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Digging though some old photos

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PAUL161

PAUL161

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While digging through a box of old photos, so many memories come out that have been forgotten over the years. It's amazing how time flies. I had one of these in my computer, the other three have been lost in time, only to be revived yesterday. Gosh I can't remember being that young. Here's me and old Betsy, my 1944 Stearman. What a wonderful time we all had in it. PJ

 
Paul - those are some *great* pictures. We've got a Stearman PT-17 next to our B-29 up at the air museum.

https://neam.org/inventory/airprofile.asp?ID=127

Say, what are the three aircraft on the ground, in that lower left picture?

The large one looks like maybe a commercial version of a North American B-25?

Tom
 
Your right Tom, The B-25 was a conversion for a private business that did a lot of aerial photo work. The nose was a camera bay, with two others down the sides. There's actually three aircraft along side of it, 2 D-18 Beaches and a little Piper Tri-Pacer. I flew the 25 and one of the 18s a couple times. The 25 was an easy one to fly, but you had to wear noise canceling head phones, as the high frequency prop tips, <span style="text-decoration: underline">which were almost in your lap</span>, noise would deafen you! Don't know how those guys flew them for hours at a time. The D-18s, <span style="text-decoration: underline">one of my favorites</span>, were a really sweet aircraft, but a little heavy on fuel consumption for it's size. PJ

I forgot to mention that the N number on My Stearman, was the one issued when it was bought from the Military in 1946. After I sold it, the number was changed. Don't know why. I think a Beach Bonanza wears it now. Old Betsy's still alive up in Michigan. Here it is today. PJ


 
Thanks Paul. You're lucky to know your Stearman is still airworthy and cared for. A lot of new pilots got their wings in those planes.

Speaking of D-18, I think that type was the original "Songbird" for the old Sky King TV series. And it was a D-18 that flew through the highway billboard in the movie Mad Mad Mad Mad World. Great old plane with a great old history.

By the way, Eisenhower's B-25 is on display at the South Dakota Air and Space museum.

Very sad to see the decline of general aviation over the last 30 years. Only people that fly now seem to be old timers who have owned their planes forever, and business owners who can write off the expenses. Way too expensive to get into it these days.

Tom
 
Great old photos, Paul!

This Stearman is based at 12N: my local airport. It is a glorious old bird and sounds awesome!

It is available for training or rental. Info Here.

stear01.jpg
 
Howard Hughs personal B25
is out here at the Fox Field
Aviation Museum.

Out here in GOD's country,
we here UFO's flying out of Plant 42
"the Skunk Works"

Get to see some mighty interesting stuff
overhead from Stearmans to B-2
from time to time.
 
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