WARBIRDS once again

[Absalom]

I don't know how many of you are familiar with the Collings Foundation. They were founded in the 1970s by folks of that name and their mission is the preservation of historic aircraft and I believe also vehicles like classic cars and WW II military vehicles.

To gain recognition and finance their work, they take several restored and airworthy WW II aircraft on what is called the "Wings of Freedom Tour" around the country and offer tours and flights.

Well, this weekend they brought five planes to the Salem, Oregon, airport, and since the weather is playing nice and it's within driving distance, I headed over for a couple of hours this afternoon.

Unfortunately, my health doesn't permit me to climb into the planes anymore, let alone take one of the (very expensive) flights, but I was content to just look. It was hard to get pictures without lots of tourists in them, but on the other hand, it was gratifying to see how many people, including young folks, paid the rather steep $15 "donation" to see these veterans of the air.

The planes:
B-17, B-24, B-25, P-40, and a P-51 of which I didn't get a photo because it was off flying.

The planes were restored and named after famous WW II planes. So these aren't the original bearers of the names. The B-17 and B-25 served a few decades as firebombers before restoration, and the B-24, after serving with the RAF in the war, spent another 20 years in the Indian Air Force.

 

[Absalom]

Here are a few more photos:

 

[Old 44 Guy]

A few years back I saw the Pacific Prowler B-25 and a P-51 at the Coos County airport.

 

[Texas40]

One of my customers (Im in aviation parts/supplies dist.)is Rod Lewis and his plethora of vintage and modern aircraft.
Take a look see at some of his collection here.

Texas Flying Legends Museum | Honoring Our past - Inspiring Our Future

And or google Lewis Air Legends.
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[xring33]

My only WW2 aircraft related stuff.


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[Rudi]

Too bad they did not advertise this fly in better. The B25 and P40 flew right over my house. So cool.

 

[bummer]

A few years ago they were at the Butler County airport here Pa. Took my son and had a great time. During the tour we met an elderly gent who flew as a rear gunner on the B-24, he was climbing all over the plane. He recounted that on numerous times he would strap himself to the guide wire in the bomb area and kick away loose bombs

 

[Tom Kent]

From your history account of those planes I think I have seen the exact same ones. Great aircraft.

 

[xring33]

A few years ago they were at the Butler County airport here Pa. Took my son and had a great time. During the tour we met an elderly gent who flew as a rear gunner on the B-24, he was climbing all over the plane. He recounted that on numerous times he would strap himself to the guide wire in the bomb area and kick away loose bombs

My late father-in-law was a waist gunner on a B-24. He told me that by the time he got into action the German AirPower was pretty much decimated and the real problem was flak. BTW..I was given his Air Medal.


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[Sistema1927]

The B17 got all the glory, but the B24 carried a heavier payload further and faster.

My Father-in-Law flew in B24's, including clandestine service with the "Carpetbaggers". Here is a mission report for his crew just prior to D-Day.

My Father-in-law was the Radio Operator, during this mission they were not able to complete their objective due to overcast over target, but they did encounter flak and a FW190 which they damaged or destroyed. They were flying alone, at night, in support of the resistance. Some of these missions involved dropping supplies and/or infiltrators, others dropped leaflets, etc. Single airplanes, no escort, really big cajones.

I remember him telling of some of his missions. He had a small plexiglass window, and when he saw an FW190 or ME109 attacking he instinctively ducked away from the window, "what you can't see can't hurt you". Yet, he admitted the plexiglass offered a tiny bit more protection than the thin aluminum skin.

He enlisted before the war, flew sub duty off the Atlantic coast before the war, spent a considerable amount of time with the Carpetbaggers, and then flew bombing missions until the end of the European conflict. Getting ready to transition to the PTO when Hiroshima and Nagasaki brought the war to an end. I think that one of the most chilling things that I have ever read was his diary entry celebrating his 1,000 hour over enemy territory!

He has been gone since 1986, and I have known very few better men.

 

[ParadiseRoad]

...I was curious about the sound of the B-25 a while back...

...they sound good...REAL good...

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOOTKxChTo0[/ame]

 

[CH4]

I visited the show a few years ago when it was in Sacramento. Would love to do it again!

 

[Texas Star]

I think I see a Hurricane parked back behind one B-17. ??

I lived near Dyess AFB, TX in the 1950's and got to climb into a B-25 there. I often saw and heard the Mitchells passing overhead. I think they remained on flying status to amuse senior officers who'd flown them in WW II.

I built a model of a B-25J and read, "Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo."