WWII Warbirds today

[Lee Barner]

went to the Springfield, MO airport this morning to see three warbirds: a B-29(FiFi), a T-6 Texan and a Steerman. got to climb thru the B-29 and see the cockpit area and bomb bay. I sure pity the radio operators. they didn't have much of a seat or workspace. glad I wasn't born until 1950. I had good seats on WC-135s and WC/HC-130s. the T-6 was used in Sweetwater, TX to train Women's Air Service Pilots(WASP). enjoy. Lee

 

[Lee Barner]

more pics of Steerman

 

[31FordA]

Great airplanes. I saw Fifi at the Mid-Atlantic Air Museum WWII weekend a few years ago. If you crawl thru a B-17 and then a B-29 you can appreciate how state of the art that B-29 was for its first crews.

The Stearman is my favorite airplane. I went for a ride in one when I was 10 years old and by the end of the ride I knew I wanted to be a pilot.

 

[SS336]

That must of been fun Lee. Great planes, and I love old planes. Especially with radial engines. They just sound so good. I was lucky to take a ride in a T-6 Texan a few years ago. Actually got to "fly" it for a while. The smell and the sound were glorious. If anyone who likes planes gets a chance just do it, you will not be sorry.

 

[TJm15.38]

Thanks for sharing. The "FiFi" B-29 is one of my personal favorites. I am a member of CAF and I support the restoration and preservation of these iconic and hostorical aircraft with my personal donations. To me it is worth the dollars to educate the public on the significance of these aircraft at a desperate time in our nation's history. As a retired USAF pilot, I have a soft spot for all the historic aircraft that came well before my time. Commerative Air Force is an organization that is top notch in my book and I will continue to support them for the remainder of my life.

 

[Rudi]

I got to go aboard the 'FIFI" some years back. Amazing!