<p>Chris Pocock has been covering the defense beat for AIN for over 30&nbsp;years. He is a British citizen and a graduate of the University of Cambridge. Chris worked in the air cargo business for ten years before becoming a full-time writer in 1983. He subsequently edited two air cargo journals before becoming AIN’s Defense Editor. He retired from that position in 2018, but still contributes to the publication. Chris has written extensively on aerial reconnaissance, including four books on the history of the U-2 spyplane. He also lectures on this and other topics related to intelligence-gathering in the Cold War.</p>


Defense Correspondent

Chris Pocock

<p>Billed as the fastest motorsport in the world, the Reno Air Races always attract a large crowd of spectators over five days. But entrants in the Unlimited class that prompts that description are dwindling. As a counterbalance, the jet class is growing, and&nbsp;<span style="font-size: 13.008px;">racers exceed 400 mph, as they do in the s</span>ports class. The other four classes also boast good participation.</p>
<p>Private pilot Bill Smith Jr. has been attending Reno as a spectator for 50 years. He has seen the Unlimited Class grow and decline, as the cost of maintaining and insuring those sensual warbirds has soared. Over recent time, prize money has dwindled from more than&nbsp;$700,000 to less than $100,000, as large sponsors have pulled out, he says. Still, Smith also enjoys the Sports and Jet classes, and each year brings a reunion of old friends.</p>
<p>Another informed observer told <strong>AIN</strong> that it costs a yearly $250,000 to keep a warbird in top shape for Reno. “In the case of a P-51 Mustang, why spend that money when you could convert it to a two-seater, and sell it for $2 million?” he added.<br>
</p><figure style="margin:0;">
<div style="margin-bottom:5px;"><img alt="P-51 Mustangs" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0d04dac6-d072-4f2d-a0df-e4587102a1d0" src="/sites/default/files/081reno_11-air-races-p-51-mustang.jpg" width="2100" height="1050" loading="lazy"></div>
<figcaption style="font-size:1.5rem;line-height:1.2;font-style:italic;">P-51 Mustangs have been the mainstay of the Unlimited class, but their number is dwindling. </figcaption>
</figure>

<p>Robin Crandall owns a Hawker Sea Fury named “Sawbones,”&nbsp;which&nbsp;is raced by Curt Brown. Crandall has been coming to Reno for 10 years, supported by various sponsors (12 this year) and an all-volunteer crew. During that time, the Wright R3350 engine that replaced the original Bristol Centaurus has been removed three times. Custom stainless steel exhaust stacks have been installed. A new propeller was installed this year. Crandall told <strong>AIN</strong> that the Sea Fury must be officially inspected each year, and insurance costs $17,000. Still, he owns a warbird that can reach 420 mph and is worth $1 million.<br>
</p><figure style="margin:0;">
<div style="margin-bottom:5px;"><img alt="Robin Crandall" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="bd1fe481-7363-4ec0-9fe7-50c6288d725c" src="/sites/default/files/081reno_9-air-races-robin-crandall.jpg" width="2056" height="1028" loading="lazy"></div>
<figcaption style="font-size:1.5rem;line-height:1.2;font-style:italic;">Robin Crandall poses with his Sea Fury “Sawbones”, one of only 10 in the US and 17 worldwide.</figcaption>
</figure>

<p>“Sawbones” would have been contending for top place in the “gold” final this year&nbsp;if the canopy had not blown off during practice. Brown was uninjured, and Crandall has a replacement back at his Minnesota base. The top dog for 2019 was Dennis Sanders in another Sea Fury, who clocked 403 mph round the eight-lap, near-63-mile circuit. There were 13 starters but only four finishers in this year’s series of Unlimited races.<br>
</p><figure style="margin:0;">
<div style="margin-bottom:5px;"><img alt="Dreadnought" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="02303218-d4e4-4290-8fe5-adbc1fd9c90f" src="/sites/default/files/081reno-1-air-races-dreadnought-sea-fury-by-frank-mormillio.jpg" width="2100" height="1050" loading="lazy"></div>
<figcaption style="font-size:1.5rem;line-height:1.2;font-style:italic;">The Sea Fury named Dreadnought and flown by Dennis Sanders rounds a pylon on its way to becoming this year’s Unlimited class winner.</figcaption>
</figure>

<p>The Jet class was won by Pete Zaccagnino flying an Aero Vodochody L-29 Delphin that reached 495 mph. L-39 Albatroses from the Czech airframer dominate this class. One is flown by Lachie Onslow, an&nbsp;Australian who flies to Reno each year to compete in a borrowed jet. He first came here 11 years ago to fly in the Formula 1 class. In Australia, he is a helicopter pilot providing support to mining companies and even to fishermen who&nbsp;want to be airlifted into remote gorges to pursue their hobby. “Reno gets into your blood, and it’s one big family here,” he told <strong>AIN</strong>.<br>
</p><figure style="margin:0;">
<div style="margin-bottom:5px;"><img alt="L-29 Delphin" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="16939ca6-eed5-4ba7-9ec9-de00228e47b7" src="/sites/default/files/081reno_3-air-races-l-29.jpg" width="2100" height="1050" loading="lazy"></div>
<figcaption style="font-size:1.5rem;line-height:1.2;font-style:italic;">An L-29 Delphin jet trainer. L-29s and L-39s from the Czech manufacturer dominate the Jet class.</figcaption>
</figure>
<figure style="margin:0;">
<div style="margin-bottom:5px;"><img alt="L-39" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="63be7fdc-72f6-4617-9074-1f0ada73e79e" src="/sites/default/files/081reno_4-air-races-l-39-drop-bear-lachie-onslow.jpg" width="2100" height="1050" loading="lazy"></div>
<figcaption style="font-size:1.5rem;line-height:1.2;font-style:italic;">This L-39 is named Drop Bear, a mammal unique to Australia. Pilot Lachie Onslow poses with suitably-disguised companion.</figcaption>
</figure>

<p>The Sport class attracts the largest number of entries—34 this year. One of them is veteran British pilot James Stringer. He is another Reno enthusiast who takes a long-haul flight to come each year. Stringer has a half-share in a U.S.-based RV Rocket 6 that he races here. Home in the UK, he owns a standard RV-6 that he built himself. The Sport class was won this year by Andrew Findlay flying a Lancair Super Legacy at 390.7 mph.<br>
</p><figure style="margin:0;">
<div style="margin-bottom:5px;"><img alt="Rocket 6" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="fea74f70-db20-4c56-bce6-e802f2eeed53" src="/sites/default/files/081reno_2-air-races-rocket-6.jpg" width="2100" height="1050" loading="lazy"></div>
<figcaption style="font-size:1.5rem;line-height:1.2;font-style:italic;">The Rocket 6 flown by UK-based pilot James Stringer taxis for takeoff and the Sport class race.</figcaption>
</figure>

<p>The next most numerous entry was for the Formula 1 class, won this year by Lowell Slatter flying "Fraed Naught" at an average 243 mph to beat 25 other contenders. There were 15 entrants for the T-6 class, won by Chris Rushing in an AT-6B at 235 mph. The final-day “gold” race for the Biplane class was canceled due to high winds. The “silver” race the day before was won by Alan Hoover in a Pitts S-1.<br>
</p><figure style="margin:0;">
<div style="margin-bottom:5px;"><img alt="T-6" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="9a442083-8a92-48c2-b3df-c1280b0809aa" src="/sites/default/files/081reno_12-air-races-t-6.jpg" width="1425" height="713" loading="lazy"></div>
<figcaption style="font-size:1.5rem;line-height:1.2;font-style:italic;">Fifteen Harvards and Texans contested this year’s T-6 race.</figcaption>
</figure>

<p>A new racing class next year will be the STOL Drag aircraft. They made a preliminary appearance this year, showing off their bizarre oversized wheels and shock-absorbing struts. They can land in just a few feet. Toby Roberts built his own Carbon Cub with the help of three friends in only 81 days. He told <strong>AIN</strong> that most owners are self-funded. He flies into fields with four-foot-high grass in the Alaskan outback, to shoot moose.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, the Polish-built PZL Wilga belonging to current STOL Drag world champion Mike Patey was destroyed on takeoff after the races. Patey, his wife, and another passenger were unhurt.<br>
</p><figure style="margin:0;">
<div style="margin-bottom:5px;"><img alt="PZL Wilga" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="918e42b0-251f-4209-9b72-a87b305b9cc9" src="/sites/default/files/081reno_5-air-races-pzl-wilga-draco.jpg" width="2100" height="1050" loading="lazy"></div>
<figcaption style="font-size:1.5rem;line-height:1.2;font-style:italic;">This PZL Wilga STOL Drag aircraft was destroyed on takeoff after the show. These uniquely modified machines will form a new racing class at Reno next year.</figcaption>
</figure>

<p>If spectators get tired of the racers, there is plenty more to interest them at this show. The U.S. armed forces bring combat aircraft, helicopters, and airlifters for static display. This year, the U.S. Air Force flew the Thunderbirds F-16 demo team. There was also a static display of immaculately restored vintage aircraft, competing for the National Aviation Heritage Invitational Award. This year's honors&nbsp;went to Chris Galloway and his 1931 Waco QCF.&nbsp;<br>
</p><figure style="margin:0;">
<div style="margin-bottom:5px;"><img alt="A-10 Thunderbolt" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="38c20c8d-391a-40ca-b372-1aa84718de6b" src="/sites/default/files/081reno_10-air-races-a-10-thunderbolt.jpg" width="2100" height="1050" loading="lazy"></div>
<figcaption style="font-size:1.5rem;line-height:1.2;font-style:italic;">This A-10 Thunderbolt (also known as the “Warthog”) was one of many US military aircraft that were available for inspection in the static park.<br>
</figcaption>
</figure>

<p>Also on view were two Phenom business jets belonging to Embraer:&nbsp;a 100EV and a 300. Taylor Richards, a business development executive with Embraer, told <strong>AIN</strong> that the company sold a 300E at Reno last year. “We always get serious inquiries here&nbsp;and convert some of them into sales later,” he said.<br>
</p><figure style="margin:0;">
<div style="margin-bottom:5px;"><img alt="Cessna 195" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="7cb61e93-e9ab-4e66-a1bd-dbb9b792ceb7" src="/sites/default/files/081reno_8-air-races-cessna-195.jpg" width="2100" height="1050" loading="lazy"></div>
<figcaption style="font-size:1.5rem;line-height:1.2;font-style:italic;">his Cessna 195 was one of some 20 entrants for the National Aviation Heritage Invitational Award.</figcaption>
</figure>

<p><em>Chris Pocock</em>&nbsp;<em>would like to thank Nicole Latva and her media support staff for their outstanding assistance.</em></p>


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