Bombers, Chicago Dogs, and Fighter Jets (Bowling Green, KY)

Last. Day. Of. Summer.
Bummer.

Might as well do something fun before the boys head back to school!

The Collings Foundation flew a B-17, B-24, and P-51 into town as part of their Wings of Freedom Tour, so we're headed to the Bowling Green - Warren County Regional Airport. Then we're gonna check out the Aviation Heritage Park. And in between we'll grab some grub at Big Al's.

I happen to be an excellent pilot [at home on the computer], but I don't know much about planes. So I'll keep the words to a minimum and let the links do the talking...

BWG

The obligatory Corvette or motorcycle pic that has nothing to do with nothing.
It's actually a Lamborghini this time, and Little Man was thrilled to see it in the airport parking lot.
"Look, Daddy! A real race car! That's a real race car!"
It's a real Countach at least, and it's a beauty.

Consolidated B-24 Liberator.
Over 18,000 were built.
Witchcraft is the only one still flying.

While certainly useful in WWII, if you've read Unbroken you know she was a finicky beast.
If you haven't read it, you should. Movie coming soon.
RIP, Louie.

B-24.
Brothers.

That's hard to read, so more info about this B-24 can be found here.

B-24.

B-24.

B-24.

Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress.

Nine-O-Nine is is one of only ten still flying.

More info on this B-17 here.

B-17.

B-17.

B-17.

B-17.
Brothers.

GoPro: so easy a four-year-old can do it.

Yeah, that four-year-old.

Planes are cool and all, but he loves the helicopters...

There's supposed to be a Mustang here, but it isn't here.

It's over there!
It flew in while we were arriving. That was quite the sight.
More info on this P-51 here.

P-51.

Betty Jane.

Betty Jane.
Thanks to the Collings Foundation for bringing their Flying Museum to town!

Time for a segue...
This T-38 Talon is currently sitting on the airport tarmac, but is destined for the Aviation Heritage Park.

T-38.
More info on Terry Wilcutt's plane here.

NASA T-38 Talon.

Big Al's Chicago

Lunch time!
It turns out that Big Al is actually a dude named Mark.

FLASHBACK: I happened to stumble upon this place on the first day of their soft opening.
It instantly became one of our favorite lunch destinations in BG.
The Chicago Dog is spot on.

FLASHBACK: My Chicago friends say the Italian Beef is the real deal, too.
I just know it's darn good.

FLASHBACK: Gyro.

Big Al's.
One order of fries is enough for three.

Big Al's Chili Cheese Dog.

Big Al's Chicago Dog.
Still as good as it was on opening day.

Aviation Heritage Park

This unused corner of Basil Griffin Park has been turned into a place to honor the service of local pilots, astronauts, and their machines.

Aviation Heritage Park.

Dan Cherry's McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom.

F-4.

F-4.

F-4.

Russell Dougherty's Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star.

T-33.

T-33.

T-33.

T-33.

John Magda's Grumman F9F Panther.

F9F.

F9F.

F9F.

Arnie Franklin's General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark.

F-111.

F-111.

F-111.

F-111.

F-111.

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