Another SW Oklahoma day trip, 914 style Options

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Its another relatively clear day here in SW Oklahoma, very windy and still a bit too chilly to go topless. I'm headed to Frederick, the Tillman county seat, for a work day. Its the first day of class for the Airborne Demonstration Team. We need to change the batteries in the airplane, pre-oil and test fly.

On the way, here is one way people earn a living around here - dry land wheat farming. We have had several years of drought and a poor wheat crop. Most of it has been baled and we haven't seen the combine crews thru here in 3 years. But there has been good moisture this Fall and the farmers can make a decent return by grazing the wheat fields in the Fall and Winter. If there is good moisture in the Spring, there will be a good crop. If not, it will be another year of baled wheat.

[eyesright]

Inside the hanger, things are hopping. You can see the 1940's version of ATV's. In the background you can see the work begun on the 2nd C-47 (actually it would be a C-49 since it is a converted DC-3 with Wright engines.)





And here's the run up. You think your 914 is bad? These things smoke, rattle and knock like crazy till they get oil pressure built up and the fuel and oil cleared from the cold cylinders. The camera stopped the action but the #2 (right) engine is running and already cleared out. The #1 (left ) has just started and the smoke is choking if you are behind it.