Once again, we visited Ala Doble, near Esparto, CA, at the end of September 2025 for the invitational Fly-In and Marginal Aviation’s “Last Ditch.” It was a fabulous affair, with many of Walt Bowe and Carlene Mendieta’s aircraft flying, along with 30 or 40 other interesting vintage aircraft and warbirds in attendance.
New to the collection and flying this year were the Curtiss Jenny 2975, the Wright J-5 powered Waco ASO NC1826 in Northwest Airlines colors, and the Lincoln-Page LP-3 NC136W, which came from WAAM. The Lincoln-Page arrived in time for last year’s fly-in but had engine problems that are now resolved. Also flying were Curtiss P-40N N49FG/42-105861, this year’s Oshkosh Antique Grand Champion Travel Air 4000 ‘4264’ restored by Mark Lightsey, and the Reserve Grand Champion Waco CJC NC14013 restored by Rare Aircraft.
Not flying yet, Supermarine Spitfire 1A P9374 (N92SQ) arrived by road earlier in the year, while the Curtiss P-36C Hawk (ex-G-CIXJ/N80FR, now N336CW) is shortly due to arrive from Duxford.
Rick Atkin now has the Curtiss-Wright CW-A22 Falcon N500G to restore for Walt; it was recently part of the Evergreen Museum collection. Two more restorations are nearing completion: the Pasped Skylark NC14919, which was an Oshkosh award winner in 2002 following restoration by Tom Brown, but hasn’t flown in over a decade, is now being cleaned up and re-covered by Rare Aircraft. Also close to completion is the 1929 Cirigliano SC-1, a diminutive OX-5 powered biplane restored by Mark Zilinsky at Brodhead and nearly ready to fly.
It was wonderful to see Curtiss JN-4D Jenny 2975 make its first flight since arriving at Ala Doble on September 25, 2025, flown by Andrew King. This is the Jenny restored by Ken Hyde and flown from Virginia to Oshkosh in 1987, where it won Grand Champion Antique. It returned in 1989 for the “Jennies to Jets” year, when six Curtiss Jennies flew together— the last time I had seen more than one Jenny in the same place until now, with this aircraft and Walt’s JN-4H. Jenny 2975 was displayed for several years at the Virginia Aviation Museum in Richmond, later re-covered by Ken, and sold to the Fagen Fighters Museum in Minnesota in 2015. Walt purchased it earlier this year. The plan had been to fly both Jennies together, but high winds on Saturday prevented it—perhaps next year.
It was also great to see Curtiss JN-4H Jenny 3223, the Hisso-powered Jenny that Frank Schelling restored over more than 30 years. It was the Oshkosh Grand Champion Antique in 2004 and the Grand Champion at nearly every major fly-in. Sold to Walt Bowe a few years ago, it was flown several times by Andrew King, with a few lucky passengers getting rides.
Much anticipated is the return to flight of Grumman F8F-2 Bearcat N818F, originally restored by the Couches family in the early 1960s and last flown around 1965. Walt purchased it and brought it to Ala Doble, where it has undergone a thorough inspection, overhaul of main components, and replacement of all hydraulic, fuel, and electrical systems. The airframe is now being reassembled with systems in place and the overhauled engine ready to install. The plan had been to retain its yellow racing paint, but when masking tape pulled off some of the finish, it was decided to strip and repaint the aircraft—fortunately, in the same colors.
The Spitfire IA P9374 is well known, having been restored and flown at Duxford from 2011 to 2017 as G-MKIA. It was later bought by Ron Lauder on Long Island and registered N92SQ. The aircraft saw limited flying before being put up for sale with the rest of Lauder’s collection in 2024. Initially planned to fly back to California, the aircraft required significant work—including a cracked spinner—so it was dismantled and shipped to Ala Doble. An electric fuel pump and brake repairs are currently underway, with hopes for a flight this winter.
Curtiss P-40N N49FG (42-105861) served with the 5th Air Force before being abandoned at Dumpu Airport, Papua New Guinea, in May 1944. It was recovered in 1974 by Monty Armstrong for David Tallichet and shipped to Chino with other aircraft. Restored by John Fallis in Lafayette, Louisiana, beginning in the late 1990s, it’s a composite of three airframes and first flew in 2008. It was later sold to Gary Peters and then to Walt earlier this year.
We had eight OX-5 powered aircraft flying over three days—possibly a record—though we didn’t surpass last year’s total of five airborne at once. This time, four flew together on Friday evening and three different aircraft on Saturday morning. More might have flown later that day, but strong winds curtailed flying. Friday evening four OX-5 powered aircraft, NC136W 1928 Lincoln-Page LP3 flown by Andrew King, NC7744 1928 Fairchild KR-31flown by Mark Mondello, NC4779 1927 Waco 10 flown by Trevor Niemyjski and NC6974 1928 Waco GXE flown by Justin Niemyjski. What a fantastic sight! Saturday morning’s OX-5 flight included three different aircraft: Command-Aire 3C3 N583E flown by Joe Santana, American Eagle NC7157 flown by Andrew King, and Waco 9 ‘C2668 flown by Ted Davis.
In addition to multiple OX-5s, three Wright J-5 powered aircraft also flew together—something that likely hasn’t happened in decades. The Stearman C3 NC6438 departed late, so initially the Waco ASO NC1826 and Travel Air 4000 ‘4264’ flew in formation. When the Waco developed a minor issue and landed, the Stearman joined up with the Travel Air for another pass. The Waco was later fixed and flew again.
The Waco ASO NC1826 (built in 1927) was long owned by Dan Neuman in Minneapolis, who restored it in Northwest Airlines colors. Walt purchased it in 2023; Andrew King flew it from North Carolina to Brodhead that August. It was briefly sold to Mike George and moved to his Air Combat Museum in Springfield, Illinois, before being sold back to Walt. Andrew King ferried it to Ala Doble in August 2025.
Mark Lightsey took Frank Schelling for a flight in the 1928 Wright J-5 powered Travel Air 4000 ‘4264,’ which Mark restored. Initially, Frank had researched and gathered parts for the project but sold it to Walt before completion. Operated by Robertson Aircraft Corporation, this Travel Air was flown by Charles Lindbergh on a 1928 promotional flight following his Atlantic crossing. It was named Grand Champion Antique at Oshkosh 2025 and flown to Ala Doble from Brodhead by Andrew King just before the fly-in.
It was also great to see Curtiss P-40C NX295RL perform several flypasts. Now owned by Charles Somers and based nearby at McClellan, it was restored by Avspecs in New Zealand for Rod Lewis and is painted in the markings of George Welch’s P-40B from Pearl Harbor.
Fantastic to see the Luscombe Phantom NC275Y visiting — currently the only Phantom flying. Three more are nearing completion and should fly soon. This aircraft was beautifully restored by Rick Atkins for Walt Bowe, who later sold it to Chris Lehner. Thanks to Chris for bringing it from Oregon.
Walt flew his P-51A N51Z a couple of times, as did Bernie Vasquez, who also performed a beautiful display. P-51D Mustang “Little Horse” (NL51PE), operated by the Dakota Territory Air Museum, was flown by Vasquez several times, providing rides for a few lucky participants.
Grumman TBM-3E N93818 also visited, now owned by Greg Colyer and based at nearby Yolo County after many years in the Midwest.
On Thursday evening, just before sunset, Bernie Vasquez performed a spirited display in Curtiss-Wright B14R Speedwing NC12332 — the aircraft once owned and flown at numerous airshows by Vern Dallman, the previous owner of Ala Doble Ranch.
Other notable visitors included Lockheed 12A NC18906 (Les Whittlesey’s beautifully maintained example), Spartan 7W Executive N17658 (owned by Chris Galloway since 2022), and Ryan SCW NC18914 (flown by Russell Williams, as immaculate as ever).
Also present was the Bücker Jungmeister replica N133V, scratch-built by Jay Billmeyer from original drawings and powered by a Lycoming engine with a custom-designed cowl — far more elegant than most Lycoming conversions. Jay flew it all the way from Kalispell, Montana.
Thanks to Walt, Carlene, and everyone at Ala Doble — along with the Marginal Aviation volunteers — for another unforgettable event. It remains a gathering like no other. For more information about the Ala Doble Flying Collection, visit www.aladobleflyingcollection.org.
