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                 Gilbert Lodge Blog
         The life and times of Mark and Paula Persons
May 16, 2009:  Mark attended the annual Aviation Days air show at the Anoka/Blaine, MN, airport, just north of Minneapolis and St. Paul.              Three aircraft flew in formation, sometimes trailing smoke to the delight of the crowds.  The show was not for high-performance aircraft, it was a fun outing for families to see aviation.

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The three formation flyers were T-6 trainers built in the 1930's and 1940's to train the many U.S. and Allied pilots required to win World War II.      Mark served in the U.S. Army's 73rd Aviation Company in Vietnam in 1968 and 69.  He is seen standing today next to an OV-1 Mohawk at the American Wings Aviation Museum.  This unusual looking airplane was a high-tech surveillance aircraft used for detecting enemy movement in the jungle.  When Mark did avionics service work on these, they were pained Army green like the one on the left.  

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A big crowd attraction was a B-25 Mitchell bomber.  Designed in the 1930's, it used through WWII.  This one is named Miss Mitchell.         Here is an inside view from the B-25 cockpit looking out the right side at one of the two huge engines.  It was estimated the cost is $1700/hour to keep one of these in the air.  Learn more at: http://cafmn.org   

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This B-25 cockpit is as close to the original as the owner could keep it.  However, current FAA requirements made it necessary to add new radios and some new instruments.      At the other end of the airfield is the Golden Wings Flying Museum.  Vintage aircraft from the 1920's and 30's are featured.  This one is a Fleetwings Seabird from 1937.     

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What aviation museum would be complete without a Ford Tri-Motor?  There is even more to see at the Golden Wings Flying Museum.       A Waco UKC bi-plane from 1934 was beautifully restored and is on display.  Great stuff.

Joke of the Day:  There was a Chinese pilot named One Wing Low.

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page last edited 05/25/2009