GML is short for "The Gathering of Mustangs and Legends" airshow held in Columbus Ohio last weekend. A bunch of us went - i guess only a few of us saw each other - and everyone came away with a few good shots. If it hadn't been for this thread - I'd have never heard about it. For that I'm thankful for a great weekend with my dad and a spectacular air show.
I hope they do it again - though there is talk that this was the last one. I hope not!
jomor wrote:
Wow! Okay so now Ohio is the place for me to visit next year. Is the GML held every year at or around the same time?
Highly unlikely this will ever happen again. Maybe another Mustang show, but the legends are getting older and older. This was in the planning stages for two years!!
Tim's right, the logistics of an event like this and the rapidly diminishing Legend population make it highly unlikely there will be an event of this magnitude ever again. Lee, Angela and KT repeatedly told us to get all the images we possibly could, because it was a once in a lifetime event.
Tex Hill couldn't make it to the event due to poor health and that will, unfortunately be a more common story as each year passes. I got to spend some time with a number of the Legends and when they began recounting their experiences their eyes lit up and it was like they were in their twenties again. What a great opportunity to revitalize these men and women who have given so much.
My Granddaughter Gracie and I spent most of the day at the hangar today. We didn't declare it an official "Aviation Day" but we had some fun. Here we are climbing out of The Great Dobransky's grass strip..........
JWilsonphoto wrote:
My Granddaughter Gracie and I spent most of the day at the hangar today. We didn't declare it an official "Aviation Day" but we had some fun. Here we are climbing out of The Great Dobransky's grass strip..........
That is a Pitts S2A, right? I just have to ask, what kind of "rack" did you attach your camera on? Lovely shot!
I just wish we had even one two seater Pitts in Finland. Pitts's (especially the S-1's) are my all time favourite aircraft and I wish I could get a ride in one. Fortunately we have a few Christen Eagle's, so it will have to do until someone buys a Pitts S-2x
JWilsonphoto wrote:
...
Tex Hill couldn't make it to the event due to poor health and that will, unfortunately be a more common story as each year passes. I got to spend some time with a number of the Legends and when they began recounting their experiences their eyes lit up and it was like they were in their twenties again. What a great opportunity to revitalize these men and women who have given so much.
JW
It was a lot of fun to talk to these guys who flew the Mustangs in the war. I met this one guy, sitting down in the box seats where my dad was sitting. This guy had an old bomber jacket on the back of his chair - so as we talked, I found out it was the jacket he wore during his tour of duty. Evidently he flew 70 missions in P-38s, P-47s and P-51s. He looked to be about late 80s or early 90s - but Jim is right - when asked about his experiences in the Mustang, he lit up and looked like he shed 40 years off his memory. I had recently read about one of the things pilots used to do a lot - just for fun and since they were young and had all that horsepower at their disposal - which was to "buzz" the airfield in their Mustangs. So I asked this guy if he ever buzzed the tower, and he looked at me with a boyish grin and just smiled.
He signed my program book and gave me his service group info. When I thanked him for his service, he looked as if he didn't understand why I said it - he seemed to be very humble and acted as if it was no big deal - he was just doing his job. A legend and all around hero - if you ask me!
Eldon Troge with his original bomber jacket he wore when he flew during WWII. Flying 70 missions in P-51 Mustangs, P-47s and P-38s. 356 Fighter Group - 359 Fighter Squadron based at Martlesham Heath, Ipswich, England
JWilsonphoto wrote:
My Granddaughter Gracie and I spent most of the day at the hangar today. We didn't declare it an official "Aviation Day" but we had some fun. Here we are climbing out of The Great Dobransky's grass strip..........
Hey Jim,
Sorry to bother, but I have ask again. Is that plane Pitts S-2A?
No bother at all! Sorry, I got distracted and never answered your question. That is a Firebolt, a derivative of the Steen Skybolt. I built it about 26 years ago.
Wow, Mr. Wilson! Along with your terrific talent as a human being, pilot, professional photographer, friend, husband, father, grandfather, etc,etc! You also build airplanes!! I consider it a real privilege to be able to share "Mustang Air to Air. Thank You. BP
I appreciate your kind sentiments. I built my biplane over a period of six years and 5,000 hours. She has performed beautifully over the years, I fly it about 30 hours a year on average. Lot's of fun, a bit twitchy on landing.
Long time no post! It's been a rather long day today as 10 friends of mine are missing in the mountains after their Cessna Grand Caravan went down late last night. I need some picking up!
Some things have changed for me, I no longer have any desire to pursue aviation as a career and have gone into the field of education. It's been "in the family" for a long time as I have 10 people in my family who either are still in education or have been. So now I'm helping middle school kids with their schoolwork each day, and am able to share my love of aviation and photography with them every day!
Here is my current ride! After just over a year I finally got back in the cockpit, doing what I've always wanted... aerobatics! I got 2.5 hours under my belt before my instructor was sent off to London for a business trip and doesn't get back until the 13th. lol
