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  #21  
Old 07-03-2020, 09:08 AM
SPB W10 SPB W10 is offline
 
Join Date: May 2018
Location: LINCOLN NEBRASKA
Posts: 27
Default War and Our Freedom

Here is Scott with Descending Dove enjoying freedom and sharing this emotion and thought provoking aviation documentary.
Some of the WW ll airfields in Kansas and Nebraska were operational in only 90 days after construction started. 1000 laborers worked 24 hours a day. Trains brought in labeled hangar materials and the hangar structures would be erected in seven days.
Lt. Colonel Paul Tibbets came to the Fairmont Army Airfield in Nebraska and picked several crews and their support personnel for a secret mission.
Enjoy the holiday Scott and every one else.
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  #22  
Old 07-03-2020, 08:44 PM
jrs14855 jrs14855 is offline
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Lake Havasu City AZ
Posts: 2,393
Default Nebraska

I spent a year flying full time in NE and became very interested in the history of the NE Army Air Fields. The local historical society usually has historical info on the subject. There is also a book about NE WWII Airfields.
On a slightly different subject I occasionally spent a long day at Ord NE. At that time there was a small room in the terminal devoted to Evelyn Sharp. She had a short but fascinating history. She was in her early 20's when she died in a Lockheed P38 after an engine failure on takeoff. A school teacher for Lincoln NE wrote a book about her titled "Sharpie".
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  #23  
Old 07-04-2020, 03:44 PM
markpsullivan markpsullivan is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: Alachua FL
Posts: 1
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Scott,
Thanks for an excellent report.
I great read on July 4th!
thanks
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  #24  
Old 07-05-2020, 01:52 PM
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N64GH N64GH is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: KCCB
Posts: 195
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OUTSTANDING, Thank you for a grand adventure.
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N64GH - RV6,flying
Once an Airman always an Airman (SSgt 78-82)
FREEDOM IS NOT FREE - THANK THE AMERICAN SOLDIER FOR YOURS!
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  #25  
Old 07-06-2020, 05:16 AM
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LettersFromFlyoverCountry LettersFromFlyoverCountry is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: St. Paul, MN.
Posts: 4,792
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I'd buy your book, Mr. Chastain.
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  #26  
Old 07-11-2020, 02:00 AM
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Lufthans Lufthans is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Hilversum, The Netherlands
Posts: 145
Default Wow

Just wow.

The closest we Europeans get to something like that is with derelict Cold War airfields (from both sides). This one in Northern France, where the Royal Canadian Air Force was stationed from 1955 to 1963, flying their Sabres. All very interesting to watch these days, but that desert landscape.... wow.



You've re-ignited an old bucket list wish of mine. Back when I was searching for a Bowers Fly Baby to buy, I had planned on buying it Stateside, first flying it around the country - low and slow -, possibly leaving it with the wings folded in a friends hangar, coming back later for another stint and only when having seen enough bringing the plane over to Europe.

Then I found a very nice one in Vancouver, didn't have the time for this plan so brought it here without flying so much as a minute in it over there. And with your write-up the itch is back. Thank you...

(Now, with three aircraft in my personal airforce already, how am I going to do this? Buy a fourth???)
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  #27  
Old 07-12-2020, 12:00 AM
crabandy crabandy is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Ottawa, Ks
Posts: 2,188
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Scott,
Fantastic post as always, I too had to bookmark this to read when I could afford the attention it deserves.

I learned to fly at and spent 3 1/2 years on a previous WWll base utilizing the same concrete, hangars and facilities about 60 years later. Not just the flying facilities but our rec center as well. Flaking chunks of paint everywhere, a finicky HVAC at best and multiple trash cans Dotting the basketball court and weight room catching water whenever it rained.

https://www.salinaairport.com/public...n/history.aspx

Half the airports within the XC range of my training Cessna were 1 North/South shortened/narrower usable Runway left of the 3 triangular runways seen from the air and the same era hangars still in use as well as abandoned. The crosswind runways were either drag strips, feed lots, truck parking or given back to nature. I am in concurrence with your scars assessment....

I’ld made numerous night flights as a student and instructor returning hours after everyone else had left. I can’t quite put into words the experience of landing and taxiing in on the same concrete late at night with no one else around. The experience of firing up the same WWll era tugs inside the same B29 hangars to push those same enormous doors open so we could push our little airplanes inside. Backing that same tug up to hook the chain to the same wrinkled section of the door that has been hooked countless times before, trying to be easy but a door that size with a 1940’s tug doesn’t equal finesse. Turning the same light switch off and the long dark walk past airplanes I can’t see as I make my way to the walkthrough door. Lots of times I didn’t feel alone.
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Last edited by crabandy : 07-12-2020 at 12:10 AM.
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  #28  
Old 07-12-2020, 10:02 AM
Fox3twoship Fox3twoship is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Iowa
Posts: 11
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Great pics and historical content, Scott.
Your writing style makes for an enthralling read!
Am slightly jealous of your ease and ability to hop over those big rocks out west.
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2020 dues happily paid.
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  #29  
Old 08-10-2020, 04:54 PM
Buzz Buzz is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Sutter Creek, Ca/Westover Field, Jackson, Ca
Posts: 16
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Scott, another great read from you, surreal if you will…just this afternoon I stumbled upon it for a slow but steady reading…your adventures with photographs and your distinctive style are truly appreciated and held upon high…Godspeed in your future travels…
Chris
ps…we met up at Westover awhile back…bumped elbows we did. :>)
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