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#1
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What a sight...and what a sound
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 |
#2
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What a sight...and what a sound
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. |
#3
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What a sight...and what a sound
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" |
#4
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What a sight...and what a sound
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. |
#5
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What a sight...and what a sound
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. |
#6
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What a sight...and what a sound
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. |
#7
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What a sight...and what a sound
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" |
#8
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What a sight...and what a sound
("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 |
#9
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What a sight...and what a sound
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. |
#10
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What a sight...and what a sound
"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 |
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