Sam, I got to see Bud and Chuck Yeager fly at the Nellis AFB 50th anniversary of the US Air Force airshow in 1997. I was still in the Air Force and flew a Beechjet T-1A trainer in for the show. Bud Anderson and Chuck Yeager flew borrowed P-51D Mustangs painted in their own WWII markings and it was really something to see and even more to comprehend.
I've also seen a recent photo of Bud Anderson flying a P-51 over his old base in England. I'll have to try and find that and post it. Think of it: flying your old fighter over your old base 60 years later. It boggles the mind.
Here's a couple photos of my buddy flying an F8F Bearcat near Chino, CA a couple of years ago. My buddy flies the Bearcat, that Mustang and a P-40 Warhawk for the owner, who is seen here flying the '51. The owner has a Spitfire XVI (high back) being restored in New Zealand and last I'd heard the Spit is still about a year away from its first flight. I've sat in the Bearcat, '51 and P-40 and it sends chills through you. One of these days I'll go for a ride but my kids are still under 10 and I don't want to risk my life just yet. The airplanes are very well-maintained but they're still 60 years old. I'll go up one of these days.
