How many of you have actually riden in a warbird?

[doubleup]

Re: How many of you have actually riden in a warbird?

Spent maybe 20 hours in Hurry Home Honey P-51D that was destroyed in a crash. Was a family friend that took me up a lot and what made me a fanatic of P-51's.

Made it my mission in life to own one at some point in my life.

This is a pic of me in the back seat.

http://mustangsmustangs.com/p-51/survivors/pages/44-73832.shtml

[Flashonyrsix]

Re: How many of you have actually riden in a warbird?

At the risk of repeat posting of these shots, is this you Norm?

No it was 78 I think, before SJ got her top turrent.

Norm

[Vessbot]

Re: How many of you have actually riden in a warbird?

I hauled about 650 T-6 rides this summer over 11 airports on the West coast. Anybody fly in a green or silver T-6? Speak up

[allison111]

Re: How many of you have actually riden in a warbird?

Interstate Cadet----1st airplane ride at 8 yrs old
C-47
C-121
CH/HH/MH3-E 2000 HRS+ FLIGHT ENGINEER SPECIAL OPS
HH/MH60-G
C-130
AC-130 GUN-SHIP WHILE ON COMBAT MISSION
C-141
C-5
T-28
B-25
P-51
P-38 I crewed for Lefty for 13 years

[allison111]

Re: How many of you have actually riden in a warbird?

One more I forgot was a JU-52. What a great ride that was. Just like being in a time machine.
I have also flown around the unlimited course in a C-130 as a passenger.

[TigWelder]

Re: How many of you have actually riden in a warbird?

Ford Tri Motor, EAA Fly-in, Rockford Ill. , 1960s for 2 cents/ LBS !
(Though not quite a true warbird, it was my 1st airplane ride!)

L-5 Stinson, (OshKosh to RFD)
L-2 T-Craft
PT-17 Stearman
PT-22 Ryan
SNJ-5 ( T-6) (OshKosh to RFD)
L-19 Bird Dog, (RFD to OshKosh)
T-28 B
-----------------
F-4U Corsair - (Hanger, seat time!)
P-51D Mustang - (Hanger, seat time!)
Hawker Sea Furry - (Hanger, seat time!)
F8F BearCat - (Hanger, seat time!)
A-36 - (Hanger seat time!)
TBM Avenger -(Ball turret & pilot seat hanger time!)

Even though the last 6 were only hanger flying "dreaming seat time",
it was still such a privilege to climb in & have all the time I wanted to just sit back & soak up the history of these historic aircraft, I will count them anyway! (Special thanks to John Kraman & Mark Clark at Courtesy Aircraft!)

Dave Lindeman,
AeroTech Precision welding & fabricating.
-----------------------------------------------

[FedexBob]

Re: How many of you have actually riden in a warbird?

P-51 Speedball/Art Vance/Reno
B-17 Aluminum Overcast/Napa
about 45 min left seat DC-3 headed to MEM...back in the day!
Bob

[Inverted]

Re: How many of you have actually riden in a warbird?

Speedball Alice is one of my fav P-15's. I love watching Art fly her at Santa Rosa.

[FedexBob]

Re: How many of you have actually riden in a warbird?

Inverted....ah, Art died about 3 years ago...you are probably seeing his son, Dan at the stick.

[Inverted]

Re: How many of you have actually riden in a warbird?

Excuse me yes, I am talking about George Clooney aka Dan Vance.

[Roger Cain]

Re: How many of you have actually riden in a warbird?

I'm 50 years old and I've been trying to get a ride in a warbird (preferably a P-51 or a Bearcat) for most of my life without success. I guess I've just never been at the right place at the right time. I may be on to something now though. There's a small air museum at Valparaiso, IN that has a P-51 (it's a 2 seater). I was talking to the museum's director yesterday and asked about the possibility of going along with the pilot sometime when he plans on flying the plane anyway. I even said I would be willing to make some sort of contribution towards fuel. However, I would never ask anyone to put their warbird in the air specifically for the purpose of taking me for a ride because I know how expensive it is to fly and maintain these rare planes. She said she would get back with me and let me know. I'm keeping my fingers and toes crossed as this has been a lifelong dream of mine.

You know, the most interesting thing about all the replies to this thread, is nobody has come out and said "Buy a Ride". As with myself, I'm sure that a good majority of the replies here were due to paying for a ride. Grampi, you don't list where you live, but I've got to believe the Collings Foundation has probably come through somewhere near to the neighborhood? If not, a fair number of air shows and fly-ins sell rides in warbirds. Yes money can be tight, but if you were to just put a jar aside for pocket change only, you'd be amazed at how quick it can be a surplus fund. If your 50 now, put a jar out just for pocket change, and make that money for a future ride only. Worst case scenario you'll have saved up the money in a couple years? I know my dad always wanted a ride in a P-51, but wouldn't spend the money to do it (I was too young to afford it for him). When he passed away, the coin jars he had dropped his change in for years could have bought him half a dozen rides in a fighter.

Another option is to get involved with an aviation museum as a volunteer, even if they don't have fliers, some of them are able to later reward volunteers with a ride donated by a local warbird guy. You don't need to be a mechanic, museums always have a list of projects that you could help with.

Just my two cents

[MMPerk]

Re: How many of you have actually riden in a warbird?

'Buy a Ride' = as a thank you for your donation how would you like a ride in this really cool airplane.

LP

[realrundell]

Re: How many of you have actually riden in a warbird?

Rode in the following: B-17 (909), B-24 (when it was Dragon and his Tail), B-25 (Tondelayo,right seat on April 18th!)

[steve D]

Re: How many of you have actually riden in a warbird?

Nothin spectacular, couple Mustangs, P-38 twice!, Polish Wilga(does that count?) Chippie, couple T-6's and back of a Fury from here to Reno and back several times. Thats a long haul!! One stop, 5 to 5 1/2 hrs! You don't have a butt when your done with that trip!!
My ultimate ride would be in a F7F!!, man I love those!!

[dineega]

Re: How many of you have actually riden in a warbird?

I would happily give up my butt for a Sea Fury ride - numb butt is a small price to pay!!