I had a blood connection to this Airplane.
I was touring Nine-O-Nine at Ankeny. I swung (properly) through the nose hatch and wriggled through the tunnel to the cockpit. My fluffy & ungainly friend, Hobby Robbie was astern of me.
I must have admired the instrument panel and other cockpit fittings to much that sultry, August day. From below, Robbie griped "Others were waiting.Hurry Up Rhino!"
I took off my cover, took a step up and conked my noggin on the top turret ring.
(Damn thangs is HARD, Man!!) With blood running from an unintentional head wound and Robbie chortling from below, I pointed to the steel top turret ring and declared "That durn thang ain't on the MODEL!!"
He got his comeuppance. Robbie got stuck between the bomb racks on the bomb bay catwalk. A 90-year-old USAAC Vet pushed and I pulled chubby Robbie into the radio compartment. "Sh'up! That's not FUNNY!"
It WAS!! IT STILL IS!!
Prayers for the Crew & Passengers of Nine-0-Nine. She was an astounding monument to all those children that flew & fought over The Reich. Godspeed those that gave their lives in Connecticut this week.
Nancy Pelosi will probably stick her ass in where it don't belong (AGAIN!) and try to ground every vintage airplane still honoring combat sacrifice in the whole World.
Jump in Here anytime Kermit Weeks! Ya Ol' Fart!