Ok, so I’ve been waiting to tell this story since September, when I was given the opportunity to fly on my first Warbird. And probably one of my all time favorites to boot! During September of 2007 the Collings Foundation came to our sleepy airport in Connecticut before heading up to Oxford on their never-ending annual tour. Both my father and I were flown in a small Cessna from Sikorsky Memorial Airport over to Farmingdale to the American Airpower Museum. I was also exited to see this museum since I have never had the chance to visit this great local museum, but sadly to my discouragement they were closed. But this didn’t keep me from peering into the windows and seeing the familiar outline of Skyboss and the PBY! I then turned around and was face to face with Witchcraft, the mighty liberator! But was funny to me was that nobody was around. Not one person. I began walking to the bomber and felt like I was approaching some undiscovered treasure that had been just sitting here. Almost as if it were my B-24. I guy can dream cant he? A few minutes later from the opposite side the rest of the group that was to fly on the bomber and crew appeared from a pilot’s office. Before I knew it I was strapped in facing backwards in the bomber and getting ready for a trip of a lifetime! As we took off I felt 65 years melt away and felt somewhat connected with my grandfather who had to do this for a living, not just for recreation. As we were given the signal that we were free to move about the bomber I stood up from the seat and pulled my jacket from the corner. Doing this, I had forgotten about my sisters digital camera resting on top of the jacket, so when I moved it, it fell down and hit the top of the ball turret. Now last time I checked ball turrets are usually spherical, so the camera started sliding downward and through the small 2 to 3 inch gap ring around the turret and out the bomber. That’s right, I accidentally dropped my sister’s digital camera out of Witchcraft and probably hit someone on the ground! Well at least the old bomber is still doing her job even 60 years later! I told my dad about the unexpected loss of the camera and we both decided that this was too special of an opportunity to waste it on frustration and anger. He would have plenty of time for that when he was on the ground. Regardless, we traveled through the bomber nose to tail and I was able to scramble up into my grandfathers office, the top turret. And man what a view! As I was sitting up in the cramped turret, i was trying to erase 60 years of time and not believe I was in 2007 over long island, but flying over Rabaul in 44’ with flak ahead of us and enemy fighters way off to our left. Shortly afterwards we soon approached our destination and we were hurried back to our seats for the landing approach. What a flight! What an experience! Truly something amazing that I wish I could do everyday! Who needs a real job anyways? Thanks to Jerry O’Neill for making this amazing memory happen for my father and I!
And before you say it. No! Were not brothers!
Login
Register
FAQ
Search
Yeah in later years my grandfather became a stout round fella. And i just couldn't imagine anyone being able to squeeze up in there without a few scratches, but it was worth it!
