Author Archives: RIC

About RIC

Webmaster for FirstAeroSquadronFoundation's (FASF) website. Also the CEO of the 501C(c)(3) aviation history-oriented FASF non-profit, which is dedicated to the Birth Place of American Airpower and Rebirth Place of American Civil Aviation in 1916 & 1917 in Columbus, NM.

Member, John “Cabi” Cabigas, Pilots James May Into Space

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“Cabi” Cabigas, USAF

Long-time FASF member, John “Cabi” Cabigas, (at Left) flew the famous BBC Commentator, James May, into Space in the First Aero’s Dragon Lady, and did it at the First Aero Squadron’s current location at Beale Air Force Base (BAFB) North of Sacramento, CA. Of course Cabi conducted that great space adventure while still on active duty with the USAF as one of the famed Lockheed U-2 Dragon Lady Instructor Pilots.  Here is a short 30 minute summary of that memorable flight’s full documentary, which had, as its central figure, TV Journalist, James May,   Most of the full-length documentary was made by the BBC, but some was shot by the USAF.

Here, below, is another flight aboard the Dragon Lady, but without either Cabi or James May.  It is only :10 minutes long, but the resolution of the video is higher.  But if you’d like to see both Cabi and James May, you’ll only see them in the first video above.  In the meantime, Cabi advises that Amazon Prime has the full documentary in high resolution, should you be able to view that version:

If you click right here, you will get chance to witness Cabi again, as your webmaster interviews him, along with his fellow Dragon Lady Instructor Pilot, Bill Williams.  Both gentlemen were video-taped at the 100th Anniversary of the First Aero Squadron’s birth, held at Beale AFB, CA. 

Cabi lives nearby the Air Force base and keeps himself busy flying his own classic 1940 J3 Cub, which has a mighty 65HP engine to help it race aloft.  Your reporter soloed in one of them – sans brakes and tail wheel – back in 1944.  Since retiring from active duty in 2010, Cabi has remained an active member of his local chapter of the EAA and belongs to other aviation groups, as well.

When he graduated from San Jose State University in the AFROTC, he had also gained his FAA Certification as an A&P mechanic!  That in and of itself was quite an unusual accomplishment.

Major Cabigas’ USAF Pilot career spanned just shy of a quarter century, and involved 18 years of working with the Dragon Lady.   He holds a FAA Certified Flight instructor (CFI) Rating along with both a Commercial and Airline Transport Pilot License.  His activities with the EAA are largely motivated by his interest in sharing his love of aviation with the many Young Eagles who are lucky enough to get an airplane ride with this accomplished Air force Pilot, an American military aviator who was actually born in the Philippines!

The Tribute to WWII Triple Ace: Bud Anderson – and the P-51

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    Doc Edwards

Thanks to our loyal Aviation News Scout, Doc Edwards (L) of Deming, NM, we have the following collection of videos memorializing not just Bud Anderson and what he accomplished in his now classic WWII fighter, but how his and the plane’s unique legacy continues on – – – long after he and his fellow Air Corps/Force pilots finished their life-and-death task of finally winning over the embattled skies over Europe in 1945.

Then Capt. Bud Anderson under his P-51 “Old Glory” Prop Blades during WWII – 1943

This first short video (7:06) summarizes the EAA’s Tribute to Colonel Anderson:

And there’s more (19:54) here:

Click here to go directly to Bud Anderson’s Homepage on his website.

MAKS-2021 (Russia’s) International Aviation and Space Salon

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The MAKS International Aviation and Space Salon is the official title of Russia’s annual International Air Show . . . just per chance the name, “Salon” threw you off the headline’s meaning.

Russia’s President, Vladimir Putin, lauded his nation’s new entry into the Air Power world of their new SU 35 5th Generation Fighter.  It was manufactured by the country’s renown aircraft maker, Sukhoi.  The annual event opened Tuesday (July 20, 2021) in Zhukovsky, outside of Moscow.

Several Russian aircraft manufacturers unveiled other prototypes and currently operational aircraft, including new fighter jets, one that features stealth capabilities and other advanced characteristics, which, like the U.S. F-35, will be offered to foreign buyers.

The event also included competitions and air demonstrations by other visiting countries as well as by the host nation.

The following are some insights into the big Air Show events by way of several videos produced by Russian’s International Television platform, RT.  RT’s sister News agency, available via the Internet, also with International distribution, is known as RUPTLY or Daily Motion (streaming TV).

Stay posted for our usual coverage of the world’s largest Airshow event, held each year in Oshkosh, WI, AirVenture 2021, which is occurring simultaneously with this Russian MAKS “Salon” 2021.  AirVenture is usually personally covered by a number of FASF members, who are also active members of the event’s host, the EAA.

The below MAKS video is only 2:06 long and is summary of Rotary and Fixed Wing as well as Fighters doing their aerobatic maneuvers on air show day 2.

And, here below, are some clips of the opening day’s Air Show, 23:16 long, including various airborne ships strutting their capabilities:

And for those of you who love Rotary Wing Aircraft, here is a 8:22 long Russian Helicopter manufacturer, Rosoboronexport’s, pitch for these novel ships, including the latest offshore Mi-171A3; multipurpose (including fire-fighting) Ka-32A11M; and Ansat-M, passenger Ka-62 and the military combat ship, the Ka-52K:

THE 1949 FARNBOROUGH AIR SHOW IN UNITED KINGDOM

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For Aviation History Buffs, and for those of us blessed enough to have lived at the time, here is a short (10:10) video of that world-class UK Air Show, one at which our Advisor, Peter Westacott, (2nd from Bottom on Advisors’ Page) often officiated.

Famous WWII Fighter/Bomber Made From Forest Materials

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Most of you have already guessed:

Yes, we’re talking about that blazingly fast Mosquito Bomber-turned-Fighter, first built by de Havilland in 1940, yet designed two years earlier – – – even before GB entered the war in Europe.  And, long before the more recent Green Revolution, the amazing airplane was actually made primarily of wood – – – both plywood and balsa wood.

Like the famed U.S. P-51 Mustang and Supermarine Spitfire, it rapidly became one of those more iconic aircraft seen weaving through the skies over Europe in defense of the Allies and their forces.  For many years, it was the fastest operational ship, hitting well over 400 MPH with its twin Rolls Royce Merlin engines making their distinctive humming sound.  Here is a video of that great fighting machine courtesy of Kermit Weeks (Fantasy of Flight Museum).  (It is only 12:21 long.)

Click right here and read much more about the indomitable flying machine.

And, click here to see it compared to its American “twin”, the Lockheed P-38.

FINALLY: Are These Our New 6th Generation Fighter Jets?

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As those of us who try to stay abreast of the latest military aviation news well know, there is constant rumoring about what might be afoot in international Research and Development programs towards being the first nation to foist a 6th Generation Jet Fighter on the world stage.

Here, below, is a quick 10:38 minute long video clip of what w might expect on the American scene:

And, here’s another peek at what’s going on behind that “TOP SECRET” obscurity barrier.  This “Military Notes” video tell its “computer generated voice-over” story in only 6:15 minutes, with an extra add-on of some 1:50 seconds unnarrated current USAF flight line video coverage.

 

NATO Fighter Pilots, The Finest Aviator Boots & The Cold War

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What could possibly be dangerous in having the finest flight boots found anywhere on one’s feet while at work in the skies above Europe?  What could be risky in buying these fine hand made custom boots from the famous, yet small West German Boot Company, the Hans Probst Measureboots custom boot maker?  After all, without a doubt, these were the unparalleled top boots to be found anywhere.  Handsome, comfortable and long-lasting.  Affectionately called “Furstie” boots by the lucky pilots privileged to own them.  “Furstie” being the shortened name of Furstenfeldbruck, the German town in which they were manufactured.

This video was produced by “Historic Wings” and, while but 9 minutes long, is a true story few know, let alone its bizarre content, especially should the Cold War have ever turned HOT.  It was found by FASF Aviation News Scout and former USMC Fighter Pilot, Jerry Dixon (at left).

As observed by Historic Wings, “Victory in the air was the key to winning the Cold War. Despite billions of dollars spent by the USAF and NATO on the best planes, the most advanced radar systems and missiles, and the finest pilot training, the outcome may have been decided by a little boot company in West Germany.” Stick this one out to the end . . . for the shocking surprise.

A Weekend on Which We Remember Our American Heroes

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Thanks to FASF founding member and News Scout, Dave Clemmer, we have this inspirational video.  As we know, the freedoms we still enjoy are the direct result of these heroic veterans who risked their lives that we might live in a free society.

Is this special occasion not also the time to seriously reflect on what these brave men and women enabled us to experience?  Can we afford to drop our guard and let these precious freedoms – and liberty itself – be taken away?

The following tribute is 6:47 long.

“Think outside the box” . . . and come up with a boxed wing?

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We’re all familiar with that essential principle of invention to which both the Wright Brothers AND Bennie Foulois so beautifully adhered in order to achieve their creative genius.

Here, in the following short (10 minute 27 second) video, we see how amazingly vital that dictum of “think outside the box” (of established thought) really is when it comes to truly great inventions becoming functioning – and practical – realities.

How, in this instance, it actually gave us a “boxed wing” configuration, not to mention a startling new if not radical innovation in both air-frame design – – – and especially – – – in propulsion.

A new flying machine design possibly not too far from appearing at our local airport . . . in either, or both, a General Aviation, or new military aircraft design.

DO NOT FORGET TO OPEN THE VIDEO TO FULL-SCREEN SO YOU CAN FULLY APPRECIATE THE HD