Prose & Photography: Richard Souza

Seldom do we realize how often we look up at the wild blue. For me, it is a pastime. After a long day at work, I sometimes find myself in a parking lot looking up. The clouds creep in like random thoughts which give the sky context and the clouds added texture. Eventually, an aircraft enters the scene and brings motion to the backdrop. It’s those moments that make me ponder… What would it have been like to hear and see a flying machine a hundred years ago?

I remember the days when the only colors on television were black and white. I recall seeing old silent movies of men and women walking on wings and some pilots flying biplanes into barns. While entertaining, it was old, black, and white and the plane had a propeller and flew slowly. Barnstorming, they called it. To me, it was just another crazy thing they did in the olden days, just like flappers, gangsters, and the Charleston.

I grew up on the fringes of aviation. No one in my Family is or was a pilot. Raised in an Air Force environment, my little Zuluself was hobnobbing with pilots, you know, the real pilots, of the military variety. That was my world and that’s all that mattered. Films like Strategic Air Command, The Hunters and Bridges at Toko-Ri only solidified my belief that military pilots and their planes were the center of the universe. Sure, there were other movies with aircraft: Those Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines, The Blue Max, Wings. Yeah, they were nice but, the planes were made of wood, fabric, and wire, and just didn’t jazz me. By 1976, my military bias was showing in all its glory. In school, I studied aviation history. I remember eagerly waiting to reach the chapter on the jet age. I failed to find anything fascinating about Jurassic aviation. When that movie with that pretty boy came out, I had no interest in watching it. Never have. Who cares? Who is Waldo Pepper anyway?

I don’t think it is a universal rule, but perspectives in life change as we get older. The hope is that a person can outgrow certain opinions and shift their outlook. Others can be raised a bigot and can die a bigot. All it really takes is seeing life through a different view finder. Much like life, photography is an evolution. It is through the glass that a simple image, object, or perspective can morph into something positive and uplifting as art. Living life through the viewfinder has changed how I see the world. It was through photography that I crossed paths with those who would leave a lasting impression, some through friendship, some with a photograph and others without saying one word.

When I look back, I realize that every airshow and event was a crossroad. Over a decade ago, without realizing it, I embarked on a journey. I went down the aviation photographer’s rabbit hole. At every intersection, I would ask and follow the directions given. As time passed, my views and opinions on vintage aviation would change. The subject of my first Air to Air shoot was a 1918 Curtiss Jenny. While everyone involved in that shoot would become a friend, it wasn’t enough to change my views. I was still a rip-roaring jet guy.

I once met a guy who knew a guy who told me about a guy who organized an aviation photography challenge. It was through Kevin Donnegan’s 30-day Instagram challenges that I met a gent with the unusual moniker “The Old Barnstormer”. Andrew King is a pilot, or better yet, he’s an Aviator that has logged over 5,000 hours in 155 different aircraft types. Andrew first soloed in 1978 at Hampton Field New Hampshire and grew up around The Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome and the Great Cole Palen. This Flying Encyclopedia is more interesting than the most interesting man on earth. Since meeting Andrew, I have had the opportunity to photograph much of the Golden Age Air Museum’s Collection. The further Andrew pointed me down the vintage aircraft road, the more I wanted to know about this Barnstormer.

When the moment was right, I reached out to Andrew and told him I wanted to drive out to his place to photograph him and his trusted ride, the 1928 Travel Air 4000 “Miss Mariana”. The response I received was unexpected. It was a “No”… well kind of… maybe. The “NO” was followed by… “You need to go to Ohio”. Besides being the birthplace of aviation and home to one of the largest aviation museums, what can possibly be in Ohio? 

Soon after, I received an invitation to a Barnstormer Carnival. I figured if I was willing to drive four hours to hang out with Andrew, why not tack on another three? It would also give me a chance to hook up with local friend and photographer Courtney Caillouet.

It was a calm summer Friday when Courtney and I arrived at Springfield-Beckley Airport outside of Dayton Ohio. This was the chosen venue for the carnival. The set up was still taking place and besides Andrew’s 1954 Bucker Jungmann and Travel Air, only a couple of other vintage aircraft were parked on the tarmac. At first glance, things were looking as blank as the Beatles White album cover. It was still early, and things were about to unfold.

As it turns out, Andrew was one of a tight knit crew that helped put this event together. This team of friends pool resources to bring a taste of aviation yesteryear to a quiet corner of Ohio. Many pilots responded to the invite and flew in to attend this annual canrnival. They would fly in from around the corner or a neighboring state. Everyone who showed up seemed to be a part of some secret barnstormer society. Instead of greeting each other, they would ask a challenge question “Do you know Dewey?” There were some that figured it was easier to wear a T-shirt with the same question stamped on the back. My question was, what’s a Dewey? The answer seemed to lie with a young man wearing a t-shirt saying, “I’m Dewey”.

Dewey Davenport is the Pilot in Command of this Barnstormer Carnival. Dewey first organized this event 8 years ago to give back to the community and inspire children and people of all walks of life, by sharing his passion for not only aviation, but vintage aviation. Like Andrew, Dewey is an experienced Pilot and Barnstormer. These two Airman friends operate vintage biplanes that were purposely designed years ago to give rides. 

During the fair-weather seasons, they give passengers the open cockpit biplane experience. This carnival brings back the carnival vibes of the golden age of aviation. It is also the kickoff to vintage aviation-filled days that culminate with the annual pilgrimage to Airventure in Oshkosh Wisconsin.

Some things have never changed. If you place a sign saying “Biplane Rides” the people will come. The adults were just as wide eyed as the pint size mini-me’s they ushered around. A biplane ride is a unique experience that is well worth the pesos. Each flight took two to four passengers. The long line at the registration tent was the sign of a busy day. Andrew and Dewey, backed up by friend and pilot Jared Granzow, flew sortie after sortie, from early morning, to well into the evening. It was more than evident that this crew was dedicated to spreading aviation gospel according to the book of Waldo.

When Andrew instructed me to go to Ohio, I did not know that it was part of some diabolical master plan. Little did I know that I was being converted. Dewey had made his Aeronca Champ available to me. Young pilot Cameron Ward was to be my photo ship pilot for what turned out to be multiple air to air shoots. No sooner we would land, we were instructed to go back up for another shoot. It was then, in the air, that I saw the beauty. The beauty of vintage flight. The look of their faces as they do what they love and the look of a child with their arm stretched out waving at me as I capture the moment was priceless. As Cameron turned to final and prepared to land, I felt joy. Tears began clouding my vision and the feeling was overwhelming. I felt so blessed.

I am a photographer that tells stories. I set out to tell the story of Andrew and I was going home with more stories than I can tell without rewriting War and Peace. What I can say is that I went on this journey searching for E.T. and I ended up on the mothership. I discovered a unique breed of aviator. One who packs a plane, lands in a field and isn’t afraid to sleep under the stars. They carry on the spirit of those intrepid men and women of one hundred years ago. I also learned something about myself. I finally came to terms with the fact that I was an aviation snob.

As I looked around, I noticed many pilots and aircraft owners walking the Barnstormer walk and talking the Barnstormer talk. Billy Joel once wrote a song about the patrons of a bar. The Piano Man has nothing on the cast of characters I found at this festival. There was no John at the bar or Davy still in the Navy; instead you had Barefoot Badger with his Pietenpol and 1956 Cessna 172 affectionately known as “Disco Ball”, artist Douwe Blumberg with his flying pig and renown master fabricator Jim Hammond flying his pristine Fairchild PT-19. By sporting a super gorgeous Clipped wing Monocoupe 110, I am sure Kelly Mahon could be a movie star. Serving petrol on tap is Assistant Airport Manager (and Photographer) Brittany Elise. Coordinating a ground support team, Brittany and the airport crew provided much needed logistical support, not only for the carnival, but any pilot and aircraft making a stop at Springfield-Beckley airport.

As the last passengers exited the airport, the aircraft were tied down to rest. Everyone that was a part of the carnival then gathered at the Mills Park Hotel for the after party. I met a lot of good people that weekend, and being able to sit at a table with those who were strangers only hours before, gave me a feeling of acceptance. Dewey got up and said a few words to this crew of folks that put everything aside to spread the love of aviation. At that moment, I gained the courage and publicly announced that I had never seen the movie “The Great Waldo Pepper”. 

Once I uttered those words, I fully expected to be tossed out like a drunk cowboy from a saloon. In some circles, this would be considered an insult, but not there. They all chuckled and Dewey said, “don’t come back until you see it”. I think Dewey saw that my perspective had changed.

True to their Barnstormer ritual, they ended the evening at Young’s Jersey Dairy Farm for ice cream. As we walked out the door, rain drops began to fall. I said farewell and exiled into the night. I had a lot of road time to think about the wonderful experience and amazing people that I met on this journey. It would take me some months but one night, free from the shackles of bias, I sat down and watched “The Great Waldo Pepper”. As the credits rolled, I felt I had reached the other side of the rabbit hole. I found a universe of down to earth good people that live by a simple code. Without saying a word, Andrew taught me how to appreciate and love the freedom, simplicity, and beauty of those magnificent flying machines.

Barnstormer Carnival July 15 & 16, 2023 - Springfield Beckley Airport, Springfield Ohio.
For more information go to - Barnstormingcarnival.com or visit gobiplanerides.com