It was a perfect day to fly during lunch today. However I decided to go up to Waterbury Oxford airport here in CT to see the
Collings foundation Wings of freedom. I found out about it last month when
Aluminum Overcast was here on tour last month. These are a real treat as they only come by once a year and are incredible restorations that you can climb through and if your wallet allows it, fly in them.
More than the B-24, B-17, B-25 and the P-51C are the folks that come to this attraction. When Aluminum Overcast came to the airport there were several veterans touring the bomber. I was in line with a Veteran and his daughter and I was able to strike up a conversation with him. Turns out he loves airplanes however he was a twice wounded survivor of D-Day, I thanked him and shook his hand.
Today I met a Spitfire pilot that lives the next town over from me. He had gone up in the P-51 the day before and you could see the memories of flying coming back to life. Of course he was asked how the Mustang compared to the Spitfire and he simply said the Spitfire was marvelous. He and his wife’s story were very interesting. He had fled Holland to England to fly Spits, His wife worked in the Holland resistance. I can only imagine the stories she must have. Today they enjoy sailing and it was an honor to meet them both.
My last encounter was Ray who had been shot down over Czechoslovakia. It turns out one of the fellows riding in the B-24 to RI today, his uncle was aboard
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