Last week, I posted a photo of a WWII aircraft that visited our local airfield. It was part of a Wings of Freedom collection that visited last week. It was really enjoyable to see these old planes still in flying condition. They were open for tours during the middle part of the day. In the morning and late afternoon, they took up passengers willing to pay for the experience of riding in an antique plane. I visited the airfield three times over the weekend to make some photos of the bombers in the air. On my final visit on Sunday morning, I was finally able to get the images you see here. It was fun both to see the planes as well as to talk to other people who came out to see them. A few people I spoke with had previously gone up for rides and told me of their experiences. If anyone knows what type of plane the Navy fighter is, please add a comment. It is the type whose wings fold up for storage on an aircraft carrier.
Sadly, three days after these images were made, the B-17 crashed in Connecticut killing seven passengers and injuring seven others. My condolences to the families of those who lost loved ones and wishes for a speedy recovery to the injured passengers.
Milford Street 
I rode in “Nine-O-Nine” back in January. it is extremely sad that people died in the crash and it is heart breaking to me to know that B-17 no longer exists.
Rising in one of these would be such an honor. There are only a few left.
That’s how I felt. I stuck my head out of the top hatch and yelled “I finally made it Dad!”
I was saddened by news of the crash as well.
It was rather shocking because they had just been here.
Only a few days before, I’d read Jennie Fitzkee’s happy post about spotting the plane over her house.
Yes. Last weekend was a fun time for so many people with the planes visiting. I hope the foundation that owns them continues their mission despite this tragedy.
Reblogged this on Vijayagiri views.
Such beautiful photographs! I would love to fly on one of these planes. So sad that people lost their lives.
Thank you. I was strongly considering going up. It would be a great experience.
I wondered if this was the plane that crashed. Our local news reported that it’s the same plane that crashed here in Pittsburgh at an air show in 1987. Nice photos!!
Yes. It’s sad. It’s great to have these planes still flying but it has to be safe.
Beautiful photos, Chris! I didn’t know that it was the same plane that caused this tragedy. 😯
Thank you, Sarah. It was shocking to learn about the accident. They are still investigating the cause but know there was a problem with one engine.
I experienced the same with a Greek ferry – just two weeks after we were traveling on it from Athens to Mykonos and back it sank and drowned many people. 😯 It was a strange kind of feeling afterwards.
With regards to the Navy fighter ID are you asking about photo #5? The Grumman F6F Hellcat was America’s preeminent carrier-based fighter aircraft of World War II. However, the image you captured is of a Douglas A-1E Skyraider. This particular plane was built in 1955. Douglas introduced the prototype at the end of WWII. The Skyraider went through a number of modifications as it serviced both the Navy and Marine Corps in Korea and Vietnam. It was designed to be a dive bomber, and to provide air support for ground troops.
I discovered this post a year to the day after you published it, but I remember the crash of the B-17. If you’re interested in the nuts and bolts details of the A-1E that you photographed just follow the link. It is a log of the plane’s assignments from 1955 forward.
http://www.aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=62027
Wow, it’s had quite the history. Thank you for sharing this with me.