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Boy what a weekend!

Wittpilot

Wittpilot

Warbird Guru
Dad, my brother, and myself all went to lend a helping hand with Liberty Belle in Columbus this weekend.... We only went up Sunday because we had some nasty weather Saturday and the turn out was expected to be larger Sunday, with more flights... We arrived around 10ish... it was getting crowded already!!! Let me tell you... I would have never imagined that many people coming out to see us... I mean it was great, but I had not seen that many people come out to see a B-17 on a tour stop in my life.. and thats been most of my life! I remember back in the late 80's when Sentimental Journey would just jump towns just to sit there!

Anyways, there was another nice gentleman from northern Ohio there helping out...turns out his father flew missions on two of the exact same aircraft my grandfather did...only monthhs apart... Between him, my brother, and me... we all rotated taking up riders... So I will notch two more B-17 rides onto the 'ole belt for 8 total for rougly 4 hours of flight time... And let me tell you, it still does not in anyway get old....

Either way we had an incredible tournout and I busted my hump for 12 hours straight....

Today was the first day back to work after two weeks off.... and it became clear to me if I could only go on the road to do that for the summer instead of work in some infernal factory.................maybe I'll spend my retirement that way........ Hopefully we'll still have some B-17's in 30 years.........

-witt
 
Whoever is in that TT is facin the wrong way ... didn't that thing come with instructions?

:ernae:
 
Witt, I KNOW you had a great time. ;) My dealings with the Collings Foundation has been the greatest wioth great people. So I know yours with Liberty Belle had been too. Too bad you guys couldn't be here too. Imagine 2 17s, a B-24 and P-51C sitting side by side or in the air together at a little airport like this. ;)

I worked with the Massena Chamber of Commerce for 04 and 05 with CF, and last year as a Tour Coordinator here in New Castle were some of the best days I've ever had. And will be again this year, as our Wings of Freedom Tourstop will be Aug 17 thru the 19th. This is their 20th year doing the tour. No Me-262 this year for us, but it will be here next year I'm told.

BTW.... how much you you guys get for a ride on Liberty Belle? I'm seeing prices vary by organization.
 
Tim...

I'm sure you are aware of the reasons for going with a 'painted' finish over bare metal... i.e. wear & tear to the aluminum... However, when Don Brooks took over the project the aircraft was already primered.... I would have to say that up until last year I was with you on this one...but after this weekend and seeing her after a good wash... It really doesn't look bad at all... The pictures don't do it justice... bad side is that the paint does wear, but at least it doesn't take some 200 man hours to polish the thing!


Snuffy...
He's 18..his whole world is reversed from us..


Gary,
The charge right now is $430 for the ride, which is 30 min of flying and about 15 -20 more with the preflight briefing and ground time... It's 395 if you become a member of the Foundation... Not too bad I think... Also Gary, I thought I saw they are also offering up rides in the A-4 & F-4, any idea how that is going?

-witt
 
Piglet said:
Sad that warbirds can't have real bare metal finishes. That silver paint just looks so cheesy!
Click to expand...
warbirds cant have bare metal?...there was a P51 at nevada county satruday in a polished bare metal finish...am i missing a joke??
 
I think what Piglet was trying to say is that the warbirds that are painted and not bare aluminum, it is a shame they are that way, and not the 'real deal' and bare aluminum.... Fact of the matter is... With Liberty Belle on the road for Spring through Fall.... and a winter home usually somewhere down south, she is never hangered... the paint also helps protect her and prolong her life....

-witt
 
fine lookin fortress, also flyin her fer the summer, hmmm, there is a heaven ah guess, definately beats
dodgin bullets and domestics.
love the pics.
 
Witt..

Just what is your rols in the B-17?
Do you actually get to fly her?

if so...I'm moving in with you...LOl


Great pics and info there...
 
Harleyman...

No, no seat time... I just help give rides whenever I can...When they give rides they always fly with a "third crewman" of sometimes.... Someone who can go through and tell folks when they can get up and when to sit down... I answer a lot of questions, must be honest, don't ALWAYS know the answer, so what I don't know, I make up! lol... Luckily I haven't gotten too many hard questions... One gentleman wanted me to ask the pilots to fly over his house....well I know they had a route mapped out that would keep us in the air exactly 30 min... so I said I'd see what I could do...... It might have "slipped" my mind to tell the pilots.... :monkies:

That is really it... My brother & I helped sell stuff in the trailer that we have to go with it... That was a first.... It was kind of hectic at first and was interesting using one of those "old-time" credit card sliders.....

Us being there just helps take the load off of so much work being on one persons' shoulders...

-witt
 
Sounds like a great gig if you can get it!
And afford to get there.

I had a friend who once got to cruise around for a summer in a B-25, hitting different airshows. He's an A&P and had helped work on it. Can't remember who it was for though. This was in the early 90's and I think the 25 was from MN?
 
Navy Chief...

I wouldn't be surprised if in a few years you will be able to purchase a ride in an F-4 through the Collings Foundation....

-witt
 
Witt, you can get a ride in the F-4D and TA-4J Skyhawk, but it's very expensive. I don't have the exact figures at hand. They do a 3 day deal with training to get you ready for the other perks that come with it. ;)

Piglet, they do have baremetal warbirds. Aluminum Overcast is bare metal, "Betty Jane" is bare and so are others. Tho not all are completely bare.... they do have paint on them too. Try cleaning the aluminum skin on them and you'd wish they were completely painted. ;)
 
Ok, I was told she was bare metal.... my mistake. I do know "Sentimental Journey" is bare metal, as is "Yankee Lady".

NC, I hear the Mig-23 is a kick in the pants too..... so I've been told. I'll let you know if and when I get the chance for a ride or a burner run ;)
 
No Prob Gary... Actually Aluminum Overcast used to have a pretty bad paint job...it was basically white... then they redid her and she looks pretty good...before & after below.
 
What I really love is bare metal with just the right amount of oxidation. Not super airshow shiny, or that dull grey of total oxidation.
Some pics...
 
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