Yeah, I'm weird that way too. I'll admit to getting a lump in my throat when I see color film of B17's going out on a raid.
One day in the mid 90's I got the shock of my life. The place where I worked was right under Farmingdale's final approach. I was used to all manner of engine sounds during the work day- Jets, turbojets, radial etc. One day I go to the john and I'm about to do my business when the walls start to vibrate, the floor (which was a massive industrial construction) follows suit. I feel the engines in my bones! The note has a lor roar that I'd never heard before I said out loud: 'what the hell is that'? I step over to the window, and there, so close I can almost touch it is that utterly distinctive four engine front silhouette COMING DIGHT AT ME!I never in a million years expected to see that particular sight.
Later I saw it, barely 200 feet over St Charles cemetery, do a STEEP turn. It seemed to just hang there, it's wing tip closer to the ground than is healthy in a plane that size. But it was empty with all four engines gunned, so no prob!
Parked on it were several B-17's with all their turrets etc. removed. I later learned they were owned by Charles Woods who was spraying fire ants with them.
How many times have you watched "Twelve O-Clock High?"
Watched it again last night. Hairs go up on the back of my neck every time I hear (the whine-clank-clank-fart-fart-snort-snort-rumble-rumble as) those magnificient R-1820s come to life as Harvey is standing on the tarmac at the beginning of that movie.
The fact that I have several thousand hours sitting behind (T-28) and next to R-1820s (S-2, E-1B, C-1A) may have something to do with the nostalgia.
But dammit! I will FReely admit that the sound of an(y) unmuffled round aircraft engine turns me on!
I know what you mean.
I live in Maynard, Massachusetts, and had a simlar experience. My wife sometimes thinks I am a whacko. I live in the flight path of Hanscom AFB, used to be a USN jet mechanic, and a certifiable aviation nut.
I am constantly running out of the house and looking in the sky, while she shakes her head. Of course, anyone who has worked for a while on planes knows that they ALL have a distinctive sound, and with a discriminating ear, you can tell them apart.
One day, I hear this sound...and I say to myself...those are radial engines...multiple engines. The list is fairly short....so I run outside and....
A B-17 is flying directly towards my house at about 250 feet!!! I couldn't effing believe it!!!! So I'm in my backyard, jumping up and down with my arms in the air going "WOOOOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!" at the top of my lungs...:)
I also saw a B-25 one day...but it is frustrating to try to follow that through the trees, but there was no mistake about it. It apparently landed at a small community airport with some kind of landing gear problem.
I am sure my neighbors bring their kids in when I am out now...