I forgot to mention that the V12’s sounded soooooo fine. A sound I will never forget.
Was standing next to a B25 a few years ago after maintenance and they were doing a full power run up. Awe inspiring as the ground was vibrating as well as my insides.
I was a few weeks from getting to ride in a Mark VIII Spitfire that had been converted to a 2-seater. One of the hot shot RAF Battle of Britian Honor Flight pilots, took it for a spin and landed gear-up. Whoops!
The wooden prop had to be reconstructed by a company in Germany. It was sold, along with my opportunity to ride in it, once it became flight worthy again some years later.
Oldplayer
My grandfather said that the formations - 1000s of planes - would shake the ground as they went overhead. He was glad that they were outbound.