I recall my parents packing a picnic dinner, and our family of 4 kids (then) would pile into a '57 Chevy Nomad wagon and go park at the end of the runway and have picnic dinner. There were times we'd go up on the observation deck too, and watch planes for hours. Great memories. Thanks for the video!
Thanks for the video. Lived in the 4400 block of West End from 1958 to 1963. If I had $1 for every 4 engine prop liner I saw flying overheard and heard, flying from or to Midway, I would have a few bucks! The engines were music to the ears and had the distinct drone sound typical of their size. A memorable childhood time because after we moved it ceased to happen for me. Actually got a short tower tour from the owner of Chicago Helicopter in 1979. I imagine those are no longer possible these days.
Grew up living at 4611 So. California Ave. From 1955 to 1971. Watching 707s going to Midway on final approach. Flew right over the house about 1000 feet descending. Sometimes I would have dad's binoculars to try and see into the cockpit.
Thanks for the interesting Video, it was great to see Buck Hilbert commentating during it, I flew planes from his private airport "The Funny Farm" for many years.
Good to hear from you Corey. I have a video posted of Buck's estate auction if you're interested. Maybe you were there. I personally found the whole thing rather upsetting. I kept wanting to tell people that Buck would not appreciate them touching his treasures.
Thanks for the note back I would appreciate seeing the video, I agree with you he had many treasures there and he would have been unsettled; he was a very meticulous man and all of the things he had there could tell a story. I wasn't able to be there at that time because I had already been relocated to Goodyear, Az. for a year by that time, I did keep in touch with him on the telephone often before he passed away and our last talk was a very good one. Estate Sales bother me in general because it means someone died; but this one have bothered me more, a lot of good memories at the Funny Farm though!
Here is the auction video: vimeo.com/192578387 I wonder what happened with his runways. I imagine they're gone. As you can see, I bought the green propeller which hung on the wall in his man-cave, his parking meter, and a nifty little aluminum prop.
Sounds great to have to those items, Buck gave me some memorabilia from his United Airlines days, UAL insignia, a men's toiletry kit that the airlines used to give away and some UAL cutlery, his UAL business card, etc. I also have a signed photo from the time he flew the Varney Air Lines Swallow Air Mail Plane for United on his publicity tour, it hangs in my office by the desk. And lots of Great memories! I bet if we were to talk we'd have a Great time reminiscing about Buck. My kids grew up swimming in his farm pond and hanging out at the Farm. I've already told my kids that they are to divide my possessions amongst thereselves when I die and to throw the rest away, no Estate Auction with people picking over my possessions. I have a VHS tape here on the history of UAL and Charles Kuralt from ABC News is interviewing Buck at the Farm on UAL's history, I need to get it converted to a DVD someday.
I remember the first time flying into Midway in the mid 1980's. I thought we were going to land on top of the homes nearby. I remember the gated areas being on ground level. Or am wrong? I thought they had jetways though but maybe not at that time.
The 1948-2001 terminal had only ground level gates. Its concourses were replaced in 1967, still at ground level. Small jet bridges, accessed by interior stairways, were added in 1984.
I recall my parents packing a picnic dinner, and our family of 4 kids (then) would pile into a '57 Chevy Nomad wagon and go park at the end of the runway and have picnic dinner. There were times we'd go up on the observation deck too, and watch planes for hours. Great memories. Thanks for the video!
Thank you for sharing this airport here in Chicago. This was and still is nice!!!!
Thanks for the video. Lived in the 4400 block of West End from 1958 to 1963. If I had $1 for every 4 engine prop liner I saw flying overheard and heard, flying from or to Midway, I would have a few bucks! The engines were music to the ears and had the distinct drone sound typical of their size. A memorable childhood time because after we moved it ceased to happen for me. Actually got a short tower tour from the owner of Chicago Helicopter in 1979. I imagine those are no longer possible these days.
"They came all the way from Oak Park..."
LOL!
Excellent video! Lots to learn here. Thanks for posting. Wish I was around then.
Grew up living at 4611 So. California Ave. From 1955 to 1971. Watching 707s going to Midway on final approach. Flew right over the house about 1000 feet descending. Sometimes I would have dad's binoculars to try and see into the cockpit.
From 1964 onward, the jets were 727s, 737s and DC-9s. Only very rarely did 707s go into Midway because of runway and obstruction limitations.
As late as 3 years ago, i flew out of Midway. It is less congested, and there is a wide choice of destinations.
As a former ATA exec, I enjoyed this video featuring MDW very much.
My brother was a captain for ATA up to the time that airline went under.
Thanks for this upload, do you have any other episodes of Chicago Stories?
Thanks for the interesting Video, it was great to see Buck Hilbert commentating during it, I flew planes from his private airport "The Funny Farm" for many years.
Good to hear from you Corey. I have a video posted of Buck's estate auction if you're interested. Maybe you were there. I personally found the whole thing rather upsetting. I kept wanting to tell people that Buck would not appreciate them touching his treasures.
Thanks for the note back I would appreciate seeing the video, I agree with you he had many treasures there and he would have been unsettled; he was a very meticulous man and all of the things he had there could tell a story. I wasn't able to be there at that time because I had already been relocated to Goodyear, Az. for a year by that time, I did keep in touch with him on the telephone often before he passed away and our last talk was a very good one. Estate Sales bother me in general because it means someone died; but this one have bothered me more, a lot of good memories at the Funny Farm though!
Here is the auction video: vimeo.com/192578387 I wonder what happened with his runways. I imagine they're gone. As you can see, I bought the green propeller which hung on the wall in his man-cave, his parking meter, and a nifty little aluminum prop.
Sounds great to have to those items, Buck gave me some memorabilia from his United Airlines days, UAL insignia, a men's toiletry kit that the airlines used to give away and some UAL cutlery, his UAL business card, etc. I also have a signed photo from the time he flew the Varney Air Lines Swallow Air Mail Plane for United on his publicity tour, it hangs in my office by the desk. And lots of Great memories! I bet if we were to talk we'd have a Great time reminiscing about Buck. My kids grew up swimming in his farm pond and hanging out at the Farm. I've already told my kids that they are to divide my possessions amongst thereselves when I die and to throw the rest away, no Estate Auction with people picking over my possessions. I have a VHS tape here on the history of UAL and Charles Kuralt from ABC News is interviewing Buck at the Farm on UAL's history, I need to get it converted to a DVD someday.
This was very interesting, thanks for sharing!
I remember the first time flying into Midway in the mid 1980's. I thought we were going to land on top of the homes nearby. I remember the gated areas being on ground level. Or am wrong? I thought they had jetways though but maybe not at that time.
Jetways showed up in early 1984.
The 1948-2001 terminal had only ground level gates. Its concourses were replaced in 1967, still at ground level. Small jet bridges, accessed by interior stairways, were added in 1984.
there was a helecopter ride from migs to midway too
Nice I've lived in Midway all my life..