Labor Day Traffic
Not exactly like getting on a freeway onramp. Just made me think of it. I shot these photos from the backseat of a T-28 Trojan as we were waiting to takeoff at the “Wings Over Camarillo” airshow in August. One of my duties as Photographer and Social Media Manager for the Palm Springs Air Museum. Next stop is the National Championship Air Races in Reno coming up now! And I need your help with that please! Check it out at “Red Tails Race Team” and Thanks!
Everyone Stops And Looks!
No matter what you are doing, when “Bunny” flies by you stop and look! At the opening for the “Wings Over Camarillo” airshow earlier this month. “Bunny” will be in the show opening again at the prestigious National Championship Air Races Reno, September 13th – 17th! And we are asking for your help today please!
JOIN OUR TEAM! The Red Tails Race Team by helping the Palm Springs Air Museum send the Tuskegee Airmen and “Bunny” the P-51 Mustang to participate in this huge honor. Be part of it along with our incredible “Bunny” pilot Tom Nightingale! Even Tuskegee Airmen Lt. Col. Bob Friend is going at the age of 97 years old!
Lots of cool stuff coming your way for helping and it’s great fun! Please check it out and you truly have our biggest Thanks! Right here at… https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/red-tails-race-team
Evening Run Up
A little evening engine check before we left for the Air Fair at Big Bear Lake this past Saturday morning. This is the historic World War II fighter, the P-51 Mustang. This one named “Bunny”, it is dedicated to the famed “Red Tails” Tuskegee Airmen.
I am personally asking you to help me and the Palm Springs Air Museum in sending “Bunny” and the Tuskegee Airmen to the National Championship Air Races Reno in just a few weeks! Do it for me! Please! Every few bucks helps!
You will be a part of our “Red Tails Race Team” and get some cool stuff too! Check it out and Thanks… https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/red-tails-race-team
It Was A Playboy Bunny When I Was A Kid!
Reno Bunny!
Thought this is pretty great! My photo of the P-51 Mustang “Bunny” used for the poster for the “Red Tails Race Team”! The Palm Springs Air Museum has “Bunny” entered in the huge and very prestigious National Championship Air Races Reno coming up September 13th – 17th. “Bunny” commemorates the famed Tuskegee Airmen of World War II. And actually you can join the “Red Tails Race Team” and help send “Bunny” and the Tuskegee Airmen to Reno! You can also get this poster and some really cool stuff! Check it out at “Red Tails Race Team“! Please do and Thanks!
Reno Air Races Here I Come!
I am going to the Reno Air Races with “Bunny”! Even I am excited about this! I am the photographer for the Palm Springs Air Museum and we are taking “Bunny” to fly in the prestigious and exciting Reno 54th National Championship Air Races coming up fast next month September 13 – 17 2017!! YES!!
The Reno Air Race is the most unique air racing event and aviation experience in the world, combining the world’s fastest motor sport with spectacular military and civilian aircraft. Over 150,000 people each day will be watching pilot Tom Nightingale fly “Bunny” through her paces!
Our P-51 Mustang “Bunny” is designed to honor the famed Tuskegee Airmen of World War II. And in that honor, the Reno Air Racing Association will be joining us with some very special Tuskegee Airmen events!
You too will be able to join with us! Shortly we will have the details about Sponsorship Opportunities that could also put you right in the racing pits with us! Or you could also be a part of our “Red Tail Race Team” right from home!
So keep watching here and if you cannot wait to hear more ASAP, send me an e-mail to Ian@SecondFocus.com. Just WOW! Thanks!
Bunny Coming Home
Bunny is the P-51 Mustang “Bunny” who resides at the Palm Springs Air Museum. You find me there often, I am the Museum photographer and also manage their social media. Thanks!
The Very First!
The very first of a new monthly feature in the “Palm Canyon Paradise” newspaper! Brought to you by the publisher of the long running “The Sun Runner” with a print edition circulation of over 50,000. The “Palm Canyon Paradise” will cover the Coachella Valley. The monthly feature written and photographed by me! Great Fun and Thanks!
Mustang And Zero
Not something you see everyday for sure! The P-51 Mustang “Bunny” and a Japanese Zero starting up and headed out for the El Centro Air Show. Leaving the Palm Springs Air Museum where “Bunny” calls home, dedicated to Tuskegee Airmen Lt. Col. Bob Friend.
Taking Off In Bunny
Taking off in the P-51 Mustang “Bunny” from the Palm Springs Air Museum. On the way to do flyovers in honor of Tuskegee Airmen Lt. Col. Bob Friend, special guest in the President’s Day Parade at the Riverside County Fair in Indio California. Pilot Tom Nightingale. Always something going on at the Palm Springs Air Museum! More photos and video coming this way shortly!
The Colonel’s 97th Birthday
Tuskegee Airmen Lt. Col. Bob Friend. Celebrating the Colonel’s 97th birthday at the Palm Springs Air Museum. The P-51 Mustang “Bunny” flown by pilot Tom Nightingale doing flybys, restored as a replica of the famed Tuskegee Airmen “Red-Tail” P-51’s.
In Person Living History
Today, Saturday you will have an opportunity like none other. A celebration of the 97th birthday of Tuskegee Airman Lt. Col. Bob Friend. Another true guest of honor and Tuskegee Airman, Capt. Rusty Burns will be there too. Do not miss the chance to greet and meet these two American heroes. There will also be an honoring of World War II “Buffalo Soldier” George Edwards who recently passed away at the age of 96. At the Palm Springs Air Museum beginning at 1:00 PM. You will not only share in birthday cake but also see “Bunny” fly. The P-51 Mustang of Tuskegee Airmen fame!
Busy Day Flying
Last Saturday at the Palm Springs Air Museum. One of the Museum’s premier aircraft, piloted by the equally premier Tom Nightingale, headed out for takeoff. Waiting while the Stearman biplane comes back in to pick up another happy passenger.
“Bunny” is a P-51 Mustang restored and dedicated to the famed Tuskegee Airmen of World War II. And specifically to Lt. Col. Bob Friend. To this day you can find the Colonel often at the Air Museum and many times in the back seat of this very special aircraft.
Bunny P-51
The World War II P-51 Mustang “Bunny” at the Palm Springs Air Museum. Restored to the configuration of the famed Tuskegee Airmen and dedicated to Lt. Col. Bob Friend. Piloted by Tom Nightingale.
Tuskegee Airmen Heroes Of WWII
Off in the distance you see them, a P-40 Warhawk and a P-51 Mustang closing fast. No, not an old photo I found, but this last Saturday in the sky at the Palm Springs Air Museum.
P-40 Warhawk and P-51 Mustang
A celebration of the Tuskegee Airmen of World War II and the 96th birthday of Lt. Col. Bob Friend, the oldest living Tuskegee pilot, having flown 140 combat missions over Europe. This is the Colonel sharing his times with some of the many visitors to the Air Museum. Tom Nightingale, the pilot flying the P-40 and often flying partner with the Colonel says that he remembers names and times and places of almost every photo that people can bring up to him. And that the Colonel can go hours on end, over and over talking to people, doing photographs and signing autographs.
Tuskegee Airman Lt. Col. Bob Friend on his 96th birthday
The P-51 here is an airplane that has been restored in commemoration to the Colonel’s P-51, nicknamed “Bunny”, that he flew over Europe during the war. But this Saturday “Bunny” had another very special guest, Tuskegee Airman Rusty Burns! At 90 years old I can personally say this man got in and out of that airplane like a 25 year old. Even after a number of high speed passes down the runway, he was all smiles as he left the airplane off the front of the wing, not the closer to the ground back of the wing. Just like he said he always did!
Tuskegee Airman Rusty Burns getting ready to fly in the P-51 “Bunny”
Works For July 4th Too!
Works for July 4th too! We have Red, White and Blue! As usual I am at Muscle Beach photographing the July 4th bodybuilding and fitness show. But this was a truly special event with the Tuskegee Airmen honored on Memorial Day 2012 at Muscle Beach. From left to right, Tuskegee Airmen… Levi Thornhill, Buford Johnson, Edward Tillman, and Ted Lumplin.
Brig. Gen. Roger W. Teague, Vice Commander, Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base came to Muscle Beach to also be a part of this extraordinary day.
And giving everyone a reason to smile, Heather Clay, the overall Bikini Competition winner that day. She also gets my vote for absolute best salute of the day!
Tuskegee Airmen Flies His P-51 Mustang Again!
Lt. Col. Bob Friend, 95 years old, flying in the P-51D Mustang made famous when he flew as a Tuskegee Airmen in World War II. “Bunny” has been fully restored and now flying at the Palm Springs Air Museum. Back on the ground, the Colonel was greeted by Air Museum Director Fred Bell, the man who made the restoration of this great aircraft possible over the last three years. The P-51 pilot for the Colonel and Bunny was Tom Nightingale.
Bunny And Escorts
Bunny flew in yesterday with two of her friends. Bunny is the P-51 Mustang completely restored and dedicated to the famed Red Tails of the Tuskegee Airmen. A one and half year project of the Palm Springs Air Museum, yesterday a fly in and fly by of Bunny and two P-51 escorts. Truly an exciting sight and sounds!
The Unveiling Of Bunny
Last night at the Palm Springs Air Museum. In honor of the famed Tuskegee Airmen of World War II. A reception for the unveiling of the restored P-51 Mustang fighter plane “Bunny” which they flew into battle becoming among the most decorated and respected heroes in all of the United States Armed Forces.
With an appearance of Tuskegee Airmen welcomed by Air Museum Director Fred Bell and the model for the “Bunny” nose art by famed artist Stan Stokes.
On This Day 1941, The Tuskegee Airmen…
It was on this day, March 19th in 1941 that the 99th Pursuit Squadron was activated at Chanute Field in Rantoul, Illinois. These enlisted men became the core of other “black” squadrons who went on to be known as the Tuskegee Airmen.
It was my honor to photograph members of the Tuskegee Airmen honored on Memorial Day 2012 at world famous Muscle Beach. From left to right… Levi Thornhill, Buford Johnson, Heather Clay, Brig. Gen. Roger W. Teague, Edward Tillman, and Ted Lumplin.
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