Warbird Information Exchange

Hi All,

A thought occured to me when I was replying to another thread here. And I thought I would ask everyone's thoughts on the subject. Since the Air Force and some selected pilots and planes, specifically fighter aircraft fly the Heritage Flights at airshows. I thought I would ask what you would like to see IN that Heritage Flight ? What type aircraft ? And this is the part of the question I thought most interesting, does anyone think it would or could be possible to have a BOMBER Heritage Flight ? Perhaps a B-17 flying with a B-52, B-1, or B-2 ? Perhaps a couple of B-17's with some B-25's ?? any combinations come to mind ??

Just a thought

Paul

A friend of mine was telling me that a few years ago at Oshkosk they had a heritage flight with a B-17 and a B-52. The 17 was going as fast as it could go and the 52 was going as slow as possible. They were only in formation for a few seconds before the 52 overtook the 17. Not sure whether it was true, but thats what he said.

Hi,

I used to go to Oshkosh on a regular basis up until a few years ago. I never heard of a flight such as this before, but that isn't to say that it never happened. But I am sure that if a B-17 and a B-52 ever flew together, the B-17 would be flying her guts out while the 52 flew close to her stall speed.

But it does conjour up some interesting pictures of potential formation flights now doesn't it ?

Paul

If it were a bomber only flight, I'd go with the most important (and still exant) types, so a B-17, 24, 25, 26, 29 and an A-26 for piston types and a B-52, 57, 58, B-1 and B-2 for a jet flight. All of those are still around in some number though several would be tall orders to get airworthy (a B-26 [other than Tallichet's] + of course the B-57 & B-58 ).

A B-36 would be absolutely incredible to see in the air (plus hearing that amazing drone they make...) but the chances of one ever flying again aren't particularly high (we're talking height in millimeters here.. )

BTW - Does anyone know if they're any airworthy B-57 Canberras in the US?

Hiergehts

Might be still some in DM.........the VTANG was the last unit to turn in their EB-57's in the early 80's. One went from BTV to Wright Patterson and into the museum.

I cant believe that the B-47 was not part of the list!!! Wish the AF would come get the one infront of PLB AFB, or put it inside on the old airbase..............maybe I will win the powerball and I can start a new museum over there.........

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I have thought for years that a flight of an A-10 and B-25 with the gun nose would be great. Both twin tailed and tank busters. What do you think?

aero

And both about the same size too! It's amazing to see how far technology jumped in 25 years or so. I see the A-10 shucking and jiving all over the sky and imagine a B-25 trying the same maneuvers. An odd match at first thought, but actually very similar planes in many respects.

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Rob Mears
'Surviving Corsairs' Historian
robcmears@yahoo.com
http://www.robmears.com