Well after the biblical rains we have been having on the east coast lately Saturday cleared up and while windy it was time to fly. They were having a private warbird show at a local private grass field and the B 25 was moved over to our field due to the condition of the strip. When it came time to fly just by chance the B 25 was taxiing out so there I was in my OD L 4 following ( at a distance ) an OD B 25 and we are at an old WW 2 strip so I had flashes of being in the war for a few minutes. We had a crowd lined up to see the Mitchell take off and I had a front row seat. After he had cleared the runway I realized the crowd was not leaving. They were waiting for me to go. Though not as impressive I am sure I did show them how to launch a Cub in a crosswind gusting to 18 kts. Sure I was not as loud as the Mitchell but the Mitchell did not take off in 200 feet either!
My 35 mile flight turned into a cross country with a ground speed of 40 mph or less. In fact the Mitchell did its pass and was flying back as I limped along. Again seeing the Mitchell airborne in my L 4 was very cool. Finally got over the war bird field and watched their P 51 do some passes from a distance then after he landed I did a couple passes for fun and then headed out over the ocean to fly down the beach. Saw a few wild horses and some dolphins and then headed for home as the sun started to call it a day. The trip back was in a 25 kt tail wind and then on to a nice landing again in a gusty crosswind..ok 3 landings but no pieces were left on the runway.
You know I have only had this thing for 45 days and it is not without its issues, warped left aileron, jury rigged tailwheel and a couple other minor things but I have to say the thing has been the most fun I have had flying in my 35 years as a pilot.
Sadly my Mitchell pics did not make it but here are a few from the ocean. Life is good.
My 35 mile flight turned into a cross country with a ground speed of 40 mph or less. In fact the Mitchell did its pass and was flying back as I limped along. Again seeing the Mitchell airborne in my L 4 was very cool. Finally got over the war bird field and watched their P 51 do some passes from a distance then after he landed I did a couple passes for fun and then headed out over the ocean to fly down the beach. Saw a few wild horses and some dolphins and then headed for home as the sun started to call it a day. The trip back was in a 25 kt tail wind and then on to a nice landing again in a gusty crosswind..ok 3 landings but no pieces were left on the runway.
You know I have only had this thing for 45 days and it is not without its issues, warped left aileron, jury rigged tailwheel and a couple other minor things but I have to say the thing has been the most fun I have had flying in my 35 years as a pilot.
Sadly my Mitchell pics did not make it but here are a few from the ocean. Life is good.
