Start 'em up and other wonders

Remember this airplane? Last July 31 I posted about it.

It's a North American T-28B Trojan, still dressed in the livery she wore in naval service with VT-27 at Corpus Christi.

The engine is (was last year anyway) a Lycoming-built R-1820-86 of 1,425 hp. Although a B model, the airplane is equipped with the shorter, C-model prop.

The Trojan is owned by Lee Griffin of North Pole, Alaska. A former USAF maintenance officer, Lee has quite a story.

Last year when Lee, his pilot, and his Trojan stopped by they were on their way home from Oshkosh. I didn't visit with them yesterday, but the timing indicates that they are on their way to the big air show, which starts Monday up in one of those mosquito-ridden northern states.

Anyway, yesterday as I drove out to check cattle and begin the day I espied the Trojan on the ramp and got there just in time for the engine start. What's better than that sound?



I visited with Dad and his little girl (with the taidragger in the video) for a few moments; they were out of Scottsbluff for nothing more than a morning VFR flyabout. How cool is that?

And now for the other wonder. In a month's time a monster will gobble up the sun. This is my only opportunity to witness a total here in God's Country. Unfortunately, we're south of the path of totality. We're scheduled for 95+ percent of total. Eighty miles up the road I can be right in the gut of darkness. Which is where I want to be. However, I'd also love to be on the ranch to experience and capture the experience at the home place. What to do?