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Topic: Bridge had a great weekend, that I wish I could attend but here i |
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TED WALTHER |
TOP BOSS
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 Posted on: May 30, 2013 - 7:00pm
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Gents;
While Bridge had the dream memorial weekend, as far as PT Boats go, I had the next best thing with my son and grandson!..........the Helldiver flew in from Texas and is the only flyable Helldiver in the world! The Mosquito is also the only flyable example in the world. The FG-1 Goodyear Corsair is the lowest flight hour Corsair in the world, and the B-17G is the only "PATHFINDER" fortress in existence and is also the only flyable example of a PATHFINDER B-17G!All here in Virginia Beach!
Enjoy and Take care,
TED
a very rare guest from Texas, the only flyable Helldiver!
the only flyable Mosquito in the world!
the only existing PATHFINDER B-17 in the world!
they have a fiberglass copy of the radome is in possession, but not yet mounted.
Take care,
TED
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Bob
New Member
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Posted on: May 30, 2013 - 7:10pm
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Ted,
That is BadAss!!
Bob |
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Frank Andruss |
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Posted on: May 30, 2013 - 9:40pm
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Thanks Ted, besides my passion for PT BOATS, the B-17 Bomber is the next thing on my list. Loved that plane since I was a young boy, and rode in the Nine O Nines back in 2001. A thrill of a life-time. Too many young boys died in that plane while serving with the 8th Air Force, until they had long range fighter escort. Great photos, my son Frank Jr. has a passion for the F4U Corsair and does work with a Corsair restoration project in Connecticut. He has a wonderful collection of related artifacts, and also does work with several of the Flying Corsairs when they come to our area.
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TheBridge
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Posted on: Jun 1, 2013 - 1:39pm
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I am also a B-17 lover. I flew in one a few years ago with my Dad. One of the great experiences I've had!
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Frank Andruss
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Posted on: Jun 1, 2013 - 6:11pm
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Just a wonderful plane Bridge. I can remember my first time going through one, and checking out all of the stations, from the tail gunner, to the nose. In fact, when I took my first flight, once we were in the air, we were allowed to go anywhere on the plane. I right away crawled my way into the nose for one of the most incredible sights I ever saw. I can only image what it must have been like on a bomb run, or when being attacked by German Fighters.
Now, I need to feel what it is like to be on a PT BOAT. I need to get my fanny over to see my buddy Jerry Gilmartin and take the wheel of PT-658.................
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TheBridge
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Posted on: Jun 1, 2013 - 8:34pm
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I found a photo I took looking into the 'greenhouse' as we were flying over Moorpark, CA (April 2004)
A shot before takeoff...
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Gary Paulsen
MASTER
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Posted on: Jun 5, 2013 - 8:29am
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Just came across this article from Kearney Nebraska News.Thought anyone interested might enjoy.
Flights on restored WWII B-17 set at Kearney Regional Airport
Hub Staff | Posted: Tuesday, June 4, 2013 12:15 pm
KEARNEY — The Experimental Aircraft Association’s “Experience History” tour, featuring a World War II-era B-17 Flying Fortress, is coming to the Kearney Regional Airport June 11 and 12.
Ground tours and mission flights will be offered on the restored Aluminum Overcast.
The B-17 was built by Boeing, starting in the 1930s, after the U.S. Army issued specifications for a multi-engine bomber.
Boeing’s heavier, faster, higher-flying and longer-range bomber proved invaluable in the strategic air battles over Europe during World War II.
The bomber become known to future generations in movies such as “Twelve O’Clock High” and “Memphis Belle.”
The Aluminum Overcast, a B-17G, was delivered to the U.S. Army Air Forces on May 18, 1945. It was too late to see action in World War II.
The airplane was purchased from military inventory in 1946 and used for such purposes as hauling cargo and aerial mapping. A group of investors bought it in 1978 and restored it mostly with B-17 equipment.
It was donated to the EAA in 1983 and is based at EAA’s AirVenture Museum in Oshkosh, Wis. Since 1994, the EAA has taken it on national tours as an aviation history teaching tool.
At the Kearney airport, there will be public flights from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and ground tours from 2-5 p.m. June 11 and 12, weather permitting.
Ground tour costs are $10 per individual, $20 for an immediate family of adults and children up to age 17, and free for children age 8 touring with a paying adult and for active or veteran members of the military. The costs for flights are $409 for EAA members and $449 for non-members if pre-booked, and $435 and $475, respectively, for walk-up reservations.
To learn more about B-17 and Aluminum Overcast history, visit the website at www.b17.org. A flight can be pre-booked by clicking on the “Book A Flight” tab just under the airplane photo on the home page.
Flights also can be booked by calling 800-359-6217.
Gary
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TheBridge
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Jun 5, 2013 - 8:54am
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BTW, if you notice on my posted photo, the B-17 had no top turret...is was an open hole to the sky. Once we got up, you could stand and stick you head out and what-a-view!!1...my dad in the photo below.
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Jeff D
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Posted on: Jun 5, 2013 - 11:36am
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That's a cool shot Bridge! You too Ted, thanks for sharing. Got to love the Corsair.
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TED WALTHER
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Posted on: Jun 5, 2013 - 12:40pm
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Bridge;
Your Dad is poking his head out of the Radio Operators position, this position had a plexiglass canopy that was on a sliding track, that slid into the overhead, on B-17 C/D/E/F/and early G models. They .50 cal was mounted on "hide" away type ring mount. Later, G models this plexiglass had a socket type gun mount installed (some of these were feild modified)and the final blocks actually deleted this gun and just had the plexiglass.
Take care,
TED
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