Warbird Information Exchange

Any good suggestions for getting the most out of a warbird flight? Other than a good stretch before hand so I don't end up with cramped facial muscles or a permanent smile that is...
I've signed up for a ride in the CAF P-51 Gunfighter Sunday at heavy Bombers Weekend in Madison, WI. Really looking forward to my first P-51 flight!

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Always looking for P-51D parts.

At least once during the takeoff, loosen your earphones for just a moment to really experience the sheer force of the sound. It's much too loud to leave them off for any length of time, but a Merlin at takeoff power is a remarkable experience.

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Neal Nurmi

---Wingman Photo---

Are you flying on formation with anyone else? If so, find out who they are and get a pact between you to get shots of the other in the air. Get contact info ahead of time. There are photos of me in a P-51 in the air somewhere, but I never got the info for the guy I saw taking them.
If you're shooting video or stills, you might want to get a shot of footage of you in the cockpit in the air. A pal of mine got a fighter flight once but nobody believed him as he had no shots of him in the air. I shot video on mine (in formation with the Collings bombers) and made sure I got what are now called, "Selfie" shots with video and still camera.
Also, if you know anyone willing to do it, try to get someone to take video or still of the plane as you take off or land. You'll want those later. I was lucky that someone later gave me a video of my takeoff in the 'stang.
if the flight is short, don't drink much water before you go up. Nothing's worse than spending the flight being miserable because you had to take a leak. Bring water with you, but don't drink until after you've taken off and preferably after you've landed. Your pilot will not be happy if you spill water in the cockpit.
If you bring up any gear or a bag, make darned sure it's out of the way, secured and down by your feet, if you have to bail. Yeah, it's a very unlikely situation, but if it comes, it'll come really fast. You should also wear some hiking boots or something you can lace up tight. If you gotta bail, sneakers will come right off in the opening shock of the chute. Don't dwell on the possibility, but always be ready just in case.
Same thing for above in case the pilot makes a loop of a barrel roll. A good pilot will do a 1G roll so your stuff will stay down, but you never know. You don't want stuff flying to the top of the canopy as it could land on the pilot later.
You might wanna wear a Nomex flight suit just in case but if you do, wear something really light underneath so you'll be cool after you get out. Put some air sickness bags in a pocket where you can get to it. I've never needed them but I always take them just in case as I knew a former Army chopper jock who got sick on a warbird ride once and nobody ever let him forget that he had to clean up the mess afterwards without a bag.
Bring a cap in case you're given a headset and not a helmet. I was lucky enough to have a (repro) WW2 officer's hat with me, so I really had a 'crusher' cap when I was done with my ride!

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Life member, 91st BG Memorial Association
Owner, 1944 Willys MB #366014
Former REMF (US Army, O3)

Talk to Chuck Gardner as he has the CFM Corsair there as well. It has a back seat and I'm sure he would like to talk with you if you wanted to go up in it.
When you are in the Mustang and even the Corsair, take a cheap camera or even you iPhone with you and have the driver take a picture of you. If you have a log book, have them sign it and look for any veterans around as well and have them sign it. Something I wished I have done over the years as Jim Harley gave me the ideal.
Enjoy your ride and don't worry, the grin that you will be wearing will eventually wear off. If you fly with Mark Todd in the Mustang, don't worry, he is a great stick like Chuck and they will take good care of you. Let us know how it was...

Lynn

Don't over think it, just go and enjoy it.

You don't need to be buying nomex flight suits, special boots or anything else for a 20-minute hop. Likewise you shouldn't need to be stowing bags of gear, bottles of water or anything else. Just take a camera (and an airsickness bag, just in case), go fly, enjoy!

Great points guys, thanks!
It's been a dream since I was about 10 so 40+ years of buildup to this moment... I plan to have a digital camera and cell phone plus my girlfriend is coming along to watch so we should get some good pics.
I can't wait to hear that V-12 growl just feet in front of me!
I never even thought about formation flight that would be awesome, definitely gotta look into it.

This is something I hadn't even had in the realm of possibility, wow would that be cool! Thanks for the tip Lynn!

Planning on heading to the show this afternoon as well, if I get any good pics I'll post them.

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Always looking for P-51D parts.

Good footwear is a good idea, regardless the length of the flight. Sneakers can easily come off or melt in the event of an emergency. Nomex suits can often be borrowed in such cases and bought cheaply from surplus stores. Just because a flight is short, doesn't at all mean nothing can happen. I was in a chopper crash where we were lifting off when the engines failed. If I hadn't been already thinking of what I'd do if something went wrong, I probably wouldn't be here today.
Not trying to scare the man, but the moment you stop planning for contingencies, airplanes can have this nasty habit of killing you quickly and horribly. Good footwear and basic fire protection is simply a good idea for a high-performance airplane like that.
As for bags and such, I wasn't sure how long the flight was and if he was going to be landing where he took off from. Some of these types of flights are to the next destination if the plane is being moved. Besides, he might not have a place to stow his (probably expensive) stuff while he's in the air.

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Life member, 91st BG Memorial Association
Owner, 1944 Willys MB #366014
Former REMF (US Army, O3)

If you are not an experienced flier in small aircraft I would skip lunch and forgo requesting any aerobatics, it will be a hot day and you could get a little uncomfortable.

Enjoy your ride.

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Good point. From the people I know who do get airsick, I'm told that heat and a full stomach are things you want to avoid. A 1G barrel roll is no strain on the body (ask the pilot if he's gonna do that and if so, if he could tell you ahead of time if you want photos of that) but if you're not used to it, you can go from "cool" to "this sucks" really quick.

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Life member, 91st BG Memorial Association
Owner, 1944 Willys MB #366014
Former REMF (US Army, O3)

Have a GREAT time & thank you for supporting a flying warbird. Tell us how it goes!

Ken

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"Take care of the little things and the big things will take care of themselves."

Great input. Never done any aerobatics but love roller coasters... I have been in quite a few small aircraft, a little right seat stick time and I've even exited while airborne 13 times so I should be fine... Stopped by today, pretty hot but a nice turnout. First time that close to a Helldiver and a PB4Y.

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Always looking for P-51D parts.

Chuck has taken my pix many times, even have some of the crib as we rolled by. I don't know if Rednose has a video camera, but spring for the video if they do...

Neal posted a great tip about lifting your headset a little on take-off, it is noise that is unreal. If the air temp and humidity are high you will get warm. You are sitting above the radiator.
Now is the perfect time to do the experience as it will never be cheaper to do than right now.

When you finish your Gunfighter ride you can start thinking about stepping it up a bit.

We're waiting for you !

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"You cannot invade the mainland United States. There would be a rifle behind each blade of grass..."
Admiral Isoruku Yamamoto

If you are a multiengine pilot we can do a 1 hour upset training flight in this :

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"You cannot invade the mainland United States. There would be a rifle behind each blade of grass..."
Admiral Isoruku Yamamoto