Who else touched a B-17 today?
 

While sentenced to west Texas to finish a project, I found time to visit the Conferdeate Air Force museum here in Midland TX. I didn't know it, but Midland is the CAF HQ office. It was very cool to walk around and touch a B-17, B-25, and others. There was NO one else in the hanger.

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P-63

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Great pics Mark. I am a big WWII buf. Whenever I see a pic of one of those, I think of the men that mustered up the courage to fly into combat. Big Balls.

B-25

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God Bless America and all those men and women who have given the ultimate sacrifice to preserve our freedoms.

Hi Mark.. 2yrs ago I'm visiting a friend in a golf community around Palm Springs Calif. And my friend's boyfriend is a WW2 Pacific fighter pilot. He's in great shape and still flies his small twin engine plane. He was shot down 3 times and still hates Japan. So she has to go to work and I wind up for a full day hanging with him alone. " Show me some of these fighter planes that you routinely fly for the collectors.".. "No problem".
We go to an airport where a collector has his 7or8 planes indoors at an exhibition with admission and guides.. there are plenty of collectors who do this in the SW. So now he starts talking of the pacific fighters that were present.. he fley them all. he starts comparing performance in the air and on landing and take off. He goes on to describe crash landing in 12ft + rolling smooth waves. Anyway these fighters and bombers have to be flown and it's easy to figure out a way to get rides. fwiw, it was a wonderful experience hanging with this guy. I'm gonna make plans for a ride on my next cross country cruise.

Very cool, Dr. Wilson.


Love this pic. . .
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Ron,
That's a great resource. Hope to see lots of pictures of the adventure!


Thanks Isle, here are a couple more-

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Out here in Tucson we are lucky. We have the Pima Air and Space Museum. B 17, B24, B29, lots of vintage planes from the earliest days up to American and Russian jet fighters, Kennedy's Air Force One, a number of very unique planes like the converted jumbo jets that look like a pregnant guppy; a Blackhawk, some experimental stuff, 1930s type air racers. Too much to list, and a lot of hale and hearty WWII fellas to act as tour guides. Well worth the trip.

hi Mark. there's a 17 and a 24 sitting just a mile or so north of my house right now at Paine field. took some pics of the 17 up close a few days ago. I'll try to post them tomorrow. too bad they'll probably be gone when you come home

Had the great pleasure to fly in that plane in March. It is well worth the money spent. The noise, vibration, the tubulance, and the smells made it a great experience. Couldn't wonder though if the boys that flew in them in Europe enjoyed it at all. The fuselage wouldn't do much to even slow down a bullet, much less flak.

Alan Poh
'77 Carrera 3.0

Mark, do they still have the twin Mustang? Way back when the Confederate Air Force was in Harligen Texas it was stored there. I have a picture of my wife standing by it in about '78. It was at the time the only flying one in the world. It was crashed in the early to mid 80's then the frame was brought to Midland when the museum was moved there. I think the last time we were there was in the early 90's and they were working on it. They also had a P-49, ME-109, and a B-29 the last time we were there.

Great photos Mark! I've never touched a B-17. But my Uncle did, lots of times. Back in the 40's, he was known as Captain Gordon Donkin, U.S. Army Air Corps, stationed in England. He was a pilot, flew B-17's to Germany and back...he must not have liked Germany much, because he never stopped. ;) May he rest in peace...along with many of his friends who didn't make it back from that duty. There is a pic of him, taken before he left for London. It's one of a group of photos in our hall wall. He's standing in front of some shrubbery, squinting into the 1940's Californa sun. Barely old enough to grow the moustache he's sporting. A kid, really...one who should have been more concerned about the college dating scene than flying bombers in the war. Once back from the war, he was one of the least macho personality guys I ever knew...no need to bluff being a tough guy, because he'd already proven it...in the skies of Germany. He died on the operating table some years ago.....BUT.....
Today especially...my thanks and gratitude to all who serve...
SmileWavy

Of course you all know who the pin up is on "Sentimental Journey", I hope...

Betty Grable

Alan Poh
'77 Carrera 3.0

absolutely.. it's like a click of this group concentrated in the SW. They know each other or know somebody who knows the
non- familiar name. They'll talk up a storm if your curious about the pacific air war. again, I hung with a pilot.

Ron, ask 'em about Midway...the turning point battle in the Pacific...

Yeah I took aride inthat plane a few years ago. What agreat ride!

Love to do the same in the B-25