The college I graduated from is build on an old WWII Army Air base. At the time much/most of the parking lots where old runways. One runway was still used for GA and was seperated from the campus by a chainlink fence. You could drive a car on the east/west runway/parking lot to the fence. Past the fence the GA runway ran on an NE/SW line. There where still buildings on campus built in WWII. Supposed to be used only for the duration but still in use 40 years later. Some of the buildings off the campus but what was on the base still where in use as well. Of in one corner of the campus was a grid of roads with very few buildings. I guess base housing and admin was over there.
One year, I think it was the Confiderate Air Force, flew in a B24 and B17. I could not get over to see the planes up close and get a tour due to classes but they mentioned when the planes would take off. I and a few others drove down to the fence to watch. The planes taxied down to our end of the runway and where 100-200 yards away. The revved the engines, eventually took off, circled the airfield and then did a real low pass.
To say it was awesome is an understatement! The sound and feel of the engines was unforgetable. To see those old planes so full of history still flying was something else. I have some photos of them somewhere.
The EAA had a B17 flying around that you could tour and get a ride on but I don't think it has been back in my area.
While you could feel the B17 and B24 engines its nothing like the B52 that flew low over our house in LA. We where south of Barksdale AFB. The B52 must have declared an emergency cause I had never seen them fly over us before and he was in a very tight turn heading back to the eastern runway. The plane seemed to have its wing vertical in the turn. I don't think he was but it sure seemed like to to a little kid. And vibration and noise was mind blowing. I was outside but I could hear the windows in the house vibrating.
I could climb the pine tree in our front yard and see planes flying at air shows at Barksdale so I knew where the eastern edge of the runway was located. Pretty sure that is where he was headed. Had a friend whose house's back yard had a fence. Cross the fence and you where on the AFB.
Flew in a Bell Ranger once from Ft. Lauderdale along the beach to Miami county to count turtles. Did not see any turtles but there was nice scenary on the beach.
The pilot had flown in helicopters in Vietnam. When we got to the Port Of Miami there was a 3 masted sailing ship heading out of the cut. We did a tight circle over the ship and if it was not for that seat belt I think I would have fallen out!
We head back north west to the Water Management areas aka the Everglades where we skimmed the grass. Been out there in air boats but its not quite the same skimming the grass in a helocopter vs an airboat.
Flew in a 152 once. And of course commercials. Sounds like I'm not alone in not wanting to ever fly commercial again. The last time was in the late 90s. Rode my first commercial flight at 6 or 7 all by myself and loved it. Don't want any part of it anymore.
Regarding F4Us. I used to live in Boyington Beach, FLA. I always wondered if there was a connection between the town's name and a certain F4U pilot.
Later,
Dan
