In March, 1979 I was doing a cross country flight as part of my
private pilot certificate requirements.
I landed in Perry Florida to get my logbook signed (proof of completion)
when I saw a B-17 bomber parked across the ramp.
Next to it was a white Grumman F9F Panther jet. I was shocked to see a WW2 bomber and Korean war jet fighter just sitting parked on the ramp. The B-17 had a prop feathered. A local told me that one of the engines acted up so the pilot did a precautionary shutdown and made an unscheduled stop. He said the owner came out in his Panther jet from Texas to assess the situation.
Next to it was a white Grumman F9F Panther jet. I was shocked to see a WW2 bomber and Korean war jet fighter just sitting parked on the ramp. The B-17 had a prop feathered. A local told me that one of the engines acted up so the pilot did a precautionary shutdown and made an unscheduled stop. He said the owner came out in his Panther jet from Texas to assess the situation.
Number 2 engine feathered
I hopped in my little trainer and scampered home to Quincy
where, after telling my dad and school chums, arranged to take the family Datsun
pickup truck back the next day to take pictures. My Russell and I drove the 90 miles down
highway 27 in hopes that the stricken bomber would still be there. We were not disappointed. In fact we were further rewarded. Apparently the word has circulated around the
local aviation community about this rare gathering of eagles. While we were there, a civilian owned,
ex-military trainer, a T-28 Trojan, landed
and taxied up. In those pre-internet
days, aviation was still a small community and word about cool planes travelled
quickly.
Suzy Q nose art
Note empty nose, no bombsight or guns
Three ex-military planes, a trainer, a fighter jet and a
heavy bomber, all privately owned, sitting on an obscure airport with local
aviation buffs driving and flying in to see them. I still have those photos today. I love this country.
