Tag Archives: The Reno Gazette

WarBirdBabe Blog Stats – 2010 in Review

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Hello and Happy New Year WarBirdBabe Followers!

We thought you might like to see our viewer statistics for 2010.  I thought they were interesting and encouraging since we’re a “one gal show” at this point – with lots of room for expanding our photo galleries and stories.  

We would love to hear your thoughts about the blog, perhaps suggest some interviews you’d like to see in the future, or request postings of  your favorite War Bird Aircraft and last, but not least,  storey topics you’d like covered. 

We’d also like to post your interesting photos of  War Bird Aircraft or Military Service Men and Women.   All we need is an accurate description of who, what, where and when … and, if you don’t have all the details, perhaps one of our WarBirdBabe followers may have the answers you need!

Currently we’re editing a fantastic two-hour interview with Bob Hoover where he discusses the humble beginnings of the Reno National Championship Air Races and his current business venture. 

Another video will air this year with Jet Pilot Curt Brown and Journalist Guy Clifton of the Reno Gazette. 

We’ll also be posting more than 500 photos throughout the year from the recent Air Races and are in the process of accumulating photos from the archives of fans whose parents and/or grandparents served in WWII as Bomber Pilots and/or Crew.

Many thanks to all who have provided interviews and to those who have visited the WarBirdBabe blog and have taken the time to make comments in 2010 – we appreciate that very much. 

We hope to see you again and again in 2011 and look forward to providing an outstanding War Bird Aviation site – one worth telling your aviation friends about and visiting often!

God Bless and God Speed to all for this new year…

Kimberley West – WarBirdBabe

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The stats helper monkeys at WordPress.com mulled over how this blog did in 2010, and here’s a high level summary of its overall blog health:

Healthy blog!

The Blog-Health-o-Meter™ reads Fresher than ever.

Crunchy numbers

Featured image

A Boeing 747-400 passenger jet can hold 416 passengers. This blog was viewed about 3,200 times in 2010. That’s about 8 full 747s.

In 2010, there were 20 new posts, growing the total archive of this blog to 29 posts. There were 107 pictures uploaded, taking up a total of 4gb. That’s about 2 pictures per week.

The busiest day of the year was September 20th with 136 views. The most popular post that day was Photo Gallery from Photog Jim Loveless.

Where did they come from?

The top referring sites in 2010 were indytransponder.blogspot.com, facebook.com, bayarearidersforum.com, en.wordpress.com, and mail.yahoo.com.

Some visitors came searching, mostly for heather penney, blue angels, steve hinton jr, rare bear, and tom aberle phantom.

Attractions in 2010

These are the posts and pages that got the most views in 2010.

1

Photo Gallery from Photog Jim Loveless September 2010
3 comments

2

Interview with Heather Penney Pilot of L-29 Raju Grace October 2010

3

Saturday, September 19, 2009 – Morning Photos & Heat Results September 2009
1 comment

4

Thursday, September 17, 2009 – Racing Starts at National Championship Air Races! September 2009
2 comments

5

Tuesday, September 15, 2009 – Qualification Day Three! September 2009
2 comments

Thursday, September 17, 2009 – Racing Starts at National Championship Air Races!

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 Qualifications are over, heats have been assigned and the pilots are racing!  Some pretty fast times are being recorded – the Jet Class has set a new course record – fastest in the 46 year history of the Reno Races.  Curt Brown, Pilot of “Viper” an L-29 Jet officially raced at 510.605 mph!  (Unofficially 515.516mph) Wow – that’s FAST! 

Elaine "Pip" Conklin, Owner Viper & Pip Squeak w /Pilot Curt Brown

Elaine "Pip" Conklin, Owner Viper & Pip Squeak w /Pilot Curt Brown

I was privileged to meet with Curt today, via Reporter Guy Clifton, The Reno Gazette, and heard just how much fun he was having bouncing around in his little L-29.  Displaying a few bruised elbows, Curt told us it’s a wild ride in the L-29, a jet with a smaller wing area.  He explained the science behind the smaller wings as transferring air turbulence throughout the fuselage making it the next best bone shaking ride after the space shuttle – the bruises, only a minor inconvenience…! 

Blue Angels - Origami

Blue Angels - Origami

The day included a practice run for the Blue Angels, performances by Patty Wagstaff in her Cirrus SR-22, the Red Eagles performing their synchronized bi-plane routine and David Martin dazzling the crowd with his aerobatic performance in his CAP232.

Blue Angels

Blue Angels

Fans attending the National Championship Air Races can help in the fight against cancer and win a jet ride with pilot Curt Brown. 

A fund-raising raffle in the Jet Class pits in front of the planes Pip Squeak and Viper, is raising funds for the Cancer Care Connection, a non-profit Web- and telephone-based service that helps cancer victims and their families by

T-6 Class, Race #43 & Race #75

T-6 Class, Race #43 & Race #75

providing free information on the resources available to help them, according to Elaine “Pip” Conklin, a cancer survivor who owns the jets Pip Squeak and Viper.
“It’s for people with all kids of cancer,” she said. “The Internet is a wonderful tool, but what we’ve found is a lot of the research on the Internet is inaccurate. Cancer Care Connection provides all neutral information.”

Sport Class Race #76, Lancair 320, Pilot Greg McNutt

Sport Class Race #76, Lancair 320, Pilot Greg McNutt

Tickets are $10 for one or $25 for three. The first 50 people who purchase the $25 package also receive a free Viper or Pip Squeak T-shirt.  The drawing for the jet ride will be held on Saturday.

 

Blue Angels #6 Jet

Blue Angels #6 Jet

T-6 Race #69 "Eros", Pilot Lee Oman & Race #26 "Happy Hour", Pilot Jim Thomas
T-6 Race #69 “Eros”, Pilot Lee Oman & Race #26 “Happy Hour”, Pilot Jim Thomas
T-6 Class Race # 28
T-6 Class Race # 28

Stay tuned for more from the races!

Until then, Take care, Good Luck and Godspeed!
Kimberley West, WarBirdBabe