Quote from: Texas Lawdog on January 05, 2010, 09:47:01 PM
As far as I can found out, it is the only flying wing that is flyable. The museum at Chino has had it along time before it was flyable. I saw parts of it at the museum when I visited there in 1985.

That's about the time I first heard about it and saw it.  It's a small bird, one man if I remember right.  I haven't seen it in three or four years.  Had it painted that same bright yellow with black numbers.  I was told that it was a bear to fly and wasn't considered practical until computers became available to handle it.

It was unpainted and disassembled at the time.

It was finally painted about 2002 I think.

I subscribe to the Planes of Fame newsletter on line. I'm sorry that I don't live closer to be able to attend their events. They have some rare aircraft out there.

Yes they do, and a surprisingly large percentage are capable of being flown.

Too bad they don't have more money.  It could be very, very impressive.

I doubt that I will ever be back out there. That was one thing that I enjoyed about my job with the Sheriff's Dept. I travelled all week long and had the opportunity to visit a lot of military and aircraft museums all over the US.

Hi, guys. After a long and inexcusable absence I finally got back on here a short while back and discovered this thread. Being slightly interested in aircraft I find it a great read - apart from the odd anti-Britiash comment!   Come on now, fellas, we're on the same side. Coulda been a lot worse. It could have been the French who stood with you in the Gulf War. Then look who you'd have had to call friends!!
Although the thread is primarily aimed at WWII stuff there are several posts on the jet aircraft and I'm surprised that no-one has mentioned the Pima air museum in AZ. I spent a super half day there back in 2004 and saw some of my all-time favourite jets - the Phantom, Thunderchief and Blackbird among others. It's an awesome collection and you have free rein to wander around the field at your leisure. I doubt there were more than a couple of dozen people there when we visited so the photography is a pleasure.
Someone mentioned the USAF Thunderbirds display team and I had the distinction of seeing them in Cheyenne in 2005. They were very good, but not good enough. If you want to see a real aerobatic team try to catch the RAF Red Arrows - the best.
Finally, in reply to post #518 this is a Red Arrows pilot in training and he's not trying to take off. He's just landed and is on his way back to the de-briefing!  
Thanks again for a super thread, guys.

Chance  

Chance, I've been to the Pima Air museum several times over the years.  The Air museum at the Smithsonian is about the only major Air Museum that I have not visited. I am a Col. in the CAF and I'm a member of their B24/B29 squadron.

Since I didn't get to attend the CAF AirSho at Midland in Oct., I ordered the DVD. I was not disappointed.  There is a lot of Video on Leo's favorite, "Sentimental Journey".

Is there a link where I can order that?

Leo, It's on the CAF website.  Click on the gift shop and it should be in there with the hats and stuff. I think it's 19.95.

Leo, I found another Bomber named after your better half.   "Lady Lil was a B25 of the "AirApaches"(345th BG, 498th BS) in the Pacific Thearter.

Wonder which version, TLD..............Buck

The picture I saw was a D Model. The AirApaches used several of the variations of the B25 during their time in the Pacific, uncluding the J model with the 75 mm cannon in the nose.

Cool, now I have a picture of Diamond Lil and Lady Lil.  Thank you.

Leo, I think they have Lady Lil t-shirts for sale. I'll check and see if I can get you a web site.

Leo, HistoricAviation.com

Thankya Sir!

That was a J model.

Leo, The T-shirts are $17.95 and sizes up to 2X.