Skyraider and friends air to air – MOTF on Hols
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Join Date: Aug 2000
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Skyraider and friends air to air – MOTF on Hols
On my recent tip to the USA to stay with friends I was invited to go with them to Creve Coeur airport neat St Louis
I was extremely fortunate to a) get a flight in a Sea Fury and b) be invited to fly an air to air sortie with the based Skyraider and P-51 along with the Sea Fury.
Beforehand. Eric Downings immaculate NA Yale framed by the SNJ which was to be the camera ship
First up the Skyraider. Its amazing, even above the noise of the SNJ I was in and the wind, I could hear the roar of the Skyraiders engine.
P-51D Petie 2nd owned by Les Heikkila was next up. Just one pass in the fading light.
Then it was the turn of Steve in the Sea Fury. The SNJ couldn’t go fast enough with the rear cockpit open for the Fury to be able to formate, so a couple of passes were made.
Back to the hangar for tea and medals (well ok a superb hangar party laid on by Eric). Here is the SNJ tucked safely away for the night.
The journey home was fun.
A VERY big thank you to all those involved. I was honoured to be asked. The pilots were as follows.
Skyraider:
John Lomar and Eric Downing
Sea Fury:
Steve Patterson
P-51:
Les Heikkila
And last but by no means least. SNJ:
Clyde Zellers
It was a blast, can I go again please????
I was extremely fortunate to a) get a flight in a Sea Fury and b) be invited to fly an air to air sortie with the based Skyraider and P-51 along with the Sea Fury.
Beforehand. Eric Downings immaculate NA Yale framed by the SNJ which was to be the camera ship
First up the Skyraider. Its amazing, even above the noise of the SNJ I was in and the wind, I could hear the roar of the Skyraiders engine.
P-51D Petie 2nd owned by Les Heikkila was next up. Just one pass in the fading light.
Then it was the turn of Steve in the Sea Fury. The SNJ couldn’t go fast enough with the rear cockpit open for the Fury to be able to formate, so a couple of passes were made.
Back to the hangar for tea and medals (well ok a superb hangar party laid on by Eric). Here is the SNJ tucked safely away for the night.
The journey home was fun.
A VERY big thank you to all those involved. I was honoured to be asked. The pilots were as follows.
Skyraider:
John Lomar and Eric Downing
Sea Fury:
Steve Patterson
P-51:
Les Heikkila
And last but by no means least. SNJ:
Clyde Zellers
It was a blast, can I go again please????
Gnome de PPRuNe
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Too close to Croydon for comfort
Age: 60
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You lucky, lucky man! Fantastic pics!
Incidently the the P-51 N314BG is a familiar face from Biggin Hill - part of the Doug Arnold Air Force at one time.
Incidently the the P-51 N314BG is a familiar face from Biggin Hill - part of the Doug Arnold Air Force at one time.
