Warbird Information Exchange

I went for my first warbird ride today at the Wings of The North Show on the CAF's B-25 Miss Mitchell. I can't really even begin to describe just how much fun this experience is for a warbird enthusiast, other than to say we landed just over 11 hours ago now and the smile still hasn't begun to fade from my face. With the FAA working hard to put an end to ride programs like this, if you have any interest in riding in a piece of history, now is the time to do it.

Here are a few shots taken over the twin cities area this afternoon.




The view from the tail is incredible.


The view from the waist gunner's position isn't bad either...




Miss Mitchell departs on the flight prior to mine.

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Dan Johnson

Glad that you liked your B-25 ride!!!

I know I thoroughfully enjoyed mine!!!

Now, where's that B-25 face you were supposed to show us, eh?

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Olivier Lacombe -- Harvard Mk.4 C-GBQB

If you ever get another chance, like in the B-17, do a take-off and landing in the nose, if they will let you..................................


Lynn

Nice pic's,

Ive flown in 3 different navions, a T-28, a C-1A
Ive been in on maintenance runs on a B-17, a B-25, a B-24 and a C-47
and it still puts a smile on my face when they start up


Ive noticed the post warbird ride recovery period lasts around 8 days,
it took alot longer for my girlfriend when she went for not only her first warbird ride, but also her first small airplane ride in a 3 ship formation of navions.

It took 3 weeks to settle her down!


KEEP THEM FLYING!

DJ, I see you had as much fun as me yesterday. Very cool! In the tail position all you needed was a P51 to make the picture perfect

I highly recommend to any one interested in warbirds to join your local warbird museum or warbird group. Aside from possible rides it is a blast working and climbing on these aircraft and meeting the people who once flew them. If the ride programs stop it will be the only way to participate. Most pilots I know really appreciate anyone who will wipe the oil and bugs off.

Eric

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The air resounds from the Rolls-Royce roar!
To an enemy the warning is dire: here only eagles soar,
and the last thing he'll see is a mirrored Spitfire!

As Ollie requested here's my B-25 face.

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Dan Johnson

Good going Dan,

I too got my first B-25 ride last year and we buzzed a bunch of boaters on a lake and flew through some mountains, it was a blast. Got a second ride in the same B-25 again this past spring, with a mustang escort. I still smile when I think about those rides..............Roger (note my wix picture is in that B-25)

My first Warbird flight will be in Oct at the CAF Airsho in Midland. The plane will be the CAFs SBD-5 Dauntless! I saw the Dixie Wing had a ride program so I called the guy in charge and at first he thought I meant the Mustang (costs too much) but he said there is like a waiting list. But I think the SBD is gorgeous looking and cannot wait to fly in it. So any WIXers going to be in Midland that Sat you will get to see my first ever Warbird flight. Now maybe I could get Charles Hutchins Tora Group Lead to come up behind hahaha.

Now you're talking Dan!

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Olivier Lacombe -- Harvard Mk.4 C-GBQB

There will be several opportunities for warbird rides at Midland! From T-6's, SBD, P-51's, B-25, and the B-17! How much can your check book take! I will be there along with Chuck Gardner, Bill Green, Steve Rister, and several other Wix'ers, including Tim Savage! Not sure if J-Box gets to make this trip, but now that he is an associate editor..... they may let him out to play! More show announcements coming soon on the original airshow thread! Alan Brooks

Now why cant I win the Texas Lottery before Midland? I wish I could do more flights than the SBD but alas I am a poor working man LOL. But since I work for American Eagle Airlines I will be flying into Midland on Thur.

Other than the Collings Foundation, who else offers rides? I've heard of some T-6 stuff especially at air shows, but does anyone offer anything besides at the major air shows? How bout the P-51 espeically? Any info here is gladly appreciated!!

Brian

The Minnesota Wing of the CAF has a ride program in Miss Mitchell Details are here. I can highly reccomend this one.

As for Mustangs, the number of passengers carried and the operating cost of the P-51 ensure that this will be expensive, but if you can afford it I'm sure it's well worth it. Stallion 51 offers orientation flights in their TF-51's, complete with a video of the flight. I also found this company , but the price seems pretty fishy, as last I knew P-51 operating costs were around three times the price they list.

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Dan Johnson

"I also found this company , but the price seems pretty fishy, as last I knew P-51 operating costs were around three times the price they list."

You never know, might be something like I still kick myself almost daily over.

while on holidays to Victoria I called at the RAAF museum at Point cook and kept hearing an obvious warbird coming and going regularly.

checked with the information officer there and got told about the hangars on the far side of the field so went and checked them out.

I found out that some-one, Bob Eastgate possibly, was giving joyflights so he could practice for the upcoming airshow, can't think of the name at the moment but big one held every couple of years but not at Pt. Cook, in exchange for "donations" towards the fuel cost. something like $100 for 10 minutes.

I only had $30 on me. I darn near offered the camera and lenses and thought about the car.

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Jeff

forgot to mention these were in a mustang btw.

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Jeff