Sun 'n Fun Fly-In & Expo

Heavily Armed War Bird

De Plane, de Plane and oh the planes, What descended on Lakeland Linder Regional Airport that week was a barrage of planes of all types and vintages as well as the entire RV world as we know it. The event is second largest of its type and getting bigger each year, only to be shadowed by the Oshkosh airshow which is the biggest in the country. Here you can walk among the planes of yesteryear as well as military and civilian aircraft, modified or straight up off the war plane assembly line. So many planes that in fact you needed a tram to view the different areas of the show grounds just to get a idea of our camp location. We joined our friends at Miss Betty's cow pasture complete with Heifers and Steers, (and you don't look like a Steer to me!). Our group consisted of two 40ft plus motor home RV's, one 38ft 5th wheel, one cab on camper all with multiple slides, bells and whistles. And us, a rooftop tent and ladder!

Overlanding by Plane

We were 15 people in all with two 3 row seating golf carts, one complete with flashing lights, passenger aviation style head sets and police siren strobe lights (we looked very official). Cruising around the tarmac day or night was half the fun. But the planes, the RV's and the people who came out for the Expo were incredible. People of all tax brackets and skills were there.

Fat Tyre Cub

Mr Airshow himself

Russian built Flight trainers

Home built from aluminum boat

Our camp was well stocked with seasoned Sun 'n Fun Fly-In & Expo goers. We were. equipped with restaurant cooking appliances, 24x20ft covered pavilion, 3 meals a day hosted by different camper/chefs with a posted menu board of the day's special and who was at the controls. Trixie and I had lunch duty- Grilled Garlic Farmer wings with Cheese Quesadillas, Cuke and Tomato salad served up late afternoon. No worries we still had time for dinner. That night Magaritas, Tacos Carnitas and a Tequila soaked Strawberry Trifle was the headliner! Chinga Ese!!

Top Gun

Flying Fortress original 1947

The airshow was spectacular both day and night, accomplished pilots and super modified aircraft was certainly the standard for such aerobatics. Precision flying with years of experience, practice and lots of money, the Aircraft are impeccable. A reenactment of the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Tora, Tora, Tora, was a show stopper complete with explosions and a dozen planes in the air at one time. Dive bombing Zeros, crippled bomb laden US flying fortress aircraft flying low trying to land with one gear down. A history lesson some 76 years ago.

Modified 1700hp Mustang

Show jumpers getting ready

My Fave Corsair

On the last day of the expo, the night show was out of control. Planes fitted with fireworks as they dove, climb, banked and twisted in the air like an everyday occurrence. If that wasn't enough from a host of well accomplished pilots, we experienced a fireworks display that was second to none, but wait..... with all that the crescendo was The Wall of Fire!!!