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WWII Warbirds in my town

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drooartz

drooartz

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This past weekend our local small airport in Heber was visited by a few neat planes from the Collings Foundation. We saw them flying around all weekend.

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A B-17, B24, Grumman Avenger, and P-51 Mustang were present from the foundation, as well as some planes that are based out of the Heber airport (including a PV-2 Harpoon that I've seen flying around lately). For a few dollars we were able to climb into the big planes and wander about. Amazing stuff, really brings home how brave those chaps were!

I grabbed a bunch of photos as well:
https://www.drooartz.com/woad-local/media/sagas/warbirds0609/index.html

I just made the connection that Jay Leno did some video shoots about these very planes a little while ago:
https://www.jaylenosgarage.com/video/video_categories.shtml?cat=34988

There's nothing quite like seeing those big old birds up in the air. Impressive to say the least.
 
They came thru here some months ago too. Really amazing. The "catwalk" through the B17 was something that surprised me. Not much room for an "Oops!" in there.
 
That one got me as well, Doc. Yikes! My feet barely fit on that little walkway.
 
If you look at photos taken of B17 crews, you will immediately notice everyone has a really short guy, usually under 5'4", think Mickey Rooney. This guy was the ball turret gunner. But just think of how cramped it was for Jimmy Stewart at 6'3", when flying one of those things. The average height for men of the era was 5'9".

I remember touring the captured WWII German submarine on display in Chicago. What become immediately apparent was the size of the bunks. These were not made for tall men. Similarly, you will notice the American subs from the same era were not built to be manned by tall men, although I am sure there were some.

Oh, Drew, Heber is a nice area, I am sure it has changed a lot since last I was there 25 years ago.
 
Speaking of height of the aviators, have you ever noticed how SMALL the cockpit of the key fighter planes of WWII were??

I'm about 6'2", about 190lbs. and don't think I could fit in the cockpit of a Supermarine Spitfire, period. I saw a Spitfire cockpit up close and it is very, <span style="text-decoration: underline">very</span> small: narrow, with very limited leg room and headroom.

The P-51 Mustang has a bit more room, but not significantly.

Definitely NOT for taller guys!
 
At 6'1" I was certainly cramped walking through those planes.

Ray -- we've grown very fond of the Heber valley in the three years we've been here (we're in Midway). You probably wouldn't recognize it after so many years. It's going through some growing pains these days, but all in all I think the changes have been for the good.
 
X2 on the B-17 walk through. Talk about sparse accommodations!
It gave me chills walking through the thing.
 
They are heading to the Fort Collins Loveland airport this weekend (4th of July). Same group.

Did you see the prices for rides in the 17 & 24? How about the ride with stick time in a P-51?
 
Rides in the bombers were $425. P-51 was quite a bit more. Info here:

https://www.collingsfoundation.org/

I admit to being tempted by the bomber ride. More than I could afford, but reasonable given the experience you'd have.
 
I recall reading that insurance, maintenance, travel and so on costs to operate the large bombers was around $400 an hour.

And imagine that sparse interior at 30,000 feet with the wind coming in and - 35 degree temps...
 
drooartz said:
Rides in the bombers were $425. P-51 was quite a bit more. Info here:

https://www.collingsfoundation.org/

I admit to being tempted by the bomber ride. More than I could afford, but reasonable given the experience you'd have.
Click to expand...

Notice how they say "$425 donation" instead of say, "Price: $425".

This is a loophole to avoid being violated by the FAA. These aircraft are registered in the Restricted Category because, being military, they were never granted a Type Certificate by the FAA. Aircraft registered in the Restricted category may not carry passengers for hire. The Feds got on their case for selling rides. So the Collings Foundation (and the CAF, and...) now say, "We're not selling rides, we're giving a free ride to someone who made a $425 donation."

I don't know how they are getting away with giving flight instruction in the P-51. Maybe a special Papal Dispensation Wavier from the Administrator or maybe someone got a P-51 type-certificated.

But their intentions are pure.
 
I figured it was something like that, John. The cost was certainly reasonable for what you got, and what I figured it costs to even get the plane off the ground! A bargain if you have the cash.
 
And imagine that sparse interior at 30,000 feet with the wind coming in and - 35 degree temps...
And somebody shooting real bullets at you!
 
bgbassplyr said:
And imagine that sparse interior at 30,000 feet with the wind coming in and - 35 degree temps...
And somebody shooting real bullets at you!
Click to expand...

umm... okay. NOT pleasant! I much preferred the "civility" of low altitude AC-130 missions or the "comfort" of an F-4 back seat. The: "somebody shooting real bullets at you" part only REALLY got yer attention on SAR missions in Jolly Greens. You could see the li'l pink muzzle flash just before the tiny HOLE appear'd inna aluminum.

*shiver*

:devilgrin:
 
AND, to add a bit of "fun" to the freezing temps, cramped quarters and loud noises in the bombers, imagine a bad headwind. Since a fully loaded B-17 only flew at about 150-180MPH, the headwind significantly reduced the groundspeed.

Much better target for the ack-ack gunners!

Talk about frayed nerves . . . :crazyeyes:
 
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