Flying In A B-25
Flying in the nose of a World War II B-25 Mitchell bomber over the Salton Sea. Today April 18th is the anniversary of the Doolittle Raid On Tokyo in 1942. Sixteen B-25’s flew off the deck of the USS Hornet as the first retaliation for the attack on Pearl Harbor. Of the 80 crew members, 77 survived the mission. Eight airmen were captured by the Japanese Army in China; three were later executed.
Video from a hat mounted GoPro as I shot video and photos with my iPhone and a Fujifilm X-Series camera.
We were headed for a Veterans Day flyover at the Glamis Sand Dunes with other World War II aircraft. I was texting our location and timing and also doing social media posts.
Also somewhat of a video self; you can see my reflection on the iPhone.
The B-25 “Executive Sweet” from the American Aeronautical Foundation. That day flying out of the Palm Springs Air Museum.
Journey To Royal Screening
Please join us at the Palm Springs Air Museum for an exciting Workprint Test Screening of the World War II docudrama, JOURNEY TO ROYAL followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers, on Saturday, October 19, 2019 from 1:00pm to 3:30pm.
The film tells the extraordinary true story of Lt. Royal Stratton and the 4th Emergency Rescue Squadron who, over the seas on an embattled South Pacific, flew over 800 rescue missions to save the lives of 576 men.
Over the last decade, the filmmakers have traveled the world locating and interviewing the surviving members of the Squadron, as well as other WWII veterans, who share their firsthand accounts of some of the most pivotal and consequential events of that War. Their goal is to preserve the values of, and celebrate the contributions made by, the Greatest Generation.
Producer Mariana Tosca and writer-director Chris Johnson will be doing a Q&A after the screening for anyone interested in giving audience feedback or learning more about the making of the movie. Thank You!
My Rotating Beacon Hat Works!
Not The Usual
When we think of historic wartime aircraft we think of planes like the P-51 Mustang and the B-17 Flying Fortress. But there are so many other interesting and unusual aircraft that have flown in air combat services. And tomorrow Saturday, April 15, 2017 you can see two of them at the Palm Springs Air Museum.
The Grumman Tigercat F7F was the first twin engine fighter to be used by the United States Navy. It missed combat in World War II but flew in the Korean War as a night fighter and attack aircraft for the Navy and Marine Corps. Too big for smaller carrier service, it required the Midway class of aircraft carriers. Actually a very rare plane, there were only 354 of them built and now there are perhaps only 12 still around!
From 10:30 – 12:30 you can sit in the cockpit of this huge Tigercat that flew at 460 mph and up to 40,000 ft! Think about firing off it’s four 20mm cannons or it’s four .50 caliber Browning machine guns. Get your photo taken too!
Then at 1:00 PM a really unusual military airplane, the German Fieseler Fi 156 Storch. Owner and expert, Steven Lund will talk about how this airplane, first flown in 1936 became pivotal in wartime events. In 1943 a Storch was used to rescue deposed Italian dictator Benito Mussolini and it had a less than glorious role in the last dogfight on the Western Front. Very “prized”, one became the personal aircraft of British Field Marshal ‘Monty’ Montgomery.
Following the presentation at around 2:00 PM, Steven Lund will do a flight demonstration in his Storch replica! Come check it out! Tomorrow Saturday, April 15th at the Palm Springs Air Museum. Not the usual! See you there!
Mr. Sulu WARP SPEED!
Fred Bell, director of the Palm Springs Air Museum, taking command of the 1928 Ford Tri-Motor. At start up, over the comm, he can be heard saying “Scotty give me everything you got! Mr. Sulu WARP SPEED!”. I know for sure, I heard it myself 🙂
From The Co-Pilot Seat
The takeoff in a 1928 Ford Tri-Motor passenger airplane. Yesterday leaving the Palm Springs Air Museum. This is one of the very first passenger aircraft. Three engines and ten passengers. Cruising speed of 107mph and a range of 570 miles. A must see, it will be available at the Air Museum through this Sunday (March 19th) and available for rides all day each day.
They’re Flying!
Lots of flying today for lots of people at the Palm Springs Air Museum. And not just any flying! In a 1928 Ford Tri-Motor, one of the very first ever passenger airplanes. You can fly too, through Sunday! I will be!
Arriving 1928 Ford Tri-Motor
Built in 1928 this Ford Tri-Motor passenger plane arriving at the Palm Springs Air Museum. A very rare sight to see flying today! And you can take a ride! Check the Museum website at PalmSpringsAirMuseum.org
First sold to Transcontinental Air Transport (TAT, the logo that graces the aircraft’s fuselage today) in January 1929 and was named City of Wichita. It inaugurated westbound transcontinental commercial air service on July 7, 1929. In April 1931, ownership of the aircraft was transferred to Transcontinental and Western Air (TWA). Here the aircraft helped in the development of TWA’s route system.
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