What I did today

I just had to post this because I was so excited to day. Today was the chicago air and war show and I went to one of the airports were the planes where and they had a C-47 there. It was used on D day and operation market garden. I got to talk to the guy who was the pilot of it then. I forget his name (stupid me!)and then I found out that the airport is also the home of a JU-52 which sadly was gone at the moment.
I know this may sound childish ,but it was a big deal to me someone who never gets to see anything that has to do with world war two.

P.S. Next week I'm going back to see the JU-52 and I heard that they might give flights on it someday soon.

 

You lucky so-and-so. I havent been to an air show for 2 years but I used to go to all the big ones in the UK. Once I was walking around the back of a hanger at the Imperial War Museum, Duxford. They had bee flying a Spitfire during the day (imagine that, turning up at the gate and saying 'I would like to take my Spit for a spin') and they were having difficulty towing it into the hanger. They tried to push it so they asked my father, brother and me to help. That was great, actualy pushing an original WW2 Spitfire mk.2,. The pilot even showed us around the cockpit. Wow. On the subject of what we did yesterday, I was at a militaria fair on the look out for re-enactment gear. I almost bought a burred edge smock for £120 but decided against it because I can get them for less. I did buy a video of a re-enactment group based in the UK, the Second Battle Group. It is VERY funny and rather worrying. Not only do the group teach the 'German Greeting' (Nazi Salute to the rest of us) but in battle their weapon handeling is rather frightening. Maybe it is just my cadet training but I really do not want to have to fight next to a group of people who in the event of a stoppage look down the barrel of their rifle, even in the middle of a battle. The other thing is that although their uniforms are dead accurate their level of enthusiasm is, to be honest, pathetic. Their battle cry as they charged down hill at a broken enemy would probably have been more likely to encourage the British troops to re-form than run away!!! On the other hand this is film of early battles (10 or more years ago) and I think they have improved some what. The other thing is that their drill is good. We dont do drill because the real 12th SS were not into square bashing as much as these 'asphalt soldiers'. It is a good video anyhow, I really can not wait until my next event

 

If you ever come to Texas, we have whats known as the Confederate Air Force. IT uesd to be in Harlingen, but moved several years ago. Info can be found about it on the web.

These guys have dozens of ww2 aircraft. There is also a group somewhere and I think its here in Texas that is building 5 or 6 ME-262 jet aircraft.

 

For anyone coming over here in the next few weeks -
There's the Flying Legends Air Show at Duxford on 13th - 14th July ( widely acknowledged as the finest airshow outside the USA ) and then a week later, it's Beltring from 17th - 21st July !
Lucky old us . . .

 

5 - 6 Me 262s WOW!

 

Panzergrenadiere, Modus, and I all had the opportunity to live fire a MG-34 yesterday. What an incredible weapon. All three of us walked away with our mouths open. It made me appreciate just how big the balls of those men in WWII were. It just blew my mind that anyone in their right mind would advance while under fire of that magnitude, and it wasn't even a MG42!

Langemann

 

Deeply, deeply envious ! We certainly can't do that sort of thing on this side of the 'Pond' . . .

 

Martin, your welcome to come here to Texas, where ill gladly take you to the Machine Gun Collectors Clubs firing range in San Antonio. It was there that I "cut my teeth" on firing machineguns. I fired a .50 Cal and an MG-34.

 

Thanks ! Although just at the moment my chances of getting to Texas look slim.
You see, over here the only people allowed to carry guns are criminals...oops,getting off subject...!

 

((Sigh)) I know what you mean, my chances of getting back to Europe this year are VERY slim too.

 

Europe ? where's that ? ! I know what you mean my friend. Our car is about ready to die and the expenses for any type of trip went right out the door.
Also the above post about 5/6 Me 262's should be in Seattle as they are refurbishing about this many over thelast 5 to 6 years.....

E

 

Europe ist a dream.

Yeah, my car is now fixing to go into the garage too. The A/C isnt cooling, I am leaking a clear liquid (Not water) somewhere, needs a good tue-up, and a new hood release cable put onto the car.

 

Geez, Europe.....after I got out of highschool I spent 4 years dirt poor in college. Once I graduated I spent 3 years saving up for grad school....now I'm in school again, dirt poor again, never having been anywhere but the US. Sigh. Some day.........

 

I know how you feel. Im working and making a measley $6.25 an hour. and im still dirt poor.

 

Do you remember that "Don't Mess With Texas" commercial where they show this guy in a blue pickup throw trash out of this window, and coming right over the road behind him is a B-17, where the pilot says "Right, let's shake this guy up a bit?" or something? That was great!

 

Oh... guys. You know you are not the only ones who miss old Europe... I cannot go and I'm from there! At least until December... and even it is is going to be difficult...

I just have seen one air show and was many years ago in England, when I was fascinated by WWI aeroplanes fighting! But I slept when Tornadoes and F-15s came out...

 

hmm what did i do today...worked till 1pm, researched and wrote a term paper for school till from 3-8:30. and ahh almost 10 and i'm just finishing dinner! Sigh
Last summer i was able to go to an air show/reenactment show in PA. There were several planes around but the highlight for me was all the reenactors walking around...period activities to participate in and all the memorbelia to buy! And the absolute greatest part was walking through a B-17...my regret was not taking pictures from inside..STUPID ME!

[ 27 June 2002, 10:05 PM: Message edited by: Ron ]

 

Friedrich
If you ever get to the UK, make sure it's mid-July ; because the 'Flying Legends' Airshow at Duxford is STRICTLY for piston-engined aircraft only ( although I reckon they would make an exception for an Me 262! )

 

Firing the Mg34 was so awesome I can't even began to describe it. I also fired my K98 that day which is pretty fun to fire, but it doesn't seem as "cool" when there is a Mg34 firing right next to you. Before I fired that gun I had no idea what kind of firepower it possessed.

 

He's really 'rubbing it in', isn't he ??