National Stearman Fly-In - Day 2

Jim Ratliff, Conyers, GA, says he told friends and family he wasn't going to attend the 37th National Stearman Fly-In at Galesbuburg, IL, Municipal Airport this year. But the lure of the annual event proved too srong, and shortly after changing his mind Ratliff was airborne and headed north. He arrived about 10 a.m. Tuesday (Sept. 2, 2008, and was joined by his brother, John Ratliff, Port ORCHARD, WA. Ratliff's plane is a 1942 Stearman Model 75 painted in Army Air Corps colors - yellow wings and blue fuselage.

Photo: Robert Harrison, National Stearman Fly-In