Warbird Information Exchange

I learned to fly in an AG-5B (American General Tiger), did the rest of my ratings in a C-172RG, aerobatics and tailwheel in a Super Decathlon, moved on to light twins, instructing in singles, taildraggers (cubs, citabrias, champs, chiefs, etc.) and twins, then small business flying. I had over 5500 hours total time in various airplanes over a 17-year period before a friend bought a T-6, at which point I jumped from a Super Decathlon as the largest tailwheel I flew regularly, to the T-6, which I read on here is the C-150 of warbirds.


Going from the Super D to the T-6 was the biggest leap in my training. Instructing in taildraggers helped with the transition, sitting in the back seat of the Decathlon, etc. Starting off going back and forth from the front seat to the back seat of the T-6 while trying to learn didn't really help in the short run, but was great practice in the long run...

That averages almost 1.4 hours a day. It may seem like a small number of hours, but it was intense training by motivated students that didn't have to worry about maintaining the airplane, paying for fuel, paying rent, fixing dinner or making it to the kid's piano recital on time.

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Lest Hero-worship raise it's head and cloud our vision, remember that World War II was fought and won by the same sort of twenty-something punks we wouldn't let our daughters date.

Just saw this thread.

After getting my licence in Cessnas, I bought a well used Aeronca L-16 and flew it almost every day on car gas (1986). That is where I really learned to fly. I read where a Spitfire pilot said he used a Champ to keep his skills up so that was good for me. A wonderful airplane the Aeronca, which is all about the joy of flying without the cost.

Next had an opportunity (1987) to buy a well-worn SNJ. I had read everything I could find on the T-6, and had some anxiety aftr all the horror stories. It was easier than the Champ to land. A little squirlley on the ground and a sharp stall break, but I was so reflexive in using the rudder it was not a difficult transition. Another terrific airplane which really teaches one a lot about flying, and this time in a heavier complex airplane. I owned Bu85028 for 9 wonderful years and learned a lot about working on airplanes.

After a 10 year hiatus while stationed overseas, a T-28A followed. The EASIEST and sweetest aircraft to fly, ever. Comfortable, fast and totally uncaring of cross-winds where it would be a no-go for the Champ or SNJ. But, much like the T-6, that wonderfulness had a higher operating cost for newly retired me that took some of the fun out of it.

Wanting to get back to the wonderful (and more inexpensive) purity of flight but still have the historical warbird aspect, I have settled on what is right for me: full size WW1 replicas. While much much less expensive to own an operate, they are more challenging to fly and really demand your attention and piloting skills improve, which to me makes them all the more rewarding to fly. Since I was a kid, there were three ultimate planes: a Spitfire, Corsair and a Sopwith Camel. For the price of a nice SUV, I now have one of my dream airplanes, and it burns 7 gallons an hour. There is a magic to these Great War planes, and the historical tie-in is great. I am really not trying to impress anyone, and this little plane hits all the right experiances for me. I can never afford a Corsair or a Spit, but the Camel replica, with the same performance as the original, also has the advantage of being experimental and flyable within LSA criteria (those to whom that is important will get the implications).

So there it is, in a way, full circle.

Russ, I have watched your Camel build on the Airdrome Group. A really nice airplane. I would love to do a Nieuport 28. I learned to fly a tailwheel in a Great Lakes in 1978. Also learned aerobatics in it and Decathalons and Pitts. Guy had a Stearman for rent and checked out in it. When I moved to Idaho I bought a SNJ with my uncle and flew it for 7 years. We also had a N3N and he had 6 TBM Avengers. I also got to fly a T-28A a bit and agree it was a very nice flying airplane. Got almost enough P-51 time with Lew Shaw for a LOA but never got that last hour in. Had a Nanchang CJ6 for 5 years and it was a great flying airplane. I still fly a friend's N3N so still get a little warbird time in. Don

Don
Thanks for the note. My friend Blake Thomas, a retired F-15 Sqn commander (and flies a Mig 15 on the airshow circuit) has an Airdrome N28. He says it is the most fun and rewarding plane he flies. His plane was featured in "Classic Wings" magazine last year and they just finished shooting a movie about his plane.




Just for history guys like me, after having spent so many years in and around WW2 aviation, jumping into WW1 aviation is a totally new and fresh world with lots of wonderful new history and personalities to learn about. The historical aspect of these planes, like any warbird, really adds depth to the flying experience.

Thanks again, Don.

I also just finished a L-21 replica from a Backcountry Super Cubs kit. Not a real warbird but a fun piece different from the run of the mill Super Cub. Don
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