[SEL] OT: Daydreaming

[Steve W.]

Rob Skinner wrote:
> On May 26, 2009, at 3:28 AM, Listerdiesel wrote:
> 
>> Thinking back to our trip to Phoenix last year, ( sorry, it was 2007!
>> ) I was very much taken by the B-25 Mitchells at Falcon Field, and I
>> thought that I'd like to take time out, buy an aircraft, see it
>> restored properly, and then get my pilot's licence while over there.
> 
> 
> 
> Hi, Peter.
> 
> I've experienced the same lust for old aircraft.  But instinct tells  
> me that truckloads of money can't buy skill, and jumping into the  
> cockpit of an old warbird without any of the latter is a good way to  
> ruin an irreplaceable piece of history and put an end to my days of  
> breathing.  Nevertheless, I'll continue to fantasize.
> 
> A couple weeks ago we attended an airshow near here.  There were a  
> couple B-25s present.  My favorite was owned by three old dudes, who  
> of whom piloted her that day.  An YES, they've flown their plane off a  
> carrier.  I got to crawl around in another Mitchell, and it kind of  
> tarnished my fantasy.  "Plush" is probably not a word you would use to  
> describe it.  Maybe "hideously cramped" is more accurate. To reach the  
> nose gunner's position, you need to scoot on your belly.  Crawling is  
> not an option.  If you needed to move between fore and aft during  
> flight, you had to scoot through another tunnel above the bomb bay.  I  
> can't imagine how the stewardesses serve drinks to the pilot without  
> spilling any.  Here are a couple pictures:  http://tinyurl.com/pt4v74
> 
> 	
> Rob Skinner
> Antique Stationary Engines
> La Habra, California
> 
> rob at rustyiron.com
> www.rustyiron.com

Yeah, most of the real aircraft used to fight are not very roomy or well
appointed. Even modern military craft are not designed for comfort. They
just cram every space full of gear and try to keep a small path open for
a human being.
You want a fun experience, try sleeping in a rack on a sub. You actually
have less room than in a coffin! And if your in a hot bunk you will be
swapping in/out with other men. Lot's of fun.

How about the Infamous ball turret? There is a nightmare for anyone.


-- 
Steve Williams