P-51C "Tuskegee Airmen" Comes Home

[Bomber_12th]

It was quite an amazing day today, to have beautiful weather and watch Doug Rozendaal bring the P-51C back home. It was a long awaited return, and interestingly it is a comfortable feeling to have the aircraft nearby once more. I couldn't help but think of Don and Gerry, and of course the entire crew who were responsible for its rebirth, as she flew a couple of overhead passes, landed, and taxied in. It was great to see the turnout at the airport, and it seemed every business at the field stopped work to watch the Mustang return.

Here are some of my captures from today's event, both of the main star, some of the participants, and other aircraft on display:

 

[Bomber_12th]

Here are some of the local T-6/SNJ/Harvard's that participated in the flyover:

 

[Bomber_12th]

Some of the CAF Minnesota Wing's other lovely aircraft:

I was glad to see the PT-22 all put together - she is definitely a thing of beauty!

The B-25J "Miss Mitchell"

The BT-13 (unfortunately I never got any photos of the Wing's Harvard or L-5).

And a very nice Stearman within the next-door hangar.

 

[Bomber_12th]

I also got the chance of a life-time, to meet the owners of the extremely rare Hamilton H-47 Metalplane, the only example left in the world, and walk inside it. It is hangared just a couple of hangars down from the CAF Minnesota Wing's hangar, and as I have seen the aircraft on a couple of occurrences in years past, I thought I would give it a shot, to walk down and take a visit. It was restored in the 1970's, to exacting standards, flew for I think a year or two, taking home awards, and was no longer flown afterward. I couldn't believe how welcoming, and kind the owners are (husband and wife) and they have an amazing assortment of historical items and knowledge on the aircraft. It is finished exactly how it was when it flew with Northwest Airways in the late 20's/early 30's.

Walking through the passenger cabin, at 6-foot 2-in, I was literally bent in half - it was amazing to think that this was the modern-era of airline travel during its time. The windows roll up and down, like automobile windows of the time-period, the seats are all wicker, and the walls and ceiling covered in leather. The cockpit is a thing of simplicity. It just went through a full annual - the thing could fly if the owners decided to do so - and it does undergo engine runs. The owners let me know that insurance just for keeping it in the hangar, static for a year, is roughly $2,500 - $3,000, while to fly it, the insurance cost would be double this, due to its rarity.

Unfortunately there wasn't the greatest of lighting conditions, but here are a few pictures:

Some better photos here:

http://www.airliners.net/photo/Northwest-Airlines/Hamilton-H-47-Metalplane/1321816/L/
http://www.airliners.net/photo/Northwest-Airlines/Hamilton-Metalplane-H47/0617818/L/
http://www.airliners.net/photo/Northwest-Airlines/Hamilton-Metalplane-H47/0617817/L/

 

[Moses03]

Thanks for the pics and info on the Hamilton. What a beauty!

 

[lifejogger]

Great pictures John, it has been a couple of years since I have been to an airshow and I enjoyed looking at yours.

 

[Quicksand]

Great pictures, John. Thanks for sharing them!

 

[Snuffy]

Thanks for sharing! Great Pics! :ernae:

 

[Panther_99FS]

Good stuff Johnny T.....Thanks...!

 

[TomSteber]

Wow! How much fun was that!

 

[GT182]

Great photos John.

And great to see her finally back home again.

 

[Bomber_12th]

Thank you all for the comments - it definitely was fun to be a part of, and it was a highlight of what has been a rather lack-luster summer thus far. It will be great hearing the Merlin passing over my house once again, and I hope to get the opportunity to go back to the museum soon, to get more detailed photos of the aircraft.

Here's one more photo that I forgot to post originally.