Air Show at Eglin AFB FL 3-4 Apr

[Jerry Cowing]

Hi Guys,

We're up to two Cobras (Ruble Moore & Will Butterworth) plus mine. I've been extremely busy lately conducting aircraft tests on the Eglin range so I haven't talked to any of the Air Show coordinators yet. Don Cox is the overall coordinator and asked me if we were interested in bringing our cars again this year. If it's like last year, they will provide us with a "box flight lunch" and water. Based on last year, I think it would be a good idea to bring some of your own water or sodas also. Don't forget a lawn chair and umbrella or hat to keep the sun off. Last year it was very hot on the flightline for April.

I think the best plan is to meet at my house again and then go in a caravan to the North Gate of Eglin. Then I can escort everyone to the parking area on the flightline. They wanted us to show up pretty early to miss all the traffic. That's what we did last year and it seemed to work well. There is a vacant lot near my house so if a bunch of you will be trailering, I can ask them if we can park the trailers there. They are very nice people so I'm sure that won't be a problem. The lot is walking distance from my house (half a block). That's were my trailer is parked.

If there is anyone else you'd like to invite, please forward this to them. Last year, one day was used for a Corvette showing and the second day for our Cobras. John Stoeger also brought his Shelby Mustang last year and parked with us.

[Quentin Z]

Jerry,
Is this the "Thunderbirds" air show? I was fortunate enough to get to parade one of the pilots out to the planes in my T-Bird at the '02 show. I recall there being some very nice Cobras at that show.

QZ

[Jerry Cowing]

QZ,

Yes, this is the same airshow your speaking about. They had a bunch of modern and historic aircraft, foreign and domestic, military and commercial, on static display for the crowds to look at. They had the Thunderbirds demonstration flights, a B-2 Stealth bomber, F-117 Stealth fighter and demonstration parachute teams flying/jumping both days. Probably close to the same program schedule this year. We had our Cobras on display on Sunday last year.

Jer

[Quentin Z]

Great. I'll try to make it this year. I'll look you up.

QZ

[CobraDan]

Eglin 2004 Open House & Air Show
Date: April 3-4, 2004
Time: Gates open at 9 a.m.; close at 5 p.m.
The event showcases the mission of Eglin, the largest Air Force base in the free world. The United States Air Force Thunderbirds and the West Coast F-15 aerial demonstrations teams plus other military and civilian aerial demonstrations teams are scheduled to perform both days.
Aircraft will be on display, representing numerous military units from Eglin and other bases. There will also be weapons displays and entertainment during the day. Food concessions will be available.

http://www.eglin.af.mil/airshow/airshow.htm

[BStorm]

Jerry: I plan to attend. Hope to get the old girl to load into
the trailer if she's willing. May also bring along a car.
Need confirmation if the event for cobras will be Saturday
or Sunday. Directions to your house and departure time
to the flightline will be helpful.

Looking forward to this . Bill Storm

[BStorm]

Jerry: Two other owners are very interested in participating.
B. Swanson (yellow Superperformance); Rankin S.
(Kirkham). If you can confirm that this is a go, we will
plan on Sunday April 4th. Hope to hear from you
shortly or least I will pass on this one.

Thanks: Bill Storm

[Jerry Cowing]

BStorm,

I hope this doesn't put a damper on your plans, but based on a request made earlier, I asked the Eglin coordinators if we could show our cars on Saturday, 3 Apr. If you can't make it on Saturday, Eglin said you can show on Sunday, 4 Apr. I'll need the names of who is coming for each day for the passes.

I can send you a map to my house if you provide me an e-mail address. It looks like there will be 7 Cobras displaying.
Will/Joan Butterworth
Jerry/Trudy Rowley
Ruble Moore
Jerry Cowing
Bill Storm
B. Swanson
S. Rankin
_
If you decide to trailer the Cobras to my home, I received permission from my neighbor to park your trailers on his vacant lot.
_
The Eglin AFB Air Show coordinators will give me car passes (by name) for everyone once I get the final count on the number of Cobras that plan to attend. You can bring a tent or umbrella for shade in addition to a cooler and chairs._ They will have food booths/concessions at the Air Show so you really won't need a cooler._ Remember, they will search your car when you enter the base so the_fewer items you bring in your trunk, the less time we'll_all be_delayed._ You can leave your luggage, etc. at my home._ The gates open to the public at 0900 so I figure we should meet at my home at 0800, try to get to the Eglin gate no later than about 0830 to beat the crowds and have time for the car searches._ There is no requirement for us to display our Cobras all day so you can leave whenever you want.
_
As I mentioned before, they will provide free water all day and, if you'd like, we can order a box lunch for $3.25_that they will deliver to us on the Flightline._ I have to order these no later than (NLT), Friday,_26 Mar, if you want one._ If I don't hear from you by Friday, I'll assume you don't want me to order you a meal._ Here's your Box Lunch Meal choices:
___ All_meals include: 2 sandwiches, fruit, chips, assorted snacks and water._ Any_meal can be made healthy._ Just say "Make it Healthy" when ordering and they will replace chips with pretzels, pudding with yogurt or Jell-O, candy bar with Granola or Nutrigrain bar and they can make the sandwich without cheese._ The condiments are included in little packages on the side._ Please don't be too picky about your choices, they are making hundreds of these meals for the aircrews and us.
___ 1)_Grande Beef - Roast Beef & Swiss on Wheat
___ 2) Grande Classis - Ham & American cheese on White
___ 3) Grande Gobbler - Turkey & Swiss on Wheat
_
Here are some places in Niceville/Bluewater Bay._ I think Niceville will be a lot more secure than on the beach in Destin with all the Spring Break kids._ It should also be a much easier drive to Eglin AFB from Niceville/Bluewater Bay._
Hampton Inn, Bluewater Bay (Niceville) 800-426-7866
Comfort Inn, Niceville 850-678-8077
Ramada Limited, Bluewater Bay 800-897-0600
Holiday Inn Express, Niceville_ 800-465-4329

Have a safe trip,

[Jerry Cowing]

OK, all bets are off. Jerry Rowley said he will not be attending this year so Saturday is not a driving factor anymore. You can still choose whether you'd rather show on Saturday or Sunday.

Please let me know immediately whether you want Saturday or Sunday so I can make the appropriate arrangements.

Thanks,

[Jerry Cowing]

Guys,

So far it's looking like Saturday is still the most prefered date as we previously selected. Unless someone objects, lets continue to plan for Saturday's event, 3 Apr. Terry Keay will be joining our group on Saturday now so we will have 7 Cobras in attendance.

Will/Joan Butterworth
Ruble Moore
Jerry Cowing
Bill Storm
B. Swanson
S. Rankin
Terry Keay

Let's meet at my house at 0800, 3 Apr, to caravan to the base and then I can escort everyone to our parking area.

If you want to get together Friday night for dinner at one of our fine restaurants, we can start planning for this also.

[BStorm]

Jerry: I sent an email with my current email address. Karen and
I will plan to arrive Saturday before 7:30AM. Please send
another email with your street address

Thanks, Bill

[Jerry Cowing]

Here's some pictures of the DSCC at the Eglin AFB Air Show, 3 Apr 04. I also posted a few more in my gallery.