IT'S VERY "PLANE" TO ME!!!

Heidy-Ho, Blogging Pals!!

What fun there is to be found at the local airport (Beauregard Regional)!

The weekend of November 3rd found a veteran's salute at South Beauregard.  A gentleman there reached out to obtain some flyovers in tribute.  Since it is difficult (and expensive!) to book formation flying teams (Blue Angels, etc.), he worked with some really great individuals who are WWII airplane enthusiasts.  These terrific folks own and fly their aircraft privately... but they are nearly always ready to provide tribute flyovers just for the cost of fuel.  After all, it gives them a great opportunity to fly together and enjoy their (expensive!) hobby!

Our airport was the most convenient to the festivities so we were fortunate enough to have the entire "fleet" fly in!!  They fueled up, chatted, and prepared for their flyovers.  They were scheduled in three groups.

The first group included my friend's (Mr. Bonnie Lee) two Stearman as well as two Bird dogs he owns.  You have seen them in previous posts and I was not at the airport when they arrived to fuel up.

A beautiful pair planning to fly together was comprised of a P-51 Mustang and a Corsair.  These are both incredible aircraft.  The very kind gentleman with the P-51 allowed me to climb into the cockpit!!  Oh My!!  I didn't want to leave it... but I did.  Sigh.

P-51

Corsair

There were four T-6 aircraft which would make up the third group, arriving in formation, peeling off to land one right behind the other.  It was great to see young men (and their wives/girlfriends/significant others/friends) climb out of the two-seater, tandem planes.  These are easier to find (more survived) and less expensive to operate/maintain so many are being snapped up and restored.

And here they are, all lined up for their portrait.  :)

You can see what a beautiful day it was, perfect for flying.  What fun to have this group at our airport even for just a brief time.

And a big thank you to individuals who make sure these planes can keep flying.  As new technologies overwhelm us in every facet of our lives, we need to remember it was the old technology that provided us, and other countries, with the freedoms we continue to enjoy.  When you hear the roar of one of these massive engines, just look up and smile.  There is a pilot up there who is smiling as s/he enjoys flying a little history.  :)

Until next post...