. I would have bought a ticket ($60) if my camera hadn't quit working right after this photo.

I'm not sure what these are but they have Russian Federation Markings.
They flew a few passes over the field with smoke trails so it must be
some kind of show team.

VR Panorama inside of the hanger on the north side of the auto show area. It not only provided shade from the sun
but also featured a number of antique aircraft and vehicles. ('08)
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VR Panorama in front of the north end hangar. The Ford Tri-Motor can be seen on the tarmac. ('08)
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VR Panorama heading down the flight line towards the terminal. ('08)
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VR Panorama on the flight line side of the terminal. Here people are waiting their turn on the Ford Tri-Motor.
Inside there are antique (as in 1904 antique) cars on display. ('08)
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VR Panoramafurther down the flight line towards the Flight Museum.
Yes those are Russian Air Force roundels on some of the tails. ('08)
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VR Panorama from between the terminal and the aircraft museum. A venerable airliner and a couple of Navy fighters,
one in Blue Angels paint. ('08)
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VR Panorama from the flight line behind the aircraft museaum building.
This aircraft was in so many pieces I couldn't figure out what kind it is (4 engine prop). ('08)
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This plane was really cut into pieces.

All I could figure out was that it was a 4-engine prop machine. I didn't see any fusalage section anywhere around.

Soviet roundel.

American.

Another Soviet.

Not sure what model but I would say a WW II fighter.

WW II British de Havilland Vampire jet fighter.

The local Air Guard flew these when I was a kid.

More Soviet iron.

WW II Navy Fighter.

VR Panorama taken on the flight line hangar door side of the aircraft museum building.
It appears that the unmarked twin-tail aircraft is a WW II British de Havilland Vampire jet fighter. ('08)
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VR Panorama from inside the aircraft museum hangar doors. There were a number of vendors and informational displays set up. ('08)
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VR Panorama taken from the southwest corner of the museum building near the hangar doors.
A WW I aircraft is on display without its fabric covering so you can see the internal structure. ('08)
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VR Panorama further into the south side of the museum. A local RC model aircraft club had a number of their aircraft on display. ('08)
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VR Panorama near the southeast corner of the museum. A Japanese Zero, a German Messerschmitt, and other
WW II aircraft are on display. ('08)
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VR Panorama closer to the RB-26 Invader. ('08)
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VR Panorama from behind the RB-26 Invader. The walls are lined with aircraft photos and informational displays. ('08)
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VR Panorama heading towards the north side of the hangar. ('08)
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VR Panorama closer to the north side of the hanger. More WW II aircraft. ('08)
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VR Panorama taken from the middle of the hangar. This part host a mix of aircraft from different eras. ('08)
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VR Panorama from the north side of the hangar is a return to WW I aircraft. ('08)
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VR Panorama heading back towards the northeast corner. ('08)
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VR Panorama near the northeast corner. More WW II aircraft including a Japanese Ohka suicide rocketplane. ('08)
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VR Panorama taken in the northeast corner where the normal museum entrance is located. ('08)
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VR Panorama outside the museum entrance next to General MacArthur's personal transport aircraft ('08)
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A view inside the cockpit. Pilot, Copilot, and Flight Engineer.
The Navigator's station is in the next compartment aft.

VR Panorama of the inside of General MacArthur's personal C-121A aircraft. The station in the foreground is for the navigator. ('08)
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VR Panorama of the center 'passenger' section. ('08)
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VR Panorama of General MacArthur's suite in the aft section. ('08)
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And Even a Tractor Show

VR Panorama the farm machinery displays. This part featured various small engines that ran pumps, small grinders, etc. ('08)
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VR Panorama of the numerous tractors that were on display. General MacArthur's aircraft can be seen in the background. ('08)
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