Smithville Lake Air Show: Midwest Aerial Entertainment By Land and By Sea

By Leo Cachet

The Aero Experience was back again for the second consecutive year at the Clay County Smithville Lake Air Show.  This year's airshow again proved to be a tremendous aerial event and a great Midwest Aviation experience.  

Upon arrival at the Midwest National Air Center, the airport hosting the Jesse James Outlaw Air Show later this year in August, I met John McCullaugh, a fellow photographer and friend of The Aero Experience.  We talked about this year's airshow and shared some stories while we waited for Jeff Shetterly, Lee Crouch , Brian Correll and Vincent Hill to coordinate the air to air photo shoot they were about to launch.  

Following the photo flight, the air show briefing was held and then it was off to meet up with the Missouri State Patrol Marine Division at Smithville Lake as I would be on the water in one of their boats to photograph the show.  This type of photography comes with it's own challenges, which I enjoy, and allows for a unique perspective of the aircraft flying in the show.

The flying itself was superb.  Brian Correll started off the show flying Jake Landis' black and yellow Pitts.

The Beech Nuts were next with a unique formation flight of various Beechcraft aircraft, including a beautiful missing man tribute.

As the Beech Nuts exited the show box, Bob Richards came diving into the show box in his red and white Pitts, flying a great show and occasionally flying low and slow over the water giving everyone a great look at his aircraft.

Sam Graves and Jeff Shetterly flew in formation to the delight of everyone in attendance.  Graves flew the AT-6 Texan with German markings and Shetterly flew his newly painted SNJ.  The unmistakable sound of the two big radial engines and the whining of the props filled the air as they made several passes through the box.

Jeff Shetterly then flew his aerobatic routine in the SNJ flying beautiful loops and barrel rolls and a low dirty pass just above the water.

Greg Shetterly flew his Ruhn DR-107 One Design red, white and black aerobatic plane like a pro. 

Vincent Hill and the KC Flight Team took their turns impressing the Clay County Smithville Lake Air Show.  Hill flew his very attractive chrome and red T-28 Trojan across the show line several times in high speed, low altitude passes.  Then the KC Flight team flew several different formations above Smithville Lake.

Brian Correll and Bob Richards teamed up for the finale of this years show flying their Team Vortex act, consisting of several opposing maneuvers designed to get the adrenaline going for those watching from the ground.

The Aero Experience would like to thank Lee Crouch for inviting us to cover this great event.  We look forward to our return trip in August for the Jesse James Outlaw Air Show, which promises to be one of the best shows in the Midwest Aviation for 2016.

New Midwest Airshows Strengthen Aviation Community: The Jesse James Fly-In/Airshow and Smithville Lake Airshow

By The Aero Experience Team

The Aero Experience was on site for two new events held in western Missouri Saturday, August 1st. The Jesse James Fly-In & Airshow was held first at Midwest National Air Center in Excelsior Springs, MO, and then the same performers flew a show later in the day over nearby Smithville Lake.  We were privileged to cover both performances and had our first chance at photographing performing aircraft from boats in the lake during the show. We would like to thank Lee Crouch for putting this great event together, which for such short notice was well attended. Thank you also to the volunteers and the law enforcement community who supported our coverage of the day's events.

Heartland Airshows provided their professional brand of production and commentary for the day's events keeping everyone "in the loop" (pun intended) on the aerial action.  The weather cooperated and the performers were on point with their flying, which made for a great Saturday of aerial excitement. 

The Aero Experience coverage features the performances from both the ramp side and the action-packed airshow line from Midwest National Air Center.  We then proceeded to Smithville Lake, where we captured the lakeside airshow.

Jesse James Fly-In & Airshow, Midwest National Air Center 

Performers included Team Vortex, featuring Brian Correll and Bob Richards flying their solo routines along with their combined routine that includes opposing maneuvers and high- power aerobatics.  It was really a treat to see them again a month removed from their performance in Cameron back in late June.

  

Lee Crouch also took to the sky in his beautiful new red Super Stearman, which really puts out some smoke. He provided us with several nice low passes.  

























  

Sam Graves was also back in his beautiful P-40 Warhawk. He showed us what a well maintained WWII fighter could do in skilled hands, including a small glimpse of what it might have looked like at Midway as he brought it down low over Smithville Lake (see next section).

 

The KC Flight Formation Team performed with 4 RV's, showing us several different formations and the smooth transitions the small RV's can make.

Greg Colyer flew his T-33 "Ace Maker" in a dynamic demonstration showing the speed and grace that the T-33 possesses, making high arching passes and high speed, low passes that awed those in attendance.

 

The boating community was also able to view the airshow two hours later when the performers launched again from Midwest National Air Center and flew over Smithville Lake.  The Aero Experience was there to provide this coverage: