B-25 and TBF (I think) in Louisville, KY

[DaveBB]

At work today I thought I saw a twin-tailed aircraft, but it was moving fast.  Figured it was one of the transient Navy COD planes I'm always seeing.  Later on during the day, I see a camo schemed B-25 flying around.  Then I see a huge single engine plane form up on him.  It looked like a TBF.  I didn't realize they were that big, it appeared to be almost the size of the B-25.  I snapped some photos later of the B-25 flying around, but my camera only has a 4x optical zoom.

Anyone know why they are here?

[Mongoose]

B-25H wingspan 67 ft. 7 inches
TBF wingspan 54 ft 2 inches

That's quite a difference in size. But if the TBF was between you and the B-25, they could look the same.

[Devil 505]

Avengers are enormous.

[Oldman731]

Avengers are enormous.

Agreed.

- oldman

[RSLQK186]

Local news mentions the 25. Saw Show Me on the side and did some digging.
Commemorative Air Force Missouri Wing B-25J "Show Me" and TBM-3E are at Bowman Field for Veterans event. At post time 3 seats available today on Mitchell ($395 ea) and 1 on Avenger ($895). 1 on each available Sunday.
https://cafmo.org/content/register.aspx?Id=131

[DaveBB]

Agreed.

- oldman

I agree, almost the size of a twin engine medium bomber.

[Frodo]

These 2 are based in a suburb of St. Louis. They come every year to a local show here, about 70 miles away from their base. 

[colmbo]

Avengers are enormous.

I love airplanes that a fall from is life threatening.

[Kanth]

Yes, i was shocked at their size relative to the B17. 

[DaveBB]

The plane that most shocked me at its size (compared to what I thought) was the F6F.  When I first saw one at an airshow in the late 90s, I was amazed at how huge it was.  The F4F was tiny by comparison.  The F6F has about the same wing area as a P-47, and is very similar in size.  Yet far more maneuverable.

[mikeWe9a]

The plane that most shocked me at its size (compared to what I thought) was the F6F.  When I first saw one at an airshow in the late 90s, I was amazed at how huge it was.  The F4F was tiny by comparison.  The F6F has about the same wing area as a P-47, and is very similar in size.  Yet far more maneuverable.

And don't forget, far slower...

[Mister Fork]

And don't forget, far slower...

Slower, but still capable of speeds up to 385 mph at altitude (~18k), and 320mph at sea level.  F6F is no slouch but no speed match for the P-47.  It can, however, dive just as effectively as the Jug.  Folding wings and carrier landing gear make up for some of that bulk and almost twice the range (960 vs 550) on internal fuel.

[DaveBB]

I'm a believer in the 400mph F6F.  There was a pitot tube problem that made the airspeed read low during testing.  The P-47 was faster at high altitude.

[Vraciu]

I'm a believer in the 400mph F6F.  There was a pitot tube problem that made the airspeed read low during testing.  The P-47 was faster at high altitude.

I'm not.  Corky Meyer had an agenda. IMHO.   I think it was faster than 380 but I don't see it as a 400 mph airplane.   Close though.

[DaveBB]

This was covered ad nauseum back in 2004 on these boards.  There is a lot of evidence that the F6F could attain speeds between 405-409mph.