Just a little while ago a B29 came lumbering overhead, escorted by a pair of P51s. Pretty cool sounds. Then just a few minutes ago, it came back, having lost the fighter escorts. Strange things happening here on Labor Day.

Its my guess they're selling rides.

quote:

Originally posted by rburg:
Its my guess they're selling rides.

Yes, they do - at around $450 per ride.

That's cheap! Buddy of mine's dad spent around $2K for a ride.

quote:

Originally posted by Gustofer:
That's cheap! Buddy of mine's dad spent around $2K for a ride.

B29 is $1.2K plus. B17, B24 & B25 are about $450.

I've done the 17, 24, 25 group and have considered the B29.

Back when my father was alive I asked if he would like to take a ride in a restored B-17 that was coming to town, my treat. He looked at me like I was completely insane. He was a radio/gunner on one during the war out of England and did 30 missions. He told me he never wanted to see one let alone fly in one ever again. He didn't talk about his experiences much, but he did say he lost a lot of friends and the whole time was a nightmare. I should have known better than to make the offer.

Jim

quote:

Originally posted by Jimbo54:
...I should have known better than to make the offer...

Don't beat yourself up. If he never said anything about it before, how would you know he felt that way? I know a lot of WWII vets just wanted to forget, but most of them had good memories as well, and would jump at the chance to relive them.

I've seen a lot of them get misty-eyed at the sight of a B-24 or B-25, or even a T-craft L-2 or Piper Cub in military colors.

quote:

Originally posted by newtoSig765:

quote:

Originally posted by Jimbo54:
...I should have known better than to make the offer...

Don't beat yourself up. If he never said anything about it before, how would you know he felt that way? I know a lot of WWII vets just wanted to forget, but most of them had good memories as well, and would jump at the chance to relive them.

I've seen a lot of them get misty-eyed at the sight of a B-24 or B-25, or even a T-craft L-2 or Piper Cub in military colors.

An interesting contrast of perspective. God Bless your Father. One of many of the truly Greatest Generation. I haven't met a lot of them personally, but I have the greatest respect for them.

quote:

Originally posted by wrightd:
...I haven't met a lot of them personally, but I have the greatest respect for them.

When I was a child, every father in the neighborhood was a veteran of WWII. One was wounded on Tulagi. The woman next door was a Gold Star Mother (lost her only son on a B-24 raid over Europe). A guy on the next block helped design the Norden Bombsight. I think a guy at the other end of the block was one of our lawyers at the Nuremburg Trials. My college room mate's father flew in the Pacific Theater for the entire war, and his father-in-law proudly wears a baseball cap that says "Bronze Star" on it.

You are right to respect them; they were all bigger than life, even though they were just guys who served, came home, and got back to living.

The Warbirds Exhibition was at Lunken today.