USAF Academy Graduation Flyover

[Steve Nelson]

Just got an e-mail blurb about this year's ceremony, containing an account claiming to be by someone who knew someone who was there. Most of it was political in nature, but this little tidbit gave me a chuckle (boldface mine):

"..everyone was treated to a fly-over by the Confederate Air Force. Looking up they saw all kinds of vintage aircraft from B-17s B-24s, B-25s, P-38s, P-51s and others all represented by manufactures such Corsairs, Grumman, Lockheed and Boeing who still provide parts availability for these aircraft, and flown by our hero's from prior conflicts that still see fit to stay active for services such as this."

The e-mail also mentioned that the aircraft were brought in from all over the country. I thought the National Museum of WWII Aviation (based in Colorado Springs) did the flyover..and a clip I found on Youtube showed a total of seven aircraft: 2 P-51s, a Corsair, a TBM, a P-40, a Wildcat and a B-25. Certainly a nice formation and a great gesture worthy of recognition and praise, but hardly the mass flyby described in the e-mail (and I wasn't aware the CAF had reverted to their original name.)

SN

[warbirdfinder]

The day before he actual graduation, Parade Day, when all of the Cadets were at the parade grounds, The CAF B-17 "Sentimental journey" flew over with two Mustangs off each wing.

[warbirdfinder]

The day before he actual graduation, Parade Day, when all of the Cadets were at the parade grounds, The CAF B-17 "Sentimental journey" flew over with two Mustangs off each wing.

[RickH]

Funny, none of that email is even close. Texas Flying Legends from Houston supplied the aircraft for the flyover. The writer really needs to work on their basic math skills,

flown by our hero's from prior conflicts that still see fit to stay active for services such as this."

[p51]

Looks like another case of everyone thinking every warbird is operated by the CAF. I once saw someone arguing with one of the Collings folks, the guy actually said, "Only the CAF is allowed to fly WW2 airplanes, so clearly you all work for the CAF!" About half a dozen people (myself included) tried to explain that anyone can buy, restore and fly a WW2 airplane as long it's done legally. But the guy wouldn't accept that. The Collings crew person said after this guy had left that he gets that more than once at almost every stop.
Many of you have had this happen as well, I'd imagine.

Funny, none of that email is even close. Texas Flying Legends from Houston supplied the aircraft for the flyover. The writer really needs to work on their basic math skills,

flown by our hero's from prior conflicts that still see fit to stay active for services such as this."

Not to mention the suggestion that current airplane companies still provide parts and support for their 1940s products! I bet everyone here sure wishes that was the case!

[JohnB]

Not to mention the suggestion that current airplane companies still provide parts and support for their 1940s products! I bet everyone here sure wishes that was the case!

No, they get parts from all the WWII warbirds still parked in the desert. I hear there are still hundreds of B-17s parked at Kingman, Arizona.

I've been told that a time or two.

[warbirdfinder]

I know the fly over with the B-17 and four P-51's is correct, as I was the pilot.

[Steve Nelson]

No, they get parts from all the WWII warbirds still parked in the desert. I hear there are still hundreds of B-17s parked at Kingman, Arizona.

I've been told that a time or two.

Heard that one myself many times..once while chatting with another visitor at the Yankee Air Museum. He also insisted that when the Lancaster was put on a pylon in Windsor, ON, they forgot to take the guns out..and by the time they remembered, the guns had all been stolen. I tried to explain to him that by the time she was retired, the Lanc had been converted to an unarmed SAR aircraft, but he wouldn't buy it.

Oh, I'm glad to hear that Sentimental Journey put in an appearance..nothing prettier than a bare-metal B-17 in the sun.

SN

[p51]

I looked on youtube for anything showing the B-17 but all I see is the B-25 and fighters. One youtube video mentioned a B-17 as well as four T-33s, is that correct? I guess they mistook the 'stangs for 33s? Man, that's some really poor aircraft ID!
Did anyone get video of the B-17 going over?

[T33driver]

I looked on youtube for anything showing the B-17 but all I see is the B-25 and fighters. One youtube video mentioned a B-17 as well as four T-33s, is that correct? I guess they mistook the 'stangs for 33s? Man, that's some really poor aircraft ID!
Did anyone get video of the B-17 going over?

No mistake, a three ship of T-33s did a flyby for the USAFA organizational awards parade on Memorial Day.

[warbirdfinder]

The B-17 had four P-51's off its wings.

The T-33's must have flown later

[wendovertom]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cK1gvYdpnGo

This was the only one I could find with a quick search.

Tom P.

I looked on youtube for anything showing the B-17 but all I see is the B-25 and fighters. One youtube video mentioned a B-17 as well as four T-33s, is that correct? I guess they mistook the 'stangs for 33s? Man, that's some really poor aircraft ID!
Did anyone get video of the B-17 going over?

No mistake, a three ship of T-33s did a flyby for the USAFA organizational awards parade on Memorial Day.

Any photos or videos of the 3-ship T-33 flight? While not as dramatic as a 4-ship would have been, it's not something you see everyday, and would have been a great sight!

[mlenoch]

However, in the stadium, immediately following the famous hat toss, the Academy Public address speaker gave proper credit to the aircraft and pilots that participated in the flyover. He did credit Texas Flying Legends museum as the provider of the 8 aircraft and named each air craft and each pilot.
VL

[corsair166b]

There were the Texas Flying Legends birds that flew over-B-25, 2 x P-51, P-40, FM-2, TBM and Corsair, the B-17 'Sentimental Journey' and the P-51's 'Miss America', "Crusader', 'Mormon Mustang' and 'Section Eight' flew with the B-17, made a few passes, 3 T-33's (originally 4 but one dropped out) made some passes, and Bill Klaers even got up his B-25 and P-47 I'm told.......from one who was there a few days before (but not on the day of the flyovers).

Mark