For all you nostalgic types.......

[pierre smith]

For all you nostalgic types

Old aviators and old airplanes never die.....


This is a good little story about a vivid memory of a P-51 and its pilot by a fellow who was 12 years old in Canada in 1967. You may know a few others who would appreciate it.



It was noon on a Sunday as I recall, the day a Mustang P-51 was to take to the air. They said it had flown in during the night from some U.S. airport, the pilot had been tired. I marveled at the size of the plane dwarfing the Pipers and Canucks tied down by her. It was much larger than in the movies. She glistened in the sun like a bulwark of security from days gone by.



The pilot arrived by cab, paid the driver, and then stepped into the flight lounge. He was an older man; his wavy hair was gray and tossed. Looked like it might have been combed, say, around the turn of the

century.



His flight jacket was checked, creased and worn - it smelled old and genuine. Old Glory was

prominently sewn to its shoulders. He projected a quiet air of proficiency and pride devoid of arrogance. He filed a quick flight plan to Montreal (Expo-67, Air Show) then walked across the tarmac.



After taking several minutes to perform his walk-around check the pilot returned to the flight lounge to ask if anyone would be available to stand by with fire extinguishers while he "flashed the old bird up. Just to be safe." Though only 12 at the time I was allowed to stand by with an extinguisher after brief instruction on its use -- "If you see a fire, point, then pull this lever!" I later became a firefighter, but that's another story.



The air around the exhaust manifolds shimmered like a mirror from fuel fumes as the huge prop started to rotate. One manifold, then another, and, yet another barked -- I stepped back with the others. In moments the Packard-built Merlin engine came to life with a thunderous roar, blue flames knifed from her manifolds. I looked at the others' faces, there was no concern. I lowered the bell of my extinguisher. One of the guys signaled to walk back to the lounge. We did.



Several minutes later we could hear the pilot doing his pre flight run-up. He'd taxied to the end of runway 19, out of sight. All went quiet for several seconds; we raced from the lounge to the second story deck to see if we could catch a glimpse of the P-51 as she started down the runway. We could not.



There we stood, eyes fixed to a spot half way down 19. Then a roar ripped across the field, much louder than before, like a furious **** spawn set loose---something mighty this way was coming. "Listen to that thing!" said the controller. In seconds the Mustang burst into our line of sight.



It's tail was already off and it was moving faster than anything I'd ever seen by that point on 19. Two-thirds the way down 19 the Mustang was airborne with her gear going up The prop tips were supersonic; we clasped our ears as the Mustang climbed hellish fast into the circuit to be eaten up by the dog-day haze. We stood for a few moments in stunned silence trying to digest what we'd just seen. The radio controller rushed by me to the radio. " Kingston tower calling Mustang?" He looked

back to us as he waited for an acknowledgment. The radio crackled, "Go ahead Kingston ." "Roger Mustang. Kingston tower would like to advise the circuit is clear for a low level pass." I stood in shock because the controller had, more or less, just asked the pilot to return for an impromptu air show! The controller looked at us. "What?" He asked. "I can't let that guy go without asking. I couldn't forgive myself!" The radio crackled once again, " Kingston , do I have permission for a low level pass, east to west, across the field?" "Roger Mustang, the circuit is clear for an east to west pass." "Roger, Kingston , I'm coming out of 3000 feet, stand by."



We rushed back onto the second-story deck, eyes fixed toward the eastern haze. The sound was subtle at first, a high-pitched whine, a muffled screech, a distant scream. Moments later the P-51 burst through the haze. Her airframe straining against positive Gs and gravity, wing tips spilling contrails of condensed air, prop-tips again supersonic as the burnished bird blasted across the eastern margin of the field shredding and tearing the air.



At about 400 mph and 150 yards from where we stood she passed with the old American pilot saluting. Imagine .. A salute! I felt like laughing, I felt like crying, she glistened, she screamed, the building shook, my heart pounded. Then the old pilot pulled her up and rolled, and rolled, and rolled out of sight into the broken clouds and indelibly into my memory.



I've never wanted to be an American more than on that day. It was a time when many nations in the world looked to America as their big brother, a steady and even-handed beacon of security who navigated difficult political water with grace and style; not unlike the pilot who'd just flown into my memory. He was proud, not arrogant, humble, not a braggart, old and honest, projecting an aura of America at its best. That America will return one day, I know it will. Until that time, I'll just send off this story; call it a reciprocal salute, to the old American pilot who wove a memory for a young Canadian that's lasted a lifetime.

Pierre

[db1yg]

WOW---What wonderful memory----thank you Pierre for posting!!! I just finished the second read!

Cheers,

db

[RVAddict]

I read it twice too!

Thanks Pierre! Very good read!

[prporter]

Was it a "D" model?

[RVbySDI]

Pierre,
I have great respect for all who post on this site. I value everyone's opinions, skills and knowledge as they post everything under the sun associated with RV's and flying in general. Your abilities to put me in that moment instantly is as skilled as they come. This is one of the best articles I have ever read about aviation anywhere. I have to honestly say I cannot imagine a picture even coming close to giving me the image you presented in your post. This is one case where a picture doesn't even come close to the proverbial "thousand words". In a manner of seconds I felt like I was standing right there with you on the asphalt watching everything you described in person. I got goose bumps reading this!

[DarylT]

Very nice Pierre! I love that story. I will be at Reno next week for the air races and the P51 is my favorite of the Unlimited class. Also when I go to Oshkosh I love to visit the warbird section to view the Mustangs. Very nice story.

Thanks for sharing.

[johnp]

i've been thinkin' we need some new entries in "the best of the best" -- perhaps this story qualifies.

[rv8180]

Originally Posted by pierre smith

..............That America will return one day, I know it will. Until that time, I'll just send off this story; call it a reciprocal salute, to the old American pilot who wove a memory for a young Canadian that's lasted a lifetime.

Pierre

Wonderful! Thanks! Pierre.........

[mburch]

I've always liked that story.

btw, the original author was Lea MacDonald, who wrote this in 2005:

http://www.rense.com/general69/p51.htm

mcb

[videobobk]

I had never read that and it certainly was more than worthwhile. My earliest memory is of a flight of three P-51's and the discussion they caused between me and my dad. For anyone who values flight, we need to remember how important these memories are. Now, go carry some Young Eagles!

Bob Kelly