Redbird, our airplane, has been inside a hangar for a month. Vern headed out to the airport to service Redbird for our eventual trip home.
As I got out of the car at the airport, I heard the unmistakeable roar of big round airplane engines. I was amazed to look up and see the world's only flying B-29 bomber, Fifi, like the WWII bombers that helped win WWII and were later used in the Korean War. I barely got this distant photo before it went out of sight behind a hangar. Fifi is operated by the Commemorative Air Force.
Back to Redbird: Because her battery had not been charged in a month, it was time for a flight. A local fireman, Adam, who works at the airport on the weekends helped me service Redbird so I asked if he wanted a ride. Adam jumped at the chance, so off we went. As we departed the traffic pattern, we flew by the B-29 bomber about a mile away.
First, up the Arkansas River to Petit Jean Park. It is next to a lodge on the Rockefeller Cattle Ranch. A major antique car show was going on so we circled the show a few times. Then, down to Hot Springs, across the mountain range that goes all the way into Oklahoma. Here's what Wikipedia says about them:
The Ouachita Mountains (/ˈwɒʃɨtɔː/WOSH-i-taw)[1] are a mountain range in west central Arkansas and southeastern Oklahoma. The range's subterranean roots may extend as far as central Texas, or beyond it to the current location of the Marathon Uplift. Along with the Ozark Mountains, the Ouachita Mountains form the U.S. Interior Highlands, one of the few major mountainous regions between the Rocky Mountains and the Appalachian Mountains.[2][3] The highest peak in the Ouachitas is Mount Magazine in west-central Arkansas which rises to 2,753 feet
There was a forest fire burning across the area which truly fascinated my fireman friend who had never seen such a fire from above but said it was the most feared of fires to fight on the ground.
As we flew over the mountains, Adam pointed out a Care Station that he works at every year. I asked about that and he said that there is a annual Super-marathon 100 mile race through the mountains and as an EMT/Fireman, he works it. He said world class runners come from all over the world to run it. 100 miles???
Hot Springs is the site of one of the first National Parks in the nation. It is also the home town of one of our faithful friends in the airplane group back in Peachtree City, Paul LeDoux. Paul has followed 90% of our trips back and forth and has helped us load and launch as well as unload and put the plane away.
After Hot Springs we headed back towards Little Rock. We circled Adam's house. He had called his wife before we left and when we circled his house she came outside and waved.
Then we landed and put Redbird away. The local airplane group in Little Rock was having a cook out, so we had lunch together. What a wonderful morning off! Not a minute in the hospital for Vern!
When I got back to the condo, Cassy and Deb were crocheting. They have done crafts for about thirty years. Deb reported on her clinic visit and today she had good labs and and needed no infusers!
This was the best feeling day Deb has had all month!
As we sat in the condo visiting before Cassy had to depart, the B-29 flew overhead and we ran outside trying to get a view of Fifi.
Why am I making a deal about Fifi?
A few details: Cassy and her husband Jeff and Vern went to high school together. Cassy's father was my high school principal for a year. Dr Burt then served at the county office. The last visit I had with Dr Burt was at Cassy's house a few years ago. Dr Burt and I talked about what he did in WWII. He was sent to B-17 gunner school, assigned to a B-17 bomber and crew, and headed for the war in Europe. Then VE day came and his trip was cancelled. He was then sent to B-29 gunner school, assigned to a B-29 crew and got to the west coast headed to the Pacific theater. Then, the Japanese surrendered and these orders were cancelled!
So, he got out of the service and went back home. At one point, he worked at the old Bell bomber plant at Marietta, Ga building B-47 jet bombers. Some of those were based at Schilling AFB in Salina, Kansas where my father worked. I saw many B-47's. Dr Burt got tired of the factory life so he went back to school and entered education. So, there's the connection.
More on Fifi:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7PpA4WxY0c
http://www.cafb29b24.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=132&Itemid=487
Vern, you have a wonderful way of conneting people and events. B 29 bombers becomes a family history, thank you.
ReplyDeleteBlessings to you and Deb
Love, David & Linda