Wings over Houston 2003
100
years of flight
Date: Saturday
18, 2003
Location: Ellington
Field, Houston, Texas
Company: Dad, Mom, Carrie, Cory and I
Times: Arrival
8:30 Departure 4:30
Weather Data:
Clear and Sunny Winds generally from the North from calm to 13, high 78F
Observations:
I joined my family for a wonderful day at the
air show at Ellington Field. Our first stop was at the War Birds area containing
the older planes. These planes are always one of my favorite sights at the show
because these planes flew in past battles/wars for our FREEDOM. There is
something about seeing these old birds that brings you closer to history.
After looking at the war birds we found a nice patch of grass to set our lawn
chairs.
We watched the different demonstrations all day. Some of the more interesting to
me was the RCA demonstration where the RCA model was actually put into a hover.
The glider was also a good show...nice slow and relaxing.
The aerobatic team was one my favorites as they performed many stunts
wonderfully. The F-15, f16 and F18 flew demos were astonishing.
The harrier, one of my favorite jets, demonstrated its hovering ability. The top
shows to me were the Pearl Harbor an other battle scenes. As awesome as the
sound of the planes and bombs were...it brought one to solemn reflection of the
past and those who died for our FREEDOM. We
concluded a beautiful Fall day at the One Hundredth Wings over Houston Airshow. Back to Top
Dedication: At 6:15p.m. a World War II General Motors Grumman FM-2 Wildcat, N681S,
which was flown during the show, was flying a routine photo flight and for
unknown reasons crashed on landing. The plane's wings were sheared off and it
hit the ground so hard that one could not tell that it was a plane...it was only
a shadow of a once commemorative relic that fought in every major navy battle in
WWII. Even more tragic, however, is the loss of the pilot William K. Johnson. My condolences
go out to the family and friends of this pilot. I dedicate these Wings over Houston pages...A century of air shows to Mr.
William K. Johnson of Parkton, NC.
 |
The
Wildcat and Pilot William Johnson and the last successful flight. Dauntless
on bottom |
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Gallery:
WarBirds Old planes
that continue to amaze us
Battles involving
the older planes Page 3 (my favorite)
Stunt and Jet
demonstrations Page 2
German
JU52 |
 |
P51
D Mustang WWII/Korea |
IJN
Kate (Imperial Japanese Navy) |
T28
Trojan Late Korea/Vietnam Trainer |
Douglas
Devastator Early WWII |
 |
B25
Mitchell Early Version WWII |
Douglas
Dauntless Midway Bomber |
P17G
Flying Fortress WWII |
Ann |
Sparrow |
 |
 |
SNJ
Texan WWII Trainer T6 |
|
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Links:
CAF
Commemorative Air Force William
K. Johnson was a member of this organization. Commemorative
Air Force Photograph
of a General
Motors Grumman FM-2 Wildcat
Back to Top | 
