My wife and little girl took me to the Chino Planes of Fame air museum for Father's Day. I had a lot of fun walking around and taking pictures of World War II, Korean War, and Vietnam War era aircraft. I got a few good shots of my favorite plane, a P-51 Mustang, that was outside of the display hangar.

We started walking towards the exit of the museum as soon as we finished looking at a beautiful P-38 parked by itself in a small hangar. That's when a pilot in a flightsuit intorduced himself and asked me if I was an "airplane guy." I told him that I was and I started naming some of the aircraft I could see. My memory gets a little fuzzy from there, but I believe he asked which one was my favorite. I told him my favorite was the P-51 followed by the F-86. He then asked me if I wanted to fly in one (Mustang). I was surpised to say the least, but I was quick to say Yes!

Turns out my wife planned the whole thing and I was taken on a 30 minute flight in an authentic P-51D Mustang! It was an awesome experience. My pilot, Tom Nightingale, was extremely cool and he knew how to fly that piece of art/history. We flew over mountains and Tom did some nice maneuvers. The experience was both thrilling and memorable. It was better than any rollercoaster I have ever been on.

If anyone ever gets the chance to fly in one of these aircraft, do it!

Here's a picture I found of the Mustang I flew in. It's the green one.
I'll upload the pics and vids from my flight by this weekend.

 

That's absolutely fantastic! Sounds like a very memorable Father's Day!

 

I'll never forget it!

 

Here are some pics (couldn't wait)

 

 

thats def one the "to do" list haha, i'm glad you enjoyed it, def a classic

 

you lucky motherf#cka...sorry jealousy gets the best of me at times. P-51D rep!!!

 

O M G

Seriously, would have needed a clean up in aisle 3, I mean my pants. That is badass.

Huge props to the wife for setting that up!

 

thanks guys!!! Yeah, she is a great wife!

I must tell you though, pics and vids cannot compare to the actual experience.

 

Damn I'm jealous, I've always wanted to ride in a WWII plane.... I can't imagine how much fun it is, so raw, loud, and shaky. Like an old fashioned roller coaster.

You have a great family for thinking of that gift!