Bucket list

[Brad]

I never really thought of having a bucket list but did decide this weekend that this would definitely be on mine. My wife agreed and this itch got scratched.

Yep, took a ride in a B17. Dad went with me and it was awesome. Next year, if the same group is back, we may go up in the B24.

 

[Brad]

 

[smokeywolf]

Always wanted a ride in a Lightning and a Mitchell.

Dad worked at the Skunk Works off and on in the '50s. He was an aerodynamic trouble-shooter. Spent at least 5 weeks out of the year gone on wind tunnel experiments.

Because Lockheed not only didn't want anyone knowing what he worked on, they also didn't want anyone knowing that he was working at the Skunk Works. He would walk in the front door of the Lockheed plant in Burbank, punch his time card, walk straight through the building, out the back door to an awaiting P-80 that had had the radio stack behind the pilot's seat removed and Dad was provided with an orange crate to sit on and flown to Palmdale. At the end of the day, the same P-80 would fly him back to the Burbank plant, he'd walk through the plant, punch his time card and walk out the front door and drive home.

I'd be willing to sit on an orange crate if I could have a ride in a F4U Corsair.

You were really fortunate to have had this opportunity. It was the B-17 and the the Thunderbolt ("The Jug") that did much of the heavy lifting in Europe during WW II.

 

[KHornet]

That's a great check off on the bucket list! I have checked off mine relating to aircraft, and I killed my Kodiak and Cape Buffalo some time back and those were big check off's. I got my 500 yd kill certificate from Varmint Huters Assn, but have doubts I will be able to check off the 1000 yard certificate, but will keep trying. Been in over 30 countries, and each one has been a check off, but sure would like to check off a few more if health, time, and money hold out. Congrats, and a nice check off the bucket list for Brad and Jim!

 

[Ian]

What a great experience! My wife and I got to ride in Aluminum Overcast a few years ago, there's no describing it, especially the view from the bombardier's perch.

 

[KHornet]

Just wondering? How many on this forum have a "Bucket List"? Mine will never be complete I fear, as there seem to always be a couple that I have forgotten that seem to creep in.

 

[JonB]

smokeywolf,
did you Dad work on the Blackbird?

 

[Ben]

Always wanted a ride in a Lightning and a Mitchell.

Dad worked at the Skunk Works off and on in the '50s. He was an aerodynamic trouble-shooter. Spent at least 5 weeks out of the year gone on wind tunnel experiments.

Because Lockheed not only didn't want anyone knowing what he worked on, they also didn't want anyone knowing that he was working at the Skunk Works. He would walk in the front door of the Lockheed plant in Burbank, punch his time card, walk straight through the building, out the back door to an awaiting P-80 that had had the radio stack behind the pilot's seat removed and Dad was provided with an orange crate to sit on and flown to Palmdale. At the end of the day, the same P-80 would fly him back to the Burbank plant, he'd walk through the plant, punch his time card and walk out the front door and drive home.

I'd be willing to sit on an orange crate if I could have a ride in a F4U Corsair.

You were really fortunate to have had this opportunity. It was the B-17 and the the Thunderbolt ("The Jug") that did much of the heavy lifting in Europe during WW II.

What a colorful career !
You were fortunate to be able to hear these stories 1st hand from your Dad.

Ben

 

[smokeywolf]

He was amazingly talented, skilled and colorful. But, the phrase, "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger" was actually not so much of a stretch when describing "life with Father".

Although I'm proud of what he accomplished and I've been blessed to have picked up just a fraction of his skills, perhaps the most important thing I learned from him was what kind of a parent not to be.

 

[JonB]

I am blessed with a pretty great father, I'm sorry you didn't have the same experience. I guess there are reasons for everything?

 

[Pistolero]

VERY cool, Brad, very cool.

I want to FLY a P-51 not just ride in it, and there is a 2 seater in Florida, that is calling my name.
Have walked through the B-17, but not flown in it.

FIL was a P-51 pilot in The Big One, 2.5 kills, still around and fairly healthy.

Bill