Author Topic: Glorious sight on the way into work this morning! (Read 596 times)

Ouch · « **on:** April 09, 2003, 09:46:30 AM »

On my way into work this morning (Richardson/Plano Texas area) I noticed a large aircraft coming across my 12 oclock about 10 miles out.

When it hit about 8 miles, it was in about 80% profile to me, and I thought "man, that plane has a huge veritcal stabilizer. Looks almost like a B-17. "

At about 6 miles I went "Holy ****! It is a B17!!"

It circled the Richardson area twice before flying off to the north. I don't care what else happens today, it's a great day. I love seeing those old warbirds in the air.

Ouch out

gofaster · « **Reply #1 on:** April 09, 2003, 09:56:10 AM »

Oh man!

Do you know which one it was? It may have been "Aluminum Overcast". I think that's part of the CAF based in Texas.

Ouch · « **Reply #2 on:** April 09, 2003, 10:02:07 AM »

Couldn't tell which one. It was a bit hazy and I was driving.

I quite honestly can't even tell you what the paint scheme was.

(The other drivers all must have thought I was drunk or crazy as much as I was wobblying around on GHWB tollway.)

WoofBoy · « **Reply #3 on:** April 09, 2003, 10:20:31 AM »

The B17 you saw was at the Cavanaugh Flight museum over this weekend. (In Addison)

It was there with a B24 as well.

I have several photos as I went on a walkthrough of both planes.

Sadly, I didn't have the instant disposable income to join the crew on a flight of the B17 Saturday afternoon.

The two planes were from the Collings Foundation in MA.

Sadly the hailstorm that ripped through North Dallas and Addision did some Damage to the two planes.

And links, if you live in Dallas go to Cavanaugh!

http://www.cavanaughflightmuseum.com

and

http://www.collingsfoundation.org/menu.htm

WineMan · « **Reply #4 on:** April 09, 2003, 10:45:00 AM »

I had a similar experience about three months ago. I was sitting in my living room with the door to the back yard open when I heard some VERY loud planes flying overhead. I went outside to look and saw a pair of Jugs flying in formation over our local airport. They must've made four to five passes before flying off.

john9001 · « **Reply #5 on:** April 09, 2003, 11:12:35 AM »

something like that happened to me one day , driving to work i thought i saw a B24, it was a B24, flying low with 2 P51's in escort, they were going to land at clearwater/st pete airport, florida.

Grimm · « **Reply #6 on:** April 09, 2003, 12:53:40 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by gofaster
Oh man!

Do you know which one it was? It may have been "Aluminum Overcast". I think that's part of the CAF based in Texas.

Hey GoFaster

Aluminum Overcast is owned by the EAA and based out of Oshkosh WI. Im a proud EAA member and member of the B17 Foundation that opperates it.

gofaster · « **Reply #7 on:** April 09, 2003, 12:58:46 PM »

The B-17 was the "Nine Oh Nine" then. I've toured both of them. Here's a pic.

Here's a photo of the Panoz LMP car that was racing as part of the tie-in to the B-17 at Sebring in 2002.

Its a tough call to decide which one I'd rather have!

Joc · « **Reply #8 on:** April 09, 2003, 03:29:11 PM »

I remember going to an air show couple years back here in N.Ireland,on the way there we had to drive through the mountains,as usual for over here,the cloud was very low,and it was raining,visability was poor looking down the valley,when all of a sudden a B17 came down the valley through the mist and drizzle,very low,our car screeched to a halt and we piled out to watch,it was an amazing sight seeing Duxford based 'Sally B' drone through all that weather vanishing into the mist,I could have gone home then and there,my day was made

Nifty · « **Reply #9 on:** April 09, 2003, 03:56:03 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by WineMan
I had a similar experience about three months ago. I was sitting in my living room with the door to the back yard open when I heard some VERY loud planes flying overhead. I went outside to look and saw a pair of Jugs flying in formation over our local airport. They must've made four to five passes before flying off.

I saw quite a few pairs of Jugs the other night... oh wait, you meant P-47's not boobies!

Heh, all I saw was a formation of F/A-18 Hornets over the weekend.

Was really weird, because the Blues weren't supposed to home this past weekend, they were supposed to be at NAS Corpus Christi. It was pretty hazy, so I couldn't make out the paint scheme, so it might not have been them, but I've never seen another squad of Hornets flying in the 6 plane delta with a trailing 7th. Maybe weather was bad in TX and they cancelled.

Anyways, seeing the Blues isn't as cool as seeing a B-17!

Reschke · « **Reply #10 on:** April 09, 2003, 10:45:29 PM »

Lizard and I walked through the B-17 here in Birmingham a couple of weeks ago with all of our kids and a few kid buddies. It was a hell of a long wait to get in the walk through on the 17. By the time we went through that one the 24 line was nearly as long as the 17 so I called it a day. I think Lizard stayed on with his kids and went through the 24 though. Seeing those two planes up close and getting blasted by the prop wash as they rolled in and turned was awesome. $300 was more than I could spend on a ride this time around. Maybe one day in the future though.

Slash27 · « **Reply #11 on:** April 09, 2003, 11:04:50 PM »

On my way into work this morning (Richardson/Plano Texas area) I noticed a large aircraft coming across my 12 oclock about 10 miles out.
I miss all the cool stuff:mad:

ALF · « **Reply #12 on:** April 09, 2003, 11:45:19 PM »

There is nothing quite as envigorating as seeing an old warbird, and having it be a total surprise!

cpxxx · « **Reply #13 on:** April 10, 2003, 03:16:34 AM »

Haven't seen a warbird since I saw a C47 in the pattern three years ago when I was in Vermont. It's been too long.

But I had a few moments like that in my time. One afternoon two ex French Douglas Skyraiders thundered low over my house enroute to the US via the nearby airport, like something out of a Vietnam movie. Later I believe they were used in the movie 'Flight of the Intruder.'

Before that, when I was a kid I saw dogfighting WW1 biplanes, including one low level dice for which I was the sole spectator. Probably my fascination with flying could be traced to that moment. No I'm not that old it was for a movie, in fact a couple of movies.

But easily the most impressive moment ever wasn't an old warbird but a unique formation.
One sunny afternoon in Dublin, Ireland where I live, I suddenly heard an incredible sound, sort of roaring droning thunder. I ran out to look and over the house flew a formation of US Navy aircraft in a tight formation, one of each aircraft representing the complement of the the US navy carrier JFK. Low level turning after a flypast of the city, F14's, F/A18, E2 S3 etc. If there was ever a more impressive example of airpower I've yet to see it. Awe inspiring are the only words I could use. I went visit them at the airport later. Very exciting indeed. Pity I can't enlist.