Early flight training

Friday we took a trip to Fleming Field in South St Paul to visit the Minnesota Wing of the Commemorative Air Force. A traveling educational program was there, showing a film about the Tuskegee Airmen.  We watched the 15 minute or so movie (great job being the only two kids in there actually paying attention!!) and then went around to look at some of the airplanes.

The kids actually got to sit in a Vultee BT-13 Valiant, which was used as a primary trainer.

Mary in the pilot seat

Mary got some instruction on flight controls from the crew chief

Russell in the pilot seat

Russell looking like he’s ready to head to Top Gun

They had several planes there and some vehicles, too.  The centerpiece of the Wing’s property is their P-51 which they have painted to mimic the ones used in World War II by the Tuskegee Airmen. Unfortunately it was getting some work done on it at the time…

P-51 "By Request"

Mary is out front there, since she wanted to sit in one of the “old chairs”. Those were the same kind of chairs we had at the reserve base when I was in the Navy…

Of course we had to have at least one slightly goofy picture:

If you have a chance, you can check out some of the info at the Red Tail Project.

Note: I’m actually posting this while hoping for the rain to go away. I’m supposed to be flying some training missions today for CAP, but it’s not looking good.

Update: Morning flight cancelled. Afternoon looking much better!

3 thoughts on “Early flight training”

  1. Wow! I wish I could have gone with you guys. WWII stuff is way cool. I hope you had fun. Wait! I know you did! We will have to do something whem I get home.

    Grampa

  2. Hi! Find your adventures very interesting Glad the children are
    learning from this also. take care loveya GGScotty

  3. You are the best dad. The kids had a blast. Nice to see Mary smiling instead of giving the “Ted” dirty looks all the time.

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