Where It All Started
Traveled up the road to Dayton-Wright Brothers Airport to see the 1911 Wright Flyer replica, and climb through some of the Collins Foundation aircraft. They were also selling rides on all aircraft today. Not spacious by any imagination, I couldn't imagine crawling through the B-17 or B-24 with a high altitude suit on, let alone trying to put on a parachute while your plane was going down. You'll see what I mean with the shot of Mr Blue shirt trying to maneuver thru the B-17 bomb bay.
Also showing up and selling rides was EAA's Ford Tri-Motor. So all in all it was a great day to see some pretty interesting advancements in aviation in one setting. Hope you enjoy the pics.
49 additional images. Click to enlarge.
Allan J Withers said on August 9, 2019
Some nice interesting pic's there Tom, thanks for posting !
Craig Abrahamson said on August 9, 2019
Thanks for sharing your pics with us, Tom (all except the "Mr. Blue shirt" one)...I could've gone all day without seeing THAT - 🙂
David A. Thomas said on August 9, 2019
True, that, Craig!
Tom Cleaver said on August 9, 2019
I suspect Tom, that (like most of us) your physique no longer comports with that of an 18-22 year old, the people who were manning these things back then. 🙂
Nice shots, thanks for posting them.
Here's some shots I took with "Witchcraft" back 20 years ago when she was "All American." And "9-0-9" over the Santa Monica Mountains and the other shot is over the Getty Museum and the 405 in Mulholland Pass.
4 attached images. Click to enlarge.
gary sausmikat said on August 9, 2019
Thanks, great shots, Tom! Just had to be a P-40 there...
Thanks for posting the Lycoming engine shot too.
BTW: He's just the aircraft's plumber.
Jeff Groves said on August 9, 2019
Thanks for posting these, Tom! Looks like a good day out.
Part of the data block on the B-17E reads "CREW WEIGHT 1200LBS". That was for a crew of ten. People were smaller then, and the airmen were typically in their late teens or early twenties.
Robert Royes said on August 9, 2019
Nice, Tom! the space in B-25 is realy tight.
David A. Thomas said on August 9, 2019
Nice shots, Tom. Very nice reference stuff.
I was inside the "All American" around 30 years ago during a stop in Louisville. Those planes are all small on the inside.
Jeff Bailey said on August 10, 2019
Great photos, Tom! I really look forward to meeting you next year for the Roscoe Turner show!
@tom-bebout
Paul Barber said on August 10, 2019
Cracking shots, Tom! Thanks so much for sharing!
Dirk Derks said on August 15, 2019
Hello Tom,
Thanks for sharing hese interesting pics with us.
The liberator made the most impression on me.
Regards, Dirk