Eight airplanes mix it up with enthusiast cars at the Third Annual Concours Du Vin Classico (& Fly-In).
Thanks to Melody & Jurgen Otto, aircraft owners were invited to participate in the this year's Concours held at their home and Otto Intergalactic AirPark. In addition to a pair of 1970s Beechcraft V35B Bonanzas, below, owned by the
hosts, there was a pair of restored vintage military aircraft at the show. Don Marteney owns and flies the incredible (real) ‘42 Boeing
Stearman A75N2S-3 biplane, above. It was built for the Navy and is now powered by an upgraded 450 horsepower Pratt & Whitney R-985. Finished in
brightly polished aluminum, Brad Neat’s ’42 Vought Vultee BT-13, above, top, powered by a 450-horsepower Pratt & Whitney R-985, was originally built for the Army Air Corps.
Ron and Rita Bernot, who usually show a customized C6 Corvette, decided to fly in for the show in their turbocharged ’02 Piper Saratoga TC, parked next to the V-Tail Bonanzas. Walt Mainberger, a hardcore Austin-Healey guy, opted to fly in with friend and retired Navy pilot, Gene Rogers, in Rogers’ beautifully restored ’56 Cessna 172, next to the Vought Vultee.
Café Racers Henry and Hank Hinman, brought two of Henry’s planes. His restored ’71 Piper Aztec E Twin, above, is one of the finest examples of this plane in the world and has been the “centerfold” feature in a major publication. Both father and son earned their multi-engine ratings on this stunning plane. Henry’s red two-seat AirCam, below, powered by a pair of Rotax motors, is modeled after a purpose-built (for National Geographic magazine) plane used for low altitude photography in the Amazon!
Listening to the Vultee and Stearman ready for takeoff was a treat that most car show goers are not used to. It even drowned out racecars being loaded on trailers!
Photography by Sharon Schorr.
For more information about the Sarasota Café Racers and the Car Guys Who Lunch, please visit, www.SarasotaCafeRacers.com