Geneseo Air Show - The Greatest Show on Turf Geneseo, NY July 11-13, 2008

Photography and brief by Shawn Yost

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 On the weekend of July 11-13, 2008, the sights and sounds in the sky around Geneseo, New York were reminiscent of the late 1930s and early 1940s. Historical aircraft from across North America arrived for the Geneseo Airshow, organized by the 1941 Historical Aircraft Group. This year’s show had a dual theme: A gathering of P-40 Warhawks and a celebration of the 90th Anniversary of US Air Mail Delivery.

  

  Geneseo’s theme aircraft, the Curtis P-40, had historical significance to the local area. The P-40 airframe was manufactured by the thousands at the Curtis plant in nearby Buffalo, New York. The aircraft was the Army Air Corp’s front line fighter aircraft at the beginning of World War II, and many were also used by allied nations. But the aircraft’s true claim to fame came from the “Flying Tigers” of the American Volunteer Group. Five aircraft came to Geneseo, and four of the aircraft participated in the flying portion of the airshow. A P-40, piloted by Dale Snodgrass, also flew alongside the USAF F-16 Viper in the first ever P-40/F-16 Heritage Flight.

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  The 90th anniversary of Air Mail delivery was celebrated with an air mail re-enactment and envelope cancellation. The United States Postal Service swore in three pilots as air mail carriers, who later flew simulated routes to Buffalo, Rochester, and Niagara Falls. The aircraft, authentic in their own right, carried letters stamped with a special postage cancellation designed by Event Coordinator, Frank Schaufler. The letters carried on the routes were then made available for purchase at the show. 

 

  Aerobatic displays were performed by the 3-ship Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association and solo performances by Rob Holland in his MX-2 and Manfred Radius in his sail plane. Wing walker, Carol Pilon, performed with Rob Holland at the aircraft controls. The New York Air National Guard performed an airlift display in their rare LC-130 Hercules, equipped with skis to land on ice and snow. The USAF East Coast F-16 Viper demo team flew a full display and then participated in previously mentioned Heritage Flight.

 

  Many of the aircraft were both static displays and airshow participants. The large static display area allowed visitors a good up close and personal look at the aircraft before the flying portion of the show. All eras of flight from WWI to the current front line aircraft were well represented, but the WWII era of aircraft was the most prominent. Trainers, liaison, transports, bombers and fighters of all eras participated in the flying portion of the show. Even several British designed fighters were also on hand, including the Russell Group’s Spitfire and Hurricane.

 

  The 2008 Geneseo Airshow was truly the “greatest show on turf.” The show’s reputation, attendance and aircraft turnout are a testament to the event organizers’ and volunteers’ efforts to provide a quality airshow. All deserve a standing ovation for their efforts.  The bar has been set high for 2009!