Aircraft

litl rooster · June 30, 2011, 05:14:38 PM

I beleive the wheels kept it from submerging any deeper

Texas Lawdog · July 01, 2011, 05:31:29 AM

The pilot might make some extra money this summer by pulling water skiers around.

litl rooster · July 01, 2011, 06:10:48 AM

The prop wash would be nasty

Texas Lawdog · July 01, 2011, 06:15:29 AM

I didn't think about that, maybe he could issue goggles with wipers.

Texas Lawdog · July 02, 2011, 09:16:38 AM

I went out to Walmart and bought new folding chair and a portable cooler for the weekend over at VFM. I got a straw hat to keep my bald head covered. I work from 0800 to 1400, so hopefully it won't be real hot till I get off duty.

Steel Horse Bailey · July 02, 2011, 12:07:16 PM

Have fun, L.J.!

Texas Lawdog · July 02, 2011, 03:51:21 PM

I'll be working with "FIFI" and her crew as well as privately owned B25 at a place called Texas Jet which is on the north end of Meacham Field.

Texas Lawdog · July 03, 2011, 07:07:38 PM

I spent all day today over at Meacham field in the heat. We had "FIFI", a privately owned B25(Pacific Prowler), and a SNJ on display for tours and rides. The CAF was selling hats, t-shirts, and other PX items. I had plenty of water and gaterade on hand and I got sit under a canopy to stay out of the sun. It was still hot over there though.

Steel Horse Bailey · July 04, 2011, 01:27:59 AM

Cool! Do you get a discount on rides? Seriously, how much does an SNJ ride cost? B25?

About 10 years ago, my Mother, Step-Dad, (the B24G nose-turret gunner) and my family were at an airport in Kissimmee (?) Florida to see a B24 that was "stationed" there. There were also 3 planes there available for rides: a Stearman, an AT6, and a P51. The Stearman was around $75 for 30 minutes, the AT6 was around $300/30min. and the P51 was $1500 for 20 min. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to take ANY ride.

A couple years back, there was a B24 coming in that was available for a ride, but which hadn't arrived yet, and for $300-$400 (I forget exactly) I could have ridden a B17, called "Aluminium Overcast" for a 7-10 minute flight circling Indianapolis. Didn't get to ride them, either, but I really would like to ride ANY warbird (JN4 "Jenny" and up) someday!

Texas Lawdog · July 04, 2011, 01:32:02 AM

The B25 was $500, a ride in the back of "FIFI" was $595, and we didn't get a pilot for the SNJ.

Leo Tanner · July 04, 2011, 01:57:21 AM

Quote from: Texas Lawdog on July 04, 2011, 01:32:02 AM
The B25 was $500, a ride in the back of "FIFI" was $595, and we didn't get a pilot for the SNJ.

I'll fly it. I don't know how but I learn fast.

Texas Lawdog · July 04, 2011, 02:04:57 AM

Leo, The SNJ is the Navy version of the AT-6 Texan. This plane is privately owned and he wasn't around to give rides. I really enjoyed being over there yesterday, but the heat was intense. "FIFI" was the main attraction yesterday. She will be moving back to Addison next week. The runway repairs have been finished and she can now land over there again. It was neat to have her for a while in our hangar in Fort Worth. There is still no word on when we will get our A26 at the hangar. Hopefully in a month or so.

Steel Horse Bailey · July 04, 2011, 10:26:31 AM

WoW! $595 for a ride in the ONLY B29 still flying!

They sure got a lesson in "what the market will bear" asking $1500 for the Mustang I saw! I'm thinkin' those 4 monstrous Wrights use a little bit more fuel/cost than a Merlin!!

But I'd pay .. for either if I could! It'd be worth it. Or the B25. Or the SNJ/AT6. Stearman. Whichever!!!

Texas Lawdog · July 04, 2011, 11:43:53 AM

They have "souped up" these new engines on "FIFI", so she's a "Hot Rod". She was the centerpiece of the festivities yesterday. They are back over there today as well. One day in that heat yesterday was all I could take. They had the B24 open for tours over at Addison all weekend. #! engine is off being repaired. They are having to replace #1 engine mount as well. They are checking the other 3 to see if they need to be replaced.

Leo Tanner · July 04, 2011, 12:00:24 PM

4 Cyclones use a lot of fuel. From what I have read it is one of biggest reasons folks at home were asked to cut back for the war effort. Tank deisel was cheap but they used a lot of that too.

Texas Lawdog · July 04, 2011, 12:10:22 PM

Leo, These new engines on "FIFI" have been "souped up". She a real "Hot Rod" now. She really made a roar when she started up. Lot's of smoke too. I was sitting about 50 yards away when they started her up. One day in the heat was all I could take with my diabetes. They had the hangar in Addison open all weekend for tours of the B24. In addition to repairing the engine, they are having to replace the engine mount and checking the other three for possible replacement as well.

Leo Tanner · July 04, 2011, 12:16:29 PM

There is something going on at the air field here. My house just got buzzed by a Mustang three times. I tried to see the markings but it was movin too fast. Engine sounded sweet.

Texas Lawdog · July 04, 2011, 12:32:31 PM

We had a good turnout yesterday, considering it was Sunday and real hot. I'm hoping that they had good attendance on Sat. and today. I worked the VFM booth yesterday. I handed out brochures and gave tours of a SNJ(Navy version of the AT-6). I got to meet a guy from Australia who was visiting friends in Dallas and came over to see "FIFI". I also got to meet an F35 pilot and a B2 Pilot. The B2 pilot is stationed Whiteman AFB in Knobnoster MO. That is where the Reed's come from. I still have kinfolks in Johnson Co. My Great Gand parents traveled from MO to Oklahoma for the Oklahoma Land Rush in 1889.

Steel Horse Bailey · July 04, 2011, 09:25:21 PM

Knobnoster!!

What a great name ...

Steel Horse Bailey · July 04, 2011, 09:28:59 PM

I can hear it now ...

"Where ya from, Flyboy?"

"Sir, I fly B2 Spirit bombers out of Knobnoster."

"Sure ya do, Boy! Now, tell me what ya REALLY do, Son!! There ain't nosech place as Knobnoster!"