As the last of the WWII veterans pass, and more and more Korean and Vietnam era veterans pass each year, there is a growing movement in the EAA, and general aviation to keep the old warbirds flying as a historic reminder…
What brought this on is a reminder from a few folks, and meeting a WWII vet at the Hale Koa yesterday morning at breakfast. He wasn’t an aviator, he was a mechanic and at 94 getting around pretty slowly, but he remembered working on Mustangs, P-47s and the occasional Spitfire on the ground in Europe after D-Day, and talked with pride of the fact that they kept them flying in spite of the pilots best efforts to “screw up perfectly good airplanes, and total lack of good spare parts.”
This one was first done in 2001, but it’s even more appropriate today.
If you can, donate a few bucks to the maintenance of these pieces of history, and the memory of all those who built, flew and maintained them through now four wars…
And remember too those who are flying them today, and those who are putting boots on the ground to maintain our freedom.
Thank you!
h/t JP
I get a little sentimental when they pass. It is the end of an era of history. I like the fact they are keeping the birds in the air. It will be a bummer when we can no longer hear the stories from them, but have to read them in a book.
This video was in the 90’s, according to the tube.
Amen!
Here in Texas we’re home to the Commemorative Air Force (formerly the Confederate Air Force). It’s a nonprofit organization that collects, restores, and flies aircraft from the past. They also provide static displays and traveling exhibits to keep our history alive (since the public schools are doing such a miserable job teaching history…).
As I lift next door to, and often under, the Yankee Air Force, formerly known as the Yankee Air Force.
I’ve been on a couple Collings Foundation plane flights, it’s really incredible what our guys went through – and varied. The B-17 was a plush ride on a mattress, while the B-25 Mitchel was alike a crazy hot-rod flivver that shook like a paint mixer and was louder than the hinges of Hell.
Fargo- That is a great point! Another reason to support this and the many other efforts to capture the veteran’s memories before they’re gone!
Grog- Oh yeah! Reno!!!
Rev- Agreed!
Tim- Yep, CAF was the first to really step up!
NC- No question the B-25 is a hot rod! The other one was the P-61!!!
I’m reminded of something Colonel Cooper wrote about Wade McClusky and how, if his grandchildren ever asked what he did in WWII, he could simply say “I won it.”
The CAF has a local affiliate that does a WWII Days every year.
I also like to go and people watch, and by that I mean look at the mini-medals and lapel pins on all the old guy’s VFW garrison caps.
Hi OldNFO 🙂 I’m glad you enjoyed your bacon this a.m.!!
Stay safe out there.
I donate a couple of hundred each year t the CAF, and an equal amount to The Planes of Fame air museum in Chino.
Yep, it’s important that we keep em flying!
SPE- As you know, THOSE are our resume…
Irish- My biggest worry is the damn dogs… Sigh.
drjim- Thanks!
Haven’t been to “Reno” in a few years, I miss it!! “Strega,” “Dreadnaught,” “Dago Red,” “Rare Bear,” “Risky Business” and on!! To just be up in the stands and “Watch!!” You know the nuts and bolts holding the heads onto the cylinders are hanging on for dear life!! The props from the maxed out manifold pressure are out almost flat digging into the air!!! Just to see….and hear that beautiful music as those planes pass by the Home Pylon!!……..Yes!!
Blue skies,
III%,
skybill-out
Hey man, don’t forget the A-26, some of which flew from WW2 through Vietnam and into various CIA misadventures over Cuba and in Africa. If I was to have one twin, it’s be that one…ok, that one and the F7F, because you can’t have just one.
And when I die, most of my stuff goes to the Collings Foundation.
Skybill- Yep, they’re technological marvels and running on the ragged edge. They are some beautiful sounds and especially rounding the last pylon.
Murph- Oh yeah, those are both sweet birds! And thank you for what you’re donating. I just hope I don’t see that donation happen.
I am cross posting this
Pingback: Keep them flying… | Give Me Liberty
Heyy! I came across this museum piece. Immediately thought of you 🙂 http://www.ebay.com/itm/141592693071 -Kelly