Report by D. Chaisson, Photos by: B. Sturkie and D. Chaisson
Although there was a “drive” as part of the event (a transit “stage” from Austin’s Coffen in Ripon to the Castle Air Museum, the event was really more about the “destination”, e.g. Castle Air Museum. That said, 44 members attended bringing over 25 Porsches’ — a pretty good sight zipping (consistnet with posted speed limits, of course) down Highway 99! The conga line had a variety of models from Dave Boyd’s 914 to late model 911’s, with a number of Boxster and Cayman’s in between!
About that 914, Dave was picking up Brian but the 914’s battery was having none of it! Dead. So, Dave and Brain were a bit late to the start having to jump the battery and get it set for the drive. No problem, webmaster, Don, and past president, Chuck, jumped in to start the safety briefing, details of the do’s and don’t’s and all that. Chuck was able to advertise his “Fall Colors Drive” looking to fill the last “spot” (PS.. no problem, Derrell Gilman raised his hand and registered then and there.) The spare time also allowed folks to catch up with each other and meet some new-is members joining the group for their first Yosemite Region drive!
Here they are!
Tom and Cheri Payne
Carrie Deakin and Kenny Kieffaber
Carolyn and Michael Moris
Bert and Corinne Pereira
The first destination was for a “pint” at the “Tarmac” at the base. Of course this was another chance to line up our cars in neat lines — which we would only expect on a (ex) Air Force Base!
Yosemite member, Bob Tyler is a docent at the Air Museum and set up two attractions for the event, one very special. He arranged for us to go to the resturation hanger(s) which is not generally available to the public. The other attaraction was a tour “into” a “Presidential Aircraft”.
First, the rsturation hanger, and another opportunity for a “group photo” — !!
The hanger was an ex B52 hanger, so it was HUGE. The museum gets all sorts of offers for planes, helicopters, jeeps, etc and sometimes, get things that folks (e.g. NASA) wants back! Restoration is 100% run by volunteers, some of whom already have special maintenance skills, others get “trained up” at the museum.
Here is a gallery of some of the sights in the shop.
The last part of the tour was a curated visit to the Presidential Aircraft VC-9C, a McDonnell Douglas commercial plane, one of three, that served the Ford, Carter, Reagan, G. Bush, Clinton and W. Bush administrations. Museum docents gave a short presentation of the history of the VC-9C. The plane was actually used by Regan, Clinton and a number of the administration’s VP’s. It also was the “favorite” of Nancy Regan, something to do with the “Tail Number: 73-1681. The plane’s range is short so the plane was used mostly for short hop/domestic flights.
Fun fact. There is NO “Air Force One” airplane! “Air Force One” is just the call sign for any plane that is flying the president. So, as soon as the president sets foot on the plane, its call sign is “Air Force One”.
The VC-9C plane had seats for secret service and military attache (the one with the launch code briefcase!), communications, nice big chair for the featured passenger, a couch and few extra, very cushy chairs in the front. Behind a bulkhead, there were rows of “first class” seats for the staff, press, etc. The galley was bigger than used for “commercial” models. The plan was in “service” for 39 years before being replaced.
After the Presidential Plane tour, members either headed home or enjoyed looking at some of the planes on display. All in all, a great destination and a fun, well attended event.
