A few years ago, Lufthansa airlines was touring around the US with a
fully restored 1938 or '39 Fokker Tri-Motor. Maybe we can get them to
enter it in one of the TR events (Tri-Motor... Triumph, close enough).
It's one of their early passenger planes (17 seats), was used as a troop
hauler in WWII, then went to S. America for a few years as a passenger
plane, finally was purchased back & restored in 1995 or so.
I had the good fortune to get a ride. Take off speed is well below 60
mph, it's weird seeing traffic pass you on the Calif. freeways (all
watching the plane, not the road, of course). Talk about handling. That
thing would stand on one wing and turn on a dime at it's slower cruising
speeds between 60 & 80 mph.
I think the most nervous-making part of the flight was seeing the pilot
doing his pre-flight check list, climb out on the wing & use a wooden
yard stick through the filler cap to check the fuel level. If you ever
get a chance, go up in one of those old birds. Some weren't fast, but
they sure were fun.
Alan Myers
San Jose, Calif.
'62 TR4 #CT17602
Jack I. Brooks wrote:
> >All this talk of WW II planes reminds me that at the Westwood, NJ
> show a
> >while back, a B17 flew over. Impressive to say the least and the
> first one
> >I have ever seen in the air.
>
> Phil,
>
> That was no small feat for me to arrange. I had the space shuttle on
> line
> for a low altitude fly-by, but they cancelled late, so we settled for
> a B17.
>
> Let me know if you have any requests for next years Westwood show.
>
> Later,
>
> Jack
> Westwood Show Coordinator (and Chief B*ll Sh*tter)
--
MZ
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