Perks at work......B-25

Modeling Subjects Aircraft
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I volunteered to work the airport today, knowing that we had the B-25 “Yankee Warrior” coming in.

Rob, aka Lancair IV, came out to see her too. I got us out by the runway for her arrival.

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We played “chicken” on the taxiway!!!

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She was scheduled for 2 flights for the day, booked up solid (7 seats) at 400 bucks a pop!!!

Here, she’s getting fired up for the first flight.

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Upon their return, I pumped almost 400 gallons of fuel in her. Not every day does one get to fuel up a B-25!!!

The second flight was slated for noon-ish, however, the weather turned to poop, and they were delayed almost 3 hours. I got to jawjack with a few of the crew members and some of the veterans that showed up. These guys are priceless. You should have seen the looks on their faces, words just can’t describe. They were just gone, lost in memory. Some had tears, some had smile, all were very moving. I got chills and goosebumps just trying to imagine what might be going through their minds.

This long delay sent a few of the passengers packing, I thought this might just be my chance!!![A] But then a couple came in and signed over an 800 dollar check. The crewman said “we’ve got our quota, lets go fly”[:'(] Oh well.

We cleared the ramp of all the people, so they could fire up for the last flight. Just as they started buttoning up the plane, they added another passenger.

Just look at all the poor unluckies!!! WOOOOPEEEEEEEEEEEE

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Watching this old gal takeoff, she looks quite slow and lumbering, somewhat of a heavy dog. I tell you what, she aint no lummox, that’s for sure. As them throttles go forward, you feel every bit of this powerful machine, and you feel the power throughout the entire flight!!! I messed myself!!!

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Here’s my ugly mug, enjoying every minute of it!!!

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About twenty minutes in, I looked at the couple next to me, the guy was green and dripping sweat…“OH $#!T…this aint gonna be good”!!! She took one look at him and lost it, then he lost it. Being the “party puker” that I am, I used every fiber of my being to hold it all in…I did surprisingly well, no chunks!!! How lucky am I, this couple just forked over 800 bucks to get sick, at here I sit, right beside em, cause I was in the right place at the right time(that does take a tremendous amount of skill, by the way!!!)

R-T-B

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Not bad for another day at the office!!!

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Well, thanks for giving me a perk to get over my fear of flying (as well as to stop watching those Air Emergency shows, which ain’t helping the matter)

Why does all the good and fun stuff happen to everyone else!?

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You lucky man fermis!!! What a tough day at work LOL! I took a flight on a B-17 last year, most definitely the thrill of a lifetime.

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Lucky, lucky, lucky!!! [:P] You da man Fermis!!!

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Awesome… [:D]

Some guys get all the luck.

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Merci Fermis

for the pictures …Lucky man [Y]

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Awesome, That B-25 is a real beauty queen…Thanks for sharing[Y]

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Good day for you,great expierience Fermis !!

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There is an airworthy B-25 at the local Aviation museum. They offer rides periodically. I took one a few years ago & it was an awesome experience.

Regards, Rick

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I always said that if’n I ever hit the big one on the Powerball that a B-25J was gonna be my first purchase for a “Recreational Vehicle”, even if I have to hire a pilot… I’ve flown (briefly) the right seat in a couple B-25s and even as loud as that bird is, it’s still in my top 5 of Warbird prefs…

Thinking about it, North American seems to lead the pack on the number of Warbirds that are still flying, between the B-25, T-6/SNJ, and the P-51…

Aircraft like those filling the skies is one of the main reasons I think I was born 40 years too late…

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Hey Doc…Great seeing you again. Thanks for getting me out by the runway when she came in. Tell Mark I said thanks as well. She sure is a sweet bird.

May have found my next subject!

Cheers

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WOW What a day Fermis!!! You are a lucky man I must say!!! I have always loved the look of the B-25, just something about it!!![:D[[t$t]

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Thanks for the pics, Fermis!

She was at the Mid Atlantic Air Museum’s WWII Weekend at the beginning of June, too. We were almost knocked over by the prop wash, and it made me appreciate what the [i]Hornet’s flight deck must have been like, launching Doolitte’s men, not just the engine wash, but the poor weather, rolling seas and cross winds.

Your pics really tell me that I need finally to book a ride on one of the warbirds at the MAAM. Those are some great views, and it must be so great to get to see one, from the inside, in the air.

Regards,

Brad

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You are one lucky SOB!!!

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O.K., Lancair IV, you got my hooked. The next B-25 I’m getting is going to be the Yankee Warrior

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You’re just in luck, I happen to know a guy looking for a flying gig!!![H] I tip my hat to you, for gettin to man the controls. One day, it’ll happen for me too. The first time I saw the 17 fly over my house, I told my wife, “I’m gonna fly that thing someday”. The senior pilot is one of our regulars, so I have a “conection”. One day…one day!!!

Rob, it was my pleasure, glad you could make it out. Too bad the stars didn’t quite align enough for you to get on board!!!

Baron, If you can afford the $$$, justified as a donation to keep these old beasts flying, DO IT!!! IMHO the 17 beats the 25, just because you can move around quite a bit and get into every station(except of course the turret and tail).

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They always said that you could tell whether a guy was a B-25 pilot or co-pilot by which ear he was deaf in…

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You the man Fermis! Why can’t I be so lucky! I’m with you the 17 is better than the 25, and any money left over from my Powerball winnings after purchasing a 17 (or that 29 Aero Trader has for sell), I’ll get a 25.

Hans, don’t forget about the B-24 saying: You could tell whether a guy was a B-24 pilot or co-pilot by which arm was bigger.

IMHO the B-25 is the best of the medium bombers.

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I really whish I had a lot of extra money to get myself a bomber. That would look great at my local airport (Fuuny thing about it, it use to be a NAVY airbase. Thay still fly P-3 Orion aircraft in for repairs, and the Hurricane Hunters have some of their Orions stationed there, I think)

Let’s see now. For my 18th birthday, I want a B-17, a B-25, and a B-29. all with the original airframe.

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Great pictures, Fermis![Y]

Did you play air guitar to Iron Maiden’s “Aces High” at any point while you were up there?[:D]