Bummed out

Mudge · **Posted:** Fri Jul 01, 2005 3:15 pm

Just got back from California and my RIDE in the P-51. I'm really bummed out because they promised me I'd get to fly it and I didn't. Flying it was the only reason I went thru all the hassle to get out there. If I'd known I was only going to get to ride, I'd wouldn't have gone. Yeah...yeah...I know...whine...whine...whine.
Oh well...only $1,000 down the tubes.

The first "point" of our "three point" landing. I mean BANG...BANG...BANG. And I've got the battle scar to prove it. Big gash on my elbow from our third "point" where I bashed it on the cockpit frame. Didn't realize how badly it was cut until I was climbing out and saw blood on my pants.

Might as well act like I'm having a good time.

Mudge the disappointed

Rob Mears · **Posted:** Fri Jul 01, 2005 3:26 pm

As with any 'paid for' experience, there come a point during the deal when you have to write off the concept of whatever money was involved and allow yourself to begin enjoying the moment. Do you think perhaps the pilot caught wind of your fatalistic charm and decided not to trust you with his aeroplane?

In the end, I'd hate to think you paid $1000 for any kind of crappy experience, especially when talking flight in a P-51 was involved. Remeber only the good things my friend. No one invests a Grand for the bad memories!

airnutz · **Posted:** Fri Jul 01, 2005 3:36 pm

I think Mr. Mudge has every right to feel bummed..a deal is a deal. A ride
is not a drive. He is not only out of the $1000, but the travel costs and
time out of his life to get there! What, the 51 pilot couldn't get enough
altitude to ensure recovery if Mr. M boo-booed?

Mudge · **Posted:** Fri Jul 01, 2005 3:50 pm

The $1,000 included everything. Flights out and back, lodging, food, car.
I'm retired UAL so the flights out and back weren't very expensive. (No, I can't fly free :shock:

)
Mrs. Mudge had a really good time. She's never been to that part of the country before, so it was an adventure for her.
I guess the fact that she had a good time and I enjoyed the time with her having a good time (did that come out right?) was worth a lot.
Once I work my way through my little catharsis...I'll remember the good parts.

Mudge the now only semi-disappointed

ps. We got up to 10,000 and were kickin' 320knots....I coulda' handled it.

BUT...Off to Duxford on Wednesday.

airnutz · **Posted:** Fri Jul 01, 2005 4:24 pm

Ahh! Glad to hear your recovery is immenent Mudge! Was the stick
removed from the backseat location prior to your flight?

Get well soon! Duxford is a nice place to lick your wounds! Have you
located any rides or flights in the UK?

Airnutz...
..the honest trader...

Scott Rose · **Posted:** Fri Jul 01, 2005 4:49 pm

What P-51 is that?

Dragonflydh90 · **Posted:** Fri Jul 01, 2005 4:51 pm

I think its the one at the Parachute Centre at Lodi..... I think....

airnutz · **Posted:** Fri Jul 01, 2005 5:23 pm

My favorite Mustang color. Adding some gold trim and knitted doilies for
armrest comfort...would make it a proper Old Penguin roost! :roll:

Mudge · **Posted:** Fri Jul 01, 2005 6:04 pm

The stick was removed before I crawled (and I mean CRAWLED) into the back. At 6'6", 240 lbs. and 70 years old, I don't exactly jump anywhere anymore.
Yes...it's the Lodi Mustang owned by Bill Dause.
I sent him an email telling him how disappointed I was that I wasn't able to fly it. He replied that he had asked me, in an email, if I was a pilot and when I told him I wasn't, he "assumed" that I didn't want to fly it. To quote Strother Martin, "What we have here is failure to communicate".
To answer the next question:
Yes, I've explored the possibilities of going up in a P-38 (I'm too BIG for the back seat); a Spitfire (I'm too HEAVY for the back seat); and a Sea Fury.
The Sea Fury (owned by Brian Saunders in Ione, CA) is still a possibility.

Mudge the persistent :twisted:

Broken-Wrench · **Joined:** Sun Oct 24, 2004 12:37 pm **Posts:** 1197

If you worked for United you should be used to broken promises! I'm glad you got to do it before before United Took your pension. They got mine. I still waiting for United to Go broke so I can have a big party. did you take TEd..? TEd is United without yoU aNd I

yoU aNd I TED. Get it?
United- The official airline of satan! :twisted:

airnutz · **Posted:** Fri Jul 01, 2005 8:25 pm

Mudge? Did you send Mr. Dause the e-mail, before or after you posted
"Bummed Out" ?

Mudge · **Posted:** Fri Jul 01, 2005 10:22 pm

Sent the email before I posted. Got his reply after.

Mudge the prompt

Pat M · **Posted:** Fri Jul 01, 2005 11:26 pm

Mudge the most fortunate,
Granted $1000 is a lot of dough, but I suspect many on this board would give a left body part for that ride. I had the good fortune to fly in the back seat of the Red Tail three years ago, and aside from the birth of my daughter, it was perhaps the greatest thrill of my life.

Pat the penguin

airnutz · **Posted:** Fri Jul 01, 2005 11:36 pm

Mudge,
Ah well then...my embarrassment is complete! :oops:

I'll forthwith make
an appointment with Miss Elizabeth and inform her of my requirements
for a stiff caning!

My apologies to Bill Dause....

Airnutz the Chastened

N3Njeff · **Posted:** Sat Jul 02, 2005 10:42 am

I got my ride in a P-51 when I was 8. That was in the early 80's, got it in Garry Mc Cann's CF-FUZ. Was a quick hop, no big deal! I had more fun in a TBM flying up the beach of miami/ft. laud in formation with another TBM at 200 ft. That was a trip.

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