"Off HE Goes, Into the Wild Blue Yonder"

 Roger taught the South Vietnamese how to fly 

in the T-28 in Mississippi over 40 years ago.

I talked about it here, 

after we traveled on the Gulf Coast last year 

in a trip down Memory Lane. 

He flew one of these amazing airplanes 

to the Boneyard at Davis-Motham AFB in Arizona 

when they retired them from use in the US Air Force,

and, at that time, he never dreamed 

he would ever fly the T-28 again.

So, I can't say that his dream came true, 

because he never even dreamed it.

But, much to his surprise, then anticipated joy, 

the reunion committee arranged 

for four members of the 

Trojan Horsemen Aerial Demonstration Team

to fly to the Wright Brothers Airport in Dayton

to give, as it turned out, eight former IPs and students

a 30-minute ride in four T-28 B models.

I look back to the days when my husband would go 
to the flight line every day, then spend countless hours 
in the air with Vietnamese and German students, 
who didn't even speak English very well, and I marvel 
that I didn't pace the floor every day, worrying about him, 
until he came back home at night.
There is something to be said for the naiveté of youth.

So, the neurotic worrier that I am 
now that I'm old, I had visions of the news, 
reporting the retired AF Instructor Pilot

going down with his airship that he flew in the past, 
in flames, or some such thing.
I just couldn't be there to watch that!
So my plan was to stay in the hotel until he returned,
and I told him so the night before.
Then I started feeling guilty about not being there - 
 to take pictures, to cheer for him 
when he came down, etcetera.
So I put on a fake smile the morning of, 
and told him I was going to go after all.
His smile was very genuine.
We shuttled to the airport, and there were several pilots 
besides the ones who would fly 
and several other wives who went.
We waited about twenty minutes, 
and then . . .

 . . . a beautiful four ship flyover -  
the Trojan Horsemen arrive!

Trojan Horsemen are flying in echelon 

in preparation to pitch out and land.

Pitch out for landing

Trojan  Horsemen taxiing in from landing

Each T-28B aircraft is owned personally by pilot hobbyists/enthusiasts who keep their aircrafts 

in top condition and fly together all around 

the country, doing air shows.

Roger had me take his picture in front of one of the 

many planes he flew at Keesler AFB.

The pilots were briefed prior to flying,

and I started clicking away.

Doug Hulse tapped Roger on the shoulder and said, 

" You're flying with me."

What a nice guy!  When Roger introduced him to me, 

before they took off, he shook my hand and said,

"We're going to have a great time."

After that firm handshake and looking into his steady 

eyes, my fears melted away.

I've always trusted Roger, but he hadn't flown this plane 

in over forty years, and I think I had imagined some

hotshot/show off-type guy taking him up.

Not so!

Doug's plane had flown for the Navy.

I could feel Roger's excitement as he boarded.

Strapping in the airplane - Roger said 

it was just like yesterday!

Roger will now take over the narrating.

Boy, it felt good to be in the cockpit again!

Doug checking that everything was in order.  

Roger that!

This is the start up and taxiing out to the runway.

All four planes are doing the engine run up 

and pre-flight check list.

Take-off!

Lift off!

Gear up

Boy it felt so good to be flying the good old T-28B!  

Once we were airborne, Doug gave the stick to me to fly.  

I was able to put the old plane through some maneuvers. 

One was a 60 degree bank for a 360 degree turn, 

staying within 50 degrees of a set altitude.  

Doug commented that he loved the great turn about a point.

We pulled 3.5 G's.

This is my first "selfie" ever - 

I had to record the moment!

  

This is the cockpit flight panel.

This is the pitch out for landing and Doug 

pulled a good 3 G's, which felt great. 

There is nothing like pulling G's 

in a high performance aircraft.

Landing - I was able to fly the airplane, except for takeoff and landing.  That's the rules - 

Doug was just protecting his heavy investment! 

I am taxiing in after landing and 

there was just a little excitement!

Note from Pam - 

"He lived!"

I don't know when my smile will leave.  

I get another smile just thinking about the flight.

Here is a picture of the instructors and students 

who were able to fly the sweet T-28B "Trojan"

that wonderful day!

Roger's flight class logo patch

Getting to fly again was the icing on the cake

of an absolutely wonderful reunion!

So many emotions were brought to the surface - 

the happiness of seeing old friends with whom 

I share this love of flying bond,

the absolute thrill 

of feeling the stick in my hand again,

and the pride I feel to be an American 

and to have had the privilege to serve my country.