Thought some may like this

[Patrick]

https://vimeo.com/17388627

[baldo]

That is fantastic! Could you imagine what a skyful (word?) of these would look and sound like?

[John Schmidt]

Patrick, thanks for posting, gives me chills just watching. Some of us are old enough to have seen  those and other planes fill the sky as Baldo referred to. I was quite young at the time but some sights are never forgotten. 

[baldo]

About 30 years ago, I worked for an airline that flew 12 DC3's, in addition to the usual turboprops. It wasn't anywhere near the majesty of these big ones, but it was still alot of fun to work on them! I was able to get some hours flying left seat on test flights here and there. Very cool to slide your window back and rest your arm outside with that 1830 just growling along...

Gotta love those big round motors..

[Patrick]

Just trying to redeem myself from the previous healthcare mess ! 

I too like old airplanes, especially with round engines. [Two wing and wires are especially nice].

My Father flew 4 engine stuff in WW2 [24s], Berlin [54s] and the 29s in Korea. So, I tend to like those monsters. The military types I have the most time in are the DC3 and B17, but, that doesn't mean much. I've been able to hitch rides in a 24 and 29, but, didn't do any of the driving.

Just glad you guys liked it.

[baldo]

Just trying to redeem myself from the previous healthcare mess ! 

I too like old airplanes, especially with round engines. [Two wing and wires are especially nice].

My Father flew 4 engine stuff in WW2 [24s], Berlin [54s] and the 29s in Korea. So, I tend to like those monsters. The military types I have the most time in are the DC3 and B17, but, that doesn't mean much. I've been able to hitch rides in a 24 and 29, but, didn't do any of the driving.

Just glad you guys liked it.

I like your style...

[solo1]

Patrick, thank you for the video.  I was reading the comments and I agreed with one.  Too much music background and no audio of the radial sound.
It seems like eveyrone comments were telling that their DAD flew in the 29.  If I  would've been in the Air Force, I might've flown in one but I was a lowly Army duece and a half driver.

I look back and can remember flying back home on one of the last DC-3's in commercial service.. Southern something Airlines.

Makes me feel old but good to know I am from the Korean War Era.

[John Schmidt]

Pat, you still in the Keys? Or has the snow melted enough back home for you to get in the driveway. 

[Patrick]

Pat, you still in the Keys? Or has the snow melted enough back home for you to get in the driveway. 

Hi John

Nope, not in the keys. We've had good luck renting for the winters, but, have had enough of it, needed to get a place of our own. Can't afford to buy [ the winter rents are going NUTZ too] in the keys, so, we're now on the main-land on the west coast and its working out well. Different, but, good.

We went down to KW to visit friends awhile back, really, really miss that town.

The weather back home has not been too bad this winter, but, its a lot 'more better' down here ! The snow will definitely be melted off by the time we get there !

[Grumpy]

Watched her take off a few times at Sun & Fun, I swear the ground shakes when she lifts off. Quite a sight to say the least.  Hope she makes it this year.

[RP#62]

Thanks Patrick.  Great old airplanes.  I used to love to play with round motors although I changed a PRT on a 3350 once and once was enough.  The picture below was in Key West.  We got a call from one of the neighbor ladies one night saying that she couldn't sleep because of all the noise we were making.  My foreman that answered the phone told her,  lady, we can't sleep either until we get it fixed.
-RP

[RDKLL]

I joined the navy just as they were phasing out AD-J for jets and AD-R for recips...everyone was just AD's
Missed out on a job that was something covert type...all they wanted was A&P's with recip experience....seemed like CIA air or something like that...mentioned that their website seemed to be not working and he said it was always like that LOL

[old2soon]

Agreed on the too durned much noisy music. The music SHOULD have been the sounds those engines make. The S 2 Ds and Es I worked on in the Navy had R-1820-82 As. Flew off the carrier a time or three and had some arrested landings. Fortunate enough to catch a couple hops in Super Connie's C-54s C-118s and down in Texas a D C 3 or two. Had a hop in I believe a Stearman-open cockpit bi-plane and a big ole round motor! When I lived in Lamar Colorado had ONE B-24 and ONE B-17 fly over the house. My wife thought the world was ending!  I know today It's impossible to do or duplicate but I would like to be on the ground with 1000 B-17s going over at about 1500 2000 feet!  Thanks for the video of the B-29. RIDE SAFE.

[Jess from VA]

My years of Air force kept me within earshot of aircraft flight ops and maintenance shop run-ups (often  noisier than flight ops, from base housing).  We called it the sound of freedom.

I did most of my time in SAC, but was never stationed with B-52s.  Old enough that grandsons have flown the same plane that grandfathers flew*.

It's prehistoric looking in a day of stealth with no edges, but still a kick ass aircraft capable of delivering rotary launched precision nukes and other massive firepower to the enemy.  Jet noise is differrent from giant radial engines, but it's still impressive.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xt4xxVyZvwM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03XbV5iPvQY  (skip to 120)

*    http://www.minot.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123323688

   

[Firefighter]

I used to see FIFI fly quite often as she was based about a half mile from where I still live. Back then the "CAF" was the "Confederate Airforce" born in Mercedes Texas about 20 miles from here then moved to Harlingen for years. Now I guess the "Commemorative Airforce" is more politically correct.

We had  "Diamond Lil" a B-24 Liberator, usually two B-17's, and several two engine bombers, quite a selection of fighters and trainers. The airshows were in October and a huge event, then Harlingen just let them go.

When I was a kid I would ride my bicycle out to the base and watch whenever I heard them working on the engines or test flying, no fences in those days. Very good memories.

[Pete]

Thanks for posting.

[RP#62]

About 30 years ago, I worked for an airline that flew 12 DC3's, in addition to the usual turboprops. It wasn't anywhere near the majesty of these big ones, but it was still alot of fun to work on them! I was able to get some hours flying left seat on test flights here and there. Very cool to slide your window back and rest your arm outside with that 1830 just growling along...

Gotta love those big round motors..

PBA?

[baldo]

About 30 years ago, I worked for an airline that flew 12 DC3's, in addition to the usual turboprops. It wasn't anywhere near the majesty of these big ones, but it was still alot of fun to work on them! I was able to get some hours flying left seat on test flights here and there. Very cool to slide your window back and rest your arm outside with that 1830 just growling along...

Gotta love those big round motors..

PBA?

Yessir.....are you familiar?

[RP#62]

About 30 years ago, I worked for an airline that flew 12 DC3's, in addition to the usual turboprops. It wasn't anywhere near the majesty of these big ones, but it was still alot of fun to work on them! I was able to get some hours flying left seat on test flights here and there. Very cool to slide your window back and rest your arm outside with that 1830 just growling along...

Gotta love those big round motors..

PBA?

Yessir.....are you familiar?

Yup.  I was doing maintenance for an outfit with DC-3s and Convairs in the Keys and I used to do on call maintenance for PBA when they were down there.

-RP