"Duty. Honor. Sacrifice."

[Grossman56]

I happen to have an original publication of 'The Mighty Eighth' that I've had since the 60's and in it I've been able to look face to face with a lot of the guys who flew the planes mine represent. Bud Anderson, Don Gentile, John Landers are all in their, and so young!! To see John Landers sitting in Big Beautiful Doll, getting assistance from his crew in getting unstrapped is such a great picture, you could swear you were right there taking the pic!
It really drives home the point that this generation stepped out of their ordinary lives when the nation called and did extraordinary things. Wars didn't go on for decades then. In four years we went from a fifth rate military nation to the biggest force to be reckoned with on the planet. And then the guys and girls from this generation went home and picked up their lives as best they could, most still in their twenties. Many is the time I've looked at someone 25-28 years old and thought to myself that if you'd have been in that generation, you could have been leading a thousand B 17's over Berlin with all the responsibility that that would entail. Instead of hanging out somewhere with your buds. But for this generation, have you ever asked yourself whether your life would have been as great as it was? We got to be kids and young men because this generation sacrificed their rite to the same experiences.

Grossman56

[VOODOO]

I spent many years of my AMERICAN AIRLINES career flying out of DCA (WASHINGTON NATIONAL AIRPORT), and had numerous occasions to meet famous people from many categories. My most memorable moments were, on separate occasions, to shake hands with both EDDIE RICKENBACKER, and JIMMIE DOOLITTLE. Both were very gracious and humble.

[Grossman56]

WOW!!
I have Eddie's two books 'Fighting the Flying Circus' and 'Rickenbacker' both very inspirational to me!

And Jimmy Doolittle, that must have been an amazing moment!!!

Good for you Voodoo!
I was part owner of the DC3, Flagship Texas at one time, and had the thrill to go inside the Flagship Knoxville which is at the American Airlines Museum in Dallas/ Forth Worth, Texas.
When we blasted the layers and layers of paint off Flagship Texas, you could still clearly see the American Airlines Eagle and the other original markings it was quite the thrill.

Grossman56

[VOODOO]

I remember when Knoxville was rolled out at the DFW museum, it shined like a newly minted silver dollar!

[VOODOO]

When American first changed the paint scheme from the orange lightning bolt to the plain red white and blue stripe, we used to check in with DCA ground control as the "ugly American"

[Grossman56]

Yes, she's beautiful! It was so interesting to see what the stock interior looked like, ours was basically stripped right out, still had the magazine racks but they were badly damaged and we managed to keep the original galley and head!

[VOODOO]

Yes, she's beautiful! It was so interesting to see what the stock interior looked like, ours was basically stripped right out, still had the magazine racks but they were badly damaged and we managed to keep the original galley and head!

Great grunt work! Where is this on display?

[Aros]

I have one major regret. I was at the Seattle Museum of Flight years ago and I was admiring the Tuskegee Airmen exhibit. I was reading the words and viewing the photos hanging in the gallery. I remember seeing a dark-skinned older gentleman wearing a Tuskegee Airmen hat, sitting on the bench that was near by. It wasn't until I left asking my friend, "Do you think that was an actual Tuskegee Airman?" For some odd reason at the time, I didn't think to ask the man.

Years later, at a Seattle Seahawks game (I am a season ticket holder), one of the great traditions we have is for a VIP to raise the 12th Man Flag before each home game. I've seen many amazing people raise that flag, but only two ever made me choke up. One was a WWII vet, and the other was the very man I saw that day at the museum that I didn't recognize.

He was a popular usher for the Seahawks for years. He also was a Tuskegee Airman. George Hickman. God rest his Soul.

http://blog.seahawks.com/2013/05/27/remembering-george-hickman-tuskegee-airman-12th-man/

[Grossman56]

http://www.canadianflight.org/content/douglas-dc-3

Its been close to 15? years since we had to turn it over to the Museum, politics basically ran us out of money, so we donated it for Tax deductible receipts.

I was up in Langley a couple of years ago and visited her. They had changed the interior, probably because of water damage due to no maintenance. We warned them of it. They went pretty cheap on it, and it hasn't been polished of painted since we did it last. really sad, but what can you do!

Grossman56

[Grossman56]

I hear you Aros, I expect someone with that history to stand out in a crowd fro some reason, but reality says they just blend in with the rest of us. I'd still love the chance to meet Bud Anderson, one never knows.
Its like when I met Harry Crosby, you'd never know it to talk with him, then you read his story. Anyone with 'Flying Fortress' by Edward Jablonski will recognize him from the whole section near the end of the book.
Just regular guys thrown into extremely irregular circumstances.
I hope that I could perform half as well as they if ever in the same situation.
Hope I never have to find out though.

Grossman56

[VOODOO]

http://www.canadianflight.org/content/douglas-dc-3
Its been close to 15? years since we had to turn it over to the Museum, politics basically ran us out of money, so we donated it for Tax deductible receipts.

I was up in Langley a couple of years ago and visited her. They had changed the interior, probably because of water damage due to no maintenance. We warned them of it. They went pretty cheap on it, and it hasn't been polished of painted since we did it last. really sad, but what can you do!

Grossman56

Thanks for the link, I had never heard of this museum, and thought I had visited nearly all. I used to fly the F101B into COMOX for weapons training for the ground crews in the early 60's. At that time our Canadian AF ADC partners were flying the CF100. It may have done the job, but boy was it ugly. lol

[Grossman56]

They have a CF 100 there at the museum as well. If you're ever in the area, you go right through Langley and you'll see the airport on the left, go to the lights at the end of the airport and turn left, she's gate guard, can't miss it!

Grossman56

[Aros]

This is probably my favorite video I have ever done. Not because it was the maiden of my Legend Models P-38 at the Boeing facility but because of the fact it occurred on Memorial Day and the footage I put together in honor of our vets. It actually turned out better than I expected. I do hope you all take the time to watch the entire thing, I humbly offer to you that it's worth it.

[Pheonix]

Nicely done video. Thanks for sharing.

[Aros]

Thanks Pheonix! Appreciate it.

[Prowler901]

Awesome video, Aros. Nice flying, and I really enjoyed the added vintage video. Keep up the great work!

[farmflyer]

Man Aros that was good congrats on the flight and a very well put together video.

[Grossman56]

Excellent job Aros, a real tribute to the vets, love it!

Grossman56

[Aros]

Thanks fellas! I just love how this hobby naturally lends itself towards a true respect for our military and those who are serving and those who have served.

[Capt. Crunch]

Very nice Aros!!