My Collings Foundation Experience!

[warbirdguy]

Thanks to my local stop coordinator, Phil Griffith, I was given an opportunity to help organize this years "Wings of Freedom" stop in Valparaiso, IN. He gave me the duty of coordinating the media participation. I was able to get 6 of the local papers, 1 TV station and 5 radio stations to promote the event.

As a thank you for my help Phil Griffith allowed me to ride the B-24 from Kankakee, IL to Valparaiso, IN. On the flight from Kankakee we had our local Public television news crew fly with us and I was on the local news (WYIN 56 - PBS).

Now, I must tell you riding the B-24 was my FIRST airplane ride EVER. The flight was much smoother than I would have imagined. The flight only took 20 minutes or so but was worth every minute. The landing was so smooth I could hardly feel it. Everybody on the flight were all smiles. Afterwords the smile couldn't be wiped from my face.

The next day a gentlemen purchased a "Flight Training" ride on the B-25 for $2,000. The pilot came over to the PX Tent and said someone needed to ride in the back. So, Jim Harley turned as asked me if I wanted to ride and of course I said yes. Who wouldn't? I couldn't believe I was going to ride in a B-25. The flight took us north to Bethlehem Steel, south back over the airport to my high school then circled the county fair. When I looked out the waist window no one was moving, all was still below. This shows how much racket a B-25 makes.

All in all the Valparaiso stop was a success. We had 500+ visitors and 13 flights. We also had a formation fly-by of some AT-6's and Jim Read's Corsair made a fly-by as well. This was the largest crowd for Valparaiso for quite some time. Plus this was a weekday stop with two county fairs going on as well in the area.

Finally, the Collings crew were the greatest to work with. I look forward to working with them for many years to come.

Last edited by warbirdguy on Tue Jul 31, 2007 8:12 pm, edited 2 times in total.

[Eric Friedebach]

Now, I must tell you riding the B-24 was my FIRST airplane ride EVER.

Not very many people can say that!

Send the pictures to me; I would be happy to post them for you.

[Bear]

Here are Mike's pictures.

[warbirdguy]

Bear,

Thanks for posting my photo's

[warbirdguy]

The photo of the B-17 was taken while they were preparing to depart Kankakee for Valpo (KIKK to KVPZ).

[Bear]

Bear,

Thanks for posting my photo's

No problemo! Anytime.

[Joe B-25]

That is awesome!! I'm glad that you got to go for a few flights. Those airplanes are absolutely unbelievable. The Collings Foundation is great to work with and Jim Harley is a tremendous asset to the crew.

I volunteer with them as much as I can although it is only a few weeks out of the year. I was in Kankakee and Valpo last year. I am getting ready to go back out for a few weeks in August. If you work with them long enough you will get several really cool opportunities like you did on the B-25. Can't say enough good things about them.

The B-25 is super loud but the B-24 is not much better. The rear fuselage on take off in the B-24 is pretty loud. You can here what 4800 horsepower sounds like, smell the exhaust, and see the heat coming from the engines. I love it. The B-25 is still my favorite though.

[Misterg97]

Great experience and great pictures .. I flew in the Nine-O-Nine a few years back while still living in New Jersey. I was converting my cousins home 8mm films taken from B-17's on bombing missions in '44-'45 while he was a RO with the 381st. I had always wanted to fly in one.

My first airplane ride ever ..... A C-47 Gooney Bird, 50+ years ago.

[PJ]

They'll be in Indy next week. Can't wait!!
PJ

[Dave Fish]

... The B-25 is super loud but the B-24 is not much better. The rear fuselage on take off in the B-24 is pretty loud. You can here what 4800 horsepower sounds like, smell the exhaust, and see the heat coming from the engines. I love it. The B-25 is still my favorite though.

I totally agree! I flew in their B-24 a few years ago when she was the "Dragon..." This year's visit, I flew forward in the B-25. Next year I want to fly aft.

One minor disappointment for me with this year's visit to Camarillo. When I made my flight reservation, I offered to volunteer in any way I might be needed...was told my offer would be forwarded to the CMA coordinator, but I never heard back. I guess my help was not needed.

[Beachy]

I'm taking my 3-year old nephew to see the B-17, -24, and -25 in September when they're at North Central in RI. He's fascinated by planes already and I can't wait to see his little face when he sees these!

[warbirdguy]

When the bombers were here (KVPZ) we had some little kids, maybe 5-6 years old, telling their parents about the bombers. It's great to see kids that age very interested in warbirds.

[Beachy]

Auntie & her favorite little bad boy! I'm just praying I can keep him under control that day! He's not much of a listener - I think he takes after me! He should be fine, though. My brother & sis-in-law take him over to the airport every weekend........I think when he's watching the planes it's about the only time he's behaving!

[Former Member]

Auntie & her favorite little bad boy!

I bet you spoil that little guy rotten and then dump him on his parents to deal with. But then that's what aunts, uncles, and grandparents are for!

John

[Beachy]

Nah, he's a good little kid (although yes, he is spoiled) -- as long as no one gets on his nerves.........He's got quite the temper! Again, I think this is from our side of the family! I use the bomber tour as a threat to get him to calm down now!