Author Topic: Aerial view of my Summer garden, WOW! (Read 3285 times)

Louis Rankin · « **on:** August 07, 2011, 02:08:18 AM »

In the center of the first picture is my back yard. You can make out the faint outline of a rectangle. That is my garden. The second picture is a self photo portrait of me (with an obvious "Possum Grin") in the airplane I took the first picture from. Can anyone guess the type of aircraft in which I am riding? Jim Lynch, Paul Taylor, and Zuriel Armstrong are exempt from guessing. Hint: Think backwards.

Paul Taylor · « **Reply #1 on:** August 07, 2011, 07:06:58 AM »

You lucky dawg!!!!

john e. holliday · « **Reply #2 on:** August 07, 2011, 07:55:41 AM »

Well it is not a helicopter. Aerial views are nice. Do a google map and find your neighborhood. The city of Shawnee KS had a satellite photo of my place. Looks like you also have some land close to sport fly on, if the neighbors don't complain.

Louis Rankin · « **Reply #3 on:** August 07, 2011, 08:27:19 AM »

Need another hint? Well, if you had seen it flying, you would have been more impressed by it than by anything that Howard Rush saw flying yesterday (The hint in that is where Howard is from). Pictures below are of the shadow it cast on the Mississippi river and the Arkansas Delta. Also, yesterday was a very important historical anniversary, that is another hint. Guesses anyone?

Louis Rankin · « **Reply #4 on:** August 07, 2011, 09:29:58 AM »

Well Allen B. has just emailed with the correct guess. Anyone else want to venture a guess before I post more pictures and gloat.

Paul Taylor · « **Reply #5 on:** August 07, 2011, 10:36:55 AM »

Oh oh pick me pick me

Uh kind of rymes. Hope that did not give it away.

John Miller · « **Reply #6 on:** August 07, 2011, 10:41:51 AM »

B-17 Possibly from the tail gunners position. Or the later B-29, same position?

Elwyn Aud · « **Reply #7 on:** August 07, 2011, 11:40:41 AM »

I guess it has to be FIFI. I heard a story about a dad and his kid at an airshow where the CAF's B-29 was in attendance and the kid asked his dad what kind of plane it was and his dad replies" Oh that's an F1 F1".

Louis Rankin · « **Reply #8 on:** August 07, 2011, 11:48:34 AM »

Well, B-17 no, B-29 YES! The CAF brought "FIFI", the last remaining flyable B-29, to Millington, TN airport. It was the chance of a lifetime that I could not pass on, so, me and my dove hunting buddy Burt reserved rides yesterday. Burt rode in the cock pit and I rode the tail gunner position. It was AWESOME!!

From the hints you should have gathered:
Think backwards: Tail gunner position.
Where Howard lives: Seattle, the home base of Boeing.
Significant date: Aug 6th 1945 was the atomic bombing of Japan. Bomb was dropped by the Enola Gay, a B-29. Yesterday was the 66th anniversary.

Louis Rankin · « **Reply #9 on:** August 07, 2011, 11:52:25 AM »

More pics:

Louis Rankin · « **Reply #10 on:** August 07, 2011, 11:54:27 AM »

More pics:

Louis Rankin · « **Reply #11 on:** August 07, 2011, 12:14:31 PM »

Ty, yes most were built in Kansas. The cost? Well, more than traveling to a local contest, but less than going to the NATS.

Paul Taylor · « **Reply #12 on:** August 07, 2011, 12:35:41 PM »

An FiFi rymes with me me.

Norm Faith Jr. · « **Reply #13 on:** August 07, 2011, 12:43:30 PM »

Quote from: Louis Rankin on August 07, 2011, 02:08:18 AM

In the center of the first picture is my back yard. You can make out the faint outline of a rectangle. That is my garden. The second picture is a self photo portrait of me (with an obvious "Possum Grin") in the airplane I took the first picture from. Can anyone guess the type of aircraft in which I am riding? Jim Lynch, Paul Taylor, and Zuriel Armstrong are exempt from guessing. Hint: Think backwards.

B-29 ride? That's cool...I want to know..."watcha got in the garden???" With a great big "Possum grin."

Norm

Zuriel Armstrong · « **Reply #14 on:** August 07, 2011, 01:12:24 PM »

I could hear that Possum Grin in Lou's voice when he called to tell of the flight. Having grown up over there, I could visualize the entire flight. What an experience. Good show Lou.

wwwarbird · « **Reply #15 on:** August 07, 2011, 10:18:25 PM »

I just did the cockpit tour of FIFI a couple weeks ago in Oshkosh. A ride would be incredible, but waaay out of my budget.

I was wandering around the Warbird area and watched as FIFI arrived for the first time since the recent engine replacements. It was a great feeling watching the flyover upon arrival with some Mustangs escorting her in, a great moment that I'm glad I was there to witness, almost a tearjerker.

I have seen FIFI quite a few times since the early 80's and she's currently looking better than ever. Thank you CAF.

wwwarbird · « **Reply #16 on:** August 07, 2011, 10:21:52 PM »

Some more of "FIFI"...

andrew stokey · « **Reply #17 on:** August 08, 2011, 08:24:13 AM »

She flew over Muncie a few years ago headed for the main airport. Most people didn't see it b/c the flight took her over the small private airport a couple of miles south of the L pad. I just happened to be in the parking lot at the time. Freaked me out.

Louis Rankin · « **Reply #18 on:** August 08, 2011, 11:41:45 AM »

Andy, when most people do see FIFI in the air, they have no idea what they are looking at. I would venture to say that most do not even look up and notice. We came from a different generation that loves aviation.

I never did see or hear the ads that FIFI would be in town. Friday morning I was out in my garden picking okra and maters. I heard the engines rev up at the Millington airport and thought to myself, thats a WWII bomber taking off. It took off and turned west toward the river and flew right over my house. I immediately recognized it as a B-29 and was filled with awe at the rare and historical sight that was flying right over my house. I rushed into my house and called several friends and told them what I had just seen. Looked on the internet and found out FIFI was here over the weekend and was giving rides. I called the number on the CAF website and immediately made reservations. It was an opportunity of a lifetime that I could not pass on.

It was pure pleasure and excitement to be one of the few to get the chance to ride her. While I was riding in the tail gunner position I found myself giggling and laughing uncontrollably from the joy of just being there. At first it was surreal and dream like, I could not believe I was actually there. When reality set in I found myself feverishly clicking pictures and rubbernecking my head in every direction to capture each sight and moment of the flight. The smell of the AVGAS fume filled exhaust and burning rubber from wheel touch down still fills my nostrils. The sounds of those 4 huge radial engines droning along through the perfectly clear air are still in my head. The whole experience was just perfect!!

Mike Keville · « **Reply #19 on:** August 08, 2011, 07:26:13 PM »

Just now saw this one. Hard to believe that anyone over the age of 50 could mistake that ground shadow for anything but a B-29. And of course there's only one flying today: FiFi. Congratulations, Louis!

dave siegler · « **Reply #20 on:** August 08, 2011, 07:33:13 PM »

I was training kids at Kidventure watching FiFi fly over. Rides are way out of my price range. Sounds very good. Good to see it back in the air.

Norm Faith Jr. · « **Reply #21 on:** August 08, 2011, 09:13:24 PM »

Not like I'm bragging or something...My co-instructor here at SAU is one of the current Flight Engineers on Fi Fi and the CAF B-24. He was curious as to your occupation ( cost of the ride) Louis. I told him that, "I believe he made his fortune in the squid industry."

See you in September or sooner.
Norm

Louis Rankin · « **Reply #22 on:** August 10, 2011, 01:39:10 PM »

Norm, Well, I did start my career as an Airman before earning a commission in the squid service. Yes, will see you at the "Memphis Stunt Classic". Make sure to bring your friends with you.

Douglas Ames · « **Reply #23 on:** August 10, 2011, 03:24:00 PM »

Glad to see they finally got her back in the air. I helped rebuild the LH outbd wing about 5 yrs ago. She was way overdue for a heavy check (overhaul). Not sure what the status is on "Doc", the other B-29 restored in Witchita that is close to flying.

Norm Faith Jr. · « **Reply #24 on:** August 10, 2011, 09:59:58 PM »

Quote from: Douglas Ames on August 10, 2011, 03:24:00 PM

Glad to see they finally got her back in the air. I helped rebuild the LH outbd wing about 5 yrs ago. She was way overdue for a heavy check (overhaul). Not sure what the status is on "Doc", the other B-29 restored in Witchita that is close to flying.

I asked FiFi's F/E about the status of "Doc." he just text-ed that "the restoration was of the intent to get it airworthy, but has hit a wall on funding." He believes the cockpit and front end have been completed, he will find out more this weekend.
Norm

Jim Fruit · « **Reply #25 on:** August 16, 2011, 02:29:14 PM »

Quoting what was stated at Oshkosh, Fifi is more than just a restoration. The engines are actually a "hybrid" (no, not like a Prius). They are basically double row corn cobs from one type of plane and super chargers from another. The original engines ran too hot and were too much trouble. They said these hybrid engines solved the problems at a price tag of $140,000 each (and we thought our hobby was expensive). Fifi was able to get back into the air due to a generous donation of $2,100,000 by one gentleman. He got to name the airplane "Fifi".

Jim Fruit