It seems my Bucket List has a lot of aircraft-related items on it. You'll recall my Stearman flight as the first Bucket List item I shared with you.
For a number of years, I have admired the beauty of many WWII aircraft. My very favorite has always been the B-17 Bomber. It is huge. It is beautiful. It was the tool that provided the United States with the ability to overcome huge odds and win a war fought across an ocean... two oceans, actually. It is incredible. There are not many still flying although there are those who work hard, spending their own time and money, to keep some in the air. One of the ways they receive donations is to offer the chance to fly on one. Where do I sign up?
Well, I didn't. But the spousal-unit, who knows of my love of the B-17, signed me up. (You do understand why I am still hanging onto him, right?)
When Friday afternoon, March 16, 2012, rolled around, I could barely contain myself. My flight was scheduled for 4:00 p.m. in Jasper, Texas. Jasper was holding an airshow that weekend and they were taking some folks up Friday evening. Jasper is about an hour away and easily accessed... so off we went!
We arrived and checked in with the Commemorative Air Force folks who had set up in the airport waiting area. (It's only a private airport but very nicely furnished!) While checking in, I asked the lovely lady helping me if there might be "room for one more?" She happily replied there was so I quickly slid over my card and told her to ring me up for a ride for the spousal-unit!!! He couldn't really object at that point so he was now on the ride list with me. We were going up in this thing together!
We walked out onto the tarmac area where our B-17 waited near the taxiway.
She was just beautiful!! Waiting while everything was readied was agonizing. We finally were called to the front of the aircraft where we were briefed on what to expect and given instruction on strapping in with the 1946 lap belts! At last we were allowed to board the plane which was accomplished by pulling ourselves up through a small hole on the side and scrambling on in. I assure you I had NO TROUBLE boarding!! I would have climbed to the top turret if that was what was necessary!
Once on board, we found seats. We parked the spousal-unit at the radioman's position where he took a photo of the radio receiver that was mounted there. (The aircraft had all "historically correct" components!)
While the pilots began the process of starting each of the four engines individually, the spousal-unit just kept clicking away with the camera. There are WAY too many photos to share with you but a few are really interesting. The one below is a view from where we were strapped in, forward through the bomb bay, and into the cockpit. This is a VERY narrow passageway by which the cockpit is accessed.
I was strapped in directly across from the spousal-unit. While he had the radio receiver, I was "Queen of the Antennae Boxes!" I have no idea exactly which antennae each of the boxes controlled but there were certainly plenty of them!
Finally, all four huge radial engines were running smoothly, the sound and vibration indescribable. If you're of a certain age, you'll recall the smoke and oil smell from some of the old "muscle cars." This beauty made them look wimpy at best! It was simply amazing to close one's eyes and simply listen to the roar. We barely felt the movement but noticed, through the windows, we had begun to move!!! I was SOOOO thrilled! We were going to taxi onto the runway and take off in this massive, gorgeous plane!!
Did I mention that the oddest things seem to happen when the spousal-unit and I find ourselves doing something "different?" Yeah. I can't 'splain it... but sometimes the strangest things happen to us.
So... after traveling about 20 yards, we felt just the slightest little "bump" motion... then we stopped... then the engines began shutting down. Huh?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!? What is THIS all about?!?!?!?!? We're supposed to be going UP in this baby!!! Why have we stopped?!?!?!?!?
Oops. So, while following the "Marshaller" (who guides aircraft with cockpits at such an angle the pilots cannot actually see directly in front of them), there seems to have been some miscommunication on someone's part... and we are now... yes, really... stuck in the mud in the grass between the taxiway and the runway. Sigh. We are asked to get off of the plane and there is a little confusion as we mill about trying to determine what might happen next. We are told to stick around with the hope that we will somehow become UNstuck within a reasonable period of time without damage to the plane and will try it again.
So, Mary Nell? Exactly HOW stuck are you?
I would have to call it REALLY stuck. Remember... this baby does not have a "reverse!" What do we do now? The airport tug, a standard wrecker, and finally a flatbed wrecker are all called in to try to determine how we are going to get this baby out of the mud.
So now what? Did the flight take place? Or was your special flight never to happen?
Until next post...
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