[PeteD]

Close indeed. This young fellow is Theodore Dutch Van Kirk. Navigator for the historic Enola Gay. For those that do not know, the Enola Gay and her crew dropped the first Atomic bomb over Japan.

http://www.gpb.org/wwii/dutch-vankirk

[PeteD]

One of the current fleet stationed at Charlotte
NC Air National Guard C130 by Pete Davidson, on Flickr

[PeteD]

Here is another for you tonight.
This one was one of the practice planes they would use to drop the dummy bombs for target practice.

Bomber by Pete Davidson, on Flickr

Top turret by Pete Davidson, on Flickr

Tail Gunner by Pete Davidson, on Flickr

[PeteD]

Picture 5203 by Pete Davidson, on Flickr

[PeteD]

You guys ever see up close how the speed/air brake works on the commercial airliners after it touches down.

Speed Brake in action by Pete Davidson, on Flickr

[PeteD]

Can you imagine trying to pay attention to all this stuff while getting shot at? Cockpit of a F4 Phantom

When you guys want me to stop or change directions just let me know. trying to keep it going until others chime in.

F4 Phantom Console by Pete Davidson, on Flickr

[imaSSnake]

I love it

[rebelyell22]

Originally Posted by PeteD

You guys ever see up close how the speed/air brake works on the commercial airliners after it touches down.

Speed Brake in action by Pete Davidson, on Flickr

Those are reverse thrusters. I like the Boeing style ones where the cowling separates

[PeteD]

Yep. I did not know the "technical " names. Thanks

[PeteD]

I know there are quite a few Mustang guys on here. So, here are a few for you.

Flight Line
P 51 Mustangs parallel parking by Pete Davidson, on Flickr
P 51 Mustangs by Pete Davidson, on Flickr


Resting from the show
P51 Mustang Quick Silver by Pete Davidson, on Flickr

Fast and low
P 51 Quick Silver doing a fast and low by Pete Davidson, on Flickr

[PeteD]

Angel's Playmate
P 51 Angel's Playmate Abstract by Pete Davidson, on Flickr
P 51 Angel's Playmate In the line of fire by Pete Davidson, on Flickr


Swamp Fox
Swamp Fox by Pete Davidson, on Flickr

Swamp Fox by Pete Davidson, on Flickr

Qucksilver
P 51 Mustang Quick Silver and Scott Yoak Taxing by Pete Davidson, on Flickr

P 51 Mustang Quick Silver going inverted by Pete Davidson, on Flickr



Unknown
P 51 Mustang Fast and low by Pete Davidson, on Flickr

[PeteD]

And since we just had Veteran's Day here is a little patriotic shot from the class of 45

Class of 45 Quick Silver and Korean War Hero by Pete Davidson, on Flickr


As they went by
Quick Silver and Korean War Hero by Pete Davidson, on Flickr

[Spurshot]

I've been in love with aviation since I was a little tot. I was raised on USAF bases, and born at USAF Headquarters Wright-Patterson AB. So, it's in my blood.

I started flying when I was making enough money to learn, around 20 as I recall. At around 21 or 22 I bought my first airplane, a Pitts Special S1C. I've flown many types of airplanes and have done a number of first flights for other homebuilders.

I've always worked in aerospace in southern California. For the past 25 years, I've worked for McDonnell Douglas come Boeing. I've been a Systems Engineer in the regulatory compliance and certification field the past 18 years. It's been fascinating most of the time. I still get a good feeling solving aviation problems, even the regulatory problems.

But the crown of being a pilot was flying a P-51. About 7 years ago, I signed up for a flight in Florida in a dual control 51. That plane was everything I always figured it would be. It flew nicely, but has an edge on the stall that will bite. It's agile, but not a Pitts, of course. It's a stable and relatively easy airplane to fly aerobatics in and landing is a stable affair, no darting around like a Pitts. I'm used to flying in-out-around the stall in a Pitts. This airplane is not happy at the stall, as you would expect with that big prop on the front and the laminar airfoil.
Here's my Youtube I made of my flight.

[PeteD]

Very nice video. The communications really added to it. Watched the whole thing. I have always been fond of the Corsair. Reason being, I grew up when there was no internet and Baa Baa Black Sheep was "IT" on TV. Then as I got older the internet came along and I discovered the Mustang, Spitfire and so on. What glorious machines.