Reno Nahi awards

Air Classics, Dec 2003 by Nygate, Merle

Upset in the desert over Reno! Corsair shot down by a Piper L-4 and a Beech Staggerwing at the Rolls-Royce National Aviation Heritage Invitational Awards. As a Warbird and Classic aircraft owner and somewhat of a historian, I have watched since the beginning of the Rolls-Royce trophy program.

It was my understanding that this group was to recognize and reward the preservation of aviation history. If that is indeed true, how then could the EAA 2003 Grand Champion Corsair be shot down by an L-4 and Staggerwing?

Oshkosh set the standard by which these aircraft are judged. EAA Warbird judges made the FG-ID a winner - I agree, this aircraft is absolutely a gorgeous restoration. I was shocked at the decision of NAHI judges so I went to their website to see what criteria was used in judging these aircraft. I found they were using the same format as the EAA!

Obviously, the NAHI doesn't even follow their own criteria. I wonder from what sanitarium Rolls-Royce pulled these judges? They should have listened to the public who voted the Corsair as their top choice. The FG-ID certainly would have been first on my dance card. I feel the NAHI has lost their credibility. I hope I'm not alone in my thinking.

Merle Nygate

Tonopah, NV