Warbird Information Exchange

It might be see you on Saturday! Friday's weather isn't looking too good. In fact, Thursday's ain't that great either. We have a planned departure from San Marcos at 1000, but I've sent the crew an E-mail saying get here as early as you can, because it might be throw the bags in, strap in and go!

Ron Iberg will be providing fighter escort in the P-39 for us...or hiding under the wing from the weather!

_________________
Mike

Everybody in this area just needs to do the requisite prayin to the WX Gods.......we'll make it <she said very confidently....LOL> We still have one or two days.....sun's out right now....and that wasn't forecast

Since I posted a shot of Mike during his check ride, it seemed fair to put one up here of Calvin Allen, our newest co-pilot, during his. New co-pilots buy lunch for the crew but since we were working late to the a couple of squawks fixed so he could fly Tuesday, Calvin owes us lunch!

_________________
Ray Clausen
Maintenance Officer
Centex Wing of the CAF

Calvin is a top-notch guy! Glad to see him get checked out with the Rose! They do great work each summer with the children at the ACE Academy in San Antonio.

Ryan

_________________
Aerial Photographer with Red Wing Aerial Photography currently based at KRBD and tailwheel CFI.
Websites: Texas Tailwheel Flight Training, DoolittleRaid.com and Lbirds.com.

The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD. - Prov. 21:31 - Train, Practice, Trust.

wow.., i never realized how SMALL the B-25 cockpit was until these two hulking men are crammed in! I am now trying to imagine a gunner standing behind this as well and it is totally amazing that they talked anyone into taking this into combat. WOW!!!!!

_________________
S.

Having sat in that very seat (thanks again Mike) I can vouch for the fact that it isn't real roomy! That wide angle lens makes it look a bit smaller than it actually is. I would NOT want to have to get out in a hurry though!!!!

Without the Manly Men blocking the view.

_________________

Aviation Illustration Website
http://shepartstudio.com/illustration/

Cool shot.., thanks!

_________________
S.

Holedigger said



I just received and framed my 12x36 print of the uninhibited Yellow Rose, and I have to say that it is incredible! Even though it's winter, I'm guessing the bills are still rolling in, so contact Bluehawk to get those Christmas prints coming your way...

It's time this thread was brought back to the top anyway

Chunks

_________________
Jack McDonnel

T-6/SNJ Hoarder

The Yellow Rose Squadron is very proud of our maintenance team! We did not miss a single date, once we were back in the air, due to maintenance issues! I can't say the same for weather issues though. We are looking for a new weather officer!!!

Yesterday (Saturday, 5 DEC 09) was the final flying for the Rose this year. I've now turned the B-25 over to our Maintenance Officer, Ray Clausen, to do the "B" inspection. Yes, this isn't due until sometime in the summer, but we want to get the interval back on track for doing the inspection during the winter lull in the flying time.

We had our squadron and wing Christmas lunch and fly day, where the Rose made four flights, giving 20 people rides. Most, if not all, of the passengers had not flown on the Rose, at least not since the work was completed. Thanks to those who have flown this year for understanding and giving up their seats. Pilots were Grant Lannon and Al Maxwell as PIC's, and Tim Black and Mike Renck as SIC's. I flew the two after lunch flights, first with Al, second with Grant. I did all the flying on the last flight from the right seat, take off through landing. As I was leaving the hangar, it dawned on me that I was the last one to fly the Rose this season. Wow!

Ray turned to me in the hangar and reminded me that we forgot to get "Murphy" ready to drop from the bomb bay! I guess we'll have to do it at the start of the season, after inspection. We'll get photos!

It's still not too late to get one of those wonderful digital prints, with original bare breasted nose art or current "G" rated, that Chris (holedigger) did for us for Christmas! If you would like to buy one, send me a PM! The Yellow Rose Squadron appreciates all the support we have had over the past couple of years from the Wonderful WIXers!

Mike Renck
Operations Officer
Yellow Rose Squadron
Commemorative Air Force

_________________
Mike

Fantastic job from you guys as well!!! Rose is better than ever thanks to all of your loving care!!!!!!!!!!!

_________________
S.

Hey!!!.. why does the Collings 'Dragon by..." B-24 get to show of her BOOBS.. but not YELLOW ROSE?

_________________
S.

Mike, when did they take out the King 170B's???

Lynn,

I don't know when they changed out radios. I don't even know what we have now, just that they don't work all that great! I'm trying to get a deal done on a GNS-530W. I hope to know within the week if it's going to happen. If all goes well, which it usually doesn't, all we'll have to pay for is the installation. Then we'll move the better of the two antiques down to the COM 2 position, and the ADF will have to come out also to make room for the 530W.

As far as why the Rose doesn't get to show her boobs, and the Collings Foundation B-24 does...<sigh>...it wasn't the CAF HQ who made us put clothes on her. As I hear the tale, then squadron leader Jerry Taylor made a command decision to have an artist paint the vest and skirt on her. They had taken the Rose to at least one Air Force base and the base commander's wife threw a fit at the bare breasts on the nose art, and insisted that they be covered. So they got some contact paper and fashoned a vest or something to block the offending parts. I don't know if it was just one time, or a few, but that's why the clothes were painted on. I remember, back in '77, when we were throwing around name ideas. Jack Skipper said he envisioned the nose art being a beautiful, busty blonde, wearing nothing but a cowboy hat, boots, and a smile!

Now though, as the father of a 15 year old son, I'm not as opposed to the cover up as I once was. I'd rather he come to work on and appreciate the airplane, than to just stand and stare at the artwork!

Who knows, someday the plane will be repainted, and the nose art will have to be done again. Maybe...

_________________
Mike

Working on Dyess AFB for their show. They are going to try to have a new act for their show, staring the B-25 Yellow Rose! This is the 25th anniversary of the B-1 Lancer, so they want to do a dissimilar aircraft pass with a B-1 on the wing of the B-25 Yellow Rose (with a "little" spacing)! This sounds like it will be similar to what Brad's C-17 crew is doing with the C-47. I'll be assigning my most experienced flight crew to this one! We'll have to "push up" the Rose more than our usual conservative air speed of 200 mph. The Bone's slow flight, with half flaps, is 200 knots. Should make a fantastic photo op!

We are still hopeful to continue on to Altus after Dyess, which will considerably reduce the costs to each base, but so far I have only been able to get in touch with a major who was my ICAS POC, and he said he's no longer involved, and gave me the names and numbers of a couple of captains, but I haven't been able to get in touch with them so far.

_________________
Mike

The base commanders wife in question was @ McChord AFB (as of today it's now 'joint base McChord-Lewis', isn't THAT lame?) back in 1988 who pushed out a head gasket. I was there and could hear this screeching harpie yelling at her hubby about it, I believe Lynn was flying the airplane. They heard the complaint, got back in the airplane and as they taxied out they indicated to the commanders wife (and the large crowd) exactly where they would be in about 5 minutes by pointing straight up, it's unfortunate that they were both using their middle fingers in their confusion over the issue.

_________________
Don't make me go get my flying monkeys-