In the Houston area this week is a group of aircraft from The Collings Foundation.
http://www.collingsfoundation.org/cf_schedules.htm
I had planned to go see the planes at Ellington Field on Wednesday, but my schedule was changed because of a funeral in the family. I'll instead go see them Saturday or Sunday when they are in Sugar Land. Maybe even get there on Friday to watch them land ... ??? .. or to the HEA to see them take-off??? We'll see how the schedule plays out.
But here's the story ...
We were standing at the cemetery on the Katy Freeway at Eldridge Parkway about 1:00pm (March 17, 2010) and I hear the sputter of a prop engine ... several engines ... and I look skyward to see the Colling Foundation's B-17 flying over us at about 350 feet. It was close enough to see the decals and numbers. It's one of only 14 still flying.
A few moments later I caught the notes of another prop plane ... this one much stronger ... and here came the B-24J. It's the only one of its kind still flying.
Now, several of us were talking about airplanes and were looking skyward with anticipation. It didn't take long. We could hear the scream and strain of the P-51 Mustang coming at us. Wow ... what power!!! It gave us all chills and brought smiles to our faces as it zoomed by.
As we were preparing the leave, I head the soft "thump ... thump ... thump" and had to take a deep breath to catch myself. I knew what was coming ... a Bell UH-1 Huey. It was very similar to one Craig was in when he was shot down 29 years ago today. I could feel my lips tighten and I just shook my head and watched it come at me. I let out a huge sigh as it flew past.
Wow! Just ... so ... surreal.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment