a little off-topic, but

ford38v8 said:
I can't beat those great stories, but can offer my own story that brings a tear to the eye... As a kid in my San Francisco backyard in early 1945, I looked up to the fly-over of a squadron of P38's returning to Alameda. It seemed as if the whole sky was filled with P38's. I've never forgotten the sight and sound of that event, and think of it every time I see a flock of geese fly over!
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If this were a contest, I think maybe you actually Could beat these other stories. You paint quite a picture here.
 
GB SISSON said:
If this were a contest, I think maybe you actually Could beat these other stories. You paint quite a picture here.
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Thank you, I'm so glad the significance of the event was not lost on my youthfulness. My family had not shielded me from the real world events of the day. So many children of modern times have quite different memories they can never forget.
 
I have flown in the EAA's B17 and their Ford Trimotor as well as some stick time in De Havilland Beavers, Otters and even a Noorduyn Norseman. I do love the sound of a radial engine but a couple of years ago I had two P-51 Mustangs fly directly over my house at about 200 feet. I happened to be working on my roof and I heard them coming way before I saw them. I instantly knew what they were just from the sound. Figured they were heading home from Oshkosh.
 
Here are some pictures of a Corsair from an airshow from 2017. My uncle piloted these in WW2. I had never been close to one before, but this one was flown that day. Couldn't get to close when they were fired up but caught the prop wash when gravel and dust was flying about 100 feet behind. I too remember the sounds of these planes overhead when they came out of Alameda Naval Air in the forties. These pics were at the Paul Allen Museum in Everett WA. Closed now, was a great place to go through.
 

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Hi guys, gotta tell ya that I actually flew right seat in a Tri Motor as an 8 year old kid. The pilot was Hearald Hauk who had more hours in a Ford than any one. Put-In Bay Ohio was our destination where my grandparents lived. Many Christmas trips with the Ford way over gross, full of people, kids sutting on adult laps, dogs presents etc. The Ford didn't care, it rose to the ocasion. I can still here and smell those GR8 engines. THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES !!
Mike
 
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