Geneseo, NY — The weekend of July 8, 2016 saw another edition of the Greatest Show On Turf. This annual event is held by the National Warplane Museum and attracts airshow fans from around the country and beyond borders. The allure of this airshow doesn’t begin with the grass strip. It starts the moment the wheels roll off the asphalt and onto the unpaved road leading to the air field.
As one drives down the sloped road, the entire field is visible. It is obvious that seeing the aircraft lined up on the field is all the allure one needs, but to be able to get to the air field at day break or camp out at the air field, makes it unique. Geneseo is know for its lighting. Optimal lighting conditions exist for great part of the day. So why not take advantage of everything this picturesque location has to offer?
Arriving at the crack of dawn, Air Museum Network, joined up with Chris Ranney of Long Haul Photography for a sunrise shoot. The setting was perfect. The aircraft rested quietly on the grass field and the sun began to peek above the horizon. With the exception of two sleepless photographers and less than a handful of security personnel, the field was deserted. Now is the time to photograph warbirds without human interference.
The headliners of the Greatest Show On Turf were all concentrated in what would be considered the “hot ramp”. This worked perfectly because the window of opportunity in a sunrise shoot is not a big one. Time is a factor and every shot counts. Up in the sky, a battle was brewing. The air shows Gods and Demons were clashing above and the epic clash created glory splendor.
After the sun rose the first fans began to arrive. Soon Scott “Scooter Yoak”, Andrew McKenna, Jim Tobul would start their engines and entertain the crown and Randy Ball in his Mig 17F would tear up the afternoon sky. As for the epic battle, with the exception of a light late morning shower, the airshow gods prevailed.
