Page 13 - Aerotech News Edwards Air Show Program 2022

Wardog Airshow – AT-6 Texan
Together John and “War Dog” have been thrilling audiences with their aerial tribute to the military for 40 years.
This is John and “War Dog’s” Salute to the Greatest Generation inspired by his father, a WWII veteran. John’s father’s military service influenced John’s choice to fly the T-6 Texan. The Texan is a World War trainer celebrating its 80th year of service; known as the pilot maker because it trained more military pilots than any other airplane in history.
John’s flying career started more than 50 years ago,attheageof13,andattheageof16,he soloed five different types of airplanes. At this time, he has logged more than 15,000 hours flying time and has been entertaining audiences across the west, with more than 1,200 air show perfor- mances at major military and civilian air shows.
His aerobatic career started with competition in 1974 in the International Aerobatic Club, where he achieved high rankings in their Gold Cup Championships. He continued to advance his ca- reer with the formation of his own aerobatic train- ing school out of Hawthorne, Calif., and in 1982 he flew his first air show in Porterville, Calif.
Simultaneously, he was flying as a corporate pilot for Northrop Grumman where he flew ev- erything from turbo-props to jets.
A measure of the respect John carries in the field of aerobatics is his designation as one of the
air show industry’s Aerobatic Competency Ex- aminers, entrusted with ensuring the competency of other aerobatic performers.
John has served on the board and organized air show events, including the Torrance and Hawthorne Air Fairs, and assisted in organizing the Salinas Air Show and the Travis Air Force Air Show. He organized flights for the 60th An- niversary of Pearl Harbor and to commemorate the Doolittle Raider Operation for the San Diego Aero Space Museum.
John is well known for his smooth, masterful control of “War Dog”. Many of the maneuvers you will see are the combat maneuvers taught to aviators during World War II. Unlike fighter aircraft, the T-6 is underpowered for its weight and although the moves appear effortless, they require a high degree of skill and planning to fly in the air show environment.
Now, enjoy John and “War Dogs” beautiful aerial ballet as they fly to the music from the movie “Pearl Harbor,” sung by Faith Hill.
John’s airplane “War Dog” is a 1944 Marine SNJ-5 Texan, built in Dallas, Texas. She was based in Orange County at Marine Corps Air Station El Toro on property known today as The Great Park. “War Dog” belonged to the VMT- 2 training squadron. The letters VMT stand for “V,” heavier than air, and “MT,” for military trainer. The WD painted on “War Dog’s” tail
Courtesy photograph
stands for Walt Disney. Walt Disney designed Ferdinand the bull, a red bull with small wings as the El Toro base mascot. In reciprocation, the
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October 15 & 16, 2022
Aerotech News and Review Edwards Air Show 2022
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