B-17 "Chuckie" is on the move!

[BK]

Flyover with fighter escort:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btxKD-Upt74

[dougwolfpacker]

Thank you to all that have taken care of Chuckie in Texas. It was wonderful to see her arrive today at the Military Aviation Museum. The phones were ringing all day and many people came to the museum throughout the day waiting to see Chuckie. I have attached a few pictures of the plane on arrival. The one photo shows the museum Spitfire on the starboard wing. Mr Yagen was flying the Mustang on the port wing.

[Robbie Stuart]

Glad all went well. Best of All for the future with Chuckie, what a great bird! I think Doc would be happy.
Regards
Robbie

[Russ Blow]

I was up on the North Landing bridge and got a good view of her flying into the field. Was great how the clouds seemed to part and the sun came out right as she came in.

I used to fly off that field sometimes in the 80's when they moved all the stuff over from South Norfolk when it closed. Amazing what they have done with that old field.

[APG85]

Beautiful! Nice setting...

[planenutti]

DougWolfpack,
Did you get a shot of the Spit making its pass after Chuckie landed when the leading edges were all lit up by the setting sun? That was an awesome site.
Bob

[Obergrafeter]

Good to see the (ex) CAF JU-52 in the background, although she would look a lot better back in Texas, at least now she will have another Texan to keep her company (not of the T-6 kind anyway)

[planenutti]

Ober,
The Ju is in good company and in good hands. You should swing by and see her new home. Great place and getting better. I think most folks on the east coast know what Lex DuPont's old FM-2 looked like before the Museum bought it. Well it is out of restoration now and that old farm truck is now a first class museum piece. So not to worry about the Ju.
Bob

[Russ Blow]

Here is a link to the local article on it.

http://hamptonroads.com/2011/01/rare-wwii-bomber-finds-new-home-virginia-beach

[LadyO2Pilot]

What a beautiful picture. Yesterday was bittersweet. I was there when the engines fired and for the run up with exciting stack fire and take-off. We kept track of the flight progress on Flightaware all day at the museum. Those who worked hardest on her, especially in the last several years, found "make do" work in the hangar to fill a bit of void in their hearts. A bunch of us went to dinner with Chuckie (not the plane one), had a wonderful time, especially when the restaurant kindly turned their 2 TVs in bar area toward our large table so we could watch the news on 2 stations who taped the departure. Lots of cheers and clapping especially when Chuckie was interviewed on one and the restaurant patrons realized that the same lady was sitting right there. I am happy the plane went to a wonderful place and I know that Jerry Yagen and crew will take special care of Chuckie but I will miss seeing the beautiful girl down here.

[B25PBYGUY]

I would like to take a moment to express my gratitude to the personnel at the Vintage Flying Museum for their professionalism and diligence in preparing Chuckie for this flight.
The best part of any flying organization is it's people.
Although, I was only there for a short couple of hours, trying to stay focused while operating on virtually no sleep in 24 hrs, I appreciated your hospitality.

Indeed, the flight was very cold and at times we all wondered if we would be able to sustain ourselves for the duration. - 20C in the airplane.
The flight duties were split, between myself, Don and Pat.
Pat was a huge asset since no two airplanes are alike, and he knows Chuckie.
It's very different from Liberty Belle and flys quite different as well.
I quite enjoyed it (not the environmentals) and look forward to flying it again.

Rest assured it's arrived at a place where it will realize it's full glory. Jerry, Don, and the staff are first rate folks, and Gary Norville is one of the best in the business.

I'm glad to have been a participant and most importantly, feel I have made new friends.
It was nice to see so many exuberant folks at both FTW and 42VA, that took the time to wish us all well.
I hope to see the real Chuckie (Chuckie is a fabulous lady and not an airplane) and Pat
again at the show at VA Beach in May.

Cheers for now,
Bob
I'm at ORF on the IPhone waiting to return to Nashville. And, Pat just departed a moment ago for DFW.

[lmritger]

Everyone at the VFM should feel immensely proud of the hard work they've invested over the years in keeping Chuckie airworthy... it is an immense task, and it was a true pleasure to see firsthand the results of that work last evening. And Bob, your pass over the ramp with the escort fighters will be seared into my memory for a long, long time!

As an aside, it was very cool to see my name in the article in the local paper this morning.

Lynn

[Ztex]

A day late...but ...Here's a few pics from the departure yesterday....



Here's the little fit that she threw.... I don't wanna go! lol








Front to back - Chuckie, John (VFM Hanger Boss) and Bill ( (nowformer) Crew Chief)

[TimAPNY]

I would like to take a moment to express my gratitude to the personnel at the Vintage Flying Museum for their professionalism and diligence in preparing Chuckie for this flight.
The best part of any flying organization is it's people.
Although, I was only there for a short couple of hours, trying to stay focused while operating on virtually no sleep in 24 hrs, I appreciated your hospitality.

Indeed, the flight was very cold and at times we all wondered if we would be able to sustain ourselves for the duration. - 20C in the airplane.
The flight duties were split, between myself, Don and Pat.
Pat was a huge asset since no two airplanes are alike, and he knows Chuckie.
It's very different from Liberty Belle and flys quite different as well.
I quite enjoyed it (not the environmentals) and look forward to flying it again.

Rest assured it's arrived at a place where it will realize it's full glory. Jerry, Don, and the staff are first rate folks, and Gary Norville is one of the best in the business.

I'm glad to have been a participant and most importantly, feel I have made new friends.
It was nice to see so many exuberant folks at both FTW and 42VA, that took the time to wish us all well.
I hope to see the real Chuckie (Chuckie is a fabulous lady and not an airplane) and Pat
again at the show at VA Beach in May.

Cheers for now,
Bob
I'm at ORF on the IPhone waiting to return to Nashville. And, Pat just departed a moment ago for DFW.

Trying to get home before the "snow" moves in today? I was unaware we had a WIX member in Franklin, I live in Spring Hill.

Tim

[Holedigger]

Oooooo!!!!! Nice pics!