Captain George Anonich (center) and his crew of this B-25 Mitchell bomber complete training for deployment to the Pacific theatre during War World II. Sixteen of these medium bomber aircraft would be led by James Dolittle on his historic retaliatory raid on 2020 Olympic host city Tokyo just over 79 years ago.
This month the crew of Second Wind expands its reach to aero-nautical adventures as it attends The EAA Airventure Oshkosh 2021. Aeronautics means literally “sailing through the air” and the principles of aerodynamics and airflows, lift, and pressure differentials apply equally to flying as well as conventional sailing, but even more so to today’s AC75’s series Americas Cup racers that are “designed to fly”.
The International Experimental Aircraft Association’s Fly-In Convention is billed as “The World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration.” Over 8,000 pilots and their individual aircraft descend on Wittman Airport and encamp across the surrounding fields, many sleeping in small tents positioned under their wings. They are joined by hundreds of thousands of aviation enthusiasts for a week of plane-spotting, aerial acrobatics, Warbird restorations and experimental and (aircraft) homebuilder supplier exhibitions and educational forums. We enjoyed the company of an expert local guide who walked us through a full day program of exploration and discovery before weather curtailed the evening flying show and fireworks.
Photos include UPS’s latest 747, one of the last to roll of the production line, plus a variety of historic WWII military aircraft. This includes the P-51 Mustang, that provides testament to the greatest generation which most, like my uncle George, have already passed into memory, but should always be in our gratitude for fighting for the freedoms that we enjoy today. I think some of these freedoms as expressed are silly or self-centered, like the right to not bare arms for a life-saving vaccine, but please share your thoughts in the comments section below.
Also learned about a new eVTOL (electric vertical take-off & landing) aircraft named BlackFly which will soon offer a “flying-car approach” to personal transportation. No, it doesn’t have rolling wheels like a car but it has a simplicity of design the allows it take off and land virtually anywhere, even on the water. Electric power, like on the Ford Electric and Hybrid trucks, minimizes maintenance but also limits range and capacity. Although pricing and availability are not yet finalized it is reportedly priced “in the range of an SUV.” I would guess more like a Range Rover than a Hyundai or Ford Maverick.
Closing Note: This morning I was greeted by the throaty growl of the powerful twin engines of this B-25J nicknamed “MAID in the SHADE” as it did a flyover of Lake Geneva. Passengers flights are available by connecting to this link. I do not receive any compensation for any of the included links nor do I necessarily endorse their safety – but hey if it survived when people were shooting at it, its gotta be a trooper, right ?
Go Fast F-16 that is LOUD!
the laughing pirates 