Tom Platten Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I live near the Chino Air Port which contains the
> old Cal-Aero Field were countless pilots were
> trained to be pilots during WWII. Many WWII Navy
> planes have been restored there and fly during
> their annual airshow in May. I talked to several
> members about Midway last Veterans Day and they
> all agree that the "old" Dauntless--at that time
> was the most important airplane in the Navy!!!!
I rode in the rear seat of their Dauntless in 2007. The
pilot was agreeable to me riding with the canopy open
like they did in regular use. There is a small aluminum
deflector on each side that does a good job of keeping
the outside air from disturbing the occupant. I was able to
change lenses on my Pentax with no trouble @ 150 mph.
The folks at Chino really knocked themselves out on the
day that I was there, they offered for me to fly at the same
time as their Corsair and I was able to get air to air images
of it.
The Dauntless is a great ride, not as glamorous as a P-51
or the like, but I'd recommend it if it appeals to you.