Don't they care anymore?

[Richard]

EAA's "Fuddy Duddy", a B-17, is in town for one week. Today I was inside the building when I heard a faint but unmistakable sound growing louder. I ran outside shouting, That's the B-17!, but no one followed to watch as she flew overhead at maybe 2,000. She disappeared for a bit before coming 'round for final approach which brought her directly toward us in a decent. I was shocked, of the approx 60 people outside milling about not one looked up. It's not like they couldn't hear.

Meanwhile, the local AM station had a reporter interviewing the folks taking rides. Some young children and their parents, a couple twenty-somethings and, as always, the real heros the guys the last time they were in a B-17 was 60 years ago. One of these guys, an old waist gunner, says he's already flown twice but can't get enough so he'll be going every day for a week.

 

[gibbons]

One of these guys, an old waist gunner, says he's already flown twice but can't get enough so he'll be going every day for a week.

Not many old waist gunners around. I'll try to scan a photo my dad took in Italy of a B-17 that landed there. Both waist gunners had been blown out when a round when through the fuselage. When the tail touched down on landing the longerons (the only thing holding the tail on at that point) gave way and the airplane broke in half. The B-17 was a tough bird, and the boys who flew them were equally tough. Bless 'em.

 

[One Short]

EAA's "Fuddy Duddy", a B-17, is in town for one week. Today I was inside the building when I heard a faint but unmistakable sound growing louder. I ran outside shouting, That's the B-17!, but no one followed to watch as she flew overhead at maybe 2,000. She disappeared for a bit before coming 'round for final approach which brought her directly toward us in a decent. I was shocked, of the approx 60 people outside milling about not one looked up. It's not like they couldn't hear.

Some people still look. The Collins' B17 and B24 flew over Merrill Field during the opening speech at the short wing convention a couple of years ago. 300 people emptied out of the hangar, immediately, leaving the speaker behind (he finally came, too)

Barb

 

[Kyle Thornley]

I've never understood how anyone can help but have their eyes go up and their mouth drop open anytime one of those beautiful machines fly overhead. But then again I do the same thing for a Piper Cub.

 

[Frank Browne]

I've never understood how anyone can help but have their eyes go up and their mouth drop open anytime one of those beautiful machines fly overhead. But then again I do the same thing for a Piper Cub.

A kindred spirit. I'm the same way Kyle! We have a gorgeous P-51D based at CRG and it gets flown regularly. I get to see him over the house on a fairly regular bases. I was playing golf with some friends a few years ago and the course has a long par 5 hole that is parallel to runway 14-32. We were waiting to tee off when I heard that very distinctive sound of a Merlin at high power and looked up to see a red-nosed Mustang nose low, beginning a 360 approach! He peeled up dropped gear and flaps on downwind and made the prettiest landing I've ever seen. Once as a student, while on short final for rw 5 at CRG, I noticed that he was stopped at the hold short line waiting to depart after my landing. Talk about pressure!

 

[T Bone]

A couple years ago, I was working inside a water tank under construction. 200 foot round diaameter, 45 feet high walls, and at this point no top. I heard the unmistakeable sound of our Yankee Air Force's B17 flying nearby. No one beleived me of course (what one cannot see....). Untill about 45 minutes later, I heard her again. This time, she came straight over the top of us, as if on a low level bombing run! (They'd gone to nearby KPTK for fuel, as was their custom then). Needless to say, I felt redeemed....

For those of you who love these planes like I do, something VERY SPECIAL is happening here in August this year. The YAF, though our hangar and museum burned to the ground, is still alive and kicking. The largest warbird event in this part of the world will be held at Willow Run (KYIP) on August 6/7 this year. In attendance will be 7 B17's (including our own flying "Yankee Lady"). That's about half the remaining flying examples if not more. Also there, the LAST TWO flying B24's and THE ONLY B29 left flying. In additon, there will be several B25's, a few P51 Mustangs, some P47's and lots of other noteable vintage warbirds (T6's? Probably a dozen or more!) ALL FLYING. This even will help us with the effort for the new museum, and anyone within a few hours flight would do well for their own historical experience to stop in and enjoy this wonderful event!

 

[Richard]

T-Bone, that reminds me of the coming Mustang Roundup. The organizers are trying to beat the number--168, I believe--of the last get together. I forget the scheduled date but I hope to be there.

Anyway, I'd sure like to make it to your event, any chance they can move the aprt closer?

 

[Dave Krall CFII]

That's not where they think there world is.
Next time, yell; "Is that J Lo in the window of that plane ?" and they'll look
-for J Lo.

EAA's "Fuddy Duddy", a B-17, is in town for one week. Today I was inside the building when I heard a faint but unmistakable sound growing louder. I ran outside shouting, That's the B-17!, but no one followed to watch as she flew overhead at maybe 2,000. She disappeared for a bit before coming 'round for final approach which brought her directly toward us in a decent. I was shocked, of the approx 60 people outside milling about not one looked up. It's not like they couldn't hear.

Meanwhile, the local AM station had a reporter interviewing the folks taking rides. Some young children and their parents, a couple twenty-somethings and, as always, the real heros the guys the last time they were in a B-17 was 60 years ago. One of these guys, an old waist gunner, says he's already flown twice but can't get enough so he'll be going every day for a week.

 

[T Bone]

T-Bone, that reminds me of the coming Mustang Roundup. The organizers are trying to beat the number--168, I believe--of the last get together. I forget the scheduled date but I hope to be there.

Anyway, I'd sure like to make it to your event, any chance they can move the aprt closer?

I'll look into it In the meantime, want to trade Pics? One bomber pic for every Mustang pic... oughtta be cool. I think that Reno thing is on June IIRC. Say Hi to Jack Roush for us, I'm betting one or more of his Mustangs will be there.....

 

[fgcason]

Not many old waist gunners around. I'll try to scan a photo my dad took in Italy of a B-17 that landed there. Both waist gunners had been blown out when a round when through the fuselage. When the tail touched down on landing the longerons (the only thing holding the tail on at that point) gave way and the airplane broke in half. The B-17 was a tough bird, and the boys who flew them were equally tough. Bless 'em.

I met some guy at a get together that use to fly B17's. He said he got shot with AA fire pretty good and couldn't get the gear down so they came in with the gear up. (The wheels that stick down a bit minimize the damage to the underside as well) The ground crew jacked it up, fixed the gear, hung new engines, patched up a few things. A few days later he went back and bombed the same AA site that shot up his plane...with the same plane. Tough beasts, planes and crew.

About 3-4 years ago I was at the grocery store here about 4 miles from COS in the city. I just stepped out of the jeep and heard the unmistakeable sound of big radials. I started looking around and saw nothing. Then all of a sudden a B17 comes cruising over on what could be considered right base for 17R...IF base was done at 400 AGL miles from the airport. I've seen B17's in airshows and on ramps off and over since I was a little kid but that was the first time I truly understood the term Aluminum Overcast.

IMNSHO, we need about 50 of each of the old planes flying even if we have to build replicas from original plans so we can all truly appreciate those planes and what they were for.

 

[Dave Krall CFII]

IMNSHO, we need about 50 of each of the old planes flying even if we have to build replicas from original plans so we can all truly appreciate those planes and what they were for.[/QUOTE]

That's a good idea...

 

[Ghery]

Once as a student, while on short final for rw 5 at CRG, I noticed that he was stopped at the hold short line waiting to depart after my landing. Talk about pressure!

The warbird museum at OLM has a Corsair (among other lovely planes). It was cleared to taxi behind me as I was heading out for my first solo. He was still doing his runup as I did my first solo T&G. Next time around I got treated to the rare sight of looking at an airborn Corsair - from above. Made a memorable occation just that much more of one.