For many aviation enthusiasts, the year revolves around the week of AirVenture in Oshkosh. The anticipation leading up to that week is much like we felt about Christmas when we were youngsters. After that week, there is naturally the realization that Oshkosh is over with for another year. This condition, Post-Oshkosh Blues, can be quite depressing. For those of us located in The Midwest, we have a remedy for the Post-Oshkosh Blues. Annually, the Sunday following the last day of AirVenture is the date for the Applegate Fly-In. Located west of Hwy. 63 and just south of Queen City, MO, Applegate Airport is situated amongst the lush green fields of soy beans and corn which is so prevalent in North Missouri and Southern Iowa.
Stearmans at Applegate (N2S-1 and PT-17)
The forecast for this year's Applegate fly-in, Sunday, August 9, 2010, wasn't promising. The weather gurus were predicting a very hot day with high humidity and unfriendly winds. This year's forecast didn't deter aviators from maneuvering their aircraft in for a wonderful day of visiting with friends, eating good food, relaxing in the shade or on the cool grass, checking out some show quality airplanes, and enjoying the aerobatic flying. It was very warm but no one seemed to notice since the entire summer has been very warm.
Aeronca warbirds (L-3 and L-16)
The cross section of aircraft at Applegate was amazing. It is not that common to have military Stearman trainers grace our little airport. This year we had two. D.C. Kirkpatrick brought his yellow Navy N2S-1 from Lawson, MO. The blue/yellow PT-17 belongs to David Carmen. Rex Ott’s silver Aeronca L-16 sat next to the Hollon’s Aeronca L-3 and made for an interesting comparison. One of the nicest Meyers OTWs around belongs to Jim and Becky Jones from Newton, IA. There was no mistaking the beautiful red and black biplane when it entered the pattern. Two Cessna 195s (including the one Harve and Carolyn Applegate once owned), a couple real nice Cessna 170s, a pair of Maules, and several other airplanes ranging from Aeroncas to Wacos made for picturesque photo opportunities.
Aerobatics
An airplane is more than just a machine to the owner. An airplane has the ability to whisk the pilot into the heavens in such a way as to eliminate earthly worries and concerns for at least a little while. We are truly lucky to be the caretakers of these wonderful instruments.
Cessna 195
Soon a trio of airplanes could be seen slowly navigating from the north. The aircraft weren’t the Red Baron and two of his henchmen but Les "Sparky" Gaskill in his yellow Cub, Ben Taylor in the Air Power Museum's’s Pietenpol and Brent Taylor in what appeared to be a blue Interstate Cadet with a "red nose." The Interstate, belonging to AAA Founder & President Robert Taylor, was damaged 5 years ago when a tornado decided to visit Antique Field. The tornado refused to join A.A.A. so was asked to leave. It was good to see “Rudolph” flying once again.
Alvin Musser strikes a pose
All too soon, the sun was getting lower in the western sky creating long shadows. Pilots manned aircraft and departed to their home airports. Everyone had a wonderful time and no one voiced any complaints. At the end of the day, the official tally was 44 airplanes flown in. After adding the 10 planes based at Applegate, we had an impressive 54 airplanes in attendance at this year’s Fly-In.
Ben taxies out in the AAA Pietenpol
Jim and Becky Jones fly by in their Meyers OTW
This Cessna 195, formerly owned by the Applegates, felt right at home.
Cessna 120 was highly polished.
Brent, in "Rudolph", makes a high speed pass.
Story by Audie Hollon
