Welcome to the Schedule for the Lockheed PV-2 Harpoon

'Attu Warrior'

We will post appearance dates and locations as details are finalized

Photo by Matt Otteson

Chino, CA
May 14 -15 2011

The trip to Chino originated in Heber, UT and took about 3 hours each way. A trip this early in the 'summer' proved to be a slightly cool trip for the 'crew' in the back of the plane.

Before we left, (and after each flight) there was the customary cleaning of the plane that is associated with any and every radial-engined aircraft, but it looked so much better without the oil sprayed all over the belly.

Winding up the big rubber bands

The flight down went well, except for a few bumps and the cool temps in the plane. When we got close to Chino, someone was practicing their routine, so we had to make a quick stop at Riverside Airport to wait. Then a quick jump over to Chino.

We were parked next to a B-25 in the static display area, and each day of the show the Harpoon was pulled forward of the flight line and started up to fly in the Navy section of the show. This was a great thrill for the crowds that gathered to see her start up. As this year celebrates the Centennial of Naval Aviation, there was a great many aircraft in the show. All sorts of WWII trainers, fighters, bombers and transport category aircraft on display and in the air, plus a good representation of current military hardware. 

A beautiful Grumman J2F Duck

A gaggle of F4U Corsairs

At most airshows, you might see one example of several different types of warbirds, but here at Chino, there was a great display. It has been a while since I have seen 3 Corsairs in the air at the same time, or even 2 P-38's in the same area, let alone in the air. Wow!

Fighters of all description were in the air, and during the mass flight, the planes filled the sky. Looked great, sounded terrific!

One of the highlights (at least for our crew) was when a couple of F4U Corsairs came screaming past the Harpoon. Pilots probably haven't seen that sight since WWII.

Mustangs, Thunderbolts, all the Grumman Cats were in abundance.

An unusual combination

This Heritage flight with a F-15 and 2 P-38's was worth the trip on it's own. It just proves the point that any opportunity you get to see these great aircraft should not be missed, because eventually they won't be flying.

The weather was mostly very good, except for a little rain on Sunday morning, and the crowds came out to see all the great aircraft, including the Harpoon. We had people lined up all day to take the opportunity to climb inside and see what it was like in a bomber during WWII. Everyone was really appreciative of the effort Dave has put into restoring the interior of the plane, not only the exterior. It is hard to imagine what the conditions were like when operating out of places like the Aleutian Islands and in times of war. It is difficult not to feel a lot of admiration for the members of the 'Greatest Generation'.

Pulling back in after a great display for the crowd.

Chino Airshow, put on by the folks at Planes of Fame Museum (whose aircraft all fly), is held in May every year, and is one of those events that should not be missed if you want to see a lot of fabulous aircraft. many of them spend the rest of the summer travelling all over the country to various airshows, but here you will see them all together. A great time was had by all.