WIX Archives
That Feeling...Long...have the day off
Posted by Jim Harley on Wed Nov 21, 2001 11:23:19 AM
In reply top Re: What Warbird gives you 'The Feeling', and why? posted by Jim Harley on Wed Nov 21, 2001 10:03:59 AM
Back in 1994 I went to the Louisville, KY Airshow... for the first time. Up to that point the largest gathering of warbirds I had seen was at Chino in a non airshow setting. There were around 22 P-51's on the ramp...a B-17...a P-38...a B-29...a B-24...3 or 4 Corsairs...it was amazing. It was the first time that I "got it"...what these aircraft represented. I had known before the histories...I had known what the warbird movement was about...but it was that moment in my life that jelled all the bookworming I had done as a kid.
Over the next couple of years I returned to that show, which never failed to produce amazing numbers of Mustangs and warbirds in general. They brought out the vets..particularly the 357th FG..but there were others represented...Olds, Strait, Goebel, and many others. I had the chance to have lunch with Pete Peterson, I talked to Yeager, Anderson, Hayes, and Carr. These guys made the history...and it was very moving to be around them. I don't care if they put thier pants on the same as we do..they all have the 'look' and focus of fighter pilots. It is a neat atmosphere to be surrounded by. So when I hear a Merlin fire up I think back to those bygone days of the Louisville Airshow...what those guys represent...the smile on Yeager and Anderson's faces as they taxied out in "their" Mustangs...Tommy Hayes talking to people about his experiences while leaning on Frenesi...or Bruce Carr hanging around Angels Playmate...those were the magical and memorable days that still give me chills...I miss that show!!!
Jim