Thorp Air Command - T18.net

2 Thorps were represented at the Casa Grande (CGZ) Fly In this weekend. John Kerr and his Son Rob flew out in N2056 and Rich Brazell flew out in NX115RX. Flight was smooth until the decent for landing. the WX briefer said the Desert winds in the PHX area were not suppose to pick up until after 1200 Noon local. We arrived a 1030 local to find a 90 degree cross wind at 15, gusting to 25 ! Needless to say it was a handful and I made 1 go around and so did John. Once we knew what we were in for we both got on the ground and taxied in. There were A/C on the ramp for the Fly In, but the majority had stayed away due to the winds. Got our A/C tied down (wind blowing like a Son of a Gun !), walked around the ramp a bit then headed for the No Tell Motel. We mustered for chow in the lobby only to find a group of "Antiquers" from Colorado that had taken over the lobby for "Happy Hour !" We got to talkin and they asked us if we knew John Evens ? We said Hell no ! Just kidding John...they offered us a cold one and after a few more lies we headed out for chow.

Up early to the airport. Winds CALM ! Now the arrivals were fast and quickly filling up the ramp. Good thing e got fuel early as they only had ONE fuel truck ! A trip to the pancake breakfast and then back out to the A/C to answer questions. A lot of folks were impressed with John's metal work on his T-18 and I got a few puzzled looks when I told the folks around 115RX that it had folding wings and took 27 years to complete. We wanted to beat any possibility of the winds kicking up again to we launched around 1000 for the flight back to KSEE. Not a bad 2 hour flight each way.

RB

Additional pics from the Cactus Fly In.

RB

Good photos Rich and John, looks like you guys had a good time. Maybe it's just me but the Thorps appear to be the best looking planes their, you guys stole the show!!! Dan

Thanks Dan ! I thought we were winners too until John started to dance on the ramp ! Just yolking...we had a good time. Not as good as a T-18 fly In, but we had a few laughs and told a few lies !

RB

High performance t/o off of N2056 and NX115RX from Casa Grande ! John Kerr looks pretty sharp taxing out in his A/C !

Yep, its settled, the best looking birds at the show definitly! Those are some goooood Photos!! Dan