I Love WWII Aircraft - Check this one out!

[BajaRon]

 

[Sarge707]

Thank You for Posting!!

 

[NancysToy]

Thanks Ron! I'm with you, I love the WWII aircraft. The B17 was one of the best (and toughest) planes ever built. A marvelous piece of aeronautical engineering. When you look at some of the planes that returned from missions all shot up, you can't believe they could ever fly. The "Flying Fortress" was a gem!

 

[BajaRon]

Our military do not get enough credit. I new a guy that landed on Normandy. He didn't get very far. Took a bullet in the chest as he ran up the beach towards the nearest fox hole. The bullet went in and out clean. I figure it must have been an armor piercing round or it would have blown a huge hole out the back side.

It went in just below the collar bone and came out just inside the scapula about 4 inches lower. He must have been running in a crouched position.

Fortunately, it didn't hit anything vital and he was back on the battle field in just 3 weeks! Went all the way to Germany!

 

[PCBeachBum]

Ron,

Thanks for this post and I to love those WWII aircraft. Every year I check the Collings Foundation to find out what air shows they will be going to. They restore these old aircraft, than fly them to air shows around the country. My brother who lives in Unionville, CT on the approach to Bradley International was upstairs on the second floor of his house and everything started shaking from the roar of engines. Looking out the window it was a B-17 making its approach to Bradley and going outside, he heard the sound of more engines coming and this one was B-25 making its approach to Bradley. He said what an awesome sight both these planes were and than looked up the Collings Foundation and saw where these two planes were going to be on display at the Bradley Air Museum for 3 days. This was two years ago and about 6 years ago, I was out on the deck early in the morning and hearing the sound of engines, I looked up and there were 5 WWI biplanes flying west towards Pensacola for the Air Show there. I don't know where these planes came from but Collings Foundation also restores old cars for car shows around the country.


http://www.collingsfoundation.org

 

[btcherm]

planes

Thank You for Posting :yes:

 

[Oldmanzues]

I had posted this before, but add it again. Dayton, Ohio has the National Museum of the USAF. The Muesum is actually in Riverside, but they say Dayton. They range from the Wright Flyer to recent ones. Fre admission.
There is also the TN air museum in Pigeon Forge or on that strip. They do not have a lot of planes, but they fly them or used to anyway. They flew ( as I remember) a A1 Skyraider when I was there.
Both worth checking out for airplane bluffs
Oldmanzues

 

[bruiser]

While stationed in New Mexico in the late 60s early 70s I was introduced to a fellow who's name has long left my memory. He had three B17Gs that he used for slurry drops on forest fires. I worked on his planes part time and even flew right seat on some missions. What a rush :yikes:. Just before PCSing to Dover Del., he purchased two C119 cargo planes that had been modified with a jet engine mounted on the top center of the fuselage. Only had one flight on his "Old Shakey" but had a few in Southeast Asia prior to that. About two years before leaving Dover they brought in a crated B17. I helped reassemble "Shoo Shoo Baby" but didn't see the finished product until several years later. I too love the old aircraft.

 

[Jeriatric]

While stationed in New Mexico in the late 60s early 70s I was introduced to a fellow who's name has long left my memory. He had three B17Gs that he used for slurry drops on forest fires. I worked on his planes part time and even flew right seat on some missions. What a rush :yikes:. Just before PCSing to Dover Del., he purchased two C119 cargo planes that had been modified with a jet engine mounted on the top center of the fuselage. Only had one flight on his "Old Shakey" but had a few in Southeast Asia prior to that. About two years before leaving Dover they brought in a crated B17. I helped reassemble "Shoo Shoo Baby" but didn't see the finished product until several years later. I too love the old aircraft.

What cool experiences.:thumbup:

Buck 19's "Flying Box Cars" flew out of March AFB when I was a kid. Plus the 52's and KC-135's that always kept you looking ^. The good Ole days.

 

[NancysToy]

My Favorite WWII Aircraft

B17
P51 "Mustang"
Spitfire
PBY "Catalina"

I have toured a B17, but have never flown in one. I flew in a P51 several times years ago. My first ever airplane flight was in a PBY...at age 3 or 4. Never even got close enough to touch a Spit, but it is one of the neatest planes ever built, and the Battle of Britain one of the greatest conflicts ever fought.

 

[Sarge707]

The B-17 Flying Fortress, B-24 Liberator and P-51 Mustang will be at Oxford Airport in CT Sep 7-9. (Collins Foundation)

 

[BajaRon]

B17
P51 "Mustang"
Spitfire
PBY "Catalina"

I have toured a B17, but have never flown in one. I flew in a P51 several times years ago. My first ever airplane flight was in a PBY...at age 3 or 4. Never even got close enough to touch a Spit, but it is one of the neatest planes ever built, and the Battle of Britain one of the greatest conflicts ever fought.

This is how I was used to seeing the PBY.

I've never been in a P51 (wonderful aircraft) but I paid for my dad to take a ride in this one, located in Ramona, California. He loved it!

 

[Jeriatric]

Air drops

Long before firefighters wore turnouts we were on the receiving end of the pink stuff on many occasions. Lots of white T shirts became forever PINK. Spotted for a dozer operator (Calvin ? name slips me at the moment) out of San Jacinto.

 

[Bob Denman]

We've got a B-17, a B-24, and a B-25 flying in to Stewart airport next week to be on Display... but it'll be on a Tuesday through Thursday... :gaah:
That was some report on the bravery of that flight crew; thanks for posting it! :clap:

 

[BajaRon]

Long before firefighters wore turnouts we were on the receiving end of the pink stuff on many occasions. Lots of white T shirts became forever PINK. Spotted for a dozer operator (Calvin ? name slips me at the moment) out of San Jacinto.

Don't recognize the name Calvin but I didn't know all the dozer operators in SoCal.

Yes, I had my share of white T-Shirts. But I hope wildland firefighters never have to wear turnouts! That would kill them! Only the city guys used to wear turnouts on wildland fires but they never left their rigs. Now there were pre-Nomex days (which I remember). I think we had to start wearing that yellow stuff in 1975 or thereabouts.

The T-Shirt color changed several times over the years. I believe they required green when I started out. Then they went to white after that. They were blue at the time I got out.

I've got a poster of a C-119-J picture just before the retardant drop hit us. Someday I'll take a picture of that and post it.

 

[Jeriatric]

Nomex pps: Can't wait to see the pic. Obviously you were there before myself. Early to mid 60's here. We wore Khaki shirts, white T shirts, neck scarf, Green Jeans, a hard hat, what I'll call ranchers gloves, and red wing boots. An old Hispanic hand that had been around since dirt, taught all of us a lot. I'll never forget Miguel.

 

[bruiser]

Hot Shots, gotta respect those folks. My ex sister in laws father in law :hun: was a district ranger in Ruidoso NM. We were hunting and flying buddies. He knew that forest better than anybody. He showed me the spot where Smokey was found. He introduced me to the guy with the B17s. I did some volunteer firefighting with the forest service. (When I wasn't working on Phantoms). Have y'all heard of the Confederate Air Force??

 

[bruiser]

Hey Scotty

 

[NancysToy]

Very cool, Bruiser. I hate to see one that isn't flying anymore, though.

 

[Cavman]

DeHavalid(sp) Mosquito has always been a favorite of mine. A lot of the German fighter pilots hated going up against it. It was a fighter bomber. Played many roles.