Way back when it all started
Fri Nov 04, 2005 6:56 pm
I saw this on another forum and thought it would be fun to do here. I know we have done other posts like this but....
Post your photos of the early years of your Warbird interest. I saw a great one of Randy H. next to a Mustang! Here is one of me at Breckenridge next to the CAF Spitfire. (I think from 1987 or so) I have plenty more but this is just to start things off....
Show us your photos from way back when it all started...
Post your photos of the early years of your Warbird interest. I saw a great one of Randy H. next to a Mustang! Here is one of me at Breckenridge next to the CAF Spitfire. (I think from 1987 or so) I have plenty more but this is just to start things off....
Show us your photos from way back when it all started...
Fri Nov 04, 2005 7:55 pm
Cool shot, Dan!
Yup, here's the shot of me (left) and my older brother circa 1978 with P-51C 42-103831/NX1204.
If you can get past the cool 70s clothes and haircuts, you can see a couple huge warbird fanatics in the making!
Yup, here's the shot of me (left) and my older brother circa 1978 with P-51C 42-103831/NX1204.
If you can get past the cool 70s clothes and haircuts, you can see a couple huge warbird fanatics in the making!
Fri Nov 04, 2005 8:26 pm
I am the little dude, on the left, with my grandfather who owned the BT-13 behind us.
To the right is my little brother Chris.
Neat just seeing these photos. Of course, I was hooked way before this photo, I think I have a younger one of me on the wing of this bird, I will have to dig it up.
I think it is 1980-1979 time frame. *Note the Airplane cool 7-'s shirt!
Fri Nov 04, 2005 9:00 pm
The interest started back in the 60s and 70s living near Crystal Airport in Minnesota where Jack Sandberg had his P63 Tipsy Miss.
But this is the photo I cherish most. July 86, RAF Coltishall for the reunion of 41 Squadron. That's me in front in the photo with all those Spit pilots and the B of B flight Spit II in EB-Z markings. That I was able to contribute to some of those guys being there and then get to go myself is something I'm really proud of.
Just a bit of heaven for a Minnesota kid at the time. Sadly too many of the guys in that photo are no longer with us.
Dan
But this is the photo I cherish most. July 86, RAF Coltishall for the reunion of 41 Squadron. That's me in front in the photo with all those Spit pilots and the B of B flight Spit II in EB-Z markings. That I was able to contribute to some of those guys being there and then get to go myself is something I'm really proud of.
Just a bit of heaven for a Minnesota kid at the time. Sadly too many of the guys in that photo are no longer with us.
Dan
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Fri Nov 04, 2005 9:56 pm
Here's the natural progression of things..............
With JackLenhardt's FM-2 N20HA age 8
At NAS Whiting North Field age 12
with my mentor Ed Moore and SNJ-5 N5488V age 18
with P-3C VP-40 Misawa, Japan age 24
airborne in P-3C update III VP-40 age 25
With JackLenhardt's FM-2 N20HA age 8
At NAS Whiting North Field age 12
with my mentor Ed Moore and SNJ-5 N5488V age 18
with P-3C VP-40 Misawa, Japan age 24
airborne in P-3C update III VP-40 age 25
Fri Nov 04, 2005 11:23 pm
I have a pic around here somewhere of me standing on the wing of Mike Clark's P-51 Unruly Julie. I was about 13 and was working on the B-17 Sentimental Journey, and the Ha-1112. I was the only one in high school that wore a cap with either B-17G or Me-109. I am now 40, and am crewing a B-25, DC-3, PBY, C-1a, TBM, T-28, T-6, PT-17. I have worked on and flown on every WWII US heavy bomber except the B-29, and have more time in the back seat of a T-6 than any other plane. Before I got my ticket, I was a student pilot that was flying acro and formation, and flew a number of times as a formation safety pilot.
Sat Nov 05, 2005 12:00 am
Matt, hard to believe that we have not crossed paths at some point. Mike Clark's "Unruly Julie" is probably my all time favorite Mustang and I can recall sitting in it in the early '80s. (I was probably about 10-12 years old) The natural metal finish and drop tanks were pretty unusual for that time frame. Even though I was very young at the time I can still remember thinking that "Unruly Julie" had some really nice sheet metal work compared to most Mustangs I'd seen up to that point. Too bad she didn't last too long after that. I have pics of "Unruly" and "Fat Cat", as well as "Sentimental Journey", and the HA-1112 on a trailer at one of the Deer Valley airshows from many moons ago. They put on some pretty decent shows back then. I can even remember seeing the PoF O-47 at one of them before it was wrecked. Ah well, I'm rambling now. Good memories though. Regards, Chad Veich.
Sat Nov 05, 2005 4:36 am
I wrote this bit for a similar thread I started sometime ago on another forum...
THE Moment
We have all had an experience which was the final catalyst for our interest in aircraft. I kinda like these kinds of stories and thought I'd share mine...
I think my 'moment' was actually a couple of moments on the same day at Hamilton, Ontario in 1984. I was almost 12 years old at the time and had only gone to a couple of airshows. I knew I liked airplanes, but my experiences on that day clinched it for me for good...
We were walking up to the admission gate and our view of the field was restricted to what could be seen between two hangars. As we neared the gate we could hear a sound that was like nothing I'd heard before. Now, it was so long ago that I really can't recall exactly how it sounded on the day. But I've seen enough of the same since to know that it started almost as a whistle and developed into a deep, menacing growl. Just then an aircraft flashed past in the limited view afforded by the two hangars. It was low and it was faaaaaaaaaaaaast!!
Now, many folks go goo-goo-ga-ga over the sound of a Merlin, and I am one of them. But nothing does it for me like the sound of an Allison beatin' those horses. The aircraft we had seen for that brief moment, but which we heard both coming and going for what seemed to be an eternity not long enough was a Curtiss P-40.
This photo was taken by my Dad. 'Twas not on that day, but it's all I have that reminds me of that particular moment...
We staked our claim at the fence and then walked up and down the flightline, looking at this brown beast as well as the other aircraft that were there. I really don't recall, but I must have badgered my Dad to get photos of this plane, as there are more slides and negatives of this airplane on that day, and all subsequent days, than of any other. Or maybe he just sensed my excitement. My Grandfather, his Dad, worked at Curtiss here in Buffalo and perhaps he, too, was a bit excited to see an airplane that his Dad may have helped build.
Later in the day after the show was over, we again toured the flightline out on the grass, but I do recall that this time I zipped past the horde of Mustangs and other birds, making a B-line straight for that brown airplane. My eyes could not get enough of this unattractive yet beautiful machine. It was not wearing the flashy paint schemes that the Mustangs wore. It was not high-gloss. It was drab. Olive Drab to be exact, and it was mean looking and conveyed the sensation of speed... even on the ground. It looked like a war machine; a fighter! And it looked like it meant business.
The pilot was hovering around his ship this time and I met the man who had provided a thrill for me and countless others earlier that day. Again, my memory is hazy but I do recall babbling something about 'my Grandpa', 'Curtiss', and 'Buffalo'. I may have been incoherent, I truly don't remember how it all transpired. But I do know that he understood me exactly and that I was invited to sit in the cockpit. THAT was a thrill beyond any I'd experienced before and any that I shall ever experience. I have never flown in a P-40, and although it would be a great thrill to do so, nothing will ever compare to the moment I first sat in one, as a young boy.
I've never been one to show much emotion outwardly... I don't get excited and overly enthusiastic. It does not show in this photo, but I was one happy little kid!
And here's a shot of the man who was then pilot and owner of this ship, Bill 'Doc' Anderson'.
That's what I recall as my 'moment'...
You can see and read more about this particular Hawk on my website...
Kittyhawk I AK940
Fade to Black...
THE Moment
We have all had an experience which was the final catalyst for our interest in aircraft. I kinda like these kinds of stories and thought I'd share mine...
I think my 'moment' was actually a couple of moments on the same day at Hamilton, Ontario in 1984. I was almost 12 years old at the time and had only gone to a couple of airshows. I knew I liked airplanes, but my experiences on that day clinched it for me for good...
We were walking up to the admission gate and our view of the field was restricted to what could be seen between two hangars. As we neared the gate we could hear a sound that was like nothing I'd heard before. Now, it was so long ago that I really can't recall exactly how it sounded on the day. But I've seen enough of the same since to know that it started almost as a whistle and developed into a deep, menacing growl. Just then an aircraft flashed past in the limited view afforded by the two hangars. It was low and it was faaaaaaaaaaaaast!!
Now, many folks go goo-goo-ga-ga over the sound of a Merlin, and I am one of them. But nothing does it for me like the sound of an Allison beatin' those horses. The aircraft we had seen for that brief moment, but which we heard both coming and going for what seemed to be an eternity not long enough was a Curtiss P-40.
This photo was taken by my Dad. 'Twas not on that day, but it's all I have that reminds me of that particular moment...
We staked our claim at the fence and then walked up and down the flightline, looking at this brown beast as well as the other aircraft that were there. I really don't recall, but I must have badgered my Dad to get photos of this plane, as there are more slides and negatives of this airplane on that day, and all subsequent days, than of any other. Or maybe he just sensed my excitement. My Grandfather, his Dad, worked at Curtiss here in Buffalo and perhaps he, too, was a bit excited to see an airplane that his Dad may have helped build.
Later in the day after the show was over, we again toured the flightline out on the grass, but I do recall that this time I zipped past the horde of Mustangs and other birds, making a B-line straight for that brown airplane. My eyes could not get enough of this unattractive yet beautiful machine. It was not wearing the flashy paint schemes that the Mustangs wore. It was not high-gloss. It was drab. Olive Drab to be exact, and it was mean looking and conveyed the sensation of speed... even on the ground. It looked like a war machine; a fighter! And it looked like it meant business.
The pilot was hovering around his ship this time and I met the man who had provided a thrill for me and countless others earlier that day. Again, my memory is hazy but I do recall babbling something about 'my Grandpa', 'Curtiss', and 'Buffalo'. I may have been incoherent, I truly don't remember how it all transpired. But I do know that he understood me exactly and that I was invited to sit in the cockpit. THAT was a thrill beyond any I'd experienced before and any that I shall ever experience. I have never flown in a P-40, and although it would be a great thrill to do so, nothing will ever compare to the moment I first sat in one, as a young boy.
I've never been one to show much emotion outwardly... I don't get excited and overly enthusiastic. It does not show in this photo, but I was one happy little kid!
And here's a shot of the man who was then pilot and owner of this ship, Bill 'Doc' Anderson'.
That's what I recall as my 'moment'...
You can see and read more about this particular Hawk on my website...
Kittyhawk I AK940
Fade to Black...
Sat Nov 05, 2005 11:44 am
Here I am at my first Airshow in 1986. It took about 1 month to brake my Dad down to take me to it; we made it a Family trip with my Cousin. My Dad loved it, so did I. from then on Air shows were no problem.
So this is a Picture of my Cousin Dave, The shorter one, and myself in front of soon to be Fuddy Duddy and AK940 in the background.
While in the Navy, I took a trip to McClellen AFB to see FiFi.
What a beautiful thing Mk-20 Cluster Bombs are (very similar to CBU-99 if I recall correctly)!
Final a more recent picture of my in front of my Favorite aircraft.
So this is a Picture of my Cousin Dave, The shorter one, and myself in front of soon to be Fuddy Duddy and AK940 in the background.
While in the Navy, I took a trip to McClellen AFB to see FiFi.
What a beautiful thing Mk-20 Cluster Bombs are (very similar to CBU-99 if I recall correctly)!
Final a more recent picture of my in front of my Favorite aircraft.
Sat Nov 05, 2005 11:50 am
Me and the CWH TBM. 1970s at the Oshawa airport.
Many years later, I made it to the cockpit. Dave Tinker's TBM a few years ago at Thunder Over Michigan.
Someday I'll fly one...I hope...
Jim
Many years later, I made it to the cockpit. Dave Tinker's TBM a few years ago at Thunder Over Michigan.
Someday I'll fly one...I hope...
Jim
Sat Nov 05, 2005 8:37 pm
No picture to show, but funny story. I dropped out of college @ 19 (went back later), I had no plan, no direction. A girlfriend's mother suggested I go to a trade school, preferably in airconditioning repair since I had worked summers at a heating and airconditioning store for several years. I looked in the San Antonio yellow pages under "Tradeschools- Airconditioning, and found one for Braniff Education Systems in Dallas. I called and was told that the ad was for a Aircraft (A/C) maintenance school and the yellowpages had put it in the wrong spot. 30 years later here I am, flying and restoring many warbirds. Planes I have checked out in- most trainers, Fi-156 Storch, P47, F4U (see pic at left), S2F, TBM, OV 1D, SIC- He 111, B-17, B-25, B-29, B-24, C47, Falcon 10, Falcon 200. Just got Rotorcraft rating last week. Life is good.
Another one...
Thu Nov 10, 2005 8:51 am
Here is another one... think this was taken at Carswell AFB, Ft. Worth mid-1980's. CAF Corsair and TBM in the background along with a B25.
