A little airplane time

[Robin Jones]

After seeing the Lancaster thread on here, I thought I would share my little adventure a week ago.
One of the airplanes I always wanted to fly was the Stearman. (WW2 trainer)
I finally had my chance at a auto/aircraft show at a local airport. Except for a brief time in the Ford Trimotor (another plane checked off on the bucket list) I had no stick 'n rudder time for over forty years. Kind of like riding a bike, it all comes back quickly.

[Robin Jones]

The whole Snoopy helmet, mustache blowing up my nose look isn't going to attract the ladies...

[Wally2]

Hi Robin,
Am due to be doing something similar but in a Tiger Moth
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sp4czt2qXcU
However, its been cancelled twice, once for bad weather, the other for aircraft being grounded with fuel line problems. Now my flight is due in March next year!
Oh well!

Chris

[Robin Jones]

Now that looks like an absolute blast!

[Wally2]

I'm hoping it will be, its an hours flight taking the same route that 617 Squadron Lancasters took when they were training for the dams rain over Derwent Dam in Derbyshire.
Cheers
Chris

[4XMOKE]

Robin,
I used to fly quite a bit with a friend in a Stearman.
His had the Pratt and Witney wasp 9 cylinder radial which was a post war upgrade engine. Yours looks to have it's original 7 cylinder and therefore fully aerobatic!
I hand started it off the prop a couple of times, swinging a 16 litre 450bhp engine over with the risk of it firing and whipping your hand off does focus your mind on proceedings rather..... Good crack, hope you enjoyed flight time.

Best regards

Roger G

[govig]

Would love to fly the Stearman especially after seeing that Tracey somebody fly one from Capetown to London on the telly this week. Trouble is I have a licence but no medical...

[Wally2]

Hi Robin,
I'm due up in the Tiger Moth next Wednesday, however, Steve Hall took me over to the airfield in his plane a few weeks ago and showed me the Moth in the hanger minus wings! Apparently it hit a truck with the lower wing taxiing in, so I hope they've managed to fix it by now!

Steve in his 'Fox'!

Chris

[Wally2]

What a day!!!




Mind you it was colder than being in the Moke!

Chris

[Wally2]

Next up in June is a trip up and down the runway in this!


Will have to be winning the Lottery for the next one on the bucket list!
As the rules have now changed in the UK, flights in WW2 fighters are now being offered. However for a 20 minutes fight in a twin seat Spitfire is £2750, a 50 minute flight is £4750, worth every penny if you've got it to spare! A little cheaper in a twin seat Mustang at £1950 for 20 mins or £3450 for 50 mins.
http://www.boultbeeflightacademy.co.uk/

Chris

[Wally2]

Did the run in Just Jane on a glorious Thursday last week, what a day!!!!

New nose art

Bomb Aimers position

Starboard wing from pilots position

Pilots view

Powering up the field! with 4 Merlin's at 1800 rpm!!

Front turret

Tail turret
Chris

[Tim]

Wow, those things are amazing. I've only ever seen one up close ('G for George' on static display in the war memorial in Canberra) but that was enough to send a shiver down my spine.

I've always imagined what would have gone through the tail gunner's mind when he was doing his job. Fantastically courageous guys.

Tim