Flying Warbird-Which are you most thankful for?

[krlang]

Im not going to type out the 76 P-51s OK?

[spookyboss]

I am thankful for our AC-47 flying again after last year not flying because of a blown right engine. Also I must give thanks to some special people who helped get it back flying, Brooks, Richard, Mike, Richard, John, Doug etc. and Everyone at American Eagle in Springfield.

[retroaviation]

Fifi is short of $3m or so to get back into the air

Don't count us out just yet. There may be some movement with that engine project. Stay tuned.

Gary

[kalamazookid]

Ed Russell's Bf 109, because of it's rarity and combat history.

[phil65]

When the New England P-61 is done it may become a close second.

[6trn4brn]

Dang Kalamazoo Kid...ya beat me to it Seeing and hearing the 109 at Thunder, flying with a couple of Hurris and a Spit afterwards was awe-inspiring!

Also at Thunder...seeing and hearing the CWH (?) Lancaster purring along with all four Merlins in full song was music to the ears

[Michel C-GNCJ]

The CWH Lancaster, of course. And ALL the planes at VWoC in Gatineau !

Actually, I am grateful to anyone who refurbish and flys warbirds or vintage airplanes.

[Ztex]

I happy to have seen the Tallichet/Weeks B-26 fly at it's over night stop in Texas.

I am also fortunate to have spent some time with the CAF He111 (Casa 2111) and to see her fly. Sad

Also thanks to the Chuckie Crew for the opportunity to work and fly with them!!

[Bill Greenwood]

Zane, I miss the HE111 also. It was rare and unique, even if not the original German engined one. The CAF Mesa pilots were nice guys, I got to climb all inside it and get a pretty good briefing. One thing I was absolutely sure of was that I would not like to be attacking England in one and have a Spitfire encounter. It has a lot of windows and not much armor, and no way ot run or hide from a fighter. German crews have told of the emotional impact of bombers returning to base shot all to helll with wounded and dead aboard. Bravery was not just limited to our side. One of my first CAF shows about 1985? was at Ellington and in the brfiefing I was told to shoot down the 111. There isn't any time to practice, so it is a bit of guess work as to speed etc. We came around to final and I was high and a half mile back. I thought I was too far out so I added climb power, 12lbs boost, 2850rpm and dove. At first I thought I was too late or slow; then all of a sudden I'm right on top of them going about 325 to their 200. Just at show center I went past under and to the side. It was PLENTY close enough for me, mostly by chance. Over the years we did it at other shows, they kept repairing the battle damage and popping back up.

[Kos]

A nearly ten year restoration program notwithstanding, as well as being one of the best flying B-17s (forgive me a little pride), but this aircraft, and its ground and flight crews, is the principle revenue producer of our still-recovering museum. The money from the "Flight Experiences", that some of you have paid for, is the primary reason the Yankee Air Museum is on the road to recovery. We wouldn't be here today without her...and you. Thanks.

I really didn't mean this to sound line a solicitation...

http://yankeeairmuseum.org/aircraft/flights.shtml

[Tim Landers]

Cavanaugh Flight Museum Corsair honoring Archie Donahue.


Tim

[Zachary]

All of them are special in my book, especially the men and women that built them, serviced them, and flew them in harm's way, as well as those great people that keep the old birds flying today.

But every time I see a restored P-47 fly I am in heaven.

Zack

[warbird1]

For me, it would be the POF's Mitsubishi Zero. It's the only one in the world with the original Sakae engine that's currently flying. We are likely to see a few more rebuilds/replicas with the Zero, but it's unlikely any will utilize an original powerplant. The only possibility might be if Mr. Harada in Japan gets his needed engine parts and if the Japanese civil aviation regulators allow him to fly one of his Zeros.

So, my toast is to Mr. Ed Maloney for having the foresight to save this most rarest of the rare.

Ahhhh.... the sound of a Sakae!

Hopefully it will be around for many years, as I understand that they put less than 5 hours a year on the airplane.

[Dan K]

I would like to think that those who post or lurk here are thankful for all. I would also believe that our personal favorites are the ones with which we've had personal experience.

(And with the understanding that the 4-engined variety requires more Advil than the others to operate...)

Over the years I've been blessed to either have flown in, marshaled, or manned the Halon bottle for B-17, B-24, and Lancaster. All were special moments. But no personal warbird event has ever made the little hairs stand up on my neck more than when standing a few steps directly in front of Fifi when she fires up. That 72-piston salute that announces four 3350's coming to life is something every fanatic should experience at least once in life.

Thanks, Fifi.

[RickH]

I guess that I'm more proud than thankful about this one. No,.. I am thankful that we finally finished with the Navy lawyers who insisted on standing in the way of the inevitable !



I am also thankful that we are continuing to overcome in the face of bureaucratic hindrances !