I have to admit, Yes I was not a fan of the old warbirds, you know the fast jets at the airshow were so spectacular and they go and ruin it all by letting some old prop job take away the fun. Well before you all go writing and try to explain the beauty of these old birds, I have been converted! When on holiday in Florida I was visiting a restoration company “Riellys” in Kissimmee which was busy restoring an old B52 when I heard an old prop job crank up and the hairs on the back of my neck stood up! What a fantastic sound! I rushed out to find a Harvard operated by “world of adventures” which was doing aerobatic flights! Well you only live once so off I went. That was when I was totally converted the old aircraft are not only lovely sounding but are full of history. Well here is a photo of my flight hope you enjoy it, if you would like to see more let me know.
Best regards
J
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By: alexis_lambert - 24th February 2003 at 21:45
RE: Harvard flight a dream come true
I did that as a prezzie to myself for my 30th. I paid for an hour but the wingtip stills camera’s batteries died when we took off so Thom gave me an extra 15mins. It’s worth going to Florida just to do that. I was in the yellow T-6 and after some solo aeros met up with the silver T-6 for some formation aeros and then a dogfight session. I am not a pilot and the guy having the ride in the other T-6 was at the time of his retirement the highest houred Starfighter pilot in the RCAF. We had 2 fights and drew as i got him 1st which he could not believe and was glad none of his ex-crew could see it.
After the flight i took a walk up to Stallion 51 and was greated by 11 gorgeous ’51’s, 9 of which were polished. The only regret i have is trusting my father in that the camera had new batteries in it, so why did it shut down when taking the 1st photo?
The guys at Stallion were great and left me to walk the hanger at my leisure and if the canopy was open i could sit in whatever i liked as long as i didn’t touch anything. Who outside of the U.S would be so trusting? Well certainly no-one in this country.
By: Bob - 24th February 2003 at 16:46
RE: Harvard flight a dream come true
j,
Yep been there – at least at Reilly Aviation, and was so so close to doing the Harvard flight, but with the good lady and our friend left on the ground I felt a little selfish. So I’ll save it until my visit in May.
Is this the B-52 you talked of?? 🙂
http://www.pbase.com/image/4324475.jpg
We made a day of the trip from just north of Tampa (where we were staying with friends) up to Fanatsy of Flight then on to try and find Stallion 51 – Reilly’s was a true discovery, just around the corner from Stallion 51 (sadly closed for the day by the looks of the place) and a very interesting place it was, with an excellent tour round the hangar. You can view some of my pics here http://www.pbase.com/pixel_eye
BTW, your pilot didn’t duck down when he took the picture;)
By: Arabella-Cox - 23rd February 2003 at 23:44
RE: Harvard flight a dream come true
I always said Tom Reilly’s boys were good. Let’s face it, you’ve gotta hand it to anyone who can restore a Mitchell to the extent that it becomes a buff… 😉
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February 23, 2003 at 11:10 pm
