Empire State Aeroscience Museum (A.K.A. ESAM) celebrated the 100th Anniversary of Powered Flight by putting on a great Air Show. The sun was out all weekend and you could count on one hand how many clouds were in the air. I would like to thank both John Panoski (air show director) and the 109th Airlift wing for their support before, during and after the air show. To make viewing easier all images will open in a new window. The Thunderbird images can be found on page 2.
The S-3 Viking and EA-6B Prowler were flown in by our home town heroes. After the show they prepared to head home.
The P-47 Thunderbolt was the first aircraft to be assigned to what is now the 109th Airlift Wing.
"History of the 109th" - The P-47 (139th) and LC-130 (109th)
Mike Goulian is one of the greatest aerobatic performers in the world. It is always a great pleasure to see him fly.
Allen Smith made his first appearance at the ESAM Air Show. He flies the Czech L-39 Albatross.
This was the first year that I can remember that The Iron Eagle's were not on the performer list. On Sunday however the not only made an appearance but made up for not performing Saturday.
Returning again this year was the wing walking team of Gene Soucy and Teresa Stokes. Gene (Mr. AirShow) flies the Showcat while Teresa walks around on both wings.
The Starfighters made their first appearance this year at our Air Show. Typically this is a two ship demo. However, sadly three weeks ago Tom "Sharkbait" Delashaw passed away while flying a separate aircraft in Pennsylvania. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Starfighters crew and family of Sharkbait.
On Friday Rick "Comrade" Svetkoff gave a ride to the sponsor of the Starfighters. Here one of the VP's of Chrysler gets ready for a ride of his life.
Making his first appearance at this years show was Neil Darnell in his Chevy S-10. Which you could say was slightly modified.
No show would ever be complete without the Mad Bomber. Once again this year they returned and did a fantastic job blowing up the field.
Dan Buchanan also made his first appearance here in Schenectady. The award-winning performer lost his ability to walk in 1981, but didn’t allow his handicap to keep him from the activities he loved, including flying.
Few aircraft are as well known or were so widely used for so long as the C-47 or "Gooney Bird" as it was affectionately nicknamed. If purchased in 1940 your bill would have been $138,000. Today you would spend 20 times that.
The voice of the 109th Air Lift Wing Captain David Panzera.
Based here in Schenectady New York is the 109th Airlift Wing.
The 109th is the only unit in the Air Force to regularly use Jet Assisted Take-Off (J.A.T.O)
In addition to JATO the 109th regularly does cargo drops.
A few other profiles of the units C-130 and LC-130 Hercs.
The North Carolina Air National Guard came to Schenectady to show off it's fire fighting demo. The field certainly did need it after the Mad Bomber got done.
The Massachusetts and Connecticut Air National Guard brought over several A-10's. We had some on static display and several in the air on both days.
Miscellaneous photographs from this yeas show.
Click Here To Jump To The USAF Thunderbirds
Interested in purchasing photographs?