"Me and Crazy Horse...Our Anniversary"

Kim Sun Mar 17, 2024 4:39 pm

OK...it's shameless bragging, but I can't help it. This was one of the biggest days of my life, and something I won't see again.
..............................................................................................

Hard to believe, but a year ago today, at about this time of day, I was strapped into a dual control P-51 Mustang, cruising and rolling high over Florida.

A life-long dream and religious experience, it was WAY more than just a ride, as I got to take the reins, so-to-speak, and put the WWII fighter through a couple aileron and barrel rolls.

I also got the opportunity to look out across the wings, and hear the same sounds that so many young men and women saw in those days when the Mustang was new, and in front line service.

The plane would be more than happy to kill any pilot who mishandled her, not to mention the threat of other people who wanted to shoot them out of the sky.

There's a lot of talk in the beginning of the video, but I wanted to include the pilot going through pre-start checks.

A BIG thanks to Rory Rubel for shooting the video and photos!

Happy Anniversary Crazy Horse.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7K9Tey3EHKw

I had Pilot Steve autograph my Mustang Kit...it was one just like this that I was given by my big brother in 1963, that started my obsession with the '51.

"For Crazy Horse Only"

MauricioB Mon Mar 18, 2024 6:17 am

Hello Kim, I completely understand your emotions and it is totally understandable, when something is so exciting for a person, it is worth showing it and shouting it to the sky...!! Congratulations again for that moment that has marked your life in such a happy way!

Kim Mon Mar 18, 2024 11:37 am

MauricioB wrote:Hello Kim, I completely understand your emotions and it is totally understandable, when something is so exciting for a person, it is worth showing it and shouting it to the sky...!! Congratulations again for that moment that has marked your life in such a happy way!

Thank You, Mauricio!!!!!

fit90 Mon Mar 18, 2024 2:52 pm

Kim,

You look mighty fine flying that bird. I hope it was as fun as it looked. I can't believe he had to ask if you wanted to do an aileron roll. Is that even a question? Great job! Thank you for sharing a fantasy I bet most of us have had for most of our lives.

Kim Tue Mar 19, 2024 3:23 am

fit90 wrote:Kim,

You look mighty fine flying that bird. I hope it was as fun as it looked. I can't believe he had to ask if you wanted to do an aileron roll. Is that even a question? Great job! Thank you for sharing a fantasy I bet most of us have had for most of our lives.

Yeah, the thing is, he didn't know me from Adam, and these flights are done with the full scale of carrying people with almost no flight experience, all the wall over to training/qualification flights for new Mustang owners.

I'd brought my log books, which CAN be works of fiction, and they held a fair amount of tail-dragger time from my days flying my Pietenpol...and that's the reason for his calling me "Mr. Tail-Dragger Pilot".

With the passenger way in back, it'd be a dangerous thing if they panicked, so everything was offered up as a suggestion as he got to know me, trying to give me my money's worth. Admittedly, I was in border-line shock for the first half hour...simply not believing that I was finally sitting n a Mustang.

I was definitely in sensory overload through the rolls, which were great...but I also appreciated the bit of quiet time before we entered the pattern back at the airport...giving me a couple minutes to just pause and try to memorize all that was going on.

rdw777 Tue Mar 19, 2024 5:56 am

I can only imagine what it feels like to push the throttle and prop pitch on something like that….. Amazing experience…. Glad you got to enjoy it Very Happy

getback Tue Mar 19, 2024 7:39 am

WOW Been a year already ! That is not bragging my friend that is a accomplishment and you should Bee proud of it ...

akjgardner Wed Mar 20, 2024 12:31 pm

That’s Awesome Kim , Something you will remember for the rest of your life. Before I got out of the Air Force I got a ride in an F-4 Phantom. I can remember it like it was yesterday, but it was 40 years ago.

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