What a sight...and what a sound

[Roger (K8RI)]

I thought I'd posted this to RAP but apparently it didn't show up. So
if it shows up twice...


I had been working out in the shop this evening and was beginning to
think about going into the house when I heard what sounded like a
helicopter in the distance, but as it got louder the beat was way too
fast. It got louder and louder and louder...

As I stepped out of the door and looked up I saw it come into view
from over the trees on the north side of the shop. Now I knew why it
was getting louder. There, maybe 1500 to 2000 feet above me was a B17
brightly lit from the side in the golden light from the setting sun.

It made me recall Oshkosh some years back when they had the largest
formation of WWII planes in the air since WWII. There were so many
planes they had to have them come in from 4 directions at 4 altitudes.
The whole place was shaking and you could feel the sound. I doubt
there was a dry eye in the place.

The whole thing started with a reenactment of the attack on Pearl
Harbor followed by silence. Then there was the sound of distant
thunder as the engines began to start. That sound kept building and
building and building until it was an emotion, not just a sound. Then
wave after wave of planes took off. Spitfires, Mustangs, Corsairs,
T-6s, B25s, B17s, B24s and many others, but that was only a small
portion of the display to come as they were joined by planes from at
least 3 or 4 other fields to form that tremendous formation. Even from
their altitude the ground shook and that was only a fraction of the
huge formations of B17s, B24, and B29s that took part in the raids of
WWII.

It's strange how one lone plane flying over can evoke such memories

[Viperdoc[_4_]]

We had the EAA B-17 on our field all weekend, with perfect weather (high
70's, no clouds, and no humidity). They gave over 400 rides, and had between
6 and 7,000 tours of the plane- a great turnout.

There were a bunch of T-6's, a T-33, as well as a P-51 on static display.
At one time there were well over 100 people in line to go inside the B-17.

The only downside was that some of the EAA volunteers were on a little power
trip. I rode my bicycle down from my hangar to the ramp, and upon returning
got yelled at by some guy: "where are YOU going?" I told him I was returning
to my hangar, if that was OK with him. He didn't say a word, and I kept on
going- not a great representative.

Yes, everyone's a volunteer, and they were there to protect the ramp and
prevent runway incursions, but some instruction in being polite and
courteous would have gone a long way. They were there to also promote
aviation and generate interest, and a couple of guys who were on a power
trip doesn't foster that attitude. All of the other volunteers were great,
thanking people for coming and when they left, helping people into and out
of the plane, etc.

Anyway, it was a great day to promote aviation and see a piece of history.
Hopefully out of the 6-7,000 we will see some new student pilots.

[Jay Honeck]

> We had the EAA B-17 on our field all weekend, with perfect weather (high
> 70's, no clouds, and no humidity). They gave over 400 rides, and had between
> 6 and 7,000 tours of the plane- a great turnout.

That is awesome!

Hey, Doc -- when is the Milwaukee Air Show this year?
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[Roger (K8RI)]

On Mon, 02 Jul 2007 06:08:58 -0700, Jay Honeck >
wrote:

>> We had the EAA B-17 on our field all weekend, with perfect weather (high
>> 70's, no clouds, and no humidity). They gave over 400 rides, and had between
>> 6 and 7,000 tours of the plane- a great turnout.
>
>That is awesome!
>
>Hey, Doc -- when is the Milwaukee Air Show this year?

I was going to suggest the Muskegon Air Fair if you could get across
the pond as it's been a large civilian and military air show for many
years, but unfortunately there is a blurb at 10.20.200.153 saying its
lost money for some time and they are taking a year off.

[Viperdoc[_4_]]

No airshow in MKE this year- apparently they couldn't get a headliner,
either Blue Angels or Thunderbirds. Also, according to local rumor, there
was some litigation regarding the actual promoters of the show.

Anyway, recommend Janesville or Lacrosse shows, and I think Rockford also
has a show.

Otherwise, you are always welcome to come by any time.

[Montblack]

("Viperdoc" wrote)
> We had the EAA B-17 on our field all weekend, with perfect weather (high
> 70's, no clouds, and no humidity). They gave over 400 rides, and had
> between 6 and 7,000 tours of the plane- a great turnout.
>
> All of the other volunteers were great, thanking people for coming and
> when they left, helping people into and out of the plane, etc.


Hey, that'll be me! <g>

http://www.b17.org/tour/
Tour schedule

July 6-8 (Thur-Sun)
Minneapolis, MN

EAA Chapter 237
Anoka County-Blaine Airport
Next to (AWAM) American Wing Air Museum, and the tower

http://skyvector.com/#23-117-3-1530-580
16 nm north (@ 12 o'clock) on the MSP Class B sectional

Volunteers get their name put in a hat. Eight(?) lucky ones get to ride to
the next stop. St Cloud, MN


Montblack

[Viperdoc[_4_]]

Good luck with the weather and have fun! Please try to remember my other
comments regarding a few of the volunteers who thought they were the police,
and were obnoxiously heavy handed.

A little more restraint and respect for the visitors would have gone a long
way.

[Morgans[_2_]]

"Viperdoc" > wrote

> Please try to remember my other comments regarding a few of the volunteers
> who thought they were the police, and were obnoxiously heavy handed.
>
> A little more restraint and respect for the visitors would have gone a
> long way.

They were probably told to keep the visitors from wandering around the
airport. When you told them you were going to your hangar, they then knew
that you belonged there, and let you go.

I was not there, so I realize I don't know how heavy handed he was, but he
probably was just doing as he was told, but could have been more diplomatic.
--
Jim in NC

[Viperdoc[_4_]]

Exactly, he was doing his (volunteer) job. However, there's a difference
between "excuse me, could I ask where you're going?", and "Hey you- where
are you going?"

He had no authority, and probably actually didn't belong on the airport
himself- no plane or hangar on the field, and no airport ID. He probably had
a lot less right to be there than I did.

Still, it was a beautiful day, and hopefully the 6-7,000 folks who saw the
B-17 actually fly enjoyed the experience. Although it was irksome, one bozo
won't ruin the memory.

[Morgans[_2_]]

"Viperdoc" <> wrote

> Exactly, he was doing his (volunteer) job. However, there's a difference
> between "excuse me, could I ask where you're going?", and "Hey you- where
> are you going?"

Right. Some people are raised in a blunt, rude environment, and will never
have a polite, diplomatic bone in their body. It sounds like you met one.

I hope that everyone in the group is reminded about the right way to
approach situations like this, for future reference.

> Still, it was a beautiful day, and hopefully the 6-7,000 folks who saw the
> B-17 actually fly enjoyed the experience. Although it was irksome, one
> bozo won't ruin the memory.

Good. That is the right attitude, or at least the one I try to take.

My philosophy is to consider the source, and take it for what it is worth.
In this case, the "worth" is very little.
--
Jim in NC

[Jim Burns]

Dang... that sucks.
Rockford and Lacrosse are already over.... The Janesville show I last
attended was one of the last times any of us would see Bobby Younkin and
Jimmy Franklin perform. http://www.swairfest.org/Performers.aspx Looks
like Janesville is Aug 4/5 but no Blues or Birds.

http://www.aero-pix.com/schedule/schedule.htm#July

Yesterday I was fortunate enough to have Montblack as a guest as he and I
loaded the Aztec with my son, nephew, another local pilot and his daughter,
then flew to Battle Creek, MI to watch the Blues and other great airshow
acts.

The Blue Angels were great, as always, and the other acts kept the crowd's
full attention for an incredible afternoon of great weather, flying, and
friends.

Although they didn't have time to perform the "Code Name-Mary's Lamb"
routine, the individual X Team members each performed amazingly. BTW...
does anybody "get" that whole Mary's Lamb thing???

Jim


"Viperdoc" > wrote in message
...
> No airshow in MKE this year- apparently they couldn't get a headliner,
> either Blue Angels or Thunderbirds. Also, according to local rumor, there
> was some litigation regarding the actual promoters of the show.
>
> Anyway, recommend Janesville or Lacrosse shows, and I think Rockford also
> has a show.
>
> Otherwise, you are always welcome to come by any time.
>
>

[Jay Honeck]

> No airshow in MKE this year- apparently they couldn't get a headliner,
> either Blue Angels or Thunderbirds.

Dang, too bad. It was really developing into a world-class deal. I
hope they can get it back next year.

> Otherwise, you are always welcome to come by any time.

Thanks! We're heading to Racine tomorrow evening, to "do" the parade
and fireworks with some friends. Eat some kringle, drink some beer,
and generally unwind for a day or two...

We won't be far away!
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[Jay Honeck]

> Although they didn't have time to perform the "Code Name-Mary's Lamb"
> routine, the individual X Team members each performed amazingly. BTW...
> does anybody "get" that whole Mary's Lamb thing???

Not me!
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[Roger (K8RI)]

On Mon, 2 Jul 2007 21:43:45 -0500, "Jim Burns"
> wrote:

>Dang... that sucks.
>Rockford and Lacrosse are already over.... The Janesville show I last
>attended was one of the last times any of us would see Bobby Younkin and
>Jimmy Franklin perform. http://www.swairfest.org/Performers.aspx Looks
>like Janesville is Aug 4/5 but no Blues or Birds.
>
>http://www.aero-pix.com/schedule/schedule.htm#July
>
>Yesterday I was fortunate enough to have Montblack as a guest as he and I
>loaded the Aztec with my son, nephew, another local pilot and his daughter,
>then flew to Battle Creek, MI to watch the Blues and other great airshow
>acts.

Some where around here I have a whole series of B&W photos I shot down
there at the airshow in 19. the Thunderbirds were flying F100s, The MC
was Bob Cumings (he was a TV personality with a sit come and flew his
Beech 18 in the show at times). They also had the Flying Farmer and
another bunch of acts. The show was billed as being something like
11:00 to 2:00 so we sat in the grand stands. It ran until 7:00 PM.
The top of my head was sunburnt right through my hair. (I had lots of
it back then)

>
>The Blue Angels were great, as always, and the other acts kept the crowd's
>full attention for an incredible afternoon of great weather, flying, and
>friends.
>
>Although they didn't have time to perform the "Code Name-Mary's Lamb"
>routine, the individual X Team members each performed amazingly. BTW...
>does anybody "get" that whole Mary's Lamb thing???
>
>Jim
>
>
>"Viperdoc" > wrote in message
...
>> No airshow in MKE this year- apparently they couldn't get a headliner,
>> either Blue Angels or Thunderbirds. Also, according to local rumor, there
>> was some litigation regarding the actual promoters of the show.

If you go to that IP I put up in a previous post (have to cut and
paste) it explains the whole thing. Or just do a search on the
"Muskegon Air Fair".

>>
>> Anyway, recommend Janesville or Lacrosse shows, and I think Rockford also
>> has a show.
>>
>> Otherwise, you are always welcome to come by any time.
>>
>>
>

[Roger (K8RI)]

On Mon, 02 Jul 2007 21:28:51 -0700, Jay Honeck >
wrote:

>> No airshow in MKE this year- apparently they couldn't get a headliner,
>> either Blue Angels or Thunderbirds.
>
>Dang, too bad. It was really developing into a world-class deal. I
>hope they can get it back next year.

A few years back I flew over from Gladwin (GDW) to Muskegon witht he
17 and 24. When we got to Muskegon's air space they had us pull up and
tighten up. We sat 500 feet up and 500 back centered between the two
as they wound over town. Man, what a view. I would have liked to have
shot some photos but it was so hot and rough my wife was starting to
turn green although out front seat passernger did well. Her husband
was on the 24.

The 17 and 24 were so low approach apologized and said, I know you are
setting up for the air show but I gotta ask you guys to get up to a
*better* altitude. At 500 above them I think I was the only legal one.
>
>> Otherwise, you are always welcome to come by any time.
>
>Thanks! We're heading to Racine tomorrow evening, to "do" the parade
>and fireworks with some friends. Eat some kringle, drink some beer,
>and generally unwind for a day or two...
>
>We won't be far away!

[Jay B]

On Jul 2, 4:53 am, "Viperdoc" > wrote:
> We had the EAA B-17 on our field all weekend, with perfect weather (high
> 70's, no clouds, and no humidity). They gave over 400 rides, and had between
> 6 and 7,000 tours of the plane- a great turnout.
>
> There were a bunch of T-6's, a T-33, as well as a P-51 on static display.
> At one time there were well over 100 people in line to go inside the B-17.
>
> The only downside was that some of the EAA volunteers were on a little power
> trip. I rode my bicycle down from my hangar to the ramp, and upon returning
> got yelled at by some guy: "where are YOU going?" I told him I was returning
> to my hangar, if that was OK with him. He didn't say a word, and I kept on
> going- not a great representative.
>
> Yes, everyone's a volunteer, and they were there to protect the ramp and
> prevent runway incursions, but some instruction in being polite and
> courteous would have gone a long way. They were there to also promote
> aviation and generate interest, and a couple of guys who were on a power
> trip doesn't foster that attitude. All of the other volunteers were great,
> thanking people for coming and when they left, helping people into and out
> of the plane, etc.
>
> Anyway, it was a great day to promote aviation and see a piece of history.
> Hopefully out of the 6-7,000 we will see some new student pilots.

I had a similar experience with a ramp volunteer for the Collings
bunch back in April of last year. I flew down to Tucson to go for a
ride on their B17 and I guess I caught them by suprise by walking
across the ramp. The guy was like "Where'd you come from...How'd you
get out here?" Great look on his face when I gestured over my
shoulder to the C172 I'd just tied down. LOL.

Jay Beckman
PP-ASEL
Chandler, AZ
www.pbase.com/flyingphotog