A Mustang Ride
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That's what I thought as we headed down the canyons of the Santa Ana mountains at 400 mph, often tipping the Mustang up on one wing to get a view of the pine trees only a few hundred feet below. Too bad the video camera wasn't on.
Every
year at the Chino, CA, Planes of Fame air museum, they have a model
contest, with the Best of Show award being a ride in one of the museum's
P-51 Mustangs. The first year my dad and I entered the contest 1995,
he won Best of Show for his now famous scratchbuilt 1/32 Gotha Bomber.
When we found out what the prize was, the look on my face was more
jealous than happy for him!
A few months later, my dad was over Moreno Valley in a the P-51 "Spam Can".
Every year since, we've entered the contest. This year, as they were calling out winners, "Best of Show" was once again followed by the name Robert Karr. This year, his scratchbuilt 1/48 Handley Page 0/400 won. This year, I got the ride.
After the contest was over, and most
of the contestants were packing their models, my parents and I walked
out to "Wee Willy II", and were soon met by Chris Fahey,
who would be my pilot for the flight. We both climbed into the cockpit,
and after a quick pre-flight briefing, were ready to start the 12 cylinder
Merlin engine. The starter 
turned
the prop over several times, and eventually the engine caught, blowing
exhaust fumes back behind us. We were then on our way to Chino's runway
26L.
We stopped for a run-up near the end
of runway 26R, then made our way to the runway we'd be using. We quickly
swung out onto the runway, and after taking a few feet to line up,
advanced down the asphalt, soon lifting off into the hazy sky. After
we crossed Euclid Ave (a street at the end of the 
opposite
runway), we made a smooth left turn to the south, passing radio towers
on the peaks of Chino Hills.
We continued south past Prado Dam, the 91 Freeway, and then into the canyons of the Santa Ana Mountains. Right about now the video camera went on auto stand-by. Chris tipped Wee Willy II up on one wing at probably close to 400 mph many times, with the shadow visible on the pine trees only a few hundred feet below. Then, when I thought he was going to go into another 90 degree bank, he kept going, rolling the Mustang above the green slopes. Better than any roller coaster! We went down these canyons for about 10 minutes, coming out over what I think was Corona. Right about now I realized the camera wasn't on.
Again
he went into a 90 degree bank, and I got a nice view of the "Circle
City" below. We now headed north, making our way back to Chino
Airport. The effects of the excitment of a P-51 ride, banks on one
wing, and seeing alot of it through the jerky black-and-white viewfinder
of the camera, were now making themselves known to my stomach, but
I didn't care. The excitment overpowered it all!
Soon the Chino Airport was visible,
and we made, yet another, 90 degree bank over the airport, then headed
east on the downwind leg to the runway. After a minute or two, Chris
turned the P-51 to line up on Runway 26L. We slowed, and as we crossed
the threshold, he cut the throttle back. A few backfires of the engine,
and Wee Willy II settled smoothly onto the runway. Once we had taxied
back over to the museum, I then
had to get out of the cockpit, which was easier said than done. However,
the cockpit was still clean after the flight...
Eventually, though, I staggered away
from the Mustang, found my parents, and got a much needed soda. My
parents and I then drove to my aunt and uncle's house, where we reviewed
the tape that I had shot (about 15-20 minutes of a 40 minute flight...).
I still have the whole flight permanently etched in my mind, though!
(which will help on my next P-51 Model...)
I would like to thank my dad, Robert Karr, who got me this flight,
Chris Fahey, for giving me a great flight,
and IPMS/Planes of Fame, for the opportunity, and a great day!
