[DeTomaso] Flying a P-51 Mustang - NPC

Mon May 3 13:27:26 EDT 2010

I was fortunate over the past few years (OK, 20 years) to meet several of
the "famous" WWII fliers,
the last living crew members  of the Memphis Belle, Lt. Col. Paul Tibbets
and Francis "Gabby" Grabreski ( What a trip he was) to name those that stand
out.
I have walked through a B-17, B-24 and B-25 on other occasions as well as to
see/hear/feel a
P-51, P-47,a Spitfire, a Corsair and one of the last three flying Hellcats (
Talk about noise... OMG!!!)  Never had a chance to fly on any of them and
have always wanted to do so.

What struck me most about all those guys was how gentle and reserved they
all were ( except the little guy, the belly gunner on the Memphis Belle (who
was still able to wear his original A-2 jacket), he was a fireplug and ready
to fight in his 70's, just like he was played by actor Sean Astin in the
movie "Memphis Belle").  None were boastful or Hot Dogs or acted like the
Heroes they were.  Truly the Greatest generation - just like the book said.

Michael Shortt

On Mon, May 3, 2010 at 1:03 PM, Asa Jay Laughton <asajay at asajay.com> wrote:

> We had a B-17 from another group here in Spokane this last weekend.  I
> was at a car show with Sam when it flew directly overhead.  It was
> awesome.  The rides are $450 for 45 minutes on that bird.  I wanted so
> bad to get my dad into it, but couldn't afford it.  That and he left
> on an RV trip before the plane arrived.
>
> There is just something visceral about the thrumming of those big prop
> engines.  They are beautiful planes.
>
> Asa Jay
>
> Quoting Mad Dog Antenucci <teampantera at yahoo.com>:
>
> > If you are a pilot or just love old WWII war birds you might
> > appreciate this touring group of old WWII war birds. See the site
> > address below for details of when it is going to be in a city near
> > you.
> >
> > Larry Kelsey who many of you know from his trips to Vegas or
> > Monterey for the old run rallys or in Texas, Nevada, or Nebrasaka
> > for the open road races got into the back seat of a P-51 Saturday
> > out of John Wayne Airport. Not too many WWII pilots still around
> > today and we met several of them Saturday who were pretty thrilled
> > to see some of the same planes they had also flown or crewed  in WWII.
> >
> > Pilot let Larry take the stick after a few minutes to fly it for a
> > few minutes and even do some barrel roles, etc and Larry all most
> > floated out of that old  Mustang after it landed about 45 minutes
> > later he definately was a happy new 'young' man.  If you ever wanted
> >  to take a ride in a B-17 'Flying Fortress", or the B24 Liberater or
> >  FLY a P-51 here's your opportunity.
> >
> > It's not a cheap ride but if its on your bucket list you need to do
> > it....I saw a 70+ year old tired old friend get into that
> > cockpit but an hour later saw a young man about 40 years younger
> > climb out of that old war bird and slide across the wing on his ass
> > like he had been doing it for 60 years.
> >
> > As an aside one of the veteran B-17 pilots was there with his
> > daugther waiting to take it up. Once airport they let the veteran
> > ride co-pilot....I heard he felt 20 years old again which was hold
> > he was when he first flew a B-17!!!
> >
> > amazing weekend
> >
> > Mad Dawg Antenucci
> > Team Pantera Racing
> > "If you're not on the edge you're taking up space"
> > www.teampanteraracing.com
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > http://www.collingsfoundation.org/ma_p51mustang.htm
> >
> > Larry Kelsey
> > Airports Development Group
> > Sr. Construction Manager - Aviation
> > D 424.646.7516
> > lkelsey at lawa.org
> >
> > AECOM
> > 7301World Way West
> > Los Angeles, CA 90045
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-- 

Michael L. Shortt
Savannah, Georgia
www.michaelshortt.com
michael at michaelshortt.com
912-232-9390

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