[Publius]

I’m here.

[SandRat]

in

[PROCON]

Hiya Publius!

Well, well, you are fast tonight, done with the Summer series, I see!

[AZamericonnie]

I'm here too!:)

Great to see you Publius & let's get this party started!*Hugs*

a 1

[alfa6]

Greetings to all the Freepers out there this fine Friday Evening. A little different Flyby tonight. Last weekend as you might know Loud Mime lost his father, Arthur (Mique) Maikoski, to a heart attack. Free Republic announcement here (LOUD MIME'S DAD). Arthur Maikoski was a veteran of the United States Army Airforce and United States Air Force and Loud Mime mentioned some of the aircraft that his Father had flown. So tonight a look at some of the planes flown by Loud Mime's Dad and our hertfelt sympathies to the Maikoski family at this time.

A quick side note I am having to work tonight, again, so replies will be few.

As an Avaition Cadet Mr. Maikoski wouuld have learned to fly in a primary trainer typically a Stearman PT-17 Kaydet. A pic of Loud Mimes Dad, he is the gent 3rd from the right and a restored Stearman follow.

Following succesfull completion of primary training Avaition Cadet Maikoski would move on to Basic Flight training usually in a Vultee BT-13 Valiant. The Valiant was a more complex aircraft than the primary trainers. Pilots would learn to handle two way radios, varaible pitch propellers and a more powerful aircraft. Follwing are a pic of a WW-II Bt-13 in flight and I am assume that Loud Mime's dad is doing the driving and a restored BT-13 as well.

Succesfully completing the Basic Flight training enables Avaition Cadet Maikoski to go to Advanced Flight training. As Loud Mime mentioned that his Dad flew P-39s and P-40s I assume that the Advance Flight trainign was done in the AT-6 Texan. A more powerfull aircraft6 that the PT-17 or the BT-13 the Texan had a hydraulic sytem to operate the flaps and retractable landing gear as well as a much higher top speed that the other trainers. Succesfully completing Advanced Flight Training led to a Fighter or other squadron posting.

Loud Mime mentioned last weekend that his Dad flew both the P-39 and P-40 so here are a couple of pics of those aircaft with the P-39 first.

The other aircraft mentioned by Loud Mime last week was the B-25 so here is that aircraft.

And a gratefull thank you to Arthur Maikoski and his family for his service in the USAAF and the USAF in helping to keep this country safe. May his family rejoice in the good memories of a life,from the small account that I have read, that was well lived.

Deepest Regards

alfa6 ;>}

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, Publius....I’ve made a note and I’ll see what I can find. Have a wonderful weekend.