Phyllis Photographer and Graphic Designer
The Red Baron Acrobatic Team
I was very fortunate to get a ride with the Red Baron Acrobatic Team when they flew in the 2006 Valiant Air Command's Air Show. All four Stearmans headed out to the ocean where they put the planes through maneuvers like they would do in an air show. They put me in the slot plane (X marks where the slot plane would be) so I could direct the pilot where I wanted to go to get my photos. The slot plane could leave the formation without affecting the other planes. My pilot, John, told me to let him know if I started to feel queasy and he would pull out of the maneuvers...I was just getting to the queasy point when he keyed up and said we were done, WHEW! The pilots invited me to lunch when we got back and I took a pass. It was an experience I will never forget.
Up-date: Red Baron team was disbanded in 2007 by its owner, Schwan Food Co. of Marshall, Minn.
Click on each photo for a larger view.
John, the pilot and me. I forgot my white scarf.
Information tag on the dash of my cockpit. Click on the picture for a larger view.
My view from the cockpit.
Check the crazy gas gauge on the right.
Heading to the ocean for practice maneuvers. The red X is where the slot plane would normally be.
Interesting shot.
Built in mirror in the wing so the pilot can check on his passenger.
They really do fly that close to each other.
Heading home and you know what the red X is for.
Of couse I need a shot of me with the pilots
Peggy Cannot, The Red Baron PR Person, told me they were going to hang these two photos in their museum.
