Tom Long of Benedict said that as a boy he built model airplanes and “always wanted to be a pilot.”
Long, a licensed flight instructor with an airline transport pilot license and a mechanic with an inspection authority grade, now owns a few 1940s- and ’50s-era planes, some in flying order and others in stages of restoration, which he does himself. He is especially proud of his World War II Valiant BT-13, a two-seat bomber trainer he purchased in 1998 and hauled on a trailer home from California. He then spent two years restoring it.
“I fly it all the time,” he said, mentioning that when he and his wife go on fly-in breakfast trips meeting up with other pilots who fly in their planes to a restaurant, his plane grabs people’s attention. If it was bought new it would be worth close to $1 million, he said.
“I’ve always wanted something similar,” so he said when he saw it in Trade-A-Plane magazine he inquired. “All the parts were there except the engine and propeller,” Long said, adding that he preferred to have a freshly overhauled engine anyway.
Long, who also owns an aircraft restoration business in New York with a friend, said he likes the old-style planes, especially the World War II models.
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If it was bought new it would be worth close to $1 million, he said.
ReplyDeleteTom Long's story is a vivid illustration of the passion and dedication that aviation enthusiasts bring to the world of vintage aircraft.
ReplyDeleteThe dedication of these aviation enthusiasts is truly inspiring! Reading about Tom Long meticulously restoring vintage aircraft reminds me of the choices we make in Bitlife, shaping our virtual lives.
ReplyDeleteIf it was bought new it would be worth close to $1 million, he said.
ReplyDeletegreat
ReplyDeleteThis is awesome! Keeping those vintage birds soaring is such a cool way to connect with history. Makes me think about how much passion goes into these projects. Speaking of fun, I've been using that "Love Tester" app lately for some quick laughs with friends – always a silly hit! How do you think the younger generation views these incredible efforts to preserve aviation history?
ReplyDeleteWhat an incredible story! Tom's dedication to preserving aviation history is truly inspiring. Restoring a WWII Valiant BT-13 for two years and then flying it regularly? That's commitment! I bet those fly-in breakfasts are amazing. It just goes to show, some passions, like those shared by Football Bros for the game, are just timeless.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great take on Drift Boss! I totally agree that the simplicity is its genius – it's amazing how much pressure those basic controls can generate. I've been getting a similar fix lately with a game called Drive Mad. It has that same "just one more try" addictive quality where you're constantly learning and pushing for that perfect run. The physics are so satisfyingly brutal when you mess up! What other games do you think manage to create such intense experiences with minimalist gameplay?
ReplyDeleteI once helped a friend rebuild a classic motorcycle. It was a rusty, dilapidated mess, much like a Crossy Road character after a bad collision. We spent countless hours sanding, painting, and replacing parts. The sheer joy of seeing it roar back to life, gleaming under the sun, felt incredibly similar to the pilot's pride in his Valiant BT-13.
ReplyDeleteWoah!!! This is so cool! It totally reminds me of how much fun I'm having with Melon Playground lately. I've been creating all sorts of crazy contraptions to see how they'd fly or crash with the physics, enjoying that total freedom. It's awesome to see someone like Tom keeping real history alive and soaring!
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