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Subject: Re: [newmellotrongroup] Off topic - Out on a wing.....

From: "tony1" <atm655@verizon.net>
Date: 2010-08-13


Dad told me when he first heard a 51 (as he always reffered to it), it sounded like ripping fabric.
I have to agree.
Over at Kissimmee you can get rides in a 2 seater 51, not cheap but I'm doing it just because.
Dad and 3 other 51's were escorting a photo recon mission when they saw a straggler B-17 getting worked over by a bunch of ME-109's. They could have easily dropped down and attacked, but their orders were to stay with the photo recon mission.
Like most veterans they don't say much about encounters, but that story I saw a very noticable change in his mood and he bristled up quite obviouslly. I knew beter than to ask questions and the subject quickly changed.
 
Tony
 
----- Original Message -----
From: John Wright
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Friday, August 13, 2010 8:26 AM
Subject: RE: [newmellotrongroup] Off topic - Out on a wing.....

 



Tony,
 
My Father in law, was attached to RAF in WWII.  He was an air reconnaissance pilot.  Was able to fly the Spitfire and P-51. Only flew with cameras, but did lose 3 aircraft, however he never had a scratch.  Each time, was helped back to England first by French and later Canadian occupation forces after D-day.  His scrap book contains battle damage photos of the V1 and V2 rocket sites and tons of pictures from flight training in TX to post WWII occupation in France.  Too many officers in 1948, so discharged, but he flew small planes till he was about 70.
 
He lived with us about ten year ago till he passed away, but you should have seen him when a 51 was in town for an air show.  He heard the Rolls-Royce/Merlin from miles away and got to see it fly by. A truly awesome sound.
 
John

From: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com [mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of tony1
Sent: Friday, August 13, 2010 12:25 AM
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [newmellotrongroup] Off topic - Out on a wing.....

 



Vance,
Very interesting and informative.
Dad had his choice of the P-38 or the 51, he told me he thought he be warmer in the 51, true story!
With a 1700 HP, Rolls-Royce/Merlin whirring away in front of you sure did help, he told me.
He was always fit and I genuinely believe him, at those altitudes the temps were and are in the minus 40-60F range.
Imagine that for 8 hours or so and the constant threat of anti-aircraft fire, fighters, all at age 21!
 
Tony
 
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Thursday, August 12, 2010 11:38 PM
Subject: Re: [newmellotrongroup] Off topic - Out on a wing.....

 

Tony -
Great story! My grandfather was a piggyback test engineer in the P-38 for Lockheed back in the day. My namesake's father was Lockheed test pilot Milo Burcham who lost his life in a crash testing the P-80 http://www.godickson.com/Milo_Burcham.htm.
Lots of guts those men among men.
Vance

tony1 wrote:

 



Thank you kindly!
Dad, a friend of his, a friend of mine and I attended the largest gathering of P-51s in Kissimme, Fl in the Spring of 98. There were 163 present and all in flying condition.
He was on the ship home to form the AAC's first jet figter when news of the German surrender occured.
Was to have flow the P-80 which as it turns out wasn't mich of an aircraft, IE non delta wing for one.
15th Air Force, 352nd fighter group, 4th squadron, Naples Italy
Hell of a man like most WW2 veterans. Naturally I'm biased and I miss him everyday.
 
Tony
 
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Thursday, August 12, 2010 9:51 PM
Subject: RE: [newmellotrongroup] Off topic - Out on a wing.....

 

P 51!

 

……………….“Cadillac of the Skies!”

 

 

-----Original Message-----
From: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com [mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of tony1
Sent: Thursday, August 12, 2010 8:52 AM
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [newmellotrongroup] Off topic - Out on a wing.....

 

 

  

I was a solo "glider guider" at age 14. I had a total of 4 1/2 hours of instructor time before my release, while most adults require 24+ hours in an instructor enviroment.

Doesn't hurt to have had a former WW2 fighter pilot father (P-51s), who kept flying his own aircraft until a year before ALS killed him at age 78.

It's a wonderful experience and a lot like driving the race cars I enjoy (Formula One car next month), with the exception of having to get the aircraft on the ground in one piece on the first try.

No "go arounds" in an unpowered plane!

 

Try it you'll like it!

 

Tony1

PS bring a FAT wallet.

 

----- Original Message -----

Sent: Wednesday, August 11, 2010 11:41 PM

Subject: Re: [newmellotrongroup] Off topic - Out on a wing.....

 

 

Extra Cool - we have one of the more popular glider ports in So Calif a few miles away. The only real way to know when they're close is hearing the tow plane when it veers off after disconnect. I've been buzzed while hiking in the San Gabriel Mtns behind us by some pretty ballsy pilots - but this was something else...
Vance

lsf5275@aol. com wrote:

 

I love soaring. Blaniks are quite popular here in Virginia. Awesome videos.

 

In a message dated 8/11/2010 10:01:07 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, jandjstrz@verizon. net writes:

 

…the view is tremendous.

 

The soundtrack music isn’t too bad either (sorry no ‘tron)

 

enjoy the scenery……: )

 

 

http://www.youtube. com/...&feature=related

http://www.youtube. com/...&feature=related

 

 

 

_Jim & Janet