Once the practice flight was over, the activity just increased. This was / is all about the WWII vets and they were as they should be, treated like celebrities! The over 120 news agencies present talked to them all it seemed and it was great. The smiles on their faces as they could tell their stories and share their insights were priceless. This kept on going for over 24hrs. It was truly special and at the heart of what the even was all about!
The folks at Texas Flying Legends Museum once again painted their C-53 is D Day Invasion stripes just as they did 75yrs ago in England. The public and press ate this up and they all learned a very important part of WWII history. This painting was done in just hours in 1944 to thousands of aircraft, painted with mops and rags in the dark of night. The stripes told ground troops the aircraft were friendly so they wouldn’t be shot at. Here, you can see the B-29 “Fifi” flying overhead.
My good friend Logan from Minot, ND became the press darling during this since he was the same age as those in England in 1944. He doesn’t like being in the limelight so it was a ton of fun to kid him about it. The next day when he face was all over the papers around the world, it was really cool to see how he brought history alive for so many.
While the painting went on, the Texas Flying Legends Museum FG-1D Corsair flew over practicing the Missing Man which they would be flying the next day at the ceremonies. And the “reinactors” are all ground crew for TFLM with one of these the genius behind a couple of their aircraft being restored to being airworthy. It was truly the most amazing apart of the whole event. A ton of patriotic, aviation passionate and thankful folks came together simply to tell one generation, thanks!
And the pilots whose skill and passion are flying these aircraft received overdue attention for their contribution. Here my dear friend and pilot of “Betty’s Dream” Alan gets interviewed about the experience and the mission. Not comfortable in front of the lens, he did a great job expressing for all present the honor we felt being able to participate in the event.
And this was very much a family affair for us. My lovely bride was busy shooting video the whole time. It’s fun to watch her because she gets so caught up in the vets and their stories, her smile just grows and grows. I cruised the afternoon events with the D4s, 24-70AFS and 80-400V3 and had the great pleasure of not being “on duty” and just shooting for myself which at an aviation event has become very rare. I was a fly on the wall listening and watching and it was such a pleasure and treat. Wow … what a day!