I heard about it last night.
A little about the guys...
Jim LeRoy started out his career in my neck of the woods. He was a member of our local aerobatic chapter and I've known him for years. When I first heard the news - they weren't sure who of the three made it.
Jimmy Franklin was a legend. Jimmy and his son, Kyle, were one of the best shows on the network. His WACO with the Jet Engine was hilarious at first - with a beautiful old biplane emitting Jet Engines performance. It was amazing. Always the showman, he was always looking for better ways to entertain the audiences.
Besides being one of the most entertaining airshow performers, he was also an accomplished movie stunt pilot. He performed in the Rocketeer, Three Amigos and McBain (among others). In the Rocketeer, he flew the WACO from the front - while the actor, Billy Campbell, sat in the back.
Bobby Younkin was also a legend. I'm sorry to say I have never met him. The plane he was flying, Samson, is a Curtis Pitts design with a M14P - Round Russian Engine - with nearly 400 hp. It's an wonderful machine.
The Masters' of Disaster sequence was amazing to watch - but always looked dangerous. I guess that was the great attraction. I've seen the video tape a dozen times already and it seems the Younkin was lost in the smoke and Franklin didn't see him. We'll never know.
My heart breaks for them and their families.
Ping
I saw these guys perform in Janesville, WI on June 11.
It was the most amazing air show performance I'd ever seen. It was clear they were pushing the envelope. Sad to lose them.
Jimmy and Kyle Franklin perfomed in Indiana at the Porter county airshow in 2003. It was a memorable show. I still get goosebumps when I think about that jet powered Waco and the acceleration it had, not to mention the thrill of sound that jet engine would produce when he kicked it in. They will be missed.
K, ignore my PM, I did a search and found the mstory here.
Just Damn...
Ping.
Prayers for the pilots and their families.