/8th Air Force
The Collings Foundation's J model B-24 Liberator came to Arlington, Texas, last week and I was priveleged to fly aboard it for the thrill of a lifetime!
If you've yet to experienced it, you probabply don't know what you're missing. What a blast!
Accompanying me on this day was my DP Thomas Waldron and Sound Man extraordinaire JP Evans. We got some killer B-roll footage and an awesome interview with the twp pilots who regularly fly the big wardbird now. We all met at the Frontiers of flight Museum early Wednesday morning. We then caravanned over to Arlington, TX where the planes had been for the last few days. Driving us over was our still photographer, Dave Shafer. I first met Dave a couple of years ago at the 2nd Air Division National Reunion in Grapevine,TX. His father was a B-24 pilot in the 445th BG. He even made a film about his Dad's crew. (Hmmm, where have I heard that one before?). I've seen his film and it is quite good. Dave had also already flown the Liberator twice.
So we got to Arlington Municipal Airport, met Mr. Gene Norman, the man in charge on the ground, of the Collings Foundation. A real nice guy. We proceeded to get acquainted with the rest of the fine folks with the Collings Foundation. We then set up the interview of the 2 pilots. The interviews went very well.
We were then readied to fly the aircraft. We were the last to board the plane. We got some great footage and JP brought along, (actually we broke in) his experimental audio rig!
We took off and were soon clambering and scrambling on board that old hot rod airplane. The flight was over way too soon, and we landed in Love Field about 15-20 minutes after we started.
What can I say? I wouldn't in my wildest dreams, have thought we would be flying, much less shooting on board this awesome plane.
It was an incredible experience. For a very brief period of time, I was able to experience flying on board the very same type of aircraft my father flew, 66 years ago in deadly combat. You just have to admire those guys who flew these Liberators, Fortresses, Mitchells and the rest. It's pretty humbling.
The following Sunday, I was back there at the airport. I asked to set up a table and promote "Crew 713". The Frontiers of Flight Museum folks were quite accomodating.
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“Flying high aboard a Liberator”
Arnold Flapstead wrote...
Alex,
I flew aboard the same B-24 last year from Tucson to Phoenix. I discovered that it's a young man's game. Must of bumped my head two dozen times crawling around that thing. I also couldn't believe how loud it was!
Arnold
Alex Mena wrote...
Arnold,
Loud is right, dude. My sound engineer set up multiple mics throughout the bomber. It worked out okay, but presented us with unexpected challenges.
Alex
Arnold Flapstead wrote...
Alex,
Multiple mics? Tell me more.
Arnold
Alex Mena wrote...
Arnold,
I would, but I'm not really Alex Mena. I'm David Arnett pretending to be Alex. Perhaps Alex himself will elaborate after he learns how to do all this WordPress crap.
Alex
Arnold Flapstead wrote...
Alex (or David),
I am shocked at your deception! Then again, I'm not really Arnold Flapstead. I'm also David Arnett pretending to be Arnold so I can test the commenting system and how it nests comments on comments and author replies.
Arnold.