3/15/2008
The Lone Star Flight Museum's B-17, B-25 and Stearman were at Hooks airport today. Christine and I watched them do several take offs and landings. We also toured the inside of the B-17. Christine made sure I was given the veterans discount (2 dollars off) to do this. I didn't have any proof so I was prepared answer tough questions. I was also prepared to prove that I server in the Navy by calling the B-25 a Navy bomber and say aye instead of yes (and say ladder instead of stairs and bulkhead instead of wall, pop tall instead of wake up, swab instead of mop, blah, blah, blah). I was ready to ask why there were machine guns sticking out of the fantail of the B-17. Fortunately there was no need for me to use any of this heavyweight artillery - I mean naval gunfire. They only hassled me a little for asking if I could also have a Compaq discount (I was wearing a Compaq polo shirt).
When we returned to the hanger, I replaced both tires. The old ones were bald on the outside. See the picture below. This was only after 45 hours (and many bad landings).
I also installed the stick in the back seat. I had removed it earlier when I was flying with sand bags in case the bags came loose and pinned the stick forward against the pilot's seat. I also inspected the fuel injection servo as per an emergency AD that just came out.
Next weekend a B-17, B-24 and a B-25 are supposed to be here from another organization. Very cool. The weather is supposed to be nice too.