Fright Nite' Returns

    

    

Where did All the Goblins ‘n Ghouls go? (The Tomaso Collection)

 

 

Ah, where’s good 'Ol Vincent Price when Yuhs needs him, since after all, It's just A Thriller Ha-Ha-Ha-Hah…

 

“The foulest stench is in the air
The funk of forty thousand years
And grizzly ghouls from every tomb
Are closing in to seal your doom
And though you fight to stay alive
Your body starts to shiver
For no mere mortal can resist
The evil of the thriller”

 

VIDEO: Thriller

 

As it’s back like a Bad rash, or a Zombie on Elm Street…

 

I was working on the “Confuzer” late Monday night
When my eyes beheld an eerie sight
From my monitor a scary picture began to show

And suddenly to my surprise

A Zombie-like Kurt Busch apparition Onscreen began to singHe did the mash
He did the RASSCAR mash
The RASSCAR mash
It was a graveyard smash
He did the mash
It caught on in a flash
He did the mash
He did the RASSCAR mash

From my humble apartment’s abode

To the room’s cathode ray glow

And amongst the Nabors dwellings

Where the vampires feast
The ghouls all came out from their alcoves

Chanting “Jimmy! Jimmy! Jimmy!”

Hoping to snatch a peak

Of some Roundy-round racin’

Flickering on my TV

(Thru the patio’s window)

 

They did the mash
They did the RASSCAR mash
The RASSCAR mash
It was a graveyard smash
They did the mash
It caught on in a flash
They did the mash
They did the RASSCAR mash

And although The “Junior Nation” zombies were in foul Despair

Over 'lil E's Shrewd 'N wise move

To rest his Aching Head

 

Nonetheless, 'lil Ironhead invited the likes 'O

Kenny Wallace, Larry MacReynolds, Mr. Goodbar, Kyle Petty  

And other assorted friends to join in

Upon this little party

 

As the building was rockin', everyone having to put up with the blare
of the next door neighbor’s surround sound TV wailing a pitiful noise

That sounded like Rusty Wallace scratchin’ a chalkboard

While a pair ‘O Beagle’s howled in misery

 

As Dusk turned to Night

And the little Coffin-Bangers were soon to arrive
With their candy bags and dressed up

While BOOGITY-BOOGITY-BOOGITY! ‘Ol DW', Kevin Harvick, Smoke and Rowdy Holmes All Bobbed for Crabapples

 

Thoust Television’s kept blarin' out that Monster RASSCAR Mash

They did The Mash
The RASSCAR mash
The RASSCAR mash
It was a graveyard smash
As the TV blared the mash
It caught on in a flash
As it played the mash
It continued to play the RASSCAR mash

Out from my room, my voice crackled loudly

As once again I was disgusted

Yelling loudly and shaking my fists
I screamed, How long do we have to listen to this?

As the drone of ‘lil Trick ‘N Treaters knocked on the door

As the next door TV still blared the mash
Except It's now more commonly known

As the RASSCAR mash
The RASSCAR mash

 

But it's almost over

That Monster Y’all know

As Duh Chase, Get Up!

 

VIDEO: The Monster Mash

 

Or if Y’all are in the mood to check out some original, unique Ghoulish music, visit the link below…

 

Dave Allen’s Halloween Album

 

Original lyrics

Thriller Single, 1984

Title track From the album Thriller (Nov, 1982

Performed by: Michael Jackson - featuring Vincent Price

(Written by: Rod Temperton)

 

Monster Mash, 1962

Performed by: Boris Picket and the Crypt Kickers'

(Written by Bobby (Boris) Picket and Lenny Capizzi)

Two legendous’ Hollywood Pranksters

Who shared more than just their Good looks Onscreen…

 

The recent passing of Robert Redford at age 89 on September 16th. For reasons unknown, made me Flashback to a passage in Shawn Levy’s Paul Newman: A Life Biography, that I extensively chronicled here upon No Fenders in Gory 2022.

 

The portion I fondly recalled, involved a certain Sports Car being mischievously given as a gift to one of our two Hollywood Hunks. Although I searched the All knowing Intrawoods’ to “See” if I’d remembered correctly?

 

Since after all, everything on Al gore’s wonderous invention is true, Righto?

 

Yeah, Redford indeed pulled a massive prank upon ‘Ol Blue Eyes, ergo Paul Newman for His 50th Birthday in 1975! As Newman was born January 25, 1925, and Redford born August 18, 1936.

 

As I’d never before been curious of their respective age difference, with Newman being some 11.5-plus years older, with Redford still being 38yrs old when pranking Newman…

 

Both Redford and Newman were huge Porscheaphiles’, as I didn’t know until Redford’s death. That He’d once owned an ultra rare 1964 Porsche 904 Carrera GTS, which He purchased in 1966, and owned for some ten years.

 

Thus Redford owned this ultra rare racecar some three years before His breakthrough to Stardom in Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid, which debuted on September 23, 1969. Following Paul Newman starring in Winning, which was initially released on May 17th. With both films being produced by Newman Foreman Company.

 

Redford became annoyed with how much Newman incessantly talked about racing and cars. And thus, for Newman’s 50th Birthday, Redford had a wrecked, totally scrapped Porsch delivered to Newman’s home!

 

Reportedly, Redford says they were both living in Connecticut then, and He called a local towing service. Asking if they had any crushed cars, specifically Porsche’s on hand?

 

Funny you should ask that. We just so happen to have a Porsche that was totally crushed by a car falling upon it sitting here. To which Redford said hold it. I want to wrap it in paper and put a bow on it. Then He asked if they could deliver it to Paul Newman’s house and put it on His back porch!

 

Next, Newman retaliated. As a few weeks later, a large wooden crate was surreptitiously delivered to Redford’s rented Connecticut House. Which when Redford opened the crate, contained a wrecked Porsche automobile that had been crushed into a cube!

 

Yet undaunted, Redford had the last laugh of this prank. Having a sculptor friend turn the Porsche cube into a piece of Garden Art which you guessed it. Was immediately placed in Newman’s garden…

 

As the best thing about this, and presumably other countless ensuing pranks. Is that neither man ever mentioned one iota about them to each other.

 

You can read my Paul Newman book review in the following No Fenders link…

 

Paul Newman’s A Life Book review

 

Or pass “GO”, without collecting $200, and skip directly to my Paul Newman racing career tome instead…

 

Diving into Paul Newman’s Racing career

 

(Info source: rennlist.com) 

A few, Quick F1 thoughts

For which I’m still astounded over…

 

Have “watched”, Err listened to the past two Formula 1 races in Austin and Mexico City from two different locations. For which I must say overall, they both were somewhat “Dull”, i.e.; processional…

 

Recall how the current F1 technical regulations were supposed to make it easier for the trailing car to overtake the leading car?

 

Although think it was Herr Toto Crying Wolff’ who said this year’s championship would become a Qualifying race instead, Eh?

 

What most astounded me, and still did a week later was Sky Sports lead F1 Pundit, Err Presenter’s quip about Circus Maximus’s domination at the Circuit Of The Americas, where Max Verstappen led wire-to-wire from pole.

 

As Kroftie’, ergo David Kroft incredulously said that it looked like Max was out on a Sunday Stroll pushing the Pram, I Kids Yuh Not!

 

Yet if that was what Max Blunderhead’s romp in Austin looked like, then what was Lando Norris’s at the following Mexico City round? As Lando spanked the Competizione by a whopping 32 seconds! And points leader Oscar Piastri continued His Shrinking Violet act. Finishing a distant fifth and losing the points lead to dreaded McLaren teammate Norris by one point, Urgh!

 

Meanwhile the crowd seemed most receptive to Verstappen, who you could hear the crowd roaring for during the closing stages of the race. Along with getting the largest applause during the post race podium interview. As who’d Ah thunk It?

 

As I still find it amusing when thee Mayor ‘O Hinchtown’, ergo James Hinchcliffe conducts these F1 post race podium interviews…

 

Whilst Ollie’, aka Oliver Bearhan deservedly was voted Driver of the Day upon His fine fourth place finish in Mexico. His career best F1 finish, driving for the smallest team on the grid. 

Singing in the Rain at Silverstone

Which obviously they’re doing now daily in Jolly ‘Ol England…

 

Perusing Daily Sports Car prior to this year’s Battle on The Bricks. I ran across the article noting how 110,000 raving mad for motor racing spectators attended this year’s Four Hours of Silverstone European Le Mans Series (ELMS) race, Aye Karumba!

 

Can Y’all imagine that many spectators showing up for IMSA’s six hours Battle on The Bricks race? Not to mention that ELMS doesn’t even feature the Crème de la Crème FIA Hypercar category.

 

The field was comprised of some 44 entries. With 13 LMP2, 8 LMP2 Pro-Am, 10 LMP3 and 13 LMGT3 participants.

 

As it was great to read that the No. 18 IDEC Sport, the Genesis Magma Racing co-entry of Jamie Chadwick, Mathys Jaubert  and Daniel Juncadella won the race. Being their third win of the season. Having claimed W’s at Barcelona and Paul Ricard previously.

 

The race was held in somewhat wretched conditions, first being delayed an hour due to inclement weather. And then a further 48 minutes due to two Red Flag periods for incidents.

 

Juncadella held off Tom Dillmann in the No. 43 Inter Europol Competition entry during the final pitstop exchange. After Nick Yelloly who’d led much of the race, had a spin when staying on dry rubber too long! While IDEC Sport made the switch to wet weather tyres correctly…

 

As the rain intensified, Pietro Fittipaldi brought the No. 10 Vector Sport home third. While the Seester’ #28 IDEC Sport was fourth, and Theo Pourchaire brought His #25 Algarve Pro entry home in fifth.

 

The Wet ‘n Wooly track conditions played havoc with many competitors, including the LMP2 pole sitter No. 48 VDS Panis Racing entry, who were forced to serve a costly Stop ‘n Go penalty for entering a closed pit. This caused them to ultimately finish eighth and see their points lead shrink from 21 markers to just six ahead of the No. 18 IDEC Sport entry. With the #43 just one further point behind, with just the season finale at Portugal remaining.

 

For which I’ll miss the Four Hours of Portimao’s outcome, having occurred this past Saturday, October 18th, but am rootin’ for the No. 18 to pull off an upset…

 

The LMP2 Pro-Am class had its lead shuffled too. When the leading AO by TF No. 99 entry of Louie’ Deletraz was handed a five second time penalty. Seeing them drop to second place behind the No. 20 Algarve Pro Racing entry.

 

Yes, that’s the same No. 99 Spike the Dragon IMSA LMP2 entry featuring Dane Cameron, Louis Deletraz and team owner P.J. Hyett, who’s the Amateur driver…

 

The LMGT3 Tintops outcome was also chaotic. When apparently the No. 86 GR Racing Ferrari 296 GT3 had snatched the lead from the#50 Richard Mille AF Corse Ferrari 296 GT3. Yet the #86 had trotted by when the third and final Red Flag was thrown with seven minutes remaining. As the Race Director decided the rain was too treacherous to continue.

 

Thus the race’s results reverted to the final full lap before the Red flag and hence, the two Prancing Horses swapped positions, and the No. 50 AF Corse won instead…

 

I find it interesting that many of the drivers are able to compete in multiple series. As the names Yelloly, Deletraz, Dillmann, Cameron, Fittipaldi, et al. Are all regulars this side of thoust Gory Puddle in IMSA Competizione.

 

While I tend to recall that last year’s Battle on The Bricks race saw 18 of the 20 IMSA GTP drivers also competing in the FIA World Endurance Championship. (WEC)

 

Meanwhile, following Silverstone, Genesis Magma Racing (GMR) promoted both Juncadella and Jaubert onto its GMR001 Hypercar squad for next year’s inaugural WEC campaign. Which was the reason for competing in this year’s ELMS, as a tune-up campaign for aspiring racers and team personnel to potentially move forwards.

 

The only disappointment is the news of Jamie Chadwick being left on the sidelines. With GMR claiming Her 2026 plans will be announced at a later date. Making me wonder if She’ll just be an Endurance “Specialist?” As I’d really like to see Jamie get a fulltime ride in a Hypercar entry.

 

Hmm, perhaps Chadwick can spend another year honing Her craft before becoming a regular series competitor in IMSA when GMR supposedly enters competition in 2027? 

Some Belated Driver News

As Racing Never Sleeps…

 

Happy to “read” about Theo Pourchaire being elevated as a fulltime Peugeot Factory Sports car driver for 2026. With the 2023 Formula 2 Champion and ex-McLaren IndyCar driver making His fulltime debut at Bahrain’s season finale.

 

With Pourchaire taking over for the outgoing Stoffel Vandoorne, who’s Peugeot contract expired after this year’s Fuji FIA World Endurance Championship round.

 

As Pourchaire will join Nick, Not David Cassidy as new Peugeot 9X8 Prototype Pilotes. Whilst scuttlebutt suggest that Vandoorne may become one of Hyundai’s Genesis Magma Racing Hypercar drivers…

 

Meanwhile, I enjoyed the article about Conor Daly’s efforts to remain with Juncos Hollinger Racing’s (JHR) IndyCar programme for 2026.

 

As Daly said He’s busy as always trying to procure the necessary sponsorship to remain in the seat. But the part that intrigued me most. Was Conor noting that He knows All of the other Playahs’ (drivers) trying to take His seat at JHR. Which is why He’s busy talking to everyone left with a potential IndyCar seat for next year.

 

With the number of available seats shrinking quickly. Since Sting Ray Robb’s manager Peter Rossi. Yes, that’s Alexander’s father, says that Robb is confirmed returning to JHR next year.

 

Meaning that just Dale Coyne’s two seats and one each at JHR, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing and Prema Racing are unconfirmed. Or at least they were when I hastily scribbled this Wayback’ in September…

 

As the worst kept secret was finally made official on Thursday, September 18th. That being David Malukas taking over the No. 12 Team Penske drive formerly occupied by will Power.

 

Whilst the rumoured appointment of Rinus VeeKay as Malukas’s replacement at A.J. Foyt enterprises was apparently “Fake News!” With Rinus no longer expected landing there.

 

Meaning you don’t have to be a rocket scientist to discern He’ll either land at Juncos Hollinger racing, (JHR) or Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing. (RLLR) With scuttlebutt suggesting it won’t be in the No. 30 Rahal entry…

 

So thars’ potentially still five seats in play, providing JHR does something “wild ‘n Crazy” and doesn’t take Sting Ray Robb’s suitcases of Greenbacks’. While perhaps Coyne has surprised us all by already naming one of His drivers? 

Staring into the Abyss

    

        

No Fenders Head Scribe Tomaso contemplating “Creation” whilst staring out at the endless Pacific Ocean. (The Tomaso Collection)

 

Although why did that title and corresponding caption make me think of the following long forgotten Rush song lyrics, Eh?

 

“When the ebbing tide retreats, Along the rocky Shoreline, It leaves a trail of Tidal pools, In a short lived Galaxy, Each Microcosmic Planet, A complete Society”.

 

“A simple kind Mirror, To reflect upon our own, All the busy little Creatures, Chasing out their Destinies, Living in the Pools, They soon forget about the Sea”…

 

VIDEO: Natural Science

 

For those who don’t know, today is Doomsday for Microsoft supporting its Windows 10 operating system, which I prefer calling Windoughz’. Since even though without it, and its Accessibility functions I wouldn’t be able to scribble this No Fenders blog or anything electronically.

 

Yet that said, Windouhz’ definitely has its Quirks like everything in the Universe…

 

“This is the Movie about the Screenplay

Of the book about the Girl who meets a Junkie

She plays Guitar in the Bathroom

While the Police dust Her Mother’s Plastic flowers

 

Hey, let’s party

Let’s turn the radio on

This is a Meltdown

 

Get out the Camera

Take a picture

The Drag Queens and Freaks

Are All out on the Town

 

There goes the Neighbourhood!”

 

VIDEO: There goes the Neighborhood

 

Look, I get it. If the Boffins at Microsoft, Google and whomever weren’t continuously modifying code and changing things. Then there wouldn’t be the need for so many IT Employees…

 

Yet as Geo. Phillips of Oilpressure fame. Ye Oldest IndyCar Blogger Vice Champion, and yes, that one’s just for you George, Hya! Uhm, what’s George’s mantra? Oh yeah, Change is Bad!

 

Living in the world of Faux-netics’ and how “Zoey, the Princess Warrior!” My esteemed screen reader, but not by choice! Naturally I’m continuously subjugated to the myriad of these countless Boffins coding changes! And that’s before we even get to the euphoria of having to learn a new operating system and its inherit Quirks, Shite!

 

As I could prattle on about All of these annoying changes, Hey, Wake Up, let’s Party!

 

But instead I’ll just leave you with two of the latest pitfalls, which may or may not have finally been rectified?

 

First, the most egregious is RACER failing to make their website accessible for the Blind and Visually Impaired by not following the latest WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) standards, enabling my screen reader to read their page!

 

Next, Google’s Blogger platform I use for scribbling this dearth of riveting No Fenders content. Decided to inexplicably turn various names and places upon my posts into unasked for Hyperlinks, WTF! Having first experienced this upon thoust No Fenders Birthday shoutout, 19 Gory years later since I first began blogging, say what? As knock this Shite Off you Bastardoes!

 

For which I’ve got zero clue if Blogger’s still doing this? Leaving me a bit skitterish about posting anything new. Since I didn’t Gory ask for this change, Capiche!

 

As not only is Change Bad! But “Drugs are Bad, Ok?” Yuhs Hear! And if you keep making these unwanted FUBAR’s. Then like ‘Ol Commander Cody croons. “You’re gona drive me to Drinkin’, If you Don’t stop Drivin’ that Hot Rod Lincoln!”

 

All of which is a typical, eloquently long winded way of Tomaso saying No Fenders Blog posting will be scattered intermittingly, whilst learning the pitfalls of Windoughz’ 11 after Ye Confuzer’ gets upgraded and the Arse-simulation can begin, Sheisa! And remember Y’all,

 

DRUGS ARE BAD, OK?

 

Partial song lyrics from: Rush’s Natural Science; Permanent Waves Album, 1980. And Sherl Crow’s There goes the Neighborhood; The Globe Sessions Album, 1998. 

ATTRACTIONS: Aviation Museums

Wing Walking from the Raisin State to the Big Apple and beyond. With two iconic U.S. Navy Aircraft carriers leading the way!

 

Just a very Short list of some interesting sounding Museums I've Gleamed Thar’ Names over thou past Decade's plus scribbblin' No Fenders from Near and Afar. But by no means complete…

 

ARIZONA

Pima Air and Space Museum

Location: Tucson

Located in the Dry Desert Climes 'O Tucson, this museum features the largest array of military and civilian aircraft parked outside in the Desert sun. The museum features multiple displays including an X-15 Rocket ship plus a vast collection of Vietnam-era Jet Fighters, etc. Basking outside, with one of America's largest Aviation "Boneyards," nee Davis-Monthan AFB nearby.

 

North American X-15 A-2 Mockup

 

Museum website

https://pimaair.org/

 

CALIFORNIA

Planes of Fame Museum

Location: Chino

Have “read”, Err heard about this museo’ many Moons ago, albeit I always thought it was simply the Warbirds museum instead.

 

Reportedly the museum houses some 160 Aeroplanes of various vintage. From the early 1900’s and through the “golden” age of the 1920-30’s. Whilst the World War II Fighters, nee Warbirds are naturally the centerpiece of their exhibit.

 

Whilst there’s also Jet aircraft from the Korean and Vietnam wars, plus several test aircraft, wit a total of some 35 actual flying aircraft! Many of which fly around the nation for various events…

 

Museum website

https://planesoffame.org/

 

USS Hornet Museum

Location: Alameda

Totally stumbled into this by accident when searching for the other Aircraft Carrier museo located in New York Me Thinks?

 

The USS Hornet served through World War II up to being the recovery “vehicle” for the Apollo 11 and 12 Astronauts. The first four men to step upon the Moon.

 

Apparently you can wander the Aircraft carrier inside and out, i.e.; first, second and main decks. With various aircraft, i.e.; F/A-18 Hornet, TBF Avenger and Sea King Helicopter, to name just a few.

 

Sounds like a very Cool museum to visit whenever in the Bay area and needing something “different” to do…

 

Museum website

https://uss-hornet.org/

 

FLORIDA

Naval Aviation Museum

Location: Pensacola

Discovered this vicariously when briefly reading about the unknown USS Hornet museo above. As they claim to have on loan from the U.S. Naval Aviation museum an F/A-18 Hornet.

 

Although “I Know Nothing” Herr Schulz! About this museum. Believe its home to the legednous’ U.S. Navy’s Blue Angles, arguably the top Bananas of Seattle’s yearly Seafair weekend…

 

Museum website

https://navalaviationmuseum.org/

 

NEW YORK

Glenn H. Curtiss Aviation museum

Location: Hammondsport

This is a wonderful little museum tucked away in upstate New York that I had the pleasure of visiting in the Fall of 2007, aye Karumba!

 

Glen Curtiss is one of the pioneers of aviation, especially naval aviation and the museum features examples of motorcycles, aircraft and aircraft engines and is Definitely worth a Gander if you're in the area.

 

The Fastest Man on Earth

 

Museum website

https://glennhcurtissmuseum.org/

 

Intrepid Museum

Location: Pier 86, Manhattan

Ran across a story about the USS Intrepid Aircraft Carrier museum when perusing an Air & Space Museum article via my NFB Newsline for The Blind’s telephone service. Talking about the devastating effects the weather has upon the various aircraft aboard the Carrier’s main deck! As there’s various planes such as a F-14 Tomcat, a Lockeed A-12 Spyplane amongst others. As the website claims they’ve also got the Enterprise Space Shuttle and a Supersonic Concorde to boot. Not to mention a Cold War era Submarine nearby!  

 

The Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum

 

Museum website

https://intrepidmuseum.org/

 

WASHINGTON DC

Smithsonian Air and Space Museum

Location: Washington, DC

I've had the pleasure of visiting this Awesome museum twice that I can recollect, albeit the last time being over three decades ago, Crikeys!

 

As I can still vaguely recall the television Starship Enterprise's Transporter Room, which you could take your picture in. And the Starship’s bridge and Captain James T. Kirk’s “Commander’s” chair! Along with the Apollo 11 Lunar Landing Capsule module on display.

 

As this is arguably the Nation's Numero Uno, Premiere aviation Museum, and if ever in the Nation's Capitol, it's totally worth a visit, albeit a single day won't do justice to it!

 

Museum website

https://airandspace.si.edu/ 

ATTRACTIONS: Northwest Aviation Museums

Wings, Waves, a Spruce goose and a Concorde to Boot!

 

These are just a very few, small smattering of Aviation museums I know about, with a Waterpark thrown in for Fun!

 

WASHINGTON

Museum of Flight

Location: Seattle

If you’re an aviation buff, then this is definitely a must see, as it has an impressive collection of various era aircraft. With my personal favourite being the Lockeed YF-12A complete with drone hanging from the ceiling! This was the forbearer to the vaunted SR-71.

 

As it pains me to admit it was over three decades ago when I saw the YF-12A “spyplane” trucked into the museo on three separate semi-truck trailers, before reassembly. Which I Arse-sume still resides in the museum.

 

There was also an outstanding WWI & WWII wing along with an Airpark across the street (Marginal Way) containing a Concorde and Air Force 1 Presidential airplane that you can walk through. As the Air Force One Aeroplane was used by Ike’, aka Dwight D. Eisenhower and contained a pass-thru Doggie’ door. While it also served JFK, (Kennedy) LBJ’ )Linden Johnson) and “Tricky dick!” (Nixon)

 

While I believe these various Aeroplanes,  including a DeHavilland Concorde and Boeing 747SP, are housed underneath “Open air” roofing.

 

Having just discovered that there’s now 19 “Jumbo” Jets parked on static display in the Aviation Pavillion. Including the first Boeing 727, 737 and 747. Plus the only West coast Concorde and the aforementioned Boeing 707, the first jet powered Air Force One.

 

Museum of Flight: Aviation Pavillion

 

Whilst I’ll admit I haven’t been to the museo’ in decades, for which I believe its been massively renovated. Most notably now housing one of the surviving Space Shuttles, the lone Trainer. Being housed in the new Space wing, and celebrating its 60th Anniversary on September 13, 2025.

 

Museum Website

https://www.museumofflight.org/#main-content

 

Flying Heritage and Combat Armor Museum

Location: Everett

This excellent museo was initially founded by the late Paul Allen, co-founder of Microsoft. Being sold to Stuart Walton, grandson of Walmart founder Sam Walton in 2022…

 

The museum spans nine acres nearby Paine Field in three Hangars amassing 110,000 square feet, with 26 vintage Airplanes and some 30 Armoured Combat machinery on display.

 

The museum hosts the only flying Japanese Zero and Messerschmidt ME-262 Jet Fighter from WWII. As I believe it was vintage fighters from the museo that used to pass overhead during Seafair when I lived on the “flight-line”. As there’s nothing more symphonic then the sound of a vintage WWII fighter Aeroplane’s engine rumbling overhead!

 

Museum Website

https://flyingheritage.org/

 

Heritage Flight Museum

Location: Burlington

I first learned of this museo accidently when reading Robert Kurson’s excellent 2018 book Rocket Men: The Daring Odyssey of Apollo 8 and the Astronauts Who Made Man’s first Journey to the Moon. And that Astronaut William Anders had created this flying museum operating out of the Skagit Valley Airport.

 

Retired USAF major General William Anders is best known for taking the iconic Earthrise photograph during the 1968 Apollo 8 mission. The first Apollo mission to leave low Earth orbit and circle the Moon ten times.

 

Unfortunately Anders, at age 90, perished at the controls of His Beech A-45 in June, 2024. But the museum lives on. With several flying Aeroplanes. Including a P-51 Mustang, A6M2 Tora Zero; which perhaps I’ve Corfuzed above with the late Paul Allen’s exhibit? An A-1 Skyraider, MiG-21 and F-89 Scorpion to name just a few…

 

Museum Website

https://heritageflight.org/

 

OREGON

Western Antique Aeroplane Automobile Museum

Location: Hood River

Like I previously noted in my Northwest Automotive section. I first learned about the museo Wayback’ when reading an Smithsonian Air & Space magazine article, about a glider I’d never heard of before.

 

A Petrel’s Strange Journey

 

Best part of all about this museum is that they call themselves a living museum. Proclaiming that everything is restored to fully functioning status. Along with either being flown or driven!

 

Museum Website

https://waaamuseum.org/

 

Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum

Location: McMinnville

Having long known about this museo being the home of the legendous’ Spruce goose. I finally got the wonderful opportunity to visit it Wayback in Gory 2019! (Prior to COVID-19)

 

Having what essentially turned into a private tour by the two museum volunteers, proclaiming they’d never had a Blind person visit Messer Hughes “contraption” before.

 

AVIATION: My Long Awaited Trek to the Spruce Goose

 

Or Y’all may enjoy my book review upon Howard Hughes in the following No fenders tome…

 

When Howard Hughes Ruled the Roost

 

As I didn’t get the chance to peruse the other portion of the expansive museum’s other Aeroplanes and other items on exhibit. Reportedly still walking on clouds from my Spruce goose experience.

 

Whilst I was then able to vaguely “See” the F-15 Eagle fighter on static display outside as we departed. In memory of Michael Smith, who’s tragedy is a sad tale for another day…

 

Museum Website

https://www.evergreenmuseum.org/

 

Wings and Waves Waterpark

Location: McMinnville

Also read about this a long time ago, albeit don’t know the specifics. But I believe you slide thru an honest-to-goodness Boeing 747 Airplane’s fuselage! And something about it being a sixty foot drop? As its something different to try. Although reputedly not for the faint of Heart.

 

Museum Website

https://www.wingsandwaveswaterpark.com/