Canceled. Postponed. Shelved. All of these words could have been used to describe the 49th Annual Merced Antique Fly-In if not for the effort Rich and Jan Basart. When the Merced Chamber of Commerce pulled out from operating the event Rich and Jan picked up the gauntlet and kept the gathering alive.

With support from the Antique Aircraft Association of Blakesburg, IA, as well as the Schellville and San Diego chapters, enough interest was generated to gather nearly 200 classic aircraft at Merced’s Municipal Airport on June 2nd and 3rd, 2006.

The days flying demonstrations started with a pair of F-16’s from the California Air National Guard in Fresno making an overhead pass while in transit to the airshow at Beale AFB.

The Rag Tag Air Force took to the air shortly thereafter and did a number of formation passes that culminated in a missing man formation during the national anthem. The Rag Tag Air Force is based out of San Jose and consisted of a Piper Archer, Globe Swift, Beech Bonanza, and Lancair 320.

Jon Nash of Orange, CA, provided an aerobatic performance in his Edge 540 as did Doug Jardine of Murrietta, CA, in his Sukhoi 26MX.

This year also brought the return of the popular Parade of Flight which consisted of 11 classic aircraft flying a racetrack pattern around the field. Leading the parade was a replica of the deHavilland DH 88 Comet, a scarlet air racer from the 1930’s. The comet was followed by a mix of classic aircraft spanning over 70 years of aviation history.

Following the Parade of Flight a North American P-51D Mustang took to the air and performed some smooth aerobatics as well as a few high speed, low altitude, passes. Named “HELL-ER BUST” the blue nosed aircraft was in the markings of the 486th Fighter Squadron’s leading ace, Capt. Edward Heller.

The aircraft was being flown by Ed Shipley who was ferrying the plane for its new owner, the JTS Historical Aviation Foundation Museum from Florida to Washington State.

The real attraction at the 49th Antique Fly-In were the classic aircraft on display. On Saturday evening awards were presented in different categories. Some, but not all, of the winners were:

Mayors Trophy - Walter Bowe, 1928 Curtiss Robin

High Point Trophy - Bill Allen, 1930 Stearman CR3

Golden Age 1929-1934 - Brent Taylor, 1928 General Aristocrat
Robin Reid 1929 Fairchild KR-34

Classic Age 1935-1941 - Carlene Mendiata, 1937 Monocoupe 90A
Ruth Holden and Rock Walters, 1937 Lockheed 12A
Joe Ciabattoni, 1937 Stinson SR7B
Bill Dennison, 1939 Fairchild F24R

Military Aircraft with Markings - Dick Bunting, 1951 Cessna L-19A Bird Dog

Military Aircraft in Non Military Markings -Bob Simon, 1943 Stearman N2S-3

Sports/Homebuilt - Ralph Belden, 1964 Liberty Sport
David O’Hara, 1976 Starduster SA-100

Bede Trophy for Most Outstanding Homebuilt – Richard van Kesterson, Vans RV-4.

Even though the number of aircraft in attendance was not as great as in years past the event was considered a success. The 50th Anniversary event in 2007 is off to a good start with the approval by the Merced Airport Land Use Committee of the plans for next year’s gathering. If the energy and enthusiasm from 2006 can be carried into the 2007 event then the 50th Annual Merced Antique Air Fair should be an event that is not to be missed.