I'd just like to document my experience this weekend as a flight crewmember of Ol'927. First, I'd like to express my thanks to everyone at the CAF and B29/B24 squadron for taking me in as they did, with me being the "newbie" and all. I had an awesome time.
Friday:
I was under the impression that I was to be onboard during a sunrise photo flight, so I mounted the trusty cherokee 140 at 5:35 am and headed to Midland. Upon arrival, I learned that plans had changed and wires got crossed and that I would not be on that flight. I was perfectly fine with that, due to the fact that I was told to remain flexible at all times. Plus, I got to see the sunrise on my way home in the cherokee. I later felt like there were some folks who thought I had stepped on some toes, but my calls were purely out of curiosity and anticipation of being on board. If anyone felt that way, I'm truly sorry. So Friday began with the $80 McDonald's biscuit.
I finally got my first ride as scanner that afternoon on a passenger ride, was briefed on my performance and left wearing a huge grin. One passenger did leave with a "gift bag"
Saturday:
7am Squadron meeting, then 9am pilot's briefing with the air boss, who is absolutely one of the most talented men I've ever seen to be able to coordinate and choreograph the show as he did. I sat in on the briefing to learn how all this takes place, and it gave me a new appreciation for the pilots involved. I can't imagine being out there for the first time. I flew right scanner during the airshow, and it was amazing. All the "bombs" could be felt when they detonated, and as in my other post, I was able to take a few quick pics with my phone. I loved every minute of it. After the show, when the airspace opened back up, I flew with a load of passengers doing load master duties. I just went with the flow and made sure that everyone back there had a really good time. It's neat seeing a man in his mid 80's hanging onto the waist gun and playing as if he were 10 years old. The passengers told me I knew how to have a good time, so it made me feel more confident. Also left with a huge grin.
Sunday:
Again, I mounted the cherokee and headed to Midland early, just because I could'nt wait. I started out sitting in the cockpit during tours. Here's where the stories started. One gentleman got teary eyed because he had flown a B24 for 35 missions, and had lost some friends to flak. Another was up there because his mother had been on the ground in Germany when the raids came to town, and another lady had come up because she had lost her brother in a 24, and just wanted to see the plane up close. Had asked around most of the morning til she found AM927. The show went great, I performed my duties in the back grinning like the village idiot as usual. After the show, I was waiting for the passenger time to arrive, and an airport official brought a man and an elderly woman to the plane. Here's the first one that got me: Her brother was a TUNNEL GUNNER and was lost due to a flak shot. She had remembered him telling her about his gun position, but said it didn't make any sense to her, so she was brought out and I demonstrated the tunnel gun position for her. I beleive that tunnel gun position is very rare, so I thought this was tremendous for her to see so many years later what she had only heard about. The first passenger ride of the afternoon went great, evrybody had fun, and no "gift bags" were handed out. The second ride, however, was totally different. The passengers had requested that their relative's ashes be dropped from a B24. He had flown 25 missions. I have a totally different story coming soon about this ride. It was very hard to do. I thought at first it wouldn't be that big a deal, but afterwards, I retreated to the bomb bay to choke up in private. I'm gathering information on the gentleman right now, then I'll post a story in his honor. I'm going to call it "The 26th mission", so look for it in a week or so.
All in all, I had a great time, and I can't wait for winter maintenance and the upcoming shows. James West
Login
Register
FAQ
Search
