Old Planes...Where Are They Now

Subject: Old Planes...Where Are They Now
From: "Neil Gerace"
Date: 6/22/04 6:43 AM Pacific Daylight Time
Message-id:


"John A. Weeks III" wrote in message
...
The problem with allowing combat aircraft into private hands
began when an unqualified pilot attempted to fly a privately
owned F-86 Saber Jet out of the Fresno airport. He botched
the take-off, and crashed into an ice cream stand killing
a number of children who were standing in line for ice cream
on a hot California afternoon. Not good. Not good at all.

The fact that it was a fighter is IMO irrelevant, as you said the pilot
wasn't qualified to fly it.


The B-26 Martin Marauder is a case in point. Every one that has ever been
rebuilt to date has crashed killing all aboard.incliding the one that the CAF
rebuilt and flew. The pilot had heavy hours in Marauders. But not recently and
for all prectical purposes was unqualifed because he wans't current.
If I had a chance to fly in a Marauder today, would I? Not a chance in hell.
Been there. Done that. And 1100 hours in that beast is more than enough.



Arthur Kramer
344th BG 494th BS
England, France, Belgium, Holland, Germany
Visit my WW II B-26 website at:
http://www.coastcomp.com/artkramer

"ArtKramr" wrote in message
...
Subject: Old Planes...Where Are They Now

The B-26 Martin Marauder is a case in point. Every one that has ever been
rebuilt to date has crashed killing all aboard.incliding the one that the
CAF
rebuilt and flew. The pilot had heavy hours in Marauders. But not recently
and
for all prectical purposes was unqualifed because he wans't current.
If I had a chance to fly in a Marauder today, would I? Not a chance in
hell.
Been there. Done that. And 1100 hours in that beast is more than enough.

Art, you may wish to visit Kermit Weeks at Polk City Florida. He flies a
B-26 every now and then
though I don't know how recently.

http://www.fantasyofflight.com/aircraftpages/b26.htm

I had the pleasure of seeing him fly it at the Sun n' Fun in Lakeland, Fl. a
number of years ago.
I hadn't seen a B-26 since I used to go down to Ballast Point on Tampa Bay
to watch for the
"1 a day's in Tampa Bay" in the 40's. I may add that he flies all of the
flyable aircraft in his GREAT
facility, which includes most of them. It's well worth a visit! He is
obviously qualified!!!!!!!!!

Ron