FORMER ENEMIES MEET

Air Classics, Sep 2004

Classic fighters over Castle

The former Castle AFB in California's central valley is becoming home to an increasing number of if Warbirds and vintage aircraft. A former Strategic Air Command base that last housed B-52s and F-106s, Castle has a massive runway, huge ramp areas, and many hangars and buildings plus the adjacent town of Atwater is extremely friendly to these types of flying machines (the city also maintains the large air museum that was left behind by the departing USAF).

Harold Kindsvater keeps his immaculate Hispano HA-1112-M1L N109W at the field and when it came time on 4 June for the annual Merced antique airplane fly-in (located just a few miles south of Castle) an ideal photo opportunity presented itself. Several Mustangs were going to be stopping at Castle and we made arrangements for a quick formation flight - putting the Hispano together with the Mustangs. The Mustang is not a particularly large fighter but with the Hispano alongside one can really compare the small size of the German-designed fighter with its former enemy.

Skip Holm was piloting the Hispano while Dan Martin, Harold Kindsvater, and Jim Martinelli did the honors with the P-51Ds. The short flight to Merced was enjoyable and the spectators certainly were enthused by the chance of seeing this unique formation. Since then, Skip has successfully test flown the CAF's Hispano HA-1112-M1L at Oklahoma City and this aircraft will now be a regular performer on the airshow circuit.