Warbird Information Exchange

Other than an airliner ride when I was 12, the first ride in a an airplane where I was part of that flight was a ride in a C-152 at the local airport in Santa Rosa (STS), in '77. I was 19. It was $20 for an Intro Flight. I got the controls for a few minutes while the flight instructor gave me the
pitch about earning my license. After take off, during the climb out, just before the instructor turned away from the field I noticed a blue and yellow painted airplane parked across the airport. I wanted to get over to that side of the airport as fast as possible. When I got to fly the '152 I wasn't co-ordinated in a turn and banked the plane over too far. I thought I was going to fall out the door. The instructor took the controls back and all I could think about was that other plane I saw. Eventually I made over to that airplane. It was parked at the local EAA chapter (124). It was Harvard IV. Blue fuselage, yellow wings, red and white stripes on the rudder. Needless to say, the next day I was in the back seat going for a ride. There was this smell in this Harvard. Maybe a combination of old paint and hydraulic fluid. It reminded me of the smells one might smell in an old Austin-Healey or other English car. The plane during this time had not been restored. It was a great flight as I got some stick time. A few years later after I got my license I received flight instruction in this plane. I've been hooked ever since.
Jim "Myles" Long

It was September 23, 1955 in a 1947 Stinson 108-1, N8920K, s/n 108-1920. A hop from Riverside to Van Nuys, CA. My dad was the pilot.

Oh, and I was just over 10 weeks old.

I think N8920K belongs to a Luke Connolly in Ramsey, MN. I need to write the address I have for him and try to get a photograph of it.


My first warbird ride (between September 1961 and January 1964) , I guess was a Beech T-34 from the Castle AFB Flying Club at Merced, one of two, not yet determined which one. Either:

N7782C, 1953 T-34A, s/n 53-4151 (I believe owned by Max Hoffman in Ft. Collins, CO in about 1973). Fate unknown, but it apparently had an owner in Coral Gables, FL later. I have no photos but I'd love to find one.

or... N7792C, registered serial G-766. (It is now with North Texas Classic Aircraft in Dallas, registered N34KR). Photo also desired.

If anyone has knowledge of any of these three aircraft I'd appreciate hearing from you.

Well, it wasn't my first flight, but a few years back my wife, our then 3 year old son and I went out for a flight in our old Mooney. Somewhere near Sussex NJ at 3,500' the engine packed it in. They were having a fly-in at the time so the pattern was a little busy, but they were nice enough to let me in. I rolled off the runway right up to the gas pumps, and remember thinking that if I didn't have to pay for this, it would have almost been fun. (Glider training pays off)
Next week my wife found out she was pregnant. A few weeks later we found out it was twins. The whole family was along for the ride!

Skybolt,

If one of the twins starts to want tool kits and erector sets later on, start worrying! Mom said to her dying day that cousin Bud infected me with the airplane mechanic bug during my embryonic ride.

Scott

I certainly do remember. It was about '51-'52 in a Piper Cub. Piloted by a high school buddy by the name of Mickey Booth. WOW! Got to fly over my house and everything. We flew out of an old airport just south of Alexandria, VA called Beacon Field. He did a few stalls which totally freaked me out. He, of course, was laughing his a-- off. SADIST

Mudge the geezer

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Land of the free because of the brave

It was a C-130 at Fort Benning, GA , I was in Jump School, and of course I jumped out. I also remember my first landing, it was about 2 months later on a TWA L-1011

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Eric

"I spent most of my money on alcohol, women and skyraiders....and the rest of it I just wasted."

Braniff 727 from Lubbock to San Antonio...@1972

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Zane Adams
There I was at 20,000 ft, upside down and out of ammunition.
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I was 4 or 5 and got a ride in my cousin's Aeronca Champ. That thing was incredibly loud! My cousin offered to let me take the controls (OK, the stick - I was in back), but I declined.

I remember Dad (I was sitting in his lap) pointing out landmarks. And I didn't recognize a single one of them.

Later in the same day, my uncle took me up in his C-172.

September 12th, 1976..Island Airlines Ford 4-AT N7584.

I was 12, and the plane was touring around the midwest selling rides. I'm not sure if it had anything to do with the U.S. bicentenniel, but I remember the plane had the bicentenniel logo painted on the door. Anyway, it made a stop in Hillsdale, MI..home of the only airport in the county. We lived about 20 miles away, and my dad took me. On the way, we pulled over to the side of the road and watched it fly over. We were originally going to just look at it, but my dad decided to buy me a ride (eight or twelve bucks as I recall.) Been hooked on planes ever since. This poster was hanging in my hometown coffee shop, and after the flight I asked if I could have it. Probably my most treasured bit of aviation memorabilia. Sadly, the old Kodak Intamatic shots I took that day have long since vanished.

SN

Winter cira 1976. About 60 miles north of Thief River Falls Mn. My wife and I with our young daughter were visiting friends and I was offered a ride. J5 Cub on skis. Nice little trip around the area but he didn't like to fly very high. He would have to pull up for line fences. I think he had a planned route so that there were no power lines. I don't think he was afraid of heights as he was a iron worker and walking around on top of cement silos ect. didn't bother him at all. The low altitude trip must not have bothered me because I started taking lessons and got my license a few years later. My uncle was the princpal partner of a road construction co. owned a Beach Bonanza and promised me a ride several times. I never did get my Bonanza ride. Hugh

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My father was a a/c armorer 7th aaf 318FG 73FS

1977, Capitol Airlines DC-8
Iowa- Washington DC (Class trip)

After that it was a Piper Tri-Pacer and flew over our house with the owner and my dad up front with dad at the controls.

...memories...


Leon

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Phormer Phantom Painter

Must have been around '73 or so that a missionary was visiting our church. He had flown in and parked his taildragger (182???) behind our church. After the service, I ran out to look at his plane. Upon seeing this little kid admiring his plane, he got my parents permission to take me up for a quick trip over town. Very cool!

My son on the other hand got his first ride at 5. There was a group from Florida that was in town to sell rides in a lovely yellow T-6. My son eagerly crawled into the front and donned the leather helmet. The fella flying made a much longer than planned tour around the countryside with my son which gave me a few minutes of apprehension. A half-hour later, they taxiied up and shut down. My son had a grin from ear-to-ear. As he was climbing out, he pointed at a blue Texan parked close-by and asked if he could go for a ride in that one next! Now 13, my son still tells me how much he loved that ride in the Texan with Jason! Fabulous stuff!!!

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Earn my respect and never lose it.
Demand my respect and never gain it. -Me

...just another plane dreamer.

1951, in a Capitol Airlines DC-3 from Baltimore to Newport News, VA.

Walt

I don't remember my first (or near first) ride being 3 months old but I have proper documentation.



Best,
Kevin

Piper Cub in 1993. I was bit by the bug right then and there. Then became an EAA Young Eagle in a Cessna C-170 the next week.

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Chris Henry
EAA Aviation Museum Director