What full scale warbird did you get a chance to fly in?
 

There were several posts over in the (RE: B-25 Mitchell Threads,Docs,PaintSchemes,Movies&More!!!!!!!!!!! ) that was starting to get off topic, including my own post, that I thought would make a great, seperate post in it's own right.

SUBJECT: What full scale warbird did you get a chance to fly in?

I'll start off with my own story.

I finally got to check off one of those items you make as a kid of waht you want to do in your life. This one in particular was to fly on a real B-17. That dream became a reality for me on August 25, 2007, when the Liberty Belle came for a visit to Lubbock, Texas, last month. It cost me $430.00 for a 25-30 minute flight and was well worth it.

I was on the noontime flight and got to sit in the jumpseat behind the pilot on take-off and landing. I had to twist around and hold my camcorder up over my right shoulder to film the takeoff and landing. I also got some great stills and will post some of those here.

RE: What full scale warbird did you get a chance to fly in?
 

Some more pictures

RE: What full scale warbird did you get a chance to fly in?
 

I have had rides in two military trainers, the PT-17 Stearman and the AT-6 Texan. It was a blast in both cases!

RE: What full scale warbird did you get a chance to fly in?
 

at-6 and sf 260.

RE: What full scale warbird did you get a chance to fly in?
 

PV-2 Harpoon. 2 - count 'em - 2 R-2800s!!!

RE: What full scale warbird did you get a chance to fly in?
 

TG-4A, TG-7A, T-41, T-41C, T-43, C-130E, C-130H, MC-130E, MC-130H, C-141B, C-5B, C-5B SOLL II, L-3, MH-60G, MH-53J, MH-60, MH-60K, MH-47E, UH-47E, UH-1N, UH-1H, Mi-24 HIND, C-21, Gazelle, UC-17, UV-18B, AN-224, MH-6, AH-6, MH-60DAPS, AC-130H, AC-130U, AN-2, Casa-212, C-130J, Lynx, C-2A, CH-46, SH-60A, SH-60B, CH-53E, B-52H, KC-135R, KC-10.....and I'm sure there were a few more. No cool P-51s though.

RE: What full scale warbird did you get a chance to fly in?
 

L3, 2 different Stearmans, BT13, AT6, 2 different B17's, PBY Catilina, C45, PT19, PT26, L19, Probably others but I don't remember off hand.

RE: What full scale warbird did you get a chance to fly in?
 

PT-17 Stearman, $35.00. B-24J Liberator, ALL AMERICAN, $350.00. Both were 30 minute flights.

RE: What full scale warbird did you get a chance to fly in?
 

T-6/SNJ, P-51, T-28, AT-11 and the T-34 if you want to count that.

Also had a ride in a YAK 54 , that was a HOOT!

RE: What full scale warbird did you get a chance to fly in?
 

BT-13, C-130, C-5, Tigermoth and F-16!!

RE: What full scale warbird did you get a chance to fly in?
 

UH-1 Iraquoi, UH-60 Black Hawk, C-130 Hercules, C-141 Starlifter, C-5 Galaxie, T-6 Texan 2, T-43, P-3 Orion

RE: What full scale warbird did you get a chance to fly in?
 

Waco UPF-7 and Waco YMF-3, Ryan PT-22 , T-28D, L-39 Albatros, P-40N, TP-40N, P-51D (two)
Douglas B-23 Dragon, PBY Catalina, B-25 and a F7F Tigercat.

RE: What full scale warbird did you get a chance to fly in?
 

During WW2, I was trained as a radio operator, and flew on C-47s and a B-17...With flying pay I received $75.00 mo.
There were some exciting times also.

RE: What full scale warbird did you get a chance to fly in?
 

Long ago and far away I got paid to ride in a few; C-130, C-141, C-5, UV-18, UH-1, CH-3, AH-6, MH-6 and UH-60. I did a lot more takeoffs than landings in most of those.

Some years later in civilian life I did not get to fly in it, but I spent 5 minutes in the pilot seat of the first X-29. Civilian life rides include; C-47, L-3, L-4, OV-10, P-51, PT-17, T-4, T-34 and T-37.

RE: What full scale warbird did you get a chance to fly in?
 

Can we rule out flights whilst serving in the military, as it's very easy for some to accumulate a long list?

As a civilian, I've flown in a P-51 and had a few minutes at the stick myself.

RE: What full scale warbird did you get a chance to fly in?
 

Why? Speaking only for myself, I am proud to have served. I do not think the forum will run out of space if this thread has a few more lines posted here. I for one would like to hear a story or three to go along with the list of birds some of my older brothers and sisters in arms served in.

RE: What full scale warbird did you get a chance to fly in?
 

Both The Raven and Klaatu have valid points. I for one don't mind either way.

But maybe from now on, break your lists down into While I was in the Service and After I was in the Service or something similar to that. Also - this thread is for folks who actually FLOWN on these aircraft, not walk thru (i.e. I walked thru a Connie, B-25, B-24s, C-141s, C-17s, C-5s... But never flown in one).

Exception to these rules -
1. Airliners - if they are from the golden or silver age, or basically anything before 1985.
2. Seaplanes/floatplanes - if they are from the golden or silver age, or basically anything before 1985.
2. Various General Aviation aircraft such as: Cessnas, Pipers, Bononzas, kitbuilts, etc. Golden, Silver, or modern era. Modern era should be left out of the listing.

I will use myself as an example:

In service, I flew on - C-130, USAF Huey, T-37, KC-135.

In Civilian Life (Childhood and Adulthood) - Ford Trimotor (rare civilian airliner), Bell Jet Ranger helicopter (pre-1980s model), Boeing 727 & 737. And lastly, the Boeing B-17G that started this tread.

Lets give this a try for a few days to see how it works or not.

EDIT: As for the cut-off date of 1985, I just picked it at random to to established a time frame.

RE: What full scale warbird did you get a chance to fly in?
 

No disrespect was intended to anyone who's served, no matter what the country etc, but they would tend to have a distinct advantage over the average Joe when it comes to warbird flights.

Happy to hear from those who have served, particularly if they have a story to share with us all.

RE: What full scale warbird did you get a chance to fly in?
 

None taken. I was just curious. Call it a lesson in framing a question, eh? :-) I could list lots more aircraft but I restricted my list to those showing some flavor of US insignia.

Being a veteran from an era that recieved very little popular support I tend to show my appreciation to excess for those currently serving.

And now back to the subject at hand, does ground maneuvers in a B-52 count? ;-)

RE: What full scale warbird did you get a chance to fly in?
 

Sure, as long as I can count 'sitting in cockpits' of then servicable aircraft :D OK, I know that doesn't count but it'll allow me to add:

UH-1
Mirage III
MB-326
Sabre
Meteor
Vampire
Boomerang
F-5E
F-111

Oh, and I 'flew' a Mirage simulator. That may not count given it barely qualified as a simulator against todays modern standards (analog computer).

RE: What full scale warbird did you get a chance to fly in?
 

PT-17.
My son and I in 2003.

RE: What full scale warbird did you get a chance to fly in?
 

UH-1H, H-60, C-47, AT-6, Stearman, J-3 Cub, C-130, C-5, British Army Islander, British Air Force C-130, numerous others. (both in military status and civilian status) Also B-52 and C-130 simulators.

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PBY Catalina, B-25 and B-17.

Indy Park Flyer

RE: What full scale warbird did you get a chance to fly in?
 

Oh, now are we going to add simulators?
:D

Ok, in that case... T-37, T-38, C-141.

RE: What full scale warbird did you get a chance to fly in?
 

PT-19, P-51D, P-51H, B-26, B-25, B-17, MiG-15U, AT-6.

In the CAP I got a few flights (total of 2.5 hours in my flight log) as well: F-15B