tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13615032681723191692024-02-07T05:57:27.651-06:00Stories and Illustrations of combat airplanes, missiles and the people that flew themI talk to old combat pilots/crew, draw their airplanes and pass on whatever I've learned. ©2008 - 2023 John MollisonJSMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11887081006253101167noreply@blogger.comBlogger307125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1361503268172319169.post-89482569287767037162023-12-31T13:03:00.015-06:002024-01-01T15:22:06.622-06:00Profile 171: Bell P-39Q as flown by BG Clarence "Bud" Anderson, 357th FG<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqOSdeM0Qiuftkx8xkVIJ3LDGZSgQtxnXRXc1qFoBWWW0npDVNB4wdTteMGxOJSmPa1yXAwxxTlihAFV1q-ipIaHr2fFTCrsj6cwVcPug_Ny1VFqO7nk8kBtCzoqsQcyAk8P7yRilE3YPFcCzX6RtzX2dDYEU1Stt9CCc_MouM2b_-fSHwFLSP-QeiGI0/s861/Screenshot%202024-01-01%20at%203.08.40%E2%80%AFPM%20copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="594" data-original-width="861" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqOSdeM0Qiuftkx8xkVIJ3LDGZSgQtxnXRXc1qFoBWWW0npDVNB4wdTteMGxOJSmPa1yXAwxxTlihAFV1q-ipIaHr2fFTCrsj6cwVcPug_Ny1VFqO7nk8kBtCzoqsQcyAk8P7yRilE3YPFcCzX6RtzX2dDYEU1Stt9CCc_MouM2b_-fSHwFLSP-QeiGI0/s320/Screenshot%202024-01-01%20at%203.08.40%E2%80%AFPM%20copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p>Finished — the Bell P-39Q as flown by BG Clarence "Bud" Anderson.</p><p>And, a 2024 salute for all!</p><p>But before that...</p><p>*break break*</p><p>The superlatives and legend that surround this man will have to come at a later date; I've been wondering how to express gratitude for Bud's example for YEARS and I'm not much closer to getting the words right than I was nearly twenty five years ago.</p><p>But suffice it to state, Bud represents - for many, many - the palpable, personification of the word "Great."</p><p>Have another look at the "Airacobra" above.</p><p>Bud never took it into combat (it'd likely have been shot out from under him in the high-pressure, high altitude skies of WWII Europe). Instead, Bud flew it stateside, learning the skills and acumen required to Represent against Hitler's vision.</p><p>Evidently, Bud passed his training. If you're a History Geek, you know. If not, this will suffice: when the proof of the putting arrived, he became a 'triple ace' with 16.25 victories. He also established himself as able to lead others in mortal peril. Later, he became a test pilot, author, speaker, General... </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjPoSnZ2-_Dfs3PF5E7OQ78jKVFmi_E9TjSO3oJLbzk01mkWDE2UW3Q09wy8l09cRGVPuiy_pjcK-Bc_UeSObpqMK5a58XLPCINPbEwz2oqiV5J7hHX9guqsxwxFyMF4StdYPXySNF8LQRuNctAhoUb9nwmfPjMFXN8EueT7bFNwmE2y0_LmPCXauoUXvM" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="852" data-original-width="1268" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjPoSnZ2-_Dfs3PF5E7OQ78jKVFmi_E9TjSO3oJLbzk01mkWDE2UW3Q09wy8l09cRGVPuiy_pjcK-Bc_UeSObpqMK5a58XLPCINPbEwz2oqiV5J7hHX9guqsxwxFyMF4StdYPXySNF8LQRuNctAhoUb9nwmfPjMFXN8EueT7bFNwmE2y0_LmPCXauoUXvM" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Bud and his P-39Q. And his 1939 Ford.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Courtesy: <a href="http://ToFlyAndFight.com">ToFlyAndFight.com</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(Buy the book).</span></div><p></p><p>But back to 2024.</p><p>For me, I've learned incalculably powerful lessons in leadership, excellence, humility and potential through my introduction to Bud. </p><p>Frankly, it's changed my life in challenging, wonderful ways! But not without some sacrifice — a few years ago, a noted business leader remarked, "You know, your (interviewing old combat vets) has rendered you unemployable. You've seen a higher standard than most. Can you live up to that?"</p><p>My reply, "We'll see."</p><p>On that note - a salute for 2024!</p><p>(raises coffee cup)</p><p><b style="background-color: #eeeeee;">"To the impending greatness of 2024 - of example, of inspiration and of enough power that one day, WE get to do the same for the generations to come!"</b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><i style="background-color: #eeeeee;">And achieve something Great for ourselves in the process, too.</i></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_bMfbQ-qR6KtwHbXSPamCo-r542ltFDtOKmh0d2nUJs9cEuQTQNjbYwzjV3sH6Jff3ZltsUxKpbRXNAfTlxx9vrEuDMV26Cr7vGubOH5MzabXyKWuizumqs_RHQ2MkvegxM-KadgQgxulSx_Jygy0_Bl-z-cbqd6vgTVsykDg3XVCItrFiNWQUfJ260g/s2880/Air_Force_Chief_of_Staff_Gen._CQ._Brown,_Jr._administers_the_reaffirmation_of_the_oath_of_office_to_retired_Brig._Gen._Clarence_E._%E2%80%9CBud%E2%80%9D_Anderson,_during_a_ceremony_promoting_Anderson_to_the_rank_of_brigadier_general_(2022).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="2880" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_bMfbQ-qR6KtwHbXSPamCo-r542ltFDtOKmh0d2nUJs9cEuQTQNjbYwzjV3sH6Jff3ZltsUxKpbRXNAfTlxx9vrEuDMV26Cr7vGubOH5MzabXyKWuizumqs_RHQ2MkvegxM-KadgQgxulSx_Jygy0_Bl-z-cbqd6vgTVsykDg3XVCItrFiNWQUfJ260g/s320/Air_Force_Chief_of_Staff_Gen._CQ._Brown,_Jr._administers_the_reaffirmation_of_the_oath_of_office_to_retired_Brig._Gen._Clarence_E._%E2%80%9CBud%E2%80%9D_Anderson,_during_a_ceremony_promoting_Anderson_to_the_rank_of_brigadier_general_(2022).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Bud, c. December, 2022 receiving his BG star.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Photo: USAF</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>NOTE: Very soon, prints will be made, Bud will sign them and the <a href="https://www.dfcsociety.org" target="_blank">Distinguished Flying Cross Society</a> will have them available to (presumably) frame and hang on a wall. </p><p><br /></p>JSMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11887081006253101167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1361503268172319169.post-75201929956768187632023-12-25T13:53:00.006-06:002023-12-31T15:30:44.898-06:00UPDATE - Profile 171: Bell P-39Q as flown by a great American<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqVfjfxYTgRuem1cOBMdenrFjrq5Bkg5vwzznZoff8GQ4s6WzPs3auRhssFumN8G1XjQKZ_BjhsBjLafm3WGHz7mHnjCehH9O9qr1COSSulFFUIyhNRrEqATBJHPJj6wACztvxqrIzH5ruvZB6mtqQA809UJJXYEA_spP_rFkbzZYlcrjaNNE3-5Zu0FE/s2568/Screenshot%202023-12-25%20at%203.28.34%E2%80%AFPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1754" data-original-width="2568" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqVfjfxYTgRuem1cOBMdenrFjrq5Bkg5vwzznZoff8GQ4s6WzPs3auRhssFumN8G1XjQKZ_BjhsBjLafm3WGHz7mHnjCehH9O9qr1COSSulFFUIyhNRrEqATBJHPJj6wACztvxqrIzH5ruvZB6mtqQA809UJJXYEA_spP_rFkbzZYlcrjaNNE3-5Zu0FE/s320/Screenshot%202023-12-25%20at%203.28.34%E2%80%AFPM.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div><p></p><p>CHRISTMAS PRESENT TO ME!</p><p>Thanks to our full-house of guests for letting me "go into my hole" to work on the P-39Q. (See previous blog post for more context).</p><p>I'll be brief.</p><p>For one, the numbering on the nose is remarkably crude; one would think that the lines would have been stenciled precisely but they're really not. So, I've been channeling my inner "1943 USAAF line crewman" and painting with appropriate imprecision. </p><p>You can see for yourself from an actual photo of the Airacobra in question</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiynbZU6lleCZ6BoDAeA_4UUX5Di87wFzMRVidM-UTrq4iqtdJfLKdNqb-0IMR6YMPchIFJVI_o36qrMVk1vJOnBcu7MIcBTAwIVsLojx6Q8kq-mht2PoX2nOE0ob8w4Z_zkX5rJ3QWB1ya92S2kWK_z-MxYvsY33nP3F005MpR6BCQDa3P3Yb01RTtYe8/s1574/Screenshot%202023-12-25%20at%2012.37.03%E2%80%AFPM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1374" data-original-width="1574" height="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiynbZU6lleCZ6BoDAeA_4UUX5Di87wFzMRVidM-UTrq4iqtdJfLKdNqb-0IMR6YMPchIFJVI_o36qrMVk1vJOnBcu7MIcBTAwIVsLojx6Q8kq-mht2PoX2nOE0ob8w4Z_zkX5rJ3QWB1ya92S2kWK_z-MxYvsY33nP3F005MpR6BCQDa3P3Yb01RTtYe8/s320/Screenshot%202023-12-25%20at%2012.37.03%E2%80%AFPM.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>As was the tail (serial) numbers. They had a bit more uniformity, but that's as to be expected; the serial numbering went on as part of a manufacturing process, the nose numbers were done as assigned to units.</p><p>Notice too in the photo above how the red band looks 'black' - that's a quirk of black and white film; the band was actually red (but reproduces darkly in b/w processing). Of course, this bit of photographic alchemy can change pending type of photo paper, lighting, processing...</p><p>Back to work before I get hauled up for Holiday Poker. </p>JSMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11887081006253101167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1361503268172319169.post-70916307462300841212023-12-24T15:27:00.007-06:002023-12-31T15:30:35.378-06:00Profile 171: Bell P-39Q as flown by a great American.<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYaVxrF25eTHs8clMxJY8uxIKwZHSWujk6NwoWgkL8e13cW-j_ys05Tj60JBFGasqMuucIrQI__ynA9_Rs8YT0heuZ-iLmurFw6KPVLn-ngj5hSIn2QYK-bh1WE_Ma0HGpA13yl0eyEQxO4ybnFQV61XdQxEZqIRgbbIjn301bLuNQDIBYLqHTHdWF2KM/s2480/GreatP-39.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1652" data-original-width="2480" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYaVxrF25eTHs8clMxJY8uxIKwZHSWujk6NwoWgkL8e13cW-j_ys05Tj60JBFGasqMuucIrQI__ynA9_Rs8YT0heuZ-iLmurFw6KPVLn-ngj5hSIn2QYK-bh1WE_Ma0HGpA13yl0eyEQxO4ybnFQV61XdQxEZqIRgbbIjn301bLuNQDIBYLqHTHdWF2KM/s320/GreatP-39.png" width="320" /></a></div><p>Ever wonder what it means for someone/thing to be "great"?</p><p>Around where I live, "great" has some cultural implications — "great" is great unless it's <i>too</i> great, then it needs to be knocked down a notch; this is the upper-midwest way of keeping people from getting too big for their britches. Keeping ego's in check is good. But as a regular practice, this aspect of "Minnesota Nice" can also be castrating.</p><p>Maybe 'great' means something from the past — acts and behaviors of legend; this kind of greatness has emotional truthiness to it, but as all history is comprised of people, as the wife of one highly decorated warrior warned me, "Be careful of your heroes. They're all people and they all have people problems. Sometimes you don't want to know."</p><p>(Another topic for another day).</p><p>Maybe 'great' is a hope for someone better to come along — someone who represents the filling of present deficits and the ability to elevate the rest. Gentle reminder (in the spirit of this Christmas Eve) — "the last perfect person was nailed to a cross."</p><p>As a history geek, I've become very careful of any use of the word, "great." </p><p>Have a look above — it's the beginning of a Bell P-39Q "Airacobra." </p><p>For the uninformed, the Airacobra is an airplane of mixed reputation. Very few aviation buffs will call the P-39 a 'great' combat aircraft. True enough, the airplane had a narrow envelope of success — down low (under 10,000ft), with lots of physical energy (i.e. speed), the P-39 could bring its terrific firepower (4 x .50 cal + 1 x 37mm) to bear and be utterly devastating to an unfortunately placed ground or aerial foe. Outside of that precisely prescribed envelope, the P-39 was bested by more maneuverable, more powerful and more dynamically optioned enemies.</p><p>Nope. The P-39 was <u>not</u> great.</p><p>But that didn't stop a WWII pilot from using it to learn his craft, excel in work, triumph in leadership, prove his character over time... and thus inspire many, many thousands to be <i>better</i>. </p><p>That's pretty <b>great</b>, don't you think?</p><p>Stay tuned.*</p><p>Oh... and I'm going to ask him one more question, too.</p><p>OH! And if you're piqued by the lack of information on why the P-39 wasn't so 'great,' please. Click <a href="https://toflyandfight.com/advanced-fighter-training-in-bells-p-39-airacobra/" target="_blank">Here</a> and read WWII Veteran, USAAF Master Sgt and fantastic writer, Merle Olmstead's review.</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja8agHZxNtMu8bw4OalrZ7Zm7Z8shAY51cQEJiXKC45VSBKnKUQUKDAsYJV2Pb8Va0dWt2AKQGbXJRRpTfdyp7qGhMdW8FMk57jpYzkr54ZQZPkUyaKwhVI8cMwm6UW3YMphyI9Wf4N_1Wa6IFtckf2FDmX_tSrOwSg3YRh09_nnL4RILs27MaCNw2Glk/s1800/39-1-scaled.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="816" data-original-width="1800" height="145" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja8agHZxNtMu8bw4OalrZ7Zm7Z8shAY51cQEJiXKC45VSBKnKUQUKDAsYJV2Pb8Va0dWt2AKQGbXJRRpTfdyp7qGhMdW8FMk57jpYzkr54ZQZPkUyaKwhVI8cMwm6UW3YMphyI9Wf4N_1Wa6IFtckf2FDmX_tSrOwSg3YRh09_nnL4RILs27MaCNw2Glk/s320/39-1-scaled.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />P-39s in training, in flight. Photo: Stubby Gambill, courtesy "<a href="https://toflyandfight.com" target="_blank">To Fly and Fight</a>."</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><i>*(from one reader). "Geez, John You have so many stay-tuned stories, when are you going to finish them?!" In time. And it'll be great, too)</i></p><p><br /></p>JSMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11887081006253101167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1361503268172319169.post-7025714222644259372023-11-20T16:10:00.002-06:002023-11-20T20:36:34.614-06:00UPDATE: Profile 170: Bell AH-1G "Cobra" as flown by Michael O'Neil, F Troop 1/9 Cav<p style="font-family: Times; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 16px; min-height: 19px;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX7OPlpBrK5IijeGpkU968afSPa_ceOy5UTY_cPMN_2x5B84JWGepJRWztPLVCd0Op5Yg9vV10KzkJ6a56b-ovuO8wJ7s8uQDgwUm3ci_XkrW9wZOoroq524GfG22IeVSJHbcPZ-aqio6vqOmFWprmguHHW_Wee5IRGmy4S8c844BdZq4lWkeiahiMalI/s2546/Screenshot%202023-11-19%20at%209.24.12%E2%80%AFPM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1734" data-original-width="2546" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX7OPlpBrK5IijeGpkU968afSPa_ceOy5UTY_cPMN_2x5B84JWGepJRWztPLVCd0Op5Yg9vV10KzkJ6a56b-ovuO8wJ7s8uQDgwUm3ci_XkrW9wZOoroq524GfG22IeVSJHbcPZ-aqio6vqOmFWprmguHHW_Wee5IRGmy4S8c844BdZq4lWkeiahiMalI/s320/Screenshot%202023-11-19%20at%209.24.12%E2%80%AFPM.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p style="color: #0000e9; font-family: Times; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Times; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 16px; min-height: 19px;">Coming along!</p><p style="font-family: Times; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 16px;">I figure this will be the last post until Michael O’Neil’s AH-1G Cobra is finished (and his Distinguished Flying Cross mission told). Until then, a few things to note.</p><p style="font-family: Times; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 16px;">1. Michael asked me to depict his F-Troop 1/9 Cav Cobra with "Flechettes and the 20mm gun." Comparatively few Cobras came into the war with the 20mm, but you can immediately tell the ones that were by the characteristic bulge at the root of the helicopter's skids. This bulge housed the cannon’s 900 rounds of ammo.</p><p style="font-family: Times; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 16px;">The cannon was called the "M195" and very similar to the M61 "Vulcan" that made their way into fighter aircraft at the time. In case you aren’t aware, the Vulcan-series of guns were/are characterized by multiple barrels that were spun by electric motors to the effect of terrific rates of fire. Today’s Vulcans can spew lead at an astounding 6,000 rounds per minute.</p><p style="font-family: Times; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 16px;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8L9NTCdvbGKV0JK0W5EnPDPhl6B6ha7wh-Njd7_2pTlywXqT-rI-wus51h0CELDD8k50NOXYR1zhg0wqQtAI0wy0WINLnHCKfCLQIZD6-4OhKs5Tg_xiYjQXZCdjN2-_Sjt_Mvy_TYYKIKuQe48Fd9D9Ey5UcuQDT-YPl_cT-kT1aOQ4EQzyn_7zCp7g/s600/Gatling_gun.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="491" data-original-width="600" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8L9NTCdvbGKV0JK0W5EnPDPhl6B6ha7wh-Njd7_2pTlywXqT-rI-wus51h0CELDD8k50NOXYR1zhg0wqQtAI0wy0WINLnHCKfCLQIZD6-4OhKs5Tg_xiYjQXZCdjN2-_Sjt_Mvy_TYYKIKuQe48Fd9D9Ey5UcuQDT-YPl_cT-kT1aOQ4EQzyn_7zCp7g/s320/Gatling_gun.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">A <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gatling_gun" target="_blank">Gatling Gun</a>. Hand cranked, machine-gun terror circa 1862.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Somehow, someway, we've managed since then...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">©Wikipedia</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="font-family: Times; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 16px; min-height: 19px;">By the Vietnam War, the technology for rotational guns had been around for over a hundred years. In 1862, Richard Jordan Gatling created his arm-heaved “Gatling Gun.” It was one of the first projectile weapons that could truly be called a Machine Gun.</p><p style="font-family: Times; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 16px;">Nevertheless, all that rotational torque and explosive recoil extracts a terrific toll from an airframe, especially a lithe, slow helicopter. Thus, the M195 had shorter barrels (about a foot shorter) and had the rate of fire slowed as the gun’s power just too much at the faster rates of fire typically used in fixed-wing aircraft. </p><p style="font-family: Times; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 16px;">Michael: When the (20mm) would go off, it had a different sound. It was a low, deep 'bzzzzt' and it'd shake (the Cobra) so much, (the guy in front) would hold onto the canopy to keep it from flying open!</p><p style="font-family: Times; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 16px;">Me: Was there much of a drop? (In other words, was the 20mm a flat-shooting gun)</p><p style="font-family: Times; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 16px;">Michael: Oh yeah! I swear, I could put rounds in a window two clicks away. </p><p style="font-family: Times; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 16px;">Me: How was the recoil?</p><p style="font-family: Times; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 16px;">Michael: Oh boy... you'd have to make sure you had a short burst! From 120kts, a three second burst would slow us to 70kts. Then you'd stop and (the Cobra) would pick up speed again.</p><p style="font-family: Times; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 16px;">Me: Muzzle blast?</p><p style="font-family: Times; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 16px;">Michael: You know, I don't remember much other than a bright white streak, maybe three feet beyond the barrels.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEDByke35YJRvaGXVQhwcw2lOYGoFhPfMnCLmkOPiB1HN6_ZVBgDsmFDS6U_n1ZyiaSpUZxyS_O0ATfWORpZHEqI9qNKDKqJCEa0Rjs80pz9TMORR6UB1Al_HuWfPW8FcAodzk_UES0WCRWbIZ8goNFib3jeTUXVIAb-Pe7Kh5xg-QkTI0-3XaflsEhl8/s1752/Screenshot%202023-11-20%20at%207.47.26%E2%80%AFPM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1752" data-original-width="1328" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEDByke35YJRvaGXVQhwcw2lOYGoFhPfMnCLmkOPiB1HN6_ZVBgDsmFDS6U_n1ZyiaSpUZxyS_O0ATfWORpZHEqI9qNKDKqJCEa0Rjs80pz9TMORR6UB1Al_HuWfPW8FcAodzk_UES0WCRWbIZ8goNFib3jeTUXVIAb-Pe7Kh5xg-QkTI0-3XaflsEhl8/s320/Screenshot%202023-11-20%20at%207.47.26%E2%80%AFPM.png" width="243" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="font-family: Times; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">A comparison of a 20mm round and a 1.5" flechette.</p><p style="font-family: Times; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">My hands are tiny.</p><p style="font-family: Times; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Times; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 16px;">Me: Why did you want me to put Flechettes? (2.75" rockets so equipped with the small, nail-shaped devices)</p><p style="font-family: Times; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 16px;">Michael: It's just what we used. They were another powerful weapon, but better for getting targets under the triple-canopy (jungle foliage). </p><p style="font-family: Times; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 16px;">Me: So one was for precise targets, the other for general area targets.</p><p style="font-family: Times; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 16px;">Michael: Yes. Like an elephant.</p><p style="font-family: Times; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 16px;">Me: What?!</p><p style="font-family: Times; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 16px;">Michael: Yeah... I know (sighs). It's bad to kill an elephant. But the bad guys were riding the elephants. This was war. It was the job I was there for. I'd write it down as a five-ton truck. </p><p style="font-family: Times; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 16px;">Me: Because... that's what it was! (the North Vietnamese used elephants as both equipment haulers and construction equipment).</p><p style="font-family: Times; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 16px;">Michael: Yes. That's war. The bad guys used elephants to move large trees to make bunkers in the jungle along tree lines. They made good fortifications in war. I shot 3 bad guys that were using elephants to build fortifications.</p><p style="font-family: Times; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 16px;">Me: I’ve never experienced war. But I can only imagine that once it’s under way, it’s all or nothing.</p><p style="font-family: Times; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 16px;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVBsEkXESuuqSg-ILUu9tdmPyBhyphenhyphenpsYTEDZ3bnabVUHMTZ9PpCPa2ULGu5JrIq5oncSHOcs4g0ROm0w3YRkwVyKPfNqQqXqdevzbGH2NBxqG0bVCaRHtL01DrGjBE3ProFypQa_PRbrAP9sFCgcsGAi_QVhWdrgPghgcM-93jUNzE8AvnoPdH7SBQp7qU/s2894/Screenshot%202023-11-20%20at%207.42.29%E2%80%AFPM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1622" data-original-width="2894" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVBsEkXESuuqSg-ILUu9tdmPyBhyphenhyphenpsYTEDZ3bnabVUHMTZ9PpCPa2ULGu5JrIq5oncSHOcs4g0ROm0w3YRkwVyKPfNqQqXqdevzbGH2NBxqG0bVCaRHtL01DrGjBE3ProFypQa_PRbrAP9sFCgcsGAi_QVhWdrgPghgcM-93jUNzE8AvnoPdH7SBQp7qU/s320/Screenshot%202023-11-20%20at%207.42.29%E2%80%AFPM.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="font-family: Times; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">A graphic. It might be useful. It might not.</p><p style="font-family: Times; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">But I have to do graphics to get my head around things...</p><p style="font-family: Times; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Times; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Times; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 16px;">Michael: Exactly. I trained for two and a half years before I went into combat. Two and a half years. When I went (to Vietnam), I was ready. We all were ready. I didn't like the idea of killing elephants but if they're used in the fight...</p><p style="font-family: Times; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 16px;">Me: ...they're a target.</p><p style="font-family: Times; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 16px;">Michael: Yes. </p><p style="font-family: Times; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 16px;">Enough on this for now. More later.</p><p style="font-family: Times; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 16px;">Anyway.</p><p style="font-family: Times; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 16px;">2. The markings will likely be less than accurate as F Troop 1/9 Cav Cobras were an amalgam of brand new helicopters fresh 'in-country' and others from other squadrons. </p><p style="font-family: Times; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 16px;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Now, the reader needs to know Michael accumulated nearly 1300 combat hours and could have chosen any number of more 'well-known' Cobras for me to draw. He chose a 1/9 Cobra because the 1/9 was considered, in his words, "the tip of the spear." 1/9 was the only unit </span><i>authorized</i> to wear the Cavalry Hat.</p><p style="font-family: Times; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 16px;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0rF5zMkaHDzmk8_9J5wm4BUZQXfhLpoYUz2XVcoaUnIfv65m-T4gtvWM871nczOH8ifr9zB4fDzBZxKJWh7MtSfz3g18k7SLkX0IpMj2p_EPeZAlt13V1j3vhEoWr6VQmenUjwzD6HSllCjuQkqGkZyXEZWunyQIC3ZeQIVioWADWxPstu-Gue8jayyE/s887/Cav%20officer%20M.%20O'Neil.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="887" data-original-width="887" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0rF5zMkaHDzmk8_9J5wm4BUZQXfhLpoYUz2XVcoaUnIfv65m-T4gtvWM871nczOH8ifr9zB4fDzBZxKJWh7MtSfz3g18k7SLkX0IpMj2p_EPeZAlt13V1j3vhEoWr6VQmenUjwzD6HSllCjuQkqGkZyXEZWunyQIC3ZeQIVioWADWxPstu-Gue8jayyE/s320/Cav%20officer%20M.%20O'Neil.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">That's the "Cav Hat." That's also Michael O'Neil. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I showed this to a couple buddies of mine with Army cred and they whistled,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">"That's bad ass." I take their word for it.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Photo courtesy Michael O'Neil</span></div><p style="font-family: Times; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 16px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Times; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 16px;">That being stated, the Cobra I'm drawing will not carry some of the more exiting livery that other Cobras have worn. F Troop was organized for slightly less than six months, had a dozen or so pilots and details of helicopters attached to the unit are just not available as I’d like. To this point, most of F-Troop's Cobras were from D 229 (the Smiling Tigers) escort gun company. They formed the F Troop 1/9 (Provisional) from December 1970 to June of 1971.</p><p style="font-family: Times; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 16px;">Of course, if you have any holler... but do so quickly!</p><p style="font-family: Times; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 16px;">Regardless, LET IT BE KNOWN! Once time-travel is invented, we all can go back and find out what I got right and wrong. </p><p style="font-family: Times; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 16px;">3. The next post will be Michael's Cobra, finished and ready to represent the moment of Michael's DFC mission, awarded for action in Cambodia, 1 May 1970.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAdgl2KDH8YX69DhK0u5cOmhyphenhyphenNX4HZPYMWviwmQYu4AIK4ihTmy5kGrCGgU6tO7izYhobthTm56tCpm052sAv1k28-clOumuyNkz00YZQRl0A0JvnN_H9x6svEDG7QLDRclCOsbzBfWWpR3STLIHAab1sQcATkY_TV416sjoR8A1FG1pfIzskNP9Kzcl0/s1280/20MM%20gatling%20gun%20M.%20O'Neil.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="872" data-original-width="1280" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAdgl2KDH8YX69DhK0u5cOmhyphenhyphenNX4HZPYMWviwmQYu4AIK4ihTmy5kGrCGgU6tO7izYhobthTm56tCpm052sAv1k28-clOumuyNkz00YZQRl0A0JvnN_H9x6svEDG7QLDRclCOsbzBfWWpR3STLIHAab1sQcATkY_TV416sjoR8A1FG1pfIzskNP9Kzcl0/s320/20MM%20gatling%20gun%20M.%20O'Neil.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p style="font-family: Times; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Times; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Michael, with his arm on the Cobra's (somewhat) unique, 20mm cannon.</span></p><p style="font-family: Times; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Courtesy Michael O'Neil</span></p><p style="font-family: Times; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Times; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 16px;">Sigh.</p><p style="font-family: Times; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 16px;">Of the many interviews I've had over the years, Michael is among my favorites. For one, his personality is bright, sparkling; a man whose private life is every bit as interesting as his wartime service (you'll learn about that later).</p><p style="font-family: Times; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 16px;">He’s one of those men that, in a crowded room, people gravitate towards — firm handshakes, catching up on events and extending good cheer. At an event a few years ago, I discovered that we shared the same passion for interesting automobiles. He confided that, long ago, he wrecked an example of one of my dream wheels (a Maserati Mistral)… I was gut-punched!</p><p style="font-family: Times; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 16px;">Me: A MISTRAL!??! </p><p style="font-family: Times; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 16px;">Michael: Yeah, it was too bad. But… it’s just’ah cah. (Micheal has an east-coast accent).</p><p style="font-family: Times; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 16px;">Me: But DUDE! It’s… a <i>MISTRAL</i>!</p><p style="font-family: Times; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 16px;">Michael: (Laughs). Yeah! And it’s just…<i> A CAH!</i></p><p style="font-family: Times; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 16px;">And yeah, I agree. I'd rather meet people than a 'cah' any day... but *break break * ain't it gorgeous!? (picture below).</p><p style="font-family: Times; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 16px;">I digress.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDHa9kQiIL5GSpegvK7CzbM2cFp86epx3MUczrkRPrH5gj33ANgy52tIXf1NlS3gHEche5GlJFm4oqSxmufFymSvoc5H-miokPCE55C9fAcQF0sRTGAE6x-9mPU1pQnrMCEt4xFD-pgHJuO0rHDDWuCqm1mjcVrr-8PL5ZhXcubuGAcvRjk29HGZovzR8/s1800/1967_Maserati_Mistral_Coupe_4000_11_yzrijd.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1131" data-original-width="1800" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDHa9kQiIL5GSpegvK7CzbM2cFp86epx3MUczrkRPrH5gj33ANgy52tIXf1NlS3gHEche5GlJFm4oqSxmufFymSvoc5H-miokPCE55C9fAcQF0sRTGAE6x-9mPU1pQnrMCEt4xFD-pgHJuO0rHDDWuCqm1mjcVrr-8PL5ZhXcubuGAcvRjk29HGZovzR8/s320/1967_Maserati_Mistral_Coupe_4000_11_yzrijd.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maserati_Mistral" target="_blank">Mistral</a>. I'll start the fight; this is from when Maserati was <i>cool</i>.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">After the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maserati_Shamal" target="_blank">Shamal</a>, WTH HAPPENED?!!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">©<a href="https://www.goodingco.com/lot/1967-maserati-mistral-coupe/" target="_blank">Gooding</a></span></div><p style="font-family: Times; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 16px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Times; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 16px;">If I remember right, Michael gave me one of those paternal pats on the back and I changed the subject. A few minutes later, I took the picture below.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPvyiZaNMuVvhcmuvAJBis6qyZCm9eROx4f71y2MSSPxHxMkvoyZn9xVN8vSdj8WDkAd1ka7J9RPaE5gBtYRwFzbgrVMRFbFc9tG20QCNCrT0o0N7sX_J35VpNEXWhnOni97PjpuPhneMVpZUpaYsTd7Gq5W4SzgSH203IEboaA5Ml_K1ydw_6ouVyzBA/s4032/31FBACDC-3C81-4C5F-A207-0DD832B5132DIMG_8924.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPvyiZaNMuVvhcmuvAJBis6qyZCm9eROx4f71y2MSSPxHxMkvoyZn9xVN8vSdj8WDkAd1ka7J9RPaE5gBtYRwFzbgrVMRFbFc9tG20QCNCrT0o0N7sX_J35VpNEXWhnOni97PjpuPhneMVpZUpaYsTd7Gq5W4SzgSH203IEboaA5Ml_K1ydw_6ouVyzBA/s320/31FBACDC-3C81-4C5F-A207-0DD832B5132DIMG_8924.heic" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Micheal O'Neil at a military event; note the wings. IMO, of all the branches, ARMY wings look the coolest. Legit. </span><br /></div><br /><p style="font-family: Times; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 16px; min-height: 19px;">For those new to this blog, a caveat is in order — indeed, I’m a history geek who has deep affection for aviation and the stories that support it. I’m also a student of life, learning what makes people advance from <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birth,_School,_Work,_Death" target="_blank">birth, school, work, death</a>… and how the next generation can pick up the story without moving backward.</p><p style="font-family: Times; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 16px;">So, it’s Michael's 'transparency' that I find most compelling. He tells it like it is, like it was, warts and all and uncomplicated by a need to argue or sugar-coat something that really happened. My generation has grown up experiencing the idea that 'reality' is as much about feelings as it is about facts. To this end, there's a lot of truth in that alchemy; we all perceive things differently and those differences must be appreciated to get a greater understanding of <i>anything</i>.</p><p style="font-family: Times; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 16px;">Nevertheless, I get the impression most of us younger folk are more willing to accept the idea that an opinion, though real, is therefore… well… objectively <i>irrefutable</i>. Which of course, it is not. I might feel that the Vietnam War was a million years ago but it really wasn’t. And anything to be learned from the moment is likely relevant.</p><p style="font-family: Times; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 16px;">Again - (if there's a drum I pound, it's this one): if you know someone or get the chance to meet someone who has participated in a critical moment — peace, war, prosperity, poverty, whatever — take the risk and engage. Some day, all we will have is the recorded word and record of those that have gone before. </p><p style="font-family: Times; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 16px;">HISTORY IS NUTRITIOUS. </p><p style="font-family: Times; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 16px; min-height: 19px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Times; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 16px; min-height: 19px;"><br /></p>JSMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11887081006253101167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1361503268172319169.post-35896960396963577822023-11-12T16:21:00.005-06:002023-11-12T18:59:14.352-06:00Profile 170: Bell AH-1G "Cobra" as flown by Michael O'Neil, F Troop 1/9 Cav<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTs7Bnk_xuTh0xCRZv7qhihv_j2qfb3bnam0bNUjAggQfdR25RFm9Njd-BrwIiinNka448M7FrgNNAQwP87b1ZIzKWaAcQC2NWZo5YCo6ZLyiD8BTWXRm5NROoSzBOwSZDhRHzqYoyqiCF0bZptTMnAEifY3sz7noZoJjj-nsfvJn7le77FJqMbab9EL8/s1286/OneilCobra11-1223.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="862" data-original-width="1286" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTs7Bnk_xuTh0xCRZv7qhihv_j2qfb3bnam0bNUjAggQfdR25RFm9Njd-BrwIiinNka448M7FrgNNAQwP87b1ZIzKWaAcQC2NWZo5YCo6ZLyiD8BTWXRm5NROoSzBOwSZDhRHzqYoyqiCF0bZptTMnAEifY3sz7noZoJjj-nsfvJn7le77FJqMbab9EL8/s320/OneilCobra11-1223.png" width="320" /></a></div>Unmistakable.<p></p><p>Un-freaking-mistakable.</p><p>Behold — the work-in-progress of a Bell AH-1G "Cobra" attack helicopter, c. May 1970. I'm responding to a fairly crucial Commission; this bird's pilot, Michael O'Neil, is the knowing recipient but not "the commissioner."</p><p>Most times, there's a bit of 'surprise factor' in these kinds of projects. In this case, Michael knows all about it and is playing an important role in provenance, 'story,' and of course, the positive energy necessary to complete projects like this. </p><p>"Projects like this..."</p><p>Yeah. Projects that have virtually ZERO photographic reference. Except the one below. Gads, can you help?!?</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1SwXgwcciT__hdjpYf3at3Lu8gjoKBNBfEdB2fquOLmrjcb8eLx2ITR3UngTpDoTyCpu2e1Qdg9x7Oux1Auh1PA2e2CYxejrI_klO1dgzVfpCdllHiNcaAQVQLQ_pwEm48fjYziUVxi5LXK4X2jCAa62Ig6B80UlywvHu5zQshqioG1gLBOYHXUFjSAw/s800/F%20Trp%20ship%20old%20D229th.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="564" data-original-width="800" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1SwXgwcciT__hdjpYf3at3Lu8gjoKBNBfEdB2fquOLmrjcb8eLx2ITR3UngTpDoTyCpu2e1Qdg9x7Oux1Auh1PA2e2CYxejrI_klO1dgzVfpCdllHiNcaAQVQLQ_pwEm48fjYziUVxi5LXK4X2jCAa62Ig6B80UlywvHu5zQshqioG1gLBOYHXUFjSAw/s320/F%20Trp%20ship%20old%20D229th.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Michael O'Neil c. 1970, South Vietnam.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">He didn't get his DFC there, though. THAT happened in Cambodia.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><p>I'm totally serious. If you have any photos of an F-troop 1/9 Cav Cobra, holler. I can draw pentagons and 'letter Fs' all day long... and even get them in the right spot. But I know full well that Vietnam War Cobras were dolled up in livery variations of all sorts. The picture above is not terribly helpful for what the tail, nose would/should look like.</p><p>So, though the shape of the Cobra is unmistakable, the markings are (yet) somewhat of a mystery. </p><p>But Michael's 'story' isn't a mystery and he's happy to share it. </p><p>And I'm honored to be here in the middle.</p><p>Watch this space. I need to be done by Christmas.</p><p><br /></p>JSMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11887081006253101167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1361503268172319169.post-90198871806182736142023-11-04T10:49:00.034-05:002023-11-09T09:11:49.453-06:00Profile 169: Ryan AQM-34L as "Flown" by John Dale, 350th/99th SRS<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLj33Xv5JYsy7xoX6teVqpiqSbT-2J8NSXI0wB2UrOqYhpLfYWTYZICvKqvMS4vOY2bZpnuYtk3P_XDeAgzKiCUDhDQwbxKupMHVHK7RZU99O40H5tlyR4hp1f2fzzjdLdWqXmuf4ftzM608mFAUn5O_-GN47_GFSSwOkfRVlBLBpWDoth8qMKpTU0JsA/s1718/Screenshot%202023-10-22%20at%2012.47.13.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1194" data-original-width="1718" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLj33Xv5JYsy7xoX6teVqpiqSbT-2J8NSXI0wB2UrOqYhpLfYWTYZICvKqvMS4vOY2bZpnuYtk3P_XDeAgzKiCUDhDQwbxKupMHVHK7RZU99O40H5tlyR4hp1f2fzzjdLdWqXmuf4ftzM608mFAUn5O_-GN47_GFSSwOkfRVlBLBpWDoth8qMKpTU0JsA/s320/Screenshot%202023-10-22%20at%2012.47.13.png" width="320" /></a>`</span></div><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">"Drones? In Vietnam?!"</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">Maybe you're a total wing-nut and know all about this topic. But, let's say you're just like those sitting in an audience of highly distinguished Vietnam War aviators listening to John Dale give his primer on, "Drones. In Vietnam."</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">"Huh! I had no idea!" exclaimed one Army helicopter pilot. So too did a Marine fixed wing pilot. The bride of another Vietnam War aviator leaned over and whispered in her husband's ear, "did you know about these things when you were over there?!" Without breaking his focused attention on Dale's presentation, muttered (out of the corner of his mouth), "Nope."</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">However.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">A USAF aviator who'd served his time in Electronics Warfare clearly enjoyed the bewildered table banter and snarked, "That was the point! (Secrecy)"</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">Have a look above. It's a Ryan AQM-34L, an aerial reconnaissance drone, as it operated DECADES before the idea worked its way into the common vernacular. Of course, today's equivalent are more advanced. But in reality, the advance is not in form but function; they're not so much aircraft as they are aerial modems; judging by the modern version's ungainly aesthetics they look like modems, too.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc6kLAVA-JsdcC0lhnR_yCTu5RAGXyB9DIj09NP_eRvqNNthAVcW4nb6sGMWQ6e-kH1RUziklHvl_WasWK6CdDnl7zA5Xiz2WH8mhgR2Vk5KDOkUxxY_ADL2AdnzLQPL9HOc8Pk3E4uHBcTwVizaKZEDTlcivUY4EZqjgs_nbem_tC05-LAmxY3ZVX3ms/s1152/BelugaGobalAlienHawk.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1013" data-original-width="1152" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc6kLAVA-JsdcC0lhnR_yCTu5RAGXyB9DIj09NP_eRvqNNthAVcW4nb6sGMWQ6e-kH1RUziklHvl_WasWK6CdDnl7zA5Xiz2WH8mhgR2Vk5KDOkUxxY_ADL2AdnzLQPL9HOc8Pk3E4uHBcTwVizaKZEDTlcivUY4EZqjgs_nbem_tC05-LAmxY3ZVX3ms/s320/BelugaGobalAlienHawk.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span>The Northrop Grumman RQ-4 <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northrop_Grumman_RQ-4_Global_Hawk">Global Hawk</a>. The "Xenomorph" from the movie Alien </span><span>and a Beluga Whale. Coincidence? No idea, don't care. The point is, aeronautical engineers </span><span>crossed the rubicon of design years ago or they developed a strange sense of humor.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">For me, the AQM-34L is an exemplar of the airplane</span><span style="font-family: times;">-idea. It still looks like a proper combat aircraft and thereby evokes the proper combat aircraft's romance — sleek, fierce, purposeful. It's a warbird, for sure. And drawing this little beastie was pure craftwork; the shark-like lines come to life with such ease, I can draw them blindfolded (irony intended). </span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgjrFMUn82Gj4ju0Pvio8Xj-5AcJEaFCNphBEzIO7U4JbaVMIX0ntH77KWTI_K3V8TwLS07z3j1CZXtQjDH8meVyxV1xmr5pLvNqi9JKlOdzpOjforw88sRpD3OiJ8bWQCQcyngKWjgQshwWe-hwT1d2jUtgdJ7zkcBZzNA32wJ06SH7D3-BaBIHgQytE/s4032/IMG_0260.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgjrFMUn82Gj4ju0Pvio8Xj-5AcJEaFCNphBEzIO7U4JbaVMIX0ntH77KWTI_K3V8TwLS07z3j1CZXtQjDH8meVyxV1xmr5pLvNqi9JKlOdzpOjforw88sRpD3OiJ8bWQCQcyngKWjgQshwWe-hwT1d2jUtgdJ7zkcBZzNA32wJ06SH7D3-BaBIHgQytE/s320/IMG_0260.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">From my journal. It's a "Lightning Bug" that I've - for some reason - mislabeled.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Clearly, I was distracted by the innate Coolness of the thing...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">A little back-story is in order.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">The idea of unmanned, controlled flight goes back to the first time anyone ever built a hand-tossed glider with changeable control surfaces. Thus, it's no great feat to accept the idea that remotely controlled aircraft were conceived just a few years after the Wright Brothers flew their <i>manned</i> machine in 1903. In fact, during WWI, the British had their (top secret, of course) version flying in 1917. The next year, the Americans had <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kettering_Bug" target="_blank">theirs</a>. By the late 1930s, model airplane enthusiasts were busy buzzing the skies. By 1944, drones were so advanced, they were flying combat missions, controlled by television.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">"Television? In 1944?!"</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBk_VPJDjSxEjLWzl668GcS3WX-h6yMVTmH_yGl2dy_3FFO6urvI_xVZPwDgtzH7VQrVKTuu9s8yjgMuQW_njCSvdp-lteAJtHpd4RjDfqTpC796gTinYGH9Q-skUtTwxKi5UAUKTNROcOUfKdKvqiQthR6zTj0416iz6QBSmy7BHDmAZ33iXfdi2iVFw/s672/TDR.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="288" data-original-width="672" height="137" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBk_VPJDjSxEjLWzl668GcS3WX-h6yMVTmH_yGl2dy_3FFO6urvI_xVZPwDgtzH7VQrVKTuu9s8yjgMuQW_njCSvdp-lteAJtHpd4RjDfqTpC796gTinYGH9Q-skUtTwxKi5UAUKTNROcOUfKdKvqiQthR6zTj0416iz6QBSmy7BHDmAZ33iXfdi2iVFw/s320/TDR.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">This is the TDR-1. Don't believe me about the "TV-thing in WWII"? Click <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interstate_TDR" target="_blank">here</a>. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">Indeed. the Interstate TDR-1 saw combat use against Japanese shipping, controlled by TV from an appropriately equipped Grumman Avenger flying nearby. From then on the spectrum of possibilities afforded by remotely piloted vehicles was not only in-sight but within grasp.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;"> </span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">By the Vietnam War, drones were so common., well look again at my artwork; the things were getting their own <i>nose art</i>. </span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixJMhjRBIksiKQQONajiOlnj4siVWj4IgEx_kacOO7Z3Q18APtqqvsdNex929tVah2kPdYuujWxs9X3fZJtekA-zioae4oC-ARL7lOr0yqf4XNLFWBeZ7qSrTtD3hamvxBf7ZiC7Oi4r0iN8a2NndKHTsSVkpFP9GXfvWFxj-8eec-tytLk7Se_an-Izk/s4032/IMG_0082.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixJMhjRBIksiKQQONajiOlnj4siVWj4IgEx_kacOO7Z3Q18APtqqvsdNex929tVah2kPdYuujWxs9X3fZJtekA-zioae4oC-ARL7lOr0yqf4XNLFWBeZ7qSrTtD3hamvxBf7ZiC7Oi4r0iN8a2NndKHTsSVkpFP9GXfvWFxj-8eec-tytLk7Se_an-Izk/s320/IMG_0082.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span>One of the challenges in drawing "Tom Cat" was trying to figure out what the crude </span><span>line-art cat drawings mid-fuselage really looked like. These "Sharpie Studies" are based on a number of sources </span><span>from (former) Ryan Aircraft to other drone-fans around the world to photo forensics from John Dale's </span><span>personal collection. Which one is most accurate? Dunno.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">Back to the AQM-34L. </span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">The AQM series of drones were derived from Ryan Aircraft's "Firebee" aerial target, first flown in 1951. If the reader is so inclined to learn more, Firebees are typically orange-ish red, a color that helped identify it in aerial targeting, testing and recovery. The coloration is important because Firebees were largely flown over 'safe' territory - namely, the United States. As Firebees didn't typically land at normal airports, recovering one in the wild (so to speak) was much easier with the day-glo color screaming, "Find Me!"</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj86IlbJa3DqpgKH2vLoRjhxDVQxv8eryWWtZZ1r6PerficQTP_opehqvM3_B_9zQRJ6OSUW0m_6MFi6ZZBl0lrDGnCs4uMsEpl97bNOkNLmCkWo7FliJ3Dy2K0dJ3k3oryPFJX9j-NuweP-mJENEEY4PIzQq4TMeVrLl8ZWPXd6Gz4-GDHpB3w-EUgA8/s900/DSC_0241_LG.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj86IlbJa3DqpgKH2vLoRjhxDVQxv8eryWWtZZ1r6PerficQTP_opehqvM3_B_9zQRJ6OSUW0m_6MFi6ZZBl0lrDGnCs4uMsEpl97bNOkNLmCkWo7FliJ3Dy2K0dJ3k3oryPFJX9j-NuweP-mJENEEY4PIzQq4TMeVrLl8ZWPXd6Gz4-GDHpB3w-EUgA8/s320/DSC_0241_LG.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Nice picture of the Ryan "Firebee" courtesy of the <a href="https://ahtc360.org/ryan-bqm-34a-firebee/" target="_blank">Aviation History and Technology Center</a>.</span></div><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">Ten years later though, the Firebee was ready to go to war and that necessitated new ID. Now, as James Bond became 007, the Firebee became, "Model 147." But from here on out, I'll call them by the code name assigned to the practical application, "Lightning Bug."</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">Packed with suitably upgraded cameras, navigation and control technology, the Lightning Bug drones started working, in their high altitude role, in Southeast Asia (namely China). </span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">Dropped from a Lockheed Hercules variant called a DC-130*, the drones were set to fly their pre-programmed paths and do their work — photo recon, electronic recon... even dropping propaganda leaflets. Basically, the Lightning Bugs did everything except drop/deploy typical offensive weaponry like bombs or bullets (though they could). </span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">Over time – from 10 August 1964 to 30 April 1975** — thousands of sorties (over 3,400) were flown over just about anywhere it had the range (about 600 nautical miles for low alt, 2500 miles for high alt) and at all altitudes. Depending on the model, the Lightning Bugs could do their work from deck (100') to deep blue (75,000'). Typical altitudes, however were 500-2,500 feet AGL for low altitude sorties and above 65,000 for highs.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik8xpn21_B7tonBQOoTIE5liayTORuAsDiHYae4uLpeuvK5gZadmYHugF1Pw3WX-SyXuOP5po2XNigbQiThGSsO4hlLsbkLTwZSdp_oyPdX0IBhyphenhyphensFUq9Ld2Mc60WoZbhFQyQK2BOVEbLPlFiqIZB-LEccfdhA6hVeTrvj2l0P_jHeVz4TLnUy_VUAw94/s2387/DC-130%20w%202%20147H.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1584" data-original-width="2387" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik8xpn21_B7tonBQOoTIE5liayTORuAsDiHYae4uLpeuvK5gZadmYHugF1Pw3WX-SyXuOP5po2XNigbQiThGSsO4hlLsbkLTwZSdp_oyPdX0IBhyphenhyphensFUq9Ld2Mc60WoZbhFQyQK2BOVEbLPlFiqIZB-LEccfdhA6hVeTrvj2l0P_jHeVz4TLnUy_VUAw94/s320/DC-130%20w%202%20147H.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">A DC-130 carrying two "147H" model drones. To the trained Drone Nerd, the longer-span wings indicate that these are high-altitude drones. Photo: John Dale.</span></div><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">The first couple drones launched had Taiwanese markings. November 1964 was the first time the Chinese shot one down!</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">You can probably imagine the impact these Lightning Bugs had — impersonal, robotic, the Lightning Bug missions were no mere annoyance. Instead they were a continual rub that we (Gawd Bless America) were at least two steps above anything the 'enemy' had in return. Of course, losses happened, and at first, the Lightning Bug program was in jeopardy. But when the stats were analyzed, in terms of actually reaching targets, a drone could photograph far more targets than a manned jet. A human-flown low altitude mission, in comparison, would include one, maybe several targets depending on risk and often had fighter protection. Thus, when the risks got high (for a human flight), the drone mission could still be flown. To this point, the drone program never turned down a target due to the risks that would have affected a human-flown mission. </span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">Regardless of how you feel about the increase of pilot-less aircraft, drones make sense in the economics of war.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH6YiG2YDLihQg9stoCBPzRBeMc8B8TwkUh1HAfI5NU1b8-fPO-Vu8WebNwhJ24a97zqm2CBIk7gcpgvXwmZ3N7Dky_oxBJAXaD8FK9G_H79O5uzOSrJ13GXQnQTJBUhuVqLImB0E-Vu5Ys0-C5yK8WNI_5GH7zG4yah30hxgZxx6a1egy7KikY9mMGjk/s2387/Chinese%20shoot%20down.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1588" data-original-width="2387" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH6YiG2YDLihQg9stoCBPzRBeMc8B8TwkUh1HAfI5NU1b8-fPO-Vu8WebNwhJ24a97zqm2CBIk7gcpgvXwmZ3N7Dky_oxBJAXaD8FK9G_H79O5uzOSrJ13GXQnQTJBUhuVqLImB0E-Vu5Ys0-C5yK8WNI_5GH7zG4yah30hxgZxx6a1egy7KikY9mMGjk/s320/Chinese%20shoot%20down.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Victorious Chinese and a crashed 147, c. early 1960s.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">As this was prolly a high-altitude model, the raised rifles are purely for propaganda effect.</span></div><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">Fairly, sometimes the technology failed and the little beasties crashed. Sometimes they were shot down by Surface to Air (SAM) missiles. Sometimes small arms fire. Sometimes, MiG fighters. But, like anything, the more it's practiced, the better it's perfected. By the time "<a href="https://www.wnyc.org/story/president-johnson-halts-bombing-in-vietnam/" target="_blank">The Bombing Halt</a>" of 1968 came about, Lightning Bugs were the only American aircraft (aside from the very high altitude U-2s or SR-71s) flying over North Vietnam, bringing their treasure of photos, data or empty propaganda bins back home.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig-DuU0xZpAz4PcPOlC9bHvSkKq4camPczs8IOqzdlnyAltNSMrP6uBht7fx0mILIwiIftQ2iqh5EA6scOMDnJnHt6yDVuUVWvfOHSc5u2s-Z_Cm31exX94Qp3iSDw2lcEgCnURwlXtwtL-MOqyjUPH0-36AmaaA4wNwmy69jWEeK5vo_46CxbBKOo_B8/s1684/Bullshit.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1684" data-original-width="1129" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig-DuU0xZpAz4PcPOlC9bHvSkKq4camPczs8IOqzdlnyAltNSMrP6uBht7fx0mILIwiIftQ2iqh5EA6scOMDnJnHt6yDVuUVWvfOHSc5u2s-Z_Cm31exX94Qp3iSDw2lcEgCnURwlXtwtL-MOqyjUPH0-36AmaaA4wNwmy69jWEeK5vo_46CxbBKOo_B8/s320/Bullshit.png" width="215" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">An example of propaganda leaflets dropped by the Lightning Bugs over North Vietnam.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Having spent a career in Advertising/PR, these things are laughably dumb. But the cut-out </span><span style="font-size: small;">counterfeit money gets points for "novelty"...</span></div><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">About that "back home."</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">Have another look at Tom Cat - a low altitude Lightning Bug of terrific repute; it completed 68 missions, ending its service somewhere over Cambodia (more on that later). But, had it returned to it's recovery base, it could have deployed a parachute and drifted back to earth for either a soft landing or, even MORE spectacularly, being snatched out of the sky by a helicopter. </span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGKvVOA9hqd0j75pFIn3SYY-ia4zBgEQl-mxYJyX6-64MY50pwd0xMYDI2xiDT2AR7bdrUuMwNQW7dW4qJufUFjtNDZLqeWdtbXbQ2SHIxkbjMHfLjjegS5JGHwamLhEHF5gO_0vEdSBeGIOZpQLkSCD8lbOiYBIrzoCWbio4EWnK2kkdQeL7YY3F0_uc/s670/ch3drone.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="588" data-original-width="670" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGKvVOA9hqd0j75pFIn3SYY-ia4zBgEQl-mxYJyX6-64MY50pwd0xMYDI2xiDT2AR7bdrUuMwNQW7dW4qJufUFjtNDZLqeWdtbXbQ2SHIxkbjMHfLjjegS5JGHwamLhEHF5gO_0vEdSBeGIOZpQLkSCD8lbOiYBIrzoCWbio4EWnK2kkdQeL7YY3F0_uc/s320/ch3drone.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The USAF Helicopter Pilot's Association has a totally Boss page on this process.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Click <a href="https://usafhpa.org/432drone/drone.htm" target="_blank">here</a>. Photo credit unknown.</span></div><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">I think it's a good time to meet John Dale. He's a drone pilot. He's also a U-2 pilot...but he's also... a drone pilot. Going back to the 'wing-nuts' who read this blog, I totally get the idea of, "A U-2 pilot?! And you're writing about his flying DRONES?!?"</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">The answer is obviously, "Yes."</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ypfwWR82XtyKfpOKWoKaxq9twFKlNN8x54JoadTIDxnwgdovPcjHm6zi1zHUxC1Nn-0AQv8ua0sYNfCILOru_dOAAfrm2tzTPYbfZga6WKIzZjavp8n_T7FA2tOcxxevhRVHVvT03ezXUC8rRSVo6NDZUOMiZ8YDmZ2Tc1Zf0VmEJViC2SRq_J2wEeI/s1950/image.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1449" data-original-width="1950" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ypfwWR82XtyKfpOKWoKaxq9twFKlNN8x54JoadTIDxnwgdovPcjHm6zi1zHUxC1Nn-0AQv8ua0sYNfCILOru_dOAAfrm2tzTPYbfZga6WKIzZjavp8n_T7FA2tOcxxevhRVHVvT03ezXUC8rRSVo6NDZUOMiZ8YDmZ2Tc1Zf0VmEJViC2SRq_J2wEeI/s320/image.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">John Dale from his Vietnam War service, leaning against "Tom Cat" c. late 1972.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Photo: John Dale.</span></div><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">But a little background on John - lest you think he's spent his life playing with Radio Control transmitters and computer joysticks. John has 12,500hrs of flight time in 76 different aircraft. He's been flying for over seventy years, currently has two vintage aircraft (<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bellanca_Cruisair" target="_blank">Bellanca Cruisair</a> and a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stinson_108" target="_blank">Stinson 108</a>), flew with the "The Four Horsemen" , Tactical Air Command's C-130 demonstration team and commanded the USAF's only <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_U-2" target="_blank">U-2 </a>squadron. </span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5SxslvDwoi0rzYNc8YfzAF5XYwtdBvmZWmyiFECEkigZEQXORXqb4EKWjcUcH8zlrDDCuF4LT-UxWN9KG3_mryV0L17ss948dOvRPyTpRueNrRQAX5jYHeG3WIrxlJ_09itituR5KTto4s5_BJTxNLcDd9lJL_ZCvFIgDIwGhajPgOe3Has7jT_FR06E/s1200/Four-Horsemen-C-130As.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="953" data-original-width="1200" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5SxslvDwoi0rzYNc8YfzAF5XYwtdBvmZWmyiFECEkigZEQXORXqb4EKWjcUcH8zlrDDCuF4LT-UxWN9KG3_mryV0L17ss948dOvRPyTpRueNrRQAX5jYHeG3WIrxlJ_09itituR5KTto4s5_BJTxNLcDd9lJL_ZCvFIgDIwGhajPgOe3Has7jT_FR06E/s320/Four-Horsemen-C-130As.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span>Uhh... if you don't know how bad-@ss it is to have flown C-130s in aerobatic maneuvers, in formation, </span>click here. No idea which one of these is being flown by John Dale, but it doesn't matter. Click <a href="https://theaviationgeekclub.com/the-story-of-the-four-horsemen-the-usaf-c-130-demonstration-team/" target="_blank">here</a> and rest in awe of their skill, power and... well... more balls than I'll ever have.</span></div><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">******</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">Me: What got you in the military in the first place?</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">JD: You should know, during the Korean War there was the draft (back then). When I was in high school, I wrestled at 102 pounds. One of my friends told me that in the Army, you had to haul around a seventy five pound pack (laughs) and I thought that wasn't going to work. But I thought that if there was a fight, I could do well if I had an airplane!</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">Too apply for flight school I needed two years of college. (For all the services) The Air Force said however; if I enlisted for four years I could take a two year college equivalency test and then if I passed go on to take the tests needed to enter the Aviation Cadet program. So I said, "Sign me up!" </span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">Me: You ended up pretty well...</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">JD: Well, not everyone did. </span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">Me: What do you mean?</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">JD: Of the 60 in my barracks who tried this program, six received wings.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">Me: That's ten percent...</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">JD: Yes. But there were high standards. You couldn't get a speeding ticket (or any other legal infraction), had to manage your personal finances — one guy wrote a bad check. He was out. No fighting... we all had something to live up to. As an enlisted, I ended up having eight T-6 Texans (trainers) under my care. I woke up at 0300 to preflight those airplanes for the day — I had real responsibility. And we were just out of High School. </span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXnKcfuV8FAN_GDXuTav74q4flx77p1l9Dfi7aSjSrbQMUfeFxqKq4ivEaa4M1lRxDOOL9OTork6Z0x9uTnbYum-VAeh8TVtB0KiYvwSuJcrPn1WUmB6_JEjo3dRcKpdDp2w2kjGkjrHx4Yb5-hiiKw7lkR4pFz3dTfkPM1llx6p-uWx3z9bb7QZyh7l4/s962/T6.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="496" data-original-width="962" height="165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXnKcfuV8FAN_GDXuTav74q4flx77p1l9Dfi7aSjSrbQMUfeFxqKq4ivEaa4M1lRxDOOL9OTork6Z0x9uTnbYum-VAeh8TVtB0KiYvwSuJcrPn1WUmB6_JEjo3dRcKpdDp2w2kjGkjrHx4Yb5-hiiKw7lkR4pFz3dTfkPM1llx6p-uWx3z9bb7QZyh7l4/s320/T6.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">North American T-6 "Texan" in post-WWII, state-side livery.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">John was "Air Force" and not Minnesota Air Guard. But, he's from Minnesota! So this photo sorta counts.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Photo courtesy of the <a href="https://mnangmuseum.org/north-american-at-6-texan" target="_blank">Minnesota Air National Guard Museum</a>.</span></div><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">Me: And how did all that get into... drones?</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">JD: I was a C-130 instructor pilot, in Japan, and about to transfer back stateside. Strategic Air Command (SAC) was just starting the drone mission. I was transferred to Davis-Monthan .AFB where the drone program was being started. By the way, SAC and TAC (Tactical Air Command) had completely different processes and ways of doing things. I'd been in TAC and it was an adjustment for me. SAC was far more procedural, TAC was more flexible.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">_____</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">* Break Break *</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><i>The <a href="https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/1555054/c-130-hercules/" target="_blank">C-130</a> series is one of the greatest aircraft ever produced. It's right up there with the DC-3, P-51, 707, Cessna C-172, B-52... it has done, doing and can-do anything required of an aircraft including being a seaplane.</i></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><i>_____</i></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">Me: So what was a drone mission like? </span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">JD: Ok. First thing, we flew alone. We took off from Bien Hoa*** in absolute radio silence, which we kept until we were LANDING. You remember learning about how so many people (in the military) had no idea we were there, right? When we operated from U-Tapao, the silence wasn't an issue.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">Me: Yes. People are still a little surprised that we had drones fifty, sixty years ago.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">JD: For the longest time, we couldn't take pictures of them because the Air Force denied anything about them. But we were over China (early 1960s +). In fact, if we spotted someone taking pictures of us as we were taxiing , we would stop and take that film!</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">Me: Didn't the Chinese publish photos of drones they shot down?</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;"> </span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">JD: The Drone Program was as secret as we could make it. (Laughs).</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH6YiG2YDLihQg9stoCBPzRBeMc8B8TwkUh1HAfI5NU1b8-fPO-Vu8WebNwhJ24a97zqm2CBIk7gcpgvXwmZ3N7Dky_oxBJAXaD8FK9G_H79O5uzOSrJ13GXQnQTJBUhuVqLImB0E-Vu5Ys0-C5yK8WNI_5GH7zG4yah30hxgZxx6a1egy7KikY9mMGjk/s2387/Chinese%20shoot%20down.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1588" data-original-width="2387" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH6YiG2YDLihQg9stoCBPzRBeMc8B8TwkUh1HAfI5NU1b8-fPO-Vu8WebNwhJ24a97zqm2CBIk7gcpgvXwmZ3N7Dky_oxBJAXaD8FK9G_H79O5uzOSrJ13GXQnQTJBUhuVqLImB0E-Vu5Ys0-C5yK8WNI_5GH7zG4yah30hxgZxx6a1egy7KikY9mMGjk/s320/Chinese%20shoot%20down.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Posting this picture again. For effect. Considering that there's no way <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mao_Zedong" target="_blank">Chairman Mao's</a> Glorious Peasants could have possibly brought a high-alt drone down with small arms, the skyward-thrust rifles and apparently loud cheers must be aimed at the Glorious Engineers of the Soviet Union for creating the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S-75_Dvina" target="_blank">SAM-2 missile</a>.</span></div><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">Me: What was the drone mission like, then?</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">JD: First, SAC's Strategic Recon Center (SRC) would send us the details of the mission, in an OPREP -1 message with the launch point, route, targets, climb, turns, airspeeds, altitudes... everything. If we're talking about the low altitude missions when we flew out of Bien Hoa, we'd fly over water out of enemy radar range at really low altitude (50' AGL), over the Gulf of Tonkin until we'd get to our launch point, where we'd pop up to 2,000 feet and launch the drone as we had already started it's engine and made all the prelaunch checks. If it was a high altitude mission, we'd launch (the drones) at 15,000 feet usually either just North of Da Nang or over central Laos.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdhlQcAYPZ0jB0EuvqfxtrVjZgvb7FQLzBtOBp4CKlJEj3Ek6gEgUFbN-pumJ2dctaXhuroke4uDgAk4M7tG2uMuu5HC40urJ8yWIhKINwLQUZEfzPe1d-e5hI9LadRyql1V9IjchP5B4yPXgarnlldnVZQ5ginrWoRsfiH-YFb0maPuBfyd88wqm5shU/s3508/Scan_20231029%20(3).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3508" data-original-width="2550" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdhlQcAYPZ0jB0EuvqfxtrVjZgvb7FQLzBtOBp4CKlJEj3Ek6gEgUFbN-pumJ2dctaXhuroke4uDgAk4M7tG2uMuu5HC40urJ8yWIhKINwLQUZEfzPe1d-e5hI9LadRyql1V9IjchP5B4yPXgarnlldnVZQ5ginrWoRsfiH-YFb0maPuBfyd88wqm5shU/s320/Scan_20231029%20(3).png" width="233" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">John Drew this map years later, to describe a typical "high altitude" drone mission.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">There are a number of such maps on the web — compare them to this one (many others are flat out wrong). </span></div><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">Me: And there's a crew at work on your DC-130.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">JD: Of course. We had two Launch Control Officers, one for each drone. The LCOs would get the mission plan, then each would individually plan the route, then meet together to sort out their details, then send their plans back to SRC in an OPREP-2 (our total mission plan to include the DC-130 route ) which SRC would then check as the final authority for the mission. The OPREP-3 from SRC would be our "GO" message and the LCOs would program the drones as directed and preflight them prior to DC-130 takeoff. About 20 minutes prior to launch they would start the drones'' engines coordinating with the pilot who adjusted the airspeed of the DC-130 to aid the LCO with engine start, insure everything was operating normally and the drone was fully fueled then launch the drone on command of the Navigator. </span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">The ARCO, Airborne Reconnaissance Control Officer, oversaw the mission after launch with the help of the LCO who launched the drone and our Navigator made sure we (DC-130) were flying the route planned for drone monitor . We had to maintain line of site for control of the drones and we needed to stay away from MiGs and anti-aircraft guns...</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">Me: Wait. Line of sight?! </span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">JD: Yeah. Don't think "range" of radio waves. Think "line of sight" to monitor the drones progress along it's pre-programmed flight path (from the DC-130). </span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">Me: So what's line-of-sight look like from 2,000 feet?!</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">JD: Good question. After we'd launch, we'd immediately climb (DC-130) to about 30,000 feet. And from there, your line of sight is about 200 miles. </span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVIoSIGInLOjOgcEwNWO6xWGARVQweYR0KXajosfzxWrzGooVty1_CV-mp76JM5TuAqOejotGF_ZFCLy7E5eqPcT9SVzvjiOJY09gD9EEHsip5U2Y2naPA301Y669jrRDu2SiLFcLAHUY-i5u82DsQhKhLM1AzS3i4nTGgw3wqlRA73JCHdya25cVlrQc/s2387/Hanoi%20Hilton.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1591" data-original-width="2387" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVIoSIGInLOjOgcEwNWO6xWGARVQweYR0KXajosfzxWrzGooVty1_CV-mp76JM5TuAqOejotGF_ZFCLy7E5eqPcT9SVzvjiOJY09gD9EEHsip5U2Y2naPA301Y669jrRDu2SiLFcLAHUY-i5u82DsQhKhLM1AzS3i4nTGgw3wqlRA73JCHdya25cVlrQc/s320/Hanoi%20Hilton.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: times;">This is a photo of </span><span style="font-family: times; text-align: left;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hỏa_Lò_Prison" target="_blank">Hỏa Lò Prison</a> taken on 23 December, 1972 during the war-ending "<a href="https://linebacker2libraries.buzzsprout.com" target="_blank">Linebacker II</a>" campaign.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-small; text-align: left;">Remember - "The Hanoi Hilton" was not a single prison but a generic term that represents a wide net of locations across North Vietnam. But, American POWs are definitely in there. Some where.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-small; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">Me: And so duration? Range? </span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">JD: A low altitude drone had about 600 nautical miles total range (200 low level), about 90 minutes at 450kts. </span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">Me: Makes sense.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">JD: But boy, did they (North Vietnamese military) want to get us! They'd put out sampans that were loaded with anti-aircraft guns and we'd get intel on. Though we kept radio silence, the Navy and RC-135's had the best real-time intelligence on what was going on over North Vietnam at the time and would let us know if we had threats.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">Me: So how far out from the coast of North Vietnam were you when you launched and flew?</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">JD: About 25 miles or more depending on several things. Good radar targets for the Nav to insure accuracy of the launch point...( the drones' navigation started from the launch point) and keeping the DC-130 out of enemy radar range as long as we could. We (DC-130) NEVER got within 20 nautical miles of a known SAM site. The drones would get close though. </span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">Me: The North Vietnamese fighter pilots I've talked to all remember drones. </span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">JD: They'd give a fighter pilot credit for a drone, right?</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">Me: Yes. </span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">JD: You know that we took pictures of MiGs that were trying to shoot (drones) down, right?</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">Me: No! </span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">JD: Yes! And it got comical. The low altitude drone’s camera’s horizon-to-horizon coverage captured two MiG-21s on a firing pass off the drones left wing. The wingman fired an Atoll missile at the drone which veered off and hit his lead!!</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Arx4UtjgLPw5FJHgqcdPaFGutjy__-jNw6AqxC-INAzRRB6yPmA_Y9FLtL468PJMm6hfOlvYF_3gSLl_1bleGarvOV2cotANDIHJDMwBOyf_RR7ZQcdtKV52CyPdrnsYF-7FFOha8l2dV8J_Lhyphenhyphen4704WojX1hH7P1G29TqhaK77f5VGnsLvOUAka908/s1926/Screenshot%202023-11-04%20at%2010.17.38%E2%80%AFAM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1284" data-original-width="1926" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Arx4UtjgLPw5FJHgqcdPaFGutjy__-jNw6AqxC-INAzRRB6yPmA_Y9FLtL468PJMm6hfOlvYF_3gSLl_1bleGarvOV2cotANDIHJDMwBOyf_RR7ZQcdtKV52CyPdrnsYF-7FFOha8l2dV8J_Lhyphenhyphen4704WojX1hH7P1G29TqhaK77f5VGnsLvOUAka908/s320/Screenshot%202023-11-04%20at%2010.17.38%E2%80%AFAM.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The PVAF MiG-21 on this mag cover was taken by a drone. During my interview with John, I quit count at the number of times I was astonished by what/how/when/clarity of what the drones accomplished. Photo: John Dale.</span></div><br /><p></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">The drone made it home. There is also the first picture of the Mig-21D in Vietnam which had fired his missiles which failed to down the drone and the photo of him in formation looking at the drone made the cover of Aviation Week magazine. And we have photos of SAMs exploding near the drone... all trying to get us.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBjglzJRFRvYFrtkX9yoxx1G2d4FJRxMubbLkA4Dytu2zrKguupzTesvUWBFaBOJoyAS9n13fgIdxir_LklDcmZJ3cFxnmTjLopqZ5CTIv5fyHGj9NWM_dfGAoYTmQ0eY1mkN2OyIadJs1nWR63Isd01r7kdyEyHU1okUImpNCXzfNpRK0Eshfn8Ljve4/s2010/Screenshot%202023-11-04%20at%2010.20.40%E2%80%AFAM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1458" data-original-width="2010" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBjglzJRFRvYFrtkX9yoxx1G2d4FJRxMubbLkA4Dytu2zrKguupzTesvUWBFaBOJoyAS9n13fgIdxir_LklDcmZJ3cFxnmTjLopqZ5CTIv5fyHGj9NWM_dfGAoYTmQ0eY1mkN2OyIadJs1nWR63Isd01r7kdyEyHU1okUImpNCXzfNpRK0Eshfn8Ljve4/s320/Screenshot%202023-11-04%20at%2010.20.40%E2%80%AFAM.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The moment a SAM-2 missile explodes to down a drone. Each one of those little spikes is a shriek of hot metal blasting forth at multiple Mach... and obviously, the drone made it back. Photo: John Dale.</span></div><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">Me: I know of one (former NVAF) pilot that described how proud he was getting one...</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">JD: They did! We were the only USAF aircraft flying in NVN and on one mission there were 19 Migs launched trying to down it. I think they were using us for training as they rebuilt their air force! But we could also do things that a manned aircraft couldn't do. We never "jinked" to avoid AAA, Weather risks for navigation were a non-event. We could fly low, make high-g maneuvers, pop in and out of clouds... we'd "flick-roll" they'd (Migs) have to go into afterburner to keep up with our acceleration, too... quick left, right, those little bastards (drones) were a son-of-a-bitch to stay with! We knew we had MiGs run out of gas trying to chase us.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">I know of five MiGs lost trying to shoot down a drone. And you have to realize, we had no fighters protecting us. On our first low altitude missions, we didn't go below 1500 ft. altitude, they'd launch SAMs then. But eventually, we got our altitudes down to 500'. </span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">You should know that there was a high altitude drone that came back with 156 holes in it (from a SAM detonation). </span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">You saw the photo that the drone took of flying underneath power lines?</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">Me: Yes. </span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">JD: And the North Vietnamese taking a leak by his anti-aircraft gun?</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">Me: (laughs). Yes. </span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV-86v8rQIK253PFFo-iB_rKUsOrl3EXe_gwDjp2EKUKepK1FNSxMiLc202eV6y0_o6PcY58cOxgqAYJHtiiMX3IJpDIzbVUA0e9nbzRIBogNazG6H8AhNNgYrlFNWE9ra0RCFU2DRKyE-V5W5SR4EI_w4NEEsxRKfV8ObZQHw0dnQu94PNi9CabthXhI/s2387/NV%20Gun%20Pit%20CU.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1584" data-original-width="2387" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV-86v8rQIK253PFFo-iB_rKUsOrl3EXe_gwDjp2EKUKepK1FNSxMiLc202eV6y0_o6PcY58cOxgqAYJHtiiMX3IJpDIzbVUA0e9nbzRIBogNazG6H8AhNNgYrlFNWE9ra0RCFU2DRKyE-V5W5SR4EI_w4NEEsxRKfV8ObZQHw0dnQu94PNi9CabthXhI/s320/NV%20Gun%20Pit%20CU.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Another drone photo.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">If you want, you can find the guy urinating atop the mound of his AA gun.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">"How rude! Can't a guy pee in peace?!" Photo: John Dale.</span></div><p></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">JD: It was vital work. It's a fact that the only aircraft we had flying over low altitude North Vietnam during the Bombing Halt were drones. And the vast majority of BDAs from Linebacker (I and II)were all done by drones. For the mission over Saigon (last drone mission), it was to prep for the evacuation to look for AAA when a C-54 was scheduled to come in for the last evacuations.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">Me: But why wouldn't an RF-4C or RF-101 do the same job?</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">JD: They couldn't due to low ceilings. We flew lower. 1,500 feet or less, below the cloud decks. And we were smaller. And, the drone navigated better than a piloted airplane as it didn't need to see where it was. If you shoot down an RF (manned reconnaissance fighter), you could lose the airplane AND a life. Shoot down a drone, well, it started out as a target anyway..</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">During Linebacker, all those BDAs (bomb damage assessments) photos were done by drones. Drones were the only reason we knew anything about our bombing effectiveness. Remember, those B-52 crew (Linebacker II) were bombing by radar, not by sight. Even the SR-71 couldn't get a picture if there's a cloud deck. We took and brought back the pictures.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZFswvIloQqzBXappoRs4qL8BIi2xXvK6sQ04AY4czLFlTmerpSco3Bt5DMvCYB1cHd-Jo3Glov8n1ESISzlwoiANMFxcnRhplUTaRKPdnVU9kJal5GKs5_c2bOOljQo3jHqkRjSskQvVywomxhRWbiGCQtGxvNuVq9kzDgx1tEq7C6H0ER4KmQYMV32Q/s1278/Screenshot%202023-11-04%20at%2010.26.40%E2%80%AFAM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1278" data-original-width="1090" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZFswvIloQqzBXappoRs4qL8BIi2xXvK6sQ04AY4czLFlTmerpSco3Bt5DMvCYB1cHd-Jo3Glov8n1ESISzlwoiANMFxcnRhplUTaRKPdnVU9kJal5GKs5_c2bOOljQo3jHqkRjSskQvVywomxhRWbiGCQtGxvNuVq9kzDgx1tEq7C6H0ER4KmQYMV32Q/s320/Screenshot%202023-11-04%20at%2010.26.40%E2%80%AFAM.png" width="273" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Another Drone photo.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">This one is of Gia Lam airfield, c. December 1972 (Linebacker II).</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Photo: John Dale.</span></div><br /><p></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">Me: How much film would a drone carry?</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">JD: 2,000 feet. Later versions could carry 4,000 feet of film. </span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">Me: On recovery, how effective was the mid-air helicopter recovery?</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">JD: Pretty high! Say... 97%. Of course, of the drones that came back. </span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">Me: And how many drones were recovered using the mid-air method versus descending via parachute.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">JD: Hmmm. I'd say 85-90%. True story. We had one helo pilot catch four in one day.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">Me: That's a lot of sorties. All the little parachutes (denoting a successful mission) on Tom Cat...</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">JD: Yeah, they wrapped around the other side. Tom Cat completed 68 missions. You know how the drones got named, right?</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">Me: No.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">JD: If a drone made 25 missions, it was named. And a face. The crew chiefs got to name it. And these are normal airplanes to a crew chief. And those maintainers cared for the drones just like any manned aircraft.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">Me: What happened to Tom Cat?</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">JD: Tom Cat was on a mission in Cambodia when it was lost. The drones' programmer tells it what to do and when and Tom Cat had completed its photo run and pitched up for climb. It was supposed to pick up its climb airspeed schedule and reduce pitch to hold it… but that didn't occur and (Tom Cat) stalled and spun in. A command of "level off" could have been given to interrupt the faulty action but the ARCO was busy with something else and wasn't watching as it was on its way home. </span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLSl8RZ4VLeThUP1I16mWHOX3D-J6IEGcqNRiIjlXfIEGslqLh86KVoOekVWPQPgsnVEn0dtvxUi8f5aTW84hmo9OvZbtZ3R3np5cozcsHlKQMDgPFd23n33lwI6-49W7SSXfHYRZF7LcKu-gh96pC8kXyfQIDhBW05HSXnkEmDb65pV5Yz6i2G9tDlaw/s2387/Tom%20Cat%20off%20Wing.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1584" data-original-width="2387" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLSl8RZ4VLeThUP1I16mWHOX3D-J6IEGcqNRiIjlXfIEGslqLh86KVoOekVWPQPgsnVEn0dtvxUi8f5aTW84hmo9OvZbtZ3R3np5cozcsHlKQMDgPFd23n33lwI6-49W7SSXfHYRZF7LcKu-gh96pC8kXyfQIDhBW05HSXnkEmDb65pV5Yz6i2G9tDlaw/s320/Tom%20Cat%20off%20Wing.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-family: times;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); clear: both; color: black; font-family: -webkit-standard; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">"Tom Cat" just being launched from a DC-130. Notice the little parachutes on the nose for each completed mission. Unfortunately, Tom Cat was lost on its 69th mission. Photo: John Dale.</span></div><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">Me: So Tom Cat could still be in Cambodia somewhere.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">JD: (sighs). Yeah.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">Me: You know, the SAC Museum has Tom Cat. It's in the wrong markings though. I'm pretty happy to have an accurate drawing of the thing...</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">JD: It is, at least for that moment in time.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">Me: Describe your perspective on what was most important, most valuable about your service as a DC-130 pilot, U-2 pilot...</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">JD: Well... I got to stay in units that were operationally oriented. Actually doing things with airplanes. Never a dull moment. I was always doing something with aircraft. I got to be in on the new technology, constantly testing new aircraft, capabilities... I never had staff jobs. I stayed with constantly evolving programs. </span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">Me: If you could go back in time, what would you tell yourself c.1970...</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">JD: Well, one of the things… if something’s worth doing, give it the best you can. The best you can! And realize luck over skill… <i>General LeMay said he couldn’t tell the difference between luck and skill as long as the mission was accomplished. </i></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">I’d also say to stay in touch with your friends! Everyone that you know, that you meet, has something new. And “new” can lead ANYwhere. You’re not “the Guy” who says when you’re gonna go - the Good Lord hasn’t called me yet; at some time you’re going to be leaving (this world), so enjoy it while you’re here!</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">My son says, Dad, you’re an optimist! Some guys say that a pessimist is an optimist with experience. Well… I don’t know about that. I believe everyone is capable of managing their thinking and looking forward to success rather than not. </span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-5Ll_b936v44UXprBgd6H9OxUqIB7M-6XC1zlTaUSXkBDYP3-pkdDyiPYLWWsToWPqhwotggShwPep66G6tN3JPTbkL5QOybOTf8x5jT9yhxYqIsclDlKmbPVhihMqFfTdM7f1hCStcoE_GwroURdetGqYMJwH41Ly1kf1tmzsGSHZbmzoO4Pvjvv8HU/s4032/IMG_0161.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-5Ll_b936v44UXprBgd6H9OxUqIB7M-6XC1zlTaUSXkBDYP3-pkdDyiPYLWWsToWPqhwotggShwPep66G6tN3JPTbkL5QOybOTf8x5jT9yhxYqIsclDlKmbPVhihMqFfTdM7f1hCStcoE_GwroURdetGqYMJwH41Ly1kf1tmzsGSHZbmzoO4Pvjvv8HU/s320/IMG_0161.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">John signing my artwork. A few prints will be offered by the <a href="https://www.dfcsociety.org" target="_blank">Distinguished Flying Cross Society</a> as fundraisers for their Education Fund. Want one? You can either wait until the DFCS gets their shopping cart up or let me know (either way, the funds go to the DFCS). But don't dally. This one will go fast.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">But, look closely at the print - can you see the 'hidden' U-2?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Thanks again, <a href="https://www.xerox.com/en-us/digital-printing/digital-presses/iridesse-production-press" target="_blank">XEROX</a>!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Photo: <a href="https://www.JohnMollison.com" target="_blank">ME</a>.</span></div><p></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">****</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQP3ABRKrrW8Ppp7p80kHknPiaMy7fUEowdtbpja2KRJoPvY_yBqD6VcfgjWEViYENlFa4JU0KH18oXJ_BtLlutO7qUf_pdlyQ42P-AZ7lnhll6MkE2aHqEHRWUULK_NTg8B_hpsxd0CAUVGnItE6aR4HNqLh07QGfOa50nSk2yi3cUnEyB7g-c5bkH68/s1718/Screenshot%202023-10-22%20at%2012.47.13.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1194" data-original-width="1718" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQP3ABRKrrW8Ppp7p80kHknPiaMy7fUEowdtbpja2KRJoPvY_yBqD6VcfgjWEViYENlFa4JU0KH18oXJ_BtLlutO7qUf_pdlyQ42P-AZ7lnhll6MkE2aHqEHRWUULK_NTg8B_hpsxd0CAUVGnItE6aR4HNqLh07QGfOa50nSk2yi3cUnEyB7g-c5bkH68/s320/Screenshot%202023-10-22%20at%2012.47.13.png" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">Have another look at Tom Cat. It’s interesting to think that by 1975, "this" was still among the highest tech of the day. And today? It's <i>still</i> unknown. But, honestly now, how many of us actually knew <i>that our great nation was doing television-controlled missions in WWII???</i></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">Makes you wonder what the level of tech really is right now, eh? They're (whoever "they" really are) prolly reading our minds right now from little gizmos attached to all the crappy houseflies trying to get into my house...</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">Bah. The advance of technology is not the point.</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">The point is, today, John Dale is 90 years old and, (as the saying goes), "<i>You'd never know it!</i>" What that oft-tossed phrase actually means is anyone's guess; are 90 year old people supposed be drooling in their soup? Shuffling in a corridor amidst the sounds of beeps and medical folk?</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">Sadly, some are. But, some <b>aren't</b>. </span><span style="font-family: times;">Just this moment, a colleague txted me in bewilderment as to how I get to know/experience so many historically significant people...</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">Hmmmm.</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">I guess it's that I like hanging around with them.</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">20, 30, 40, 50...year olds are boring anyways.</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7nY_TOIup8k6-mUfxfjOzMrUM5TRETDB9w8rZiDhGc9UNOsQR2D7jBbq4UKM-amD07ApeXAIWlK5WxgmX8swtog1eOmVEZikEYFcm0HqPdurpmJtgPyLg6D83nGli-5l9Avys17A3M8djTEpIkTmuImQv3YpTt8pihyBcS-inFMwVw24qzYwCJSnJ3TI/s3088/IMG_0163.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2316" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7nY_TOIup8k6-mUfxfjOzMrUM5TRETDB9w8rZiDhGc9UNOsQR2D7jBbq4UKM-amD07ApeXAIWlK5WxgmX8swtog1eOmVEZikEYFcm0HqPdurpmJtgPyLg6D83nGli-5l9Avys17A3M8djTEpIkTmuImQv3YpTt8pihyBcS-inFMwVw24qzYwCJSnJ3TI/s320/IMG_0163.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Selfie with John. If I make 90, I hope to have his energy, enthusiasm, acumen and desire to contribute to the 'greater life' (however God/Fate/Force/"I AM" appoints it for you).</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Photo: ME.</span></div><br /><span style="font-family: times;"><br /><span style="background-color: white;">* USN deployed them from shipboard rocket-powered launchers.</span></span><div><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="background-color: white;">**During the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fall_of_Saigon">Fall of Saigon</a>.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="background-color: white;">***Missions flown </span><span style="background-color: white;">before July 10, 1970.</span><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p></div>JSMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11887081006253101167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1361503268172319169.post-102284611764667362023-09-24T20:49:00.006-05:002023-09-25T18:26:30.783-05:00Profile 167: A-4E Skyhawk as flown by Martin "Marty" Lenzini, VMA-211<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuYHY1JFVKRnNec3eN7HEINuxLBP4sJmdpFi-DbJNQRurEeEx9XjtTlD_oVSlbveTLj3sWM-CKE4fVzxl8PYHuM7MIchZ_HEEySbwoiKlo2HjJV7vJl4kaUfhWFqNmGFMZSKHTMU4MA5Pkwo4p2ZeqpMAgpRsCxce-i50WKgGZ1gcfKiCZhvI8chcv6V0/s1262/Lenzini%20A-4E%2024%20Sept.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="864" data-original-width="1262" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuYHY1JFVKRnNec3eN7HEINuxLBP4sJmdpFi-DbJNQRurEeEx9XjtTlD_oVSlbveTLj3sWM-CKE4fVzxl8PYHuM7MIchZ_HEEySbwoiKlo2HjJV7vJl4kaUfhWFqNmGFMZSKHTMU4MA5Pkwo4p2ZeqpMAgpRsCxce-i50WKgGZ1gcfKiCZhvI8chcv6V0/s320/Lenzini%20A-4E%2024%20Sept.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p>Have a look at my progress on Martin Lenzini's Chu Lai-era A-4E Skyhawk. The back story behind the drawing is still coming; good excuse too as it involves a 3D printed experiment in how to visualize what "Close Air Support" really looked like.</p><p>The final artwork will be done very soon but I won't post until after Marty get's presented the finished piece (more to come on THAT story, too). </p><p>So, unless you see a glaring error, hold-pattern until after 20 Oct.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0qaOcxNV-Brjx3yQmlR4RakKjD9sd9uhGsIQ4Tdk-1Q3EL9ZrJeu-ItzSEQnnoWjhMkJNKKQF41DrmDY4z5jqGaQO0UIQnYREDI_gkvsnRNHFQd552GFyO8vexVoei9wntUfcriaIa8aHx4YyCDtM1CvRxmb_Vi7WHmW9LdfWaDUxQF1ngmV3DujLrW4/s850/quote-old-age-and-the-passage-of-time-teach-all-things-sophocles-66-88-90-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="850" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0qaOcxNV-Brjx3yQmlR4RakKjD9sd9uhGsIQ4Tdk-1Q3EL9ZrJeu-ItzSEQnnoWjhMkJNKKQF41DrmDY4z5jqGaQO0UIQnYREDI_gkvsnRNHFQd552GFyO8vexVoei9wntUfcriaIa8aHx4YyCDtM1CvRxmb_Vi7WHmW9LdfWaDUxQF1ngmV3DujLrW4/s320/quote-old-age-and-the-passage-of-time-teach-all-things-sophocles-66-88-90-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>JSMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11887081006253101167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1361503268172319169.post-45486442700331728952023-07-30T17:35:00.020-05:002023-07-30T19:13:13.338-05:00Profile 167: A-4E Skyhawk as flown by Martin "Marty" Lenzini, VMA-211<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTDo4NKqduGR4lDDbu3MGHdLwMPEiHhoiyPPixudamnzm7jFOvmeN9rYQTzjATHLvN3PDgGrtF2Dxvq70Mik78JkxPAzxiYtFtqYnH7wVAurASqMyRn10X3piUCuBwFMuVfaVnTsp-SjNMTXXJcWDxD5WxNDwfPtAsmkB4byAx3ZrPYwWBPUdV6VvLuiM/s1254/Lenzine%20A-4%2026%20July.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="857" data-original-width="1254" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTDo4NKqduGR4lDDbu3MGHdLwMPEiHhoiyPPixudamnzm7jFOvmeN9rYQTzjATHLvN3PDgGrtF2Dxvq70Mik78JkxPAzxiYtFtqYnH7wVAurASqMyRn10X3piUCuBwFMuVfaVnTsp-SjNMTXXJcWDxD5WxNDwfPtAsmkB4byAx3ZrPYwWBPUdV6VvLuiM/s320/Lenzine%20A-4%2026%20July.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>50 years is a long time! Or is it just a blink...?</div><div><br /></div><div>Hmmmm. </div><div><br /></div><div>True-story — 2023 marks the 50th Anniversary of the 'end of the Vietnam War*' for the United States. </div><div><br /></div><div>Remembering the Vietnam War is valid as a historic event not only because it happened, but because it shaped The United States of America in profound ways. In fact, I assert the Vietnam War continues to affect <i>every</i> American. Don't believe me? Invite me to your Rotary Club, Kindergarten, Lunch'n Learn, Block Party... </div><div><br /></div><div>Or, you can start learning yourself (which is highly recommended as The Vietnam War isn't really even mentioned in schools today).</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwNllInYl7H1rCIm7-YUXgZ-WMw_dliS-mdQiQKV2fUeBLyqNfHvxdqvtfrlbygpOCvGRts7uSX-lNYvChegPXDASbLPNjU6cHKuySbg0W8DxNk3jNhmlMgBKmDOOQV_mttmvPYj1loRwEFEqh7mrehrJ8Wt131SjNp27pgFM9y4FUf8G3n_CRdPefAGU/s450/Vietnam-PD-Webinar-WETA.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="251" data-original-width="450" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwNllInYl7H1rCIm7-YUXgZ-WMw_dliS-mdQiQKV2fUeBLyqNfHvxdqvtfrlbygpOCvGRts7uSX-lNYvChegPXDASbLPNjU6cHKuySbg0W8DxNk3jNhmlMgBKmDOOQV_mttmvPYj1loRwEFEqh7mrehrJ8Wt131SjNp27pgFM9y4FUf8G3n_CRdPefAGU/s320/Vietnam-PD-Webinar-WETA.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span>Ken Burns' documentary is certainly well produced! But be careful. Just like the McDonalds® doesn't define the concept of "hamburger," no one-source defines a historic event, especially what happened in </span><span>Southeast Asia during the 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s... </span></span></div><div><br /></div><div>It can't be stressed enough that that studying history is far more than mere nostalgia, entertainment or collecting "names, dates and places" information. Studying history is the stuff of Life. And we either learn or we don't. <i> We evolve or something else evolves beyond us. </i></div><div><br /></div><div>Indeed, "History is Nutritious.™"</div><div><br /></div><div>I digress.</div><div><br /></div><div>Have a look at the top of this post — it's the progress-shot of Martin "Marty" Lenzini's A-4E Skyhawk, c. 1968**, stationed at Chu Lai, South Vietnam. I'm calling it "30% there." </div><div><br /></div><div>This October, the finished piece will be unveiled at a Vietnam War 50th Anniversary "Welcome Home" event. More on that later. In the meantime, <i>this</i> post will focus more on the A-4 and set up the <b>next</b> TWO posts which will focus on Marty.</div><div><br /></div><div>Marty is the first to tell anyone that his story is not unique, not worthy of a spotlight or celebration. If you can conjure a somewhat diluted Chicago accent, imagine this: "Jaahn, ah wuz just doin'my jawb." </div><div><br /></div><div>But, as an "Old Guy**" he represents something so much more — an eyewitness, a participant and the beneficiary of fifty <i>more</i> years of wisdom to help the rest of us put the moment to good use.</div><div><br /></div><div>So. Before we dive into combat, let's have some lighthearted fun.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Where's Chu Lai?</b> It's here (look below). </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjap1uBmLjijKUph3JKNwwPypSTC6nVA3p1wkbHB2Ji9TJcIzCQ4hB8GjtEvyAJrkMuVJCOrb-qo6hjymstIyrnvZ74TUsCftpe7lNRJR2PapHSDfQhC_T5csbnvI3AHf6G2MgPK3IGOil44XEw_CmK5H3Bhy3TgqCAFKmljRkHS7crXBPTm_-Wc57J9p0/s1800/Vietnam_War_Map_.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1459" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjap1uBmLjijKUph3JKNwwPypSTC6nVA3p1wkbHB2Ji9TJcIzCQ4hB8GjtEvyAJrkMuVJCOrb-qo6hjymstIyrnvZ74TUsCftpe7lNRJR2PapHSDfQhC_T5csbnvI3AHf6G2MgPK3IGOil44XEw_CmK5H3Bhy3TgqCAFKmljRkHS7crXBPTm_-Wc57J9p0/s320/Vietnam_War_Map_.png" width="259" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">A pretty swell map of N/S Vietnam produced by the <a href="https://www.vietnamwar50th.com/history_and_legacy/map_of_vietnam/" target="_blank">50th Anniversary</a> folk this past summer. Lots of arrows. I made my own (hint: the obvious red/white arrow goes to Chu Lai.)</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Today, Chu Lai, Vietnam is a resort community and manufacturing town. But 50+ years ago, it was a ginormous Naval base that served Marine aviation from 1965-1970. After that, the U.S. Army took it over until the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Vietnam" target="_blank">new owners</a> took possession in 1975. I looked for fascinating photos of the place and found none — air bases are inherently flat, paved and the buildings are rather boring to look at. </div><div><br /></div><div>Need proof? Just ask any veteran of Chu Lai from the moment. Or, look at the photo below. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfmAumKG68nmH6quPr_hFLf3XeP_zOULsT9B-ce3QTf3xACjtYFN9K08HEPmO7vHnCVUOXUNytQ-87l1Bv5hk8hkcWUx2683kmHNKt7Nxg0AjwJ6MnEjTfQF9RSyZT0HrqAnSGAp5aT7SEJKOVBBuxeM7Br7RNptFPeMQIZymoj-y0vveX1PPyPuu_RbY/s859/Chu_Lai_SATS_airfield_c1965.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="470" data-original-width="859" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfmAumKG68nmH6quPr_hFLf3XeP_zOULsT9B-ce3QTf3xACjtYFN9K08HEPmO7vHnCVUOXUNytQ-87l1Bv5hk8hkcWUx2683kmHNKt7Nxg0AjwJ6MnEjTfQF9RSyZT0HrqAnSGAp5aT7SEJKOVBBuxeM7Br7RNptFPeMQIZymoj-y0vveX1PPyPuu_RbY/s320/Chu_Lai_SATS_airfield_c1965.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span>I found this official Marine Corps photo on <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chu_Lai_Air_Base" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a>. If you squint, you can see A-4 Skyhawks. </span>If you're looking for something more picturesque, try <a href="https://www.vietnamairlines.com/vn/en/destinations/chu-lai" target="_blank">here</a>. Time changes things, eh?</span></div><br /><div><br /></div><b>What's an A-4E Skyhawk?</b><div><br /></div><div>Efficient, effective and cheap, the A-4E Skyhawk is one of the greatest war machines ever built. But, "greatest" is subjective, especially when geeks start analyzing data. WWII/Korean War/Vietnam War pilot <a href="https://www.adirondackdailyenterprise.com/news/local-news/2016/11/great-fighter-pilot-passes/" target="_blank">Hank Snow</a> answered my question, "What was the greatest airplane you ever flew?" with the brilliant answer, "Hmmm. The one I was flying at the time!"</div><div><br /></div><div>Unfortunately, that's not exactly helpful. I wasn't able to jack-into Hank's brain and see for myself... though I often think of Hank, his family and his willingness to share...</div><div><br /></div><div>I digress again.</div><div><br /></div><div>In honor of the war's 50th, I decided to do some data analysis between the A-4 Skyhawk and the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sopwith_Camel" target="_blank">Sopwith F.1 Camel</a>, a combat aircraft of 50 years prior. Why the Camel? Because. It's my blog and I can pick whatever I want.</div><div><br /></div><div>Granted there were a blizzard of airplanes I could have chosen. But let this be a reminder to all who want to become a History Geek — we all have our perspectives, our biases... it's up to <i>you</i> to learn more.</div><div><br /></div><div>Right?</div><div><br /></div><div>Right.</div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway. Click below.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYmpcz0S3PMv266jcgvYRaejIv-fOjAMfeHPYXfhSQE0Y6QL4SNCjNzEE1EXjVgdQFZ6QkWIM4GCOQxHldRLzdcL5CTIallbG24WBZdLWzuY9blX53b_LHbQTnwXKXdGwbIpxauVdU9AKG9L_2SgMJv7zOb6SkXBxK2xZxgd8hx9wSoBicVAigptbU0Gg/s2476/Screenshot%202023-07-30%20at%201.14.19%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1032" data-original-width="2476" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYmpcz0S3PMv266jcgvYRaejIv-fOjAMfeHPYXfhSQE0Y6QL4SNCjNzEE1EXjVgdQFZ6QkWIM4GCOQxHldRLzdcL5CTIallbG24WBZdLWzuY9blX53b_LHbQTnwXKXdGwbIpxauVdU9AKG9L_2SgMJv7zOb6SkXBxK2xZxgd8hx9wSoBicVAigptbU0Gg/s320/Screenshot%202023-07-30%20at%201.14.19%20PM.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span>Be careful drawing blanket performance conclusions about Wing Loading. </span>But, essentially, a lower-wing loaded aircraft will be able to keep a sustained turn at a slower speed while a higher-loaded aircraft will be able to haul more, faster.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">In this case, a Skyhawk vs Camel comparison tells us very little than the fact that aviation changed A LOT in 50 years.</span></div><br /><div>Ok, so the A-4 Skyhawk was no Sopwith Camel when it came to twisting/turning dogfights. Heck, while the Camel was struggling to crack 120mph, the A-4E was still hurtling down the runway! Nevertheless, this rather silly graphic does illustrate one thing — humans have clearly demonstrated the capacity to learn from the past. </div><div><br /></div><div>Can you imagine a proper aeronautical engineer announcing to the dev team, <i>"Hey y'all. I'm thinking for this next sub-space drone that we do TWO wings and a total-loss rotary engine!" </i></div><div><br /></div><div>If you can't imagine that, find anyone (repeat) in the aviation industry, show them the imaginary quote above and take note of their response.</div><div><br /></div><div>Next graphic!</div><div><br /></div><div>I remember reading David Halberstam's book, "<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Best-Brightest-David-Halberstam/dp/0449908704/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1JSOUA3MCEZ9F&keywords=best+and+the+brightest+halberstam&qid=1690742231&sprefix=Best+and+the+Brig%2Caps%2C119&sr=8-1" target="_blank">The Best and The Brightest</a>" and learning that the Vietnam War's chief architect (and former Ford Motor Company whiz), <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_McNamara" target="_blank">Robert S. McNamara</a>, believed that transacting war from an accountant's perspective would make sense.</div><div><br /></div><div>Having worked alongside Whiz Kid Accountants (WKAs) a time or two, I decided to channel my inner Wonk and come up with the graphic below:</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0W4n7VoPYh3WY8yelczoISBMT678NYHdb3hfk_OjGqdgcEn4_qxAZ1VsBQ_UCA7WG9lA9gniJePkTUDgudYQbTRM6qQ410mYyFKDA3-fTdS00ybttmL1WvmaBnx1qoghZ3oYQlQY31b_8agN7bC6mGuhEQo6ZOSY-ynd-E-s013ZIP8dbKnoWrZVin1I/s2444/Screenshot%202023-07-30%20at%201.23.06%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1008" data-original-width="2444" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0W4n7VoPYh3WY8yelczoISBMT678NYHdb3hfk_OjGqdgcEn4_qxAZ1VsBQ_UCA7WG9lA9gniJePkTUDgudYQbTRM6qQ410mYyFKDA3-fTdS00ybttmL1WvmaBnx1qoghZ3oYQlQY31b_8agN7bC6mGuhEQo6ZOSY-ynd-E-s013ZIP8dbKnoWrZVin1I/s320/Screenshot%202023-07-30%20at%201.23.06%20PM.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Gawd, I hope you're laughing.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">But I'm fairly sure that there are some of us who, even for a second</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">thought, "OMG! We should'a had Sopwith Camels in Vietnam!" I'm guilty, btw.</span></div></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Well. Imagine that — the Camel is nearly 30% more efficient, pound per dollar, in carrying ordnance! Of course it has to be done a pound a time but geez... what a savings!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kgv7U3GYlDY" width="320" youtube-src-id="kgv7U3GYlDY"></iframe></div><br /><div>Ok. If you've never seen the movie "<a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/galaxy_quest" target="_blank">Galaxy Quest</a>" you may not get the whole gist of the clip above. So watch the movie. The desperation of actor Alan Rickman's voice is palpable — he speaks for every soul that ever realized that there was more to life than the vacuity of "the present."</div><div><br /></div><div>Whatever.</div><div><br /></div><div>It doesn't take long to figure out that war may <i>benefit</i> business, it shouldn't <i>be waged</i> like a business. If you decide to learn about the Vietnam War from veterans who experienced it first-hand, they'll likely have clear opinions on this idea, too.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfcgeIyiTnWBUdpscKkkOt4SEIhf_XTuLxaciG9s4SSFarNLqOYMw4Zn6fpJ9CAKQ6ho21u8pQ5ZgqcR-ueq_5iqcCrOl7FxEsJFMx7BQNoxoWVn3PhqaqnRF7U9au7k6czSKCGl8pGwvsYR3E_nqrJizSdppy1Bg5JM8LgM14OZcarrR25qEzo9MXPas/s2880/Untitled-4.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1907" data-original-width="2880" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfcgeIyiTnWBUdpscKkkOt4SEIhf_XTuLxaciG9s4SSFarNLqOYMw4Zn6fpJ9CAKQ6ho21u8pQ5ZgqcR-ueq_5iqcCrOl7FxEsJFMx7BQNoxoWVn3PhqaqnRF7U9au7k6czSKCGl8pGwvsYR3E_nqrJizSdppy1Bg5JM8LgM14OZcarrR25qEzo9MXPas/s320/Untitled-4.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Sometimes the Accounting Weenies are right. Sometimes they're not. </span><span style="font-size: small;">Seek to know the difference.</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Ok. Moving on.</div><div><br /></div><div>The prior two graphics are (though based on fact) completely silly. Heck, <i>war</i> is silly (even though our species tends to like 'silly' too often).</div><div><br /></div><div>However the one below may be actually worth thinking about. Years ago, Dean Failor — 7x <a href="https://www.dfcsociety.org" target="_blank">DFC</a> recipient and pioneer in the development of laser-guided bombs — and I were talking about the terrible waste of resources that went into sending huge resources to WWII targets and only miss the mark. Laser guided bombs effectively erased that problem.</div><div><br /></div><div>One bomb, one target --------- > Boof!</div><div><br /></div><div>Remembering our conversation, I started thinking about the people/cost/efficiency of the A-4E vs Camel comparison; which was more effective (on a people-cost) at delivering ordnance?</div><div><br /></div><div>Clearly, the Skyhawk! I can only imagine what the North Vietnamese Army would have thought seeing a gaggle of eighty biplanes buzzing over their heads...</div><div><br /></div><div>Look below.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoDOwqWr6QbdUbWv2_j5ohPUcBLFQZb8fM7VUExpHu17ccpn1AfNPHz3_RXEe9pfvkYlr_64QBRRC_2Gr2tmq-KDXNnGzaQwmhFl2Iwu_xuXRXZIYpeWMDdFYhwp4DHfLWwa0355nYdMKrDbiHavQjTSfFD4XZa-WcSkloxnRmSXOl2qBHmKf5zatSDlM/s2466/Screenshot%202023-07-30%20at%201.41.53%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="2466" height="139" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoDOwqWr6QbdUbWv2_j5ohPUcBLFQZb8fM7VUExpHu17ccpn1AfNPHz3_RXEe9pfvkYlr_64QBRRC_2Gr2tmq-KDXNnGzaQwmhFl2Iwu_xuXRXZIYpeWMDdFYhwp4DHfLWwa0355nYdMKrDbiHavQjTSfFD4XZa-WcSkloxnRmSXOl2qBHmKf5zatSDlM/s320/Screenshot%202023-07-30%20at%201.41.53%20PM.png" width="320" /></a></div></div><div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Alright, the fun is over.</div><div><br /></div><div>It's time to get ready to meet Marty.</div><div><br /></div><div>I met him years ago. It was an honor. For one, Marty is a 4x recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross (among others) and a gentleman of the old order. Truth be known, I've had dinner in his home. He's in my contact file. We have mutual friends. </div><div><br /></div><div>So, if I call, he'll answer... and don't think for a second that I forget who I'm talking to...</div><div><br /></div><div>A man who was <b>there</b>.</div><div><br /></div><div>(deep breath)</div><div><br /></div><div>This post had some funny bits and posted with my sense of irreverance. But the purpose is far, far more sober and serious — If you want to know "what was it like?" <b>don't wait for someone else to make a documentary.</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Seek, ask and listen.</div><div><br /></div><div>The next post(s) will be what I learned when I followed my own advice.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlC7gkor596AywjcokLLpHje3fLste6WN6vKuhsBpJVSK7L0Jzn9EqoZIomjoqaXizWdQ5AS9Y_Wl1w25XjkFuiKAauTC0fq63M9xz0a1QXyyFn0yuiM1u7Daxr64ZSP2tnv7336tA0F9WGz6cwX3aggR0lKynT3jgNFcQ_lKQxiACbogq5cCH16gpCdE/s2457/image0017.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1653" data-original-width="2457" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlC7gkor596AywjcokLLpHje3fLste6WN6vKuhsBpJVSK7L0Jzn9EqoZIomjoqaXizWdQ5AS9Y_Wl1w25XjkFuiKAauTC0fq63M9xz0a1QXyyFn0yuiM1u7Daxr64ZSP2tnv7336tA0F9WGz6cwX3aggR0lKynT3jgNFcQ_lKQxiACbogq5cCH16gpCdE/s320/image0017.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />This is Marty, c. 1968-9 in front of VMA-211's logo emblazoned on some building at Chu Lai Naval base. I spent at least an hour drawing the lion that is leaping across the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wake_Island" target="_blank">Wake Island atoll</a>. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div><div>*In spite of the Paris Peace Accords, combat continued in South Vietnam until the country's capitulation in 1975. But, be advised — American combat in the arena didn't end. I've made note to bring up the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mayaguez_incident" target="_blank">Mayaguez Incident</a> at the appropriate time. And then, there was Cambodia...</div><div><br /></div><div>**The term is offered in the utmost respect and glory. I've learned that 'young guys' tend to not know nearly as much as 'old guys.' Sure, younger people get technology, zeitgeist... but time — like compound-interest can make you more money — can make you wiser.</div><div><br /></div><div>And God said it. <a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/1/PRO.8.11.KJV#">Proverbs 8:11.</a> I don't argue with God.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div>JSMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11887081006253101167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1361503268172319169.post-78621179608708470262023-07-23T13:42:00.011-05:002023-07-24T07:17:39.955-05:00FLOWN WEST - Paul Ehlen, History Geek<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5PPWPjNwZEM8iEl17XAv8nzfeL4Ko3XHjtuVFB0GYY3lbaSjDBJbaZab--CEGss1sUX1EmlG8-TTR6KW8jrEH1vCmJg2zdjHdKmxJfNypfWj2dvaL_36iN-nOL9VUwGOXO6y-b9m_L4vsPlK_EPHTvo6e9_9xOwfSyyYOPuovyYXWLQG3501gLRjw88A/s3264/IMG_0504.heic" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5PPWPjNwZEM8iEl17XAv8nzfeL4Ko3XHjtuVFB0GYY3lbaSjDBJbaZab--CEGss1sUX1EmlG8-TTR6KW8jrEH1vCmJg2zdjHdKmxJfNypfWj2dvaL_36iN-nOL9VUwGOXO6y-b9m_L4vsPlK_EPHTvo6e9_9xOwfSyyYOPuovyYXWLQG3501gLRjw88A/s320/IMG_0504.heic" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">Somewhere east of Pierre, SD, looking East.<br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: small;">There’s a moniker growing-around that’s becoming rather popular: History Geek. </span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">If the reader is tempted to think of History Geek(ishness) as an academic, intellectual pursuit of the quantifiable (i.e. names, dates, places), you’re incorrect. Instead, those who scour history’s record with the scrupulosity of a 19th Century Counting House clerk are something altogether different than a History Geek. </span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Now. These NON-History Geek people are not bad people. In fact, they play a terrific role in providing the rest — History Geeks — with the framework, navigation points and scale to thrive on this strange blue ball. Indeed, a History Geek is one who’s learned to not merely collect data but to then assemble it into … well… expressions of something greater.</span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“Greater? Like what?” </span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Well, here’s where things get challenging because the human story is far bigger than can be contained in a meme. “Columbus sailed the ocean blue in 1492,” tells us very little. But when a History Geek digs in to the moment and starts to wonder, “Why?” “What were the outcomes?” “Was the price worth the gain?” “What would I have done in Columbus’ spot?” the rewards reveal themselves in the ways that define the best of us: wisdom, inspiration, excellence…</span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">(Sigh)</span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Maybe what I’m trying to say is that there are people who “know the cost of everything and the value of nothing.” And there are people who know the value of everything and the cost of (doing) nothing.</span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I’m a History Geek. Probably, you are too.</span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">So was Paul Ehlen.</span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I’ll be brief. About a month ago, 27 June to be precise, Paul died in a crash of a Curtiss P-40E fighter plane. He’d just taken off from Ravalli County Airport in Western Montana when… well, the data wonks are sorting that out. And thank gawd they are because the data is important to the Aviation community in improving the quality, safety and performance of all-things-airplanes. And yeah, the irreparable damage to a rare airplane was palpable...</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Those are facts.</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">But. Facts alone do not satisfy. And they <i>never</i> satisfy. </span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Later that day, I received a text from one of Paul’s dearest Warbird colleagues who stated it simply, “This is the most unpleasant way to lose a friend.”</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Though the words appeared on a silent screen, the writer's profound pain was felt, the sound of sobs were heard. Such is the depth and breadth of such news; it transcends the mere facts of the matter, reaching into the soul.</span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">As a fringe-member of the “aviation community,” I knew Paul better than most but certainly not as well as others. Indeed, Paul’s name was brilliantly known in the Warbird Aviation Community. He’d backed the restoration of two beautiful P-51 Mustangs and made it possible for many more to be shared with the rest (like me).</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I first met Paul years ago when he’d coordinated a commemorative flyover of Waldron Bridge, Fort Pierre, South Dakota. </span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">It was really a <a href="https://www.capjournal.com/news/wwii-warbirds-come-to-pierre-in-honor-of-john-c-waldron/article_b7113db0-2b95-11e6-bc12-07971586b468.html" target="_blank">cool moment</a>. Two P-51s, a TBM, an FM-2 (Wildcat) and a straight-tail Bonanza camera plane, formed up to do a simple flyover of the community<i> for no other reason</i> than to salute a <a href="https://vimeo.com/231649692" target="_blank">man</a> who’d died doing his job, leaving behind an unsung legacy of Herculean heroism. </span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The community was gobsmacked by Paul’s leadership… after all, <i>weren’t those airplanes expensive?! And didn’t the pilots have better things to do? And FREE? Certainly not FREE! They have to want SOMEthing, right?!</i></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Nope. The cost of the event — to Paul and his cadre — had been paid on 4 June, 1942. The quantities of time, energy and money were irrelevant in comparison to the immense qualities of courage, integrity and duty that the moment represented. </span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I told him I couldn’t find an appropriate way to thank him for what he’d done. His reply was quick, firm and told with a smile...</span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>“No thanks are needed or wanted. I do what I do. You do what you do. We both are doing the same thing.”</b></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The words of a History Geek, indeed.</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Blue Skies, Paul.</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">And I'll keep doing the same thing, too... thank you for the inspiration. :(</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnaFr4y-yNGrnSvIcfVn1zn-lbo90TgR1J7ZcNwGLezvYwl88OKoQ0L_Y5qEjrEeUgU0JKUEYbkHOd93YSBVFFQhMq3dUKQxpxEfsBEzAlCqgXeyucUtg91HwPWBk798i0dGnNDmb8sgvSOk7zbqeslY-piWrXaudydl6WBH_DKoai9Uc5xRInOwTFvB0/s1632/IMG_4554.heic" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1632" data-original-width="1224" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnaFr4y-yNGrnSvIcfVn1zn-lbo90TgR1J7ZcNwGLezvYwl88OKoQ0L_Y5qEjrEeUgU0JKUEYbkHOd93YSBVFFQhMq3dUKQxpxEfsBEzAlCqgXeyucUtg91HwPWBk798i0dGnNDmb8sgvSOk7zbqeslY-piWrXaudydl6WBH_DKoai9Uc5xRInOwTFvB0/s320/IMG_4554.heic" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />Paul and his EAA Grand Champion P-51, "Sierra Sue."</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></p>JSMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11887081006253101167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1361503268172319169.post-69268173807567557852023-07-22T13:04:00.005-05:002023-07-22T13:28:48.086-05:00Profile 167: A-4E Skyhawk as flown by Martin Lenzini, VMA-211<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih1MUX7TxJ5R4fDbN3ShUm5pDFF_7L6v3pMUPacu2mqD3I6U54CJ7NXaPqG7Zii5h2zwdj5qtS7ZIefEqCPbtvr86hzpwiFWa9i9EPzdCAYkwws4YocyKpVa61HzdvX3GvPyGIu_DF6MxZOGQdoANovF5KUL0jNPCM8ldrNihRiK3kiCGYN30TVnVlVwk/s1251/Screenshot%202023-07-22%20at%201.27.32%20PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="850" data-original-width="1251" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih1MUX7TxJ5R4fDbN3ShUm5pDFF_7L6v3pMUPacu2mqD3I6U54CJ7NXaPqG7Zii5h2zwdj5qtS7ZIefEqCPbtvr86hzpwiFWa9i9EPzdCAYkwws4YocyKpVa61HzdvX3GvPyGIu_DF6MxZOGQdoANovF5KUL0jNPCM8ldrNihRiK3kiCGYN30TVnVlVwk/s320/Screenshot%202023-07-22%20at%201.27.32%20PM.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p><p>Long time, no post!</p><p>Certainly it's not because of a dearth of drawing — since my last full post in 2022, no fewer than NINE new aircraft have been successfully drawn (with corresponding interviews).</p><p>I will catch up. Partly because I want to. But mostly? It's because I HAVE to. And this A-4E is a brilliant symbol.</p><p>This morning, the folk behind the excellent "<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cold-war-conversations/id1363778974" target="_blank">Cold War Conversations</a>" podcast were charitable enough to include me in their episode list (evidently, I'll be #301). They let me pontificate about Freeman Bruce Olmstead's undeserved 'shoot down' of his RB-47 in 1960 (and subsequent heroic representation while held in the infamous Lubyanka prison). I drew Bruce's beautiful Boeing in 2014... click <a href="https://ww2fighters.blogspot.com/2014/09/profile-87-finishedthe-rb-47h-as-flown.html" target="_blank">here</a> (it's worth your trouble).</p><p>But most poignantly, podcast host Ian Sanders and I ended up riffing on the reality that 'these stories,' as told by those who've lived them, are quite literally, dying. Of course, ALL stories (as told by those who've lived them) are dying. No one gets out of life alive, right?</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgpUpqMyQjWXF9x33sJz4xVMR_bNKIhvZ04NVVbmI46yDi7asPNFxrJlHoGs1xUlKobJ5CMez8FmwtFzXL7gT28u2ENObjgMXoFIxrib09HIWA3dVZH4GzT65uXysJsKm7eWT9nZPpsfqMzgm3ja4G6Ets96caM40Lp5lw-1VN8B-N4H5fJWoC_ufglWE/s1202/Screenshot%202023-07-22%20at%2011.34.32%20AM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="1202" height="142" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgpUpqMyQjWXF9x33sJz4xVMR_bNKIhvZ04NVVbmI46yDi7asPNFxrJlHoGs1xUlKobJ5CMez8FmwtFzXL7gT28u2ENObjgMXoFIxrib09HIWA3dVZH4GzT65uXysJsKm7eWT9nZPpsfqMzgm3ja4G6Ets96caM40Lp5lw-1VN8B-N4H5fJWoC_ufglWE/w320-h142/Screenshot%202023-07-22%20at%2011.34.32%20AM.png" width="320" /></a><br /><br /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">And once they're 'gone,' shmucks like me are (too often) all that's left to carry the tune.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>In this particular A-4's case, her pilot, Col Martin Lenzini, is healthy, strong, smart, brilliant... and I promised him I'd draw his bird back in 20-when?! All of a sudden, I realized how I'd let the urgency of lesser-moments eclipse the more illustrious power of the past. </div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>"Dangit. I gotta get Marty's story."</i></div><div><br /></div><div>So, have a look at the A-4E on top. It's a progress-shot of A-4E BuNo 151193. It will be armed with Marty's chosen load out of "snakes and nape." I'll be explaining more about <i>that</i> in the next couple of posts. </div><div><br /></div><div>Now, have a look at the photo below. That's "Marty," circa 1969, Chu Lai, South Vietnam. It too is an A-4E but with the more characteristic hump atop the fuselage. This add-on bit may have detracted from the inherent attractiveness of the pure A-4 form but it increased its ability to survive in combat as the hump contained crucial ECM (Electronic CounterMeasure) gear.</div><div><br /></div><div>In effect, there are two forms of E-models - humped and humpless. (I'm glad Marty suggested 1193 as his representative Skyhawk as I think the humpless variety is just a wee bit prettier...</div><div><br /></div><div>I digress.</div><div><br /></div><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmIPekeqpLdRDmvZbN17u__nRmk3ZgUK5LWysYH7-uCm2WutBN0zLi-2sHHJXYpUtusjo6fJO9FJzuhdEB0G0b8a6pt_sMg3XZ7o_Y84HMAxZnXXwiT6tk70-BVWI6EohZjtpDDh3MNqK8qIY81S0Mx-xL8a8zGcHFWApZt7PtXvbmZTbyfELOPkBUkNM/s2445/image0620.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1625" data-original-width="2445" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmIPekeqpLdRDmvZbN17u__nRmk3ZgUK5LWysYH7-uCm2WutBN0zLi-2sHHJXYpUtusjo6fJO9FJzuhdEB0G0b8a6pt_sMg3XZ7o_Y84HMAxZnXXwiT6tk70-BVWI6EohZjtpDDh3MNqK8qIY81S0Mx-xL8a8zGcHFWApZt7PtXvbmZTbyfELOPkBUkNM/w320-h213/image0620.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Marty in front of a VMA-211 A-4E Skyhawk.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Anyways, in the event the reader is not an A-4 Skyhawk devotee, there are a few things to know:</p><p>1. ONE A-4E Skyhawk could have stopped World War Two. How so? Well, in comparison to the B-17G, an an A-4 could carry twice the ordnance, had 1/8th the crew, was three times faster AND was nuke capable. So, assuming one had a Time Machine, my statement is correct.</p><p>And the first A-4 flew in 1954, a mere nine years after WWII ended. Progress, eh?</p><p>2. 2,900+ (of all variants) were manufactured from 1954 to 1979. That's a twenty five year production run. </p><p>3. The A-4 could (almost) do-it-all. Though designed as an "attack" aircraft — meaning, tactical airstrikes, close air support, interdiction — it was also a capable fighter, level-bomber and even air-to-air tanker!</p><p>4. The A-4 was def combat proven. History geeks know the bulk of her combat sorties were flown during the Vietnam War. Still, Skyhawks fought under the Israeli flag in their myriad of conflicts, with the Argentinians in the Falklands Crisis and also in Kuwaiti markings during the Gulf War. No fewer than nine nations used the A-4.</p><p>I could go on. When asked if he had any particular affection for the airplane, Marty replied with gusto, "I loved it!" Of course, it's not uncommon for pilots/crew to have particular affection for 'their' airplane. But in the case of "the Scooter" (as it was nicknamed), the sentiment is that rare alchemy that happens when function + form + finesse come together to = "COOL!"</p><p>And indeed it is. A while back, I designed a little cut-out A-4F in the markings of <a href="https://www.dfcsociety.org" target="_blank">DFC Society</a> Director, Charles "Chuck" Sweeney. While flying with VA-212 Chuck was awarded three DFCs in ONE WEEK flying the A-4 in Sept of 1972.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh42mzWbFplYwOOSYvGos-yx8W-FPbkyj6y9k83iH452ZEtm83ltvbxHlRIu7vxM-Q1W7og00lhi7FqEdUBSUj2Pq5qzTvzoDqx2_EXkdTB3Km2gVikSZDeDChTE7aI9mRjuzzTid720s3ZYMmLAPDtqzF1li-Qhi9CShaX4DXmO4qlNpDHaZLz2E-hfv4/s1948/Screenshot%202023-07-22%20at%2012.23.32%20PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1468" data-original-width="1948" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh42mzWbFplYwOOSYvGos-yx8W-FPbkyj6y9k83iH452ZEtm83ltvbxHlRIu7vxM-Q1W7og00lhi7FqEdUBSUj2Pq5qzTvzoDqx2_EXkdTB3Km2gVikSZDeDChTE7aI9mRjuzzTid720s3ZYMmLAPDtqzF1li-Qhi9CShaX4DXmO4qlNpDHaZLz2E-hfv4/s320/Screenshot%202023-07-22%20at%2012.23.32%20PM.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />I have a couple more. Want one? <a href="mailto:john@johnmollison.com" target="_blank">First come</a>, first served.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I'm an A-4 fan boi for sure. But what do I know? I just draw them. Marty, on the other hand, flew them, as intended, in harms way, 350 times. In the process, he was awarded <i>four</i> DFCs. </div><div><br /></div><div>And Marty's (as well as Chuck's, et al) DFCs weren't awarded for refilling the coffee pot while sitting on alert. </div><div><br /></div><div>Stay with me. In Marty's words, <i>"We're cleared in HOT."</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><p><i><br /></i></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>JSMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11887081006253101167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1361503268172319169.post-49100664771225889232022-04-16T16:25:00.007-05:002022-04-17T16:40:37.843-05:00Profile 161: "323" - Vought A-7D as flown by Charles "Alex" Wright, 388th TFW, 3rd TFS<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA_l2jFBuO-2zx35ahXha5pea2HTOxSra-35E152twk5hMZY_kWCVvHaEAXvorFfVLgGRDVkzmR9iwdEhPCWj9gooA7CWJyBIRyYdSAoJ6YgFZJbp-h9GHOFMFjmkx1U-sinHxykbhcjv4hNy8dJ0-kDHrLltk9UjRlsPGSrtg4WAcDfe2L-_uXNJx/s3055/img20220409_17081911.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2489" data-original-width="3055" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA_l2jFBuO-2zx35ahXha5pea2HTOxSra-35E152twk5hMZY_kWCVvHaEAXvorFfVLgGRDVkzmR9iwdEhPCWj9gooA7CWJyBIRyYdSAoJ6YgFZJbp-h9GHOFMFjmkx1U-sinHxykbhcjv4hNy8dJ0-kDHrLltk9UjRlsPGSrtg4WAcDfe2L-_uXNJx/s320/img20220409_17081911.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>I'm not sure what it is about being a History Geek (HG) that is so danged compelling.</p><p>Maybe it's the ability to keep calm in the face of chaos.... or see multiple sides of the same issue. Or, maybe it's knowing the answer before others even understand the question...</p><p>Whatever it is, History Geeks (HGs) command respect. </p><p>Why? ONE WORD: Perspective.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtYtQSjQ7oxzWYi-ZtsfqwQAKAshUSb6FsZTwJ27k00Ph9EWkYxs1iNxUZTRh6pP55Jog5U7K06nZCfZb3PehwUpCiwdho3lTsBJJ857kh3b93YLBZF6f95wysgCvKJnd-Q5m2s4sy3S3jFHFlPBtyRLUchn-sjf9hyo68TXeRw_GhYvMC_A1OQUWP/s1881/Suave.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1300" data-original-width="1881" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtYtQSjQ7oxzWYi-ZtsfqwQAKAshUSb6FsZTwJ27k00Ph9EWkYxs1iNxUZTRh6pP55Jog5U7K06nZCfZb3PehwUpCiwdho3lTsBJJ857kh3b93YLBZF6f95wysgCvKJnd-Q5m2s4sy3S3jFHFlPBtyRLUchn-sjf9hyo68TXeRw_GhYvMC_A1OQUWP/w320-h221/Suave.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">A trite, dated trope? Bah. The whole world is a trite, dated trope.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">HGs know this.</span></div></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Indeed. </p><p>Look at the pencil sketch. It's a Vought A-7D Corsair II circa May, 1975 and based at Korat, Thailand.</p><p>* break break *</p><p>On the whole, 1975 was a year of malaise. In case you're wondering what "Malaise" actually is, the graphic below showed up on a quick search. Evidently, an Icon Designer figured this was the best way to represent the condition in pictograph... </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL1UAoq5v9MO5xRGV36ZM5I-y2SurZ-P2s2hsviic2C4U1YKSakfPohkBPvLHz5LfKpjk1J-2xKh5EK4TNIlgiJuUNz_G8S_5E9W8PYOtQA-1sMqcH591ZMRdsWHBOHHs95_ixHkVaM_s03T4fTw-1M_moFiHzp-8sH3CAfOzNNiMIrvsersRawTqx/s900/Screen%20Shot%202022-04-16%20at%209.04.32%20AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="870" data-original-width="900" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL1UAoq5v9MO5xRGV36ZM5I-y2SurZ-P2s2hsviic2C4U1YKSakfPohkBPvLHz5LfKpjk1J-2xKh5EK4TNIlgiJuUNz_G8S_5E9W8PYOtQA-1sMqcH591ZMRdsWHBOHHs95_ixHkVaM_s03T4fTw-1M_moFiHzp-8sH3CAfOzNNiMIrvsersRawTqx/w291-h280/Screen%20Shot%202022-04-16%20at%209.04.32%20AM.png" width="291" /></a></div><p>At first, I couldn't quite figure it out as it looked like someone dancing. So, I googled popular songs of 1975 and immediately saw that Barry Manilow had his first #1 chart hit with the song "Mandy" in January!</p><p>Now, if any song can knock you into a state of malaise, it's MANDY. And if you actually were forced to dance to the tune, it'd look EXACTLY like above. Try it yourself. I'll wait...</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MZ352-kAhr8" width="434" youtube-src-id="MZ352-kAhr8"></iframe></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p>See what I mean? </p><p><span style="text-align: center;">However, if you're a stickler for details, let's let "the dictionary" define the term.</span></p><div style="text-align: center;">****</div><div><br /></div><div>Malaise — /məˈlāz/ noun</div><div><div><br /><i>A general feeling of discomfort, illness, or uneasiness whose exact cause is difficult to identify.<br />"a general air of malaise"</i></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">****</div><div><p>Why the malaise-iousness? Well, if we were transported back in time to the United States circa May of 1975, the following would be depressing the collective consciousness:</p><p>• President Nixon's 1972 Watergate Scandal not only ruined his leadership, it also brought the ruin of the Presidential Office into the living rooms of every American that had a TV. </p><p>• The formal withdrawal of American troops from Vietnam in 1973. Granted, it should have been a time of celebration but the reality is, the war had stirred up so much muck, the moment 'felt' like a disaster cleanup.</p><p>• Sure the VN war POWs were home by April '73 but a third of them were either divorced or in the process. Putting it into perspective, that's about twice the rate of the average population.</p><p>• Saigon fell, leaving an era of military men & women feeling as if they'd been cheated by their political leadership as well as cheating the very people (South Vietnamese) they'd believed they were trying to protect.</p><p>• When Nixon resigned from the Presidency, VP Gerald Ford was promoted. One month later, Ford pardoned his old boss, ironically ruining his own chance at a legit chance of winning the 1976 election. </p><p>• Inflation had a mind of its own — in 1975, it had cracked 9% (and wouldn't slow down until the Reagan-era of the 80s).</p><p>• American cars were (almost all) garbage — bloated behemoths powered by emissions-strangled engines, clad in orange-peeled paint, fake-wood appliqué and acres of soft, sticky, velour. Oh and Ford was still <strike>selling</strike> burning Pintos.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="345" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/lgOxWPGsJNY" width="463" youtube-src-id="lgOxWPGsJNY"></iframe></div></div><div><br /></div></div><div>• And if you were a man, the fashion industry absolutely hated you. See the guy with the mustache? I don't blame him for scowling.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZxSxXqZfVQWbzBLH7UqW3PdS_tRazSYSzifFgn2C_-9K9bnk5TA15ly80dfDEz0FmIegdA0iWn8pEt5YtQDBEiCKNJti2pJ0me91ug_p0nbxdsd1A5W0YK_D2kouYnXxG33xcjGZ0UZvifiN4MDnb8BIpXz1B493vG8GDF9mYoRy1SNE4xuyus_Bb/s1024/8c1547d858869145a38656f58a249b56.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="769" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZxSxXqZfVQWbzBLH7UqW3PdS_tRazSYSzifFgn2C_-9K9bnk5TA15ly80dfDEz0FmIegdA0iWn8pEt5YtQDBEiCKNJti2pJ0me91ug_p0nbxdsd1A5W0YK_D2kouYnXxG33xcjGZ0UZvifiN4MDnb8BIpXz1B493vG8GDF9mYoRy1SNE4xuyus_Bb/s320/8c1547d858869145a38656f58a249b56.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>True story. I asked an old person about what they remembered from the 70s and the answer I received was a grunt, sneer and wave of the hand as if someone had just farted.</div><div><br /></div><div>Malaise indeed.</div><div><br /></div><div>However, HGs understand that the human story is one narrated by Newtonian voice. It works like this: when something sucks, another thing blows. And if you were a Southeast Asian Communist in 1975, your whole world was blowing RED.</div><div><br /></div><div>• Vietnam was now Communist (April).</div><div>• Cambodia became Communist (April).</div><div>• Laos became Communist, too (December).</div><div><br /></div><div>(sigh)</div><div><br /></div><div>Now's a good time to get back to the A-7D above (or below for that matter(. Specifically, the A-7D, S/N 71-0323 assigned to the 3rd Tactical Fighter Squadron (TFS) of the 388th Tactical Fighter Wing (TFW) based at Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base (RTAFB), 12 MAY 1975.</div><div><br /></div><div>For most of the Vietnam War, Thailand hosted any number of bases for American fighting aircraft. Ubon, Udorn, Tahkli, U-Tapao to name a few. But none were as big or involved as Korat. From 1962 through 1975 "Korat" was the largest USAF base in Thailand, sending massive amounts of sorties into North Vietnam, South Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos... I tried to look up how many sorties but simply couldn't figure it out. My guess? Over half a million. For a single-runway base, Korat was a happening place.</div><div><br /></div><div>Until 1975.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKIBHZozeI2j8y-U7SdSwNlaXuiDMaNnmkOQvsIHAyOC5fVFa9FdLzEr7AeUJafy_PnYOludcLFtRtQHhedqfQ2cQ9LnYVmtbNakAV2w5gp52crFdW8bV4stIlaZ274NaSaHemPHI5mGayjrub7Vp9Om4ltFY2efNPsOS6DxNqCOvmjTxqkAj7Q7dz/s700/Korat_map7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="490" data-original-width="700" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKIBHZozeI2j8y-U7SdSwNlaXuiDMaNnmkOQvsIHAyOC5fVFa9FdLzEr7AeUJafy_PnYOludcLFtRtQHhedqfQ2cQ9LnYVmtbNakAV2w5gp52crFdW8bV4stIlaZ274NaSaHemPHI5mGayjrub7Vp9Om4ltFY2efNPsOS6DxNqCOvmjTxqkAj7Q7dz/s320/Korat_map7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I found this map <a href="http://www.frontiernet.net/~freitag/Korat/korat-main/Korat_Mainpage.html" target="_blank">here</a>. It's a pretty cool personal page on Korat AFB</span></div><div><br /></div><div>By 1975, the withdrawal of American forces left a much smaller aerial footprint in Thailand. No need for the deed, right? The Thai government was as tired of war as everyone else. With Cambodia and South Vietnam's fall, Thai politicos wanted nothing more than to secure its own government (which had growing Communist influences) and stay out of conflict. Period. The Thais imposed restrictions upon the U.S. on what kinds of missions could be flown from Thai bases (including Korat).</div><div><br /></div><div>Thus, the A-7Ds of the 388th TFW were simply a vestige feather of a once-mighty (now black-eyed) Eagle. I can envision the moment now — a hot May afternoon, a row of green, brown and white A-7s sitting idle, waiting for nothing more than to go home... more malaise.</div><div><br /></div><div>Meet Lt. Alex Wright. He was one of the new arrivals to the USAF's cream of fighter pilots. Too late for the action of the Vietnam War, he figured he would wind out his Southeast Asian tour flexing his aerial muscles to no one in particular and then end up back in the states.</div><div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi54MQEbLtYBu3ablIf604bQtSivrqyJa6grFOvCCPIf43JEZUpnJrvxzHqqrmsfvopDOF9dZ56aS-Buoxzz0Rq4qx7hKfZsgMOR-gL_Ne4MVAVzNANHMop4jbHTkYDuW0XxPxK0aK9Ae2PnwdKbEw_ld0Ppvwb83fly77FCTcNaayJQh67SjBCKZhP/s966/alex%20korat%201975.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="966" data-original-width="674" height="367" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi54MQEbLtYBu3ablIf604bQtSivrqyJa6grFOvCCPIf43JEZUpnJrvxzHqqrmsfvopDOF9dZ56aS-Buoxzz0Rq4qx7hKfZsgMOR-gL_Ne4MVAVzNANHMop4jbHTkYDuW0XxPxK0aK9Ae2PnwdKbEw_ld0Ppvwb83fly77FCTcNaayJQh67SjBCKZhP/w256-h367/alex%20korat%201975.heic" width="256" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Alex said, "Now John, look carefully. I want my A-7 to be weathered. See the fading? Chips of paint? Like that. (he paused) Like me now!" He thought that was funny. To me, this story is not funny at all.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On the morning of May 12, Alex was just another bored American fighter pilot, biding his time in a part of the world where he wasn't wanted or needed.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">By 1430 hours, however, the gods of war decided the Vietnam War needed one more battle...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">(and we'll get to this notion of HGs having 'perspective' in the next post)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGyiwRyzmSVFTicl8SySl2TZlvdP6KQJHKWgNH_UGJvVco5FXA92BHiCbDxqwfFFUVUkWsaDyvG6wuUiZ04iwwsw7Xh-gy4LM_sL0NG7bi9wpRcFesQW1UTTvPwKomnMMWzgUdsIdNSwsNNWFkzvNC61JJKnFaWX2H4RbRg3_Bug2fdQ6zn98odav-/s1584/Screen%20Shot%202022-04-17%20at%204.35.26%20PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1075" data-original-width="1584" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGyiwRyzmSVFTicl8SySl2TZlvdP6KQJHKWgNH_UGJvVco5FXA92BHiCbDxqwfFFUVUkWsaDyvG6wuUiZ04iwwsw7Xh-gy4LM_sL0NG7bi9wpRcFesQW1UTTvPwKomnMMWzgUdsIdNSwsNNWFkzvNC61JJKnFaWX2H4RbRg3_Bug2fdQ6zn98odav-/s320/Screen%20Shot%202022-04-17%20at%204.35.26%20PM.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I hate "SEA Camo" (SEA = South East Asia) because no one is really sure what it really looked like. Think I'm being funny? Look up photos for yourself, multiply that by the raging sun, humidity, wear, tear... but I do know that Alex's A-7D was painted with "anti-flash white" on the bottom. And even then, it was filthy.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>JSMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11887081006253101167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1361503268172319169.post-39299699764261621212022-03-13T11:11:00.004-05:002022-03-13T11:11:42.652-05:00Profile 160: "269" - McDonnell Douglas F-4E Phantom II as flown by "Andy" Anderson and Wade "Mom" Hubbard<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhrxNiMuBcBQxyodclCWm6ppbo_NwzhWyrEOpRx8A60Ry6F32RVLSHJpHWfj9LX3xUd5Ctl-gGfDcsTTAebiYovygWNswUhlKbagz4nb41Z8bMTTql0r86_sEdZ2-yLZSMi5EOtRHEY2teZlcOB1f9IJ_iuinwlZeS8VRexS5qWtHem9VbmOKxdMqsx=s1986" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1524" data-original-width="1986" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhrxNiMuBcBQxyodclCWm6ppbo_NwzhWyrEOpRx8A60Ry6F32RVLSHJpHWfj9LX3xUd5Ctl-gGfDcsTTAebiYovygWNswUhlKbagz4nb41Z8bMTTql0r86_sEdZ2-yLZSMi5EOtRHEY2teZlcOB1f9IJ_iuinwlZeS8VRexS5qWtHem9VbmOKxdMqsx=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>"I sure love/hate the governor..."</div><div><br /></div><div>"We went to Mount Rushmore once. My little brother/sister got carsick..."</div><div><br /></div><div>"Watched Fargo! Great movie!"</div><div><br /></div><div>And of course (paraphrasing 99.97% of all graduating high school seniors) "I can't wait to leave."</div><div><br /></div><div>Welcome to South Dakota!</div><div><br /></div><div>Here. Have a sign. It's free. Which is a good way to get to meet South Dakotans — offer free stuff. Why? Because, South Dakotans are simple folk, working the land, hoping that something to eat will come out of it (after the thaw) and making clothes out of grocery sacks...</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjmbf40nmWsK9D1POV0Nhe7zCp5dTkGa1gV_a9-fYXtFjwsXpJyv5Q94l5ZXIYET66vofVg1TbRPbwRLPC3mX49W8CN2xdB0-HpLSEXFs7QPAdSkJFTVyXU54mqR5rWhIlQrrCzDUgU4GezIvgrjoUDcyU0CXNxEnXNb20gJj0blHnCYqYBTdzyIVTh=s1598" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1008" data-original-width="1598" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjmbf40nmWsK9D1POV0Nhe7zCp5dTkGa1gV_a9-fYXtFjwsXpJyv5Q94l5ZXIYET66vofVg1TbRPbwRLPC3mX49W8CN2xdB0-HpLSEXFs7QPAdSkJFTVyXU54mqR5rWhIlQrrCzDUgU4GezIvgrjoUDcyU0CXNxEnXNb20gJj0blHnCYqYBTdzyIVTh=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Ah, just kiddin'. But there is a point here. </div><div><br /></div><div>* break break *</div><div><br /></div><div>Have a look at the F-4E Phantom II on top. It's the opening sketch of an illustration that will soon be distributed (for free, btw) to school kids in South Dakota. And better yet, it'll also be made into a little <i>flingable</i> model airplane (something to do when Tornado & Locust Season comes and families will be hunkered in the cellar).</div><div><br /></div><div>Want one? Of course you do. Building paper F-4E Phantoms is satisfying and good. And maybe I can hook you up. But in the meantime, back to the point I'm trying to make.</div><div><br /></div><div>Meet Wade Hubbard, you've never heard of him. He lives a quiet life in South Dakota; pretty much the lifestyle of <i>everyone</i> in South Dakota.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjmLhZb_Ol2qBKxJX6h8owp6XNkHkvM1O4dOWmdeZg_cqDLnFi47hrkJdUTy8BtiOez3YqnqDQRUjG6h92Qflxcz1FrvvxJ5eh40H_aVIytQGtPdHwvQwXCW2Yulu3A_4HLsqDuA3-WzggXIUm4PUA35dfS3fNv1V3OMsYiG2_keArfjUM_-IVxeHhy=s2416" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1212" data-original-width="2416" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjmLhZb_Ol2qBKxJX6h8owp6XNkHkvM1O4dOWmdeZg_cqDLnFi47hrkJdUTy8BtiOez3YqnqDQRUjG6h92Qflxcz1FrvvxJ5eh40H_aVIytQGtPdHwvQwXCW2Yulu3A_4HLsqDuA3-WzggXIUm4PUA35dfS3fNv1V3OMsYiG2_keArfjUM_-IVxeHhy=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Ok. Now you can have a look below. It's the finished F-4E - specifically, "229". From what Wade tells me, it was an extraordinary bird; Wade was a WSO (Weapon Systems Officer) and even sometimes co-pilot (the USAF had joysticks in the backseat while the Navy/Marines did not) on 229 on more than a few occasions. </div><div><br /></div><div>But back to the "point." I can't really get into Wade's story right now — I will later. But, for the moment, his is yet another example how remarkable people surround us, often without any indication whatsoever. Though I've been privileged to have met some extraordinary 'celebrities' of 20th Century history, the reality of life's "reality" is bound in the ordinary folk. </div><div><br /></div><div>I'm beginning to think that our fascination with celebrities, entertainment — "personal branding" if you will — is a terrible delusion. As a native Dakotan, oft frustrated by certain Lack, I'm appreciating more and more the value of the Ordinary; the ordinary commitment to live one's life as fully as possible, without the need to measure it by clicks of the mouse, camera or net worth.</div><div><br /></div><div>Ironically, Wade will soon be honored far beyond he ever imagined. </div><div><br /></div><div>Want to come to South Dakota? Make plans 9-15 May... maybe you can meet Wade. Let me know — we South Dakotans tend to be friendly (we'll share the casserole, but if you like spicy, bring your own ketchup).</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg39ctdTHbobc0GDt81mE1nR3MzWV8u264fMmWZVeLYQguKy2UuINrnz1xg_PyObIBgmeFszTF1RDsxdoHpZJAIBUx5dh6w3dtfye24dQhjQxzI5EqhV0tCPxIgi1HOykKZ4-xpBzAyxVqN3ZZJAivEWVSxYgON71hoWRRw65W2sYSyOvszQAsYG8_X=s2042" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="612" data-original-width="2042" height="96" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg39ctdTHbobc0GDt81mE1nR3MzWV8u264fMmWZVeLYQguKy2UuINrnz1xg_PyObIBgmeFszTF1RDsxdoHpZJAIBUx5dh6w3dtfye24dQhjQxzI5EqhV0tCPxIgi1HOykKZ4-xpBzAyxVqN3ZZJAivEWVSxYgON71hoWRRw65W2sYSyOvszQAsYG8_X=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div>JSMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11887081006253101167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1361503268172319169.post-16586651635913281542021-12-24T15:48:00.005-06:002021-12-24T19:10:39.190-06:00 Profile 158: "Mammy Yocum" - Boeing B-29 Superfortress, 468th BG, 792nd BS as crewed by Malen Powell<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEimMjFIBRY5CA1Fu-F2h-sypsNeQ1X6MURud_P6Uv7XVHgRQtgJz35FXPmWRP4RpKESrI1D0XkjJTGLClRThXaO9LYlAFoVXKUhkSOpI5sJEVAqAPY99xdFIy4aeGdzEpF-LA36ABVpjYGflgr23slIN-SVljhPAAD_6v2rFiEhpCkeMM5rNR9vrBWG=s3043" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2550" data-original-width="3043" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEimMjFIBRY5CA1Fu-F2h-sypsNeQ1X6MURud_P6Uv7XVHgRQtgJz35FXPmWRP4RpKESrI1D0XkjJTGLClRThXaO9LYlAFoVXKUhkSOpI5sJEVAqAPY99xdFIy4aeGdzEpF-LA36ABVpjYGflgr23slIN-SVljhPAAD_6v2rFiEhpCkeMM5rNR9vrBWG=s320" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>Have a look at my B-29 sketch above.</p><p>Now, close your eyes and try to imagine what it really looked like...</p><p>Did you notice the nose art?</p><p>* break break *</p><p>(sigh)</p><p>My lifestyle requires that I 'hit the gym' every day. Without the gym, I'd be a 300lb potato; working out is the only way I know to achieve any kind of physical fitness in my line of work. But the essential practice is boring. And solitary. I'm not alone in this sentiment. </p><p>Thus, it stands to reason that - social species as we are - there are a group of us that meet in the facility's dry and steam saunas. Once the notion of being around naked, ugly, sweaty men in their pinnacle of "ick," (wrapping up in towels does not help much) is blocked out, the conversations that follow make the place <i>fascinating</i>.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhyEdOU-vTqg_TqOuXhJWa0gFTgXZUp1sX2C8L8l5ukhncYoJhL7ia7GganNUV6rz1Fkk4vNuMPK6sCH3qVr6tdPfjgEjHqU3-fxxJh-I2dK3RHJ-q_G86P7wm_FEF4s9_PGjSFKYwVfmzWKIH2aMTrN3bEii9PWxWLF6zO857kMzJJ4vsGsEShZWAu=s500" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="375" data-original-width="500" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhyEdOU-vTqg_TqOuXhJWa0gFTgXZUp1sX2C8L8l5ukhncYoJhL7ia7GganNUV6rz1Fkk4vNuMPK6sCH3qVr6tdPfjgEjHqU3-fxxJh-I2dK3RHJ-q_G86P7wm_FEF4s9_PGjSFKYwVfmzWKIH2aMTrN3bEii9PWxWLF6zO857kMzJJ4vsGsEShZWAu=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">A scene from the sitcom, "Everybody Loves Raymond."</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I do not recommend doing internet searches with the words:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">"Old men in sauna."</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">©NBC</span></div><p>As a twenty+ year gym member, most of the people there know me as "the guy who does war stuff." I'm seen as a subject-matter expert on aviation, military, politics — an odd irony in that I'm simply a repository of other people's activity. I know nothing other than what I learn from interviewing other people. I'm just an observer. Of history. I tend to keep my eye's shut in the steam room (and observe with my ears).</p><p>Anyway.</p><p>Years ago, one of the 'steam room guys' and I got to know each other well enough to recognize each other through the hissing steam —at the time, he was in his 80s and did his swimming/sauna routine about the same time I did my weights; our schedules in the Steam Room coincided. </p><p>We exchanged pleasantries —"Hey." "Hey." and "How's it going?" "Good, you?" But judging from his lack of direct interaction with the steady exchange of other Steam Room Acolytes, I recognized him to be an Observer, too. </p><p>Having participated in a few WWII memorial events, I got to be a pretty-good judge of age and figured him to be about 85. Backed with a heavy interest in all-things-WWII, I decided to ask the obvious. But, I'd learned that The Greatest Generation weren't always best approached from the front. Sometimes, an oblique approach was better. </p><p>In my minds-eye, I remember the moment like this — three in the steam room, the steady hiss of hot fog, the sharp scent of eucalyptus oil and weird acoustics that come from wet ceramic tile and the odd splat of sweaty feet.</p><p>Can you picture that?</p><p>Ok. Anyway...</p><p>"Did you happen to go overseas in the '40s?"</p><p>"Yes," was his reply.</p><p>"Really. Where?"</p><p>"North Africa." Through the steam, I could see his posture hadn't changed and sat hunched, looking at the floor as men tend to do in places like this. </p><p>(Ssssssss...splat, cough, sssssss...)</p><p>That was the roundabout-answer to the question I REALLY wanted to ask, "I see you're WWII age. Did you serve in combat?" (For those of you who are history-challenged, North Africa was not much of tourist destination in the 1940s.)</p><p>A few seconds passed and I decided to ask another. "Anywhere else?"</p><p>(Ssssssss...splat, cough, sssssss...)</p><div>In a flash, he stood up straight, and without making eye contact, announced to the doorway in a stern voice, "Italy! And two Purple Hearts <i>if it means anything to you!</i>" And he fairly bolted to the door, obviously uncomfortable with <i>something</i> and obviously DONE with the Steam Room.</div><div><br /></div><div>Poking around stories of the past is my work, but when it pokes back, I don't always know how to react. This time, I felt horrible.</div><div><br /></div><div>So did the other, silent dude, sitting in the mist in the corner... awkward? Indeed.</div><div><br /></div><div>However... </div><div><br /></div><div>As this old guy splatted his way out of the sauna, one hand holding his towel tight, the other strong arming the door, I noticed two ancient scars on his back. One about nine inches long across his shoulder and the other wrapped around his ribs, perhaps equally as long. Jagged, thick — these were not the marks of a surgeon but of the butchery of mortal combat. </div><div><br /></div><div>Again, I felt horrible. And it took another <i>year</i> before we got back to pleasantries —"Hey." "Hey." and "How's it going?" "Good, you?" </div><div><br /></div><div>Until, one day, the conversation eased back into his combat service and this time, he seemed more interested in talking about his wartime life — "One day, we'll have to get together. I'll tell you all about it. All of it." </div><div><br /></div><div>The day never came — like everyone on earth, he died. And like everyone on earth, he died with a story still locked away... and I was left with the sparse framework of Operation Torch, the Invasion of Italy and sobering memory of two ugly scars slashed onto the skin of an old man.</div><div><br /></div><div>Ok, so this post is supposed to be about B-29s.</div><div><br /></div><div>Have a look again.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhsJa5jB7NjWNPBXGb8SXYtwjS2P4CODLaJa-jLf0gvP6tLFk8svCgIJJ3HmETewufG7v0zKG6B9tpaxfKgiPkFeub0f3Aou9yDDI_8xM5_Xm05MRANwhG9EZuYQKl9apEEeLKLz-_Gyatxae7ngEsoCD16a_XaZ7EDohUaSyg8yQbAMhpS_782wQNr=s2498" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1590" data-original-width="2498" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhsJa5jB7NjWNPBXGb8SXYtwjS2P4CODLaJa-jLf0gvP6tLFk8svCgIJJ3HmETewufG7v0zKG6B9tpaxfKgiPkFeub0f3Aou9yDDI_8xM5_Xm05MRANwhG9EZuYQKl9apEEeLKLz-_Gyatxae7ngEsoCD16a_XaZ7EDohUaSyg8yQbAMhpS_782wQNr=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">My finished B-29!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">© Me.</span></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Did you notice the nose art? You can BARELY see it. But getting that bit right took 50% of the time required to render, "Mammy Yocum," the B-29 crewed by gunner SSgt Malen Powell, 792nd Bombardment Squadron, among the first to use the airplane in the historic bombing of mainland Japan in 1944-45.</div><div><br /></div><div>The piece was created to represent the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) <a href="https://www.dfcsociety.org" target="_blank">Society</a> at Malen's 100th birthday party to be held on 11 December in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Powell was awarded the honor for his actions over a mission over Japan — in the packed formation, he identified a stick of bombs plummeting from another B-29 as on a collision course with his crew's own B-29 and helped the pilot make lightning-quick course changes to just-barely miss a sure-fire collision. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgrxBrhhOT4RWf9-jRzz2ZcWN4I-0JEk9om0tfWUze2jRmFprGFVFlS3EIJpi3Qd3RuHoJVwlBkfHTGmYkVL0O8MYm4BLKQHhhe9WtxCr27jpsEk0Z9noeWNwjhZh-iInoehPqEswIPKPIqADY5StDOAcE3qirHfw8zo5Fho3a-eC0yUFX73DTWv3t7=s320" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="320" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgrxBrhhOT4RWf9-jRzz2ZcWN4I-0JEk9om0tfWUze2jRmFprGFVFlS3EIJpi3Qd3RuHoJVwlBkfHTGmYkVL0O8MYm4BLKQHhhe9WtxCr27jpsEk0Z9noeWNwjhZh-iInoehPqEswIPKPIqADY5StDOAcE3qirHfw8zo5Fho3a-eC0yUFX73DTWv3t7" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">This is a photo of bombs leaving the bomb bay of a 792 BS B-29.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I can only imagine what Malen saw...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">©Unknown</span></div><div><br /></div><div>DFCs aren't handed out like cookies. And they're no mere 'at'a boy!' awards. Gads, I wanted to know more about exactly what happened that day... and of course, what happened every other day in Mallen's life (which I found out was fairly stiched together with deeds of community service, profound Christian faith and friendship to many. </div><div><br /></div><div>Unfortunately, Malen contracted pneumonia in early December and his ill-health forced the decision to postpone his birthday party for...</div><div><br /></div><div>"<i>Six months?!</i>" I said aloud, reading the notice. </div><div><br /></div><div>Hmmmm.</div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway, back to the nose art. Of all the B-29s he'd crewed, Malen wanted "Mammy Yocum"* to represent his service. Now, as long as I have good photographic references, I'm pretty amped with nose-art challenges. But in the case of "Mammy Yocum," I was less-so as only two (kinda) crappy references remained. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgB1u4Rhx5cUO3xoPXvuO8CsLrePXlb0Fgv_TIAdNvNm-BlzY7sqkavnTUfwhkWTDdq4EasgvXLI8DDqVnAbN_lIsabhnH14i2bCovha8R7CEQ4b5QwLkBTEOGmvgtk2R0C9pYH21QIcVtbkmADBG0rZhfPc65hNskFra6tgPH-8sHZdAYNzFNCBbsM=s1728" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1728" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgB1u4Rhx5cUO3xoPXvuO8CsLrePXlb0Fgv_TIAdNvNm-BlzY7sqkavnTUfwhkWTDdq4EasgvXLI8DDqVnAbN_lIsabhnH14i2bCovha8R7CEQ4b5QwLkBTEOGmvgtk2R0C9pYH21QIcVtbkmADBG0rZhfPc65hNskFra6tgPH-8sHZdAYNzFNCBbsM=w399-h133" width="399" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The two lousy photos I had and my cobbled-up scrawl trying to simulate what "Mammy Yocum" would have looked like on the B-29 that Malen crewed.</span></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>You don't want to know what it took to figure out what color Mammy's clothes were and you certainly don't want to know how many iterations it took of sketching the iconic character on paper to get my head around how I could draw someone else's vision through someone ELSE'S minds-eye...</div><div><br /></div><div>But! The presses were fired up, proofs made, signed, numbered and readied for the party where Malen would be reunited with his airplane to a crowd of VIPs...</div><div><br /></div><div>...when on 19 December, I opened my email to find a short note from Malen's daughter, "I'm sorry. I'm trying to contact everyone. He passed this morning..."</div><div><br /></div><div>(sigh)</div><div><br /></div><div>Life is terminal, I get that. As much as we try to fool ourselves, there's a Higher Order that prevails, plucking every one of us from the time continuum. Play by the rules, break them all or pick your ratio in-between — the end is the same.</div><div><br /></div><div>I was really hoping Malen would have his moment, though.</div><div><br /></div><div>However, in my brief interaction with Malen prior to his passing, he did get a chance to answer a few of my questions (thank you, DeAnna Powell for the help!)</div><div><br /></div><div>***</div><div><br /></div><div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Me: If there was painting of your plane made, would Mammy be in color?</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Malen: It seems like she was.</i></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Me: Do you remember if the colors matched the comic strip?</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Malen: I just remember seeing her with her fists up like this (motions) ready to fight. Tom Young said that she was the "fighting-est" old girl in the army.</i></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Me: How many bombs would you want on your plane?</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Malen: Well, there would be 19 bombs and 4 camels... </i></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhfBDvqf8zrJlwpJ_KKppGwPd988yj0U4KCQdtkVfEEoy6nIMLeiGjZTWrI5ad6tzKCGuvH7t-TEDTWDeBIhtJqP-AH6SMe4wCFxMZqdcO395NLZCDhThtidmO9Ni5gn74twbzYRN4LAhv8ZSfNToPsXeYp3TAeFvZE_H7d_siWVHtZAbBMrjZ2VnlX=s739" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="739" data-original-width="415" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhfBDvqf8zrJlwpJ_KKppGwPd988yj0U4KCQdtkVfEEoy6nIMLeiGjZTWrI5ad6tzKCGuvH7t-TEDTWDeBIhtJqP-AH6SMe4wCFxMZqdcO395NLZCDhThtidmO9Ni5gn74twbzYRN4LAhv8ZSfNToPsXeYp3TAeFvZE_H7d_siWVHtZAbBMrjZ2VnlX=w216-h384" width="216" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">My artwork showing a nifty effect I use with clear "varnish"</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Notice the 100 (for Birthday), the five camels (for times flown over 'the hump')</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">and 35 bombs for Malen's combat total.</span></div><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Later, we got around to questions of more substance.</b></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Me: Did WWII change you in any way?</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Malen: I don't think it changed me. I was the same as before I joined. We had a job to do, we went over and did it. </i></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Me: So then describe your WWII service...</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Malen: I am proud of what we did. I saved my crew. I've been thinking about the movie"Saving Private Ryan". In the movie the gov't heard of four brothers that were killed. They sent a troop in to get the last surviving brother. The leader said to pvt Ryan, we are here to get you out. The gov't doesn't want all of the brothers killed in combat. Pvt Ryan looked at the leader and said, " Do you see that guy there, that guy there, that guy there, they are all my brothers and I'm not leaving them". The feeling, you've got friends here and there, but if you were in combat, your feelings for each other would be different. There is a story of friends 50 feet apart. One was shot, and the other defied death to bring his friend out to get medical attention. There's a bond between people who are in combat. I'll use Martin as an example. We were in combat together. He was probably the best friend I've ever had. When I lost him, man, that hurt. If it was the marines, army, navy, it would be different, but when we were together, there was no distinction between us. Captain Barber was my Good friend. We went to the shows together a few times. When we were sitting around together there was no distinction between us. </i></span></div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Me: If </span>you<span style="font-family: inherit;"> could do anything differently in your life, what would it be and why?</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Malen: That's a hard question. I don't know what I'd do differently. The only thing I can think of would be to go college on the GI bill. </i></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Me: Are you particularly proud of any accomplishment you did?</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Malen: I took flying lessons to be a commercial pilot. I would have been proud to be a pilot. I'm proud of my military service. Two different times I saved my crew from death. I was on the last mission that stopped WWII. I'm very proud of that. </i></span></div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Me: When you go back into your memories of a B-29 mission, what do they comprise?</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Malen: I made 34 bombing missions. Half of those missions I don't remember dropping the bombs. I remember the important missions. On the Mukden Manchurian mission we (almost) to have froze to death. It was 65 below zero, and we didn't take our coats. After about 25 minutes from dropping our bombs, we crossed the Great Wall of China. On a different flight from Pakistan, we flew over the Taj Mahal. </i></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Me: Any advice you'd give a total stranger? Like me?</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Malen: I'm not sure. I'm not sure...</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">And the interview was stopped to pick up another day. Which of course, won't happen.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhEecR5IGQkSVVp8AzxGpSKDHduTc18_DwOCbSlNVWAoDfcQBYT93l0PpAiqMChT-jgN0-u6cEoTSH_EWo4qoxZanIOfaA5J2KVsCotR26AkQE7ceJZe_U6lpG7h6ZJZwxilyuX5yUUCUEFy5I7PkYDsswh2lM8AEIuPwnaW9o-WndMTnq8Ak4B7P8b=s1728" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1296" data-original-width="1728" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhEecR5IGQkSVVp8AzxGpSKDHduTc18_DwOCbSlNVWAoDfcQBYT93l0PpAiqMChT-jgN0-u6cEoTSH_EWo4qoxZanIOfaA5J2KVsCotR26AkQE7ceJZe_U6lpG7h6ZJZwxilyuX5yUUCUEFy5I7PkYDsswh2lM8AEIuPwnaW9o-WndMTnq8Ak4B7P8b=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I just scribbled this. That's my Challenge Coin though. Appropriate enough for today.</span></div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto"><br /></div>****</div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto">That this post is the last of 2021 seems fitting as I'm tired from interviewing old guys and drawing their airplanes.</div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto">And tired of watching generations grow up in mind-tight capsules that can't learn from the past.</div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto">Tired too of shouted words and plugged ears.</div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto">And tired of seeing old people walk through the door of life, wisdom unshared, scars at their backs while the rest of us wonder what the hell just happened.</div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto">Blue Skies, Malen. I hear there's a <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+14%3A3&version=TLB" target="_blank">place especially prepared</a> for folk like you... </div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhKgKFRc_rcHUjgYq-I2tamYwhVZpcxfvUf3h73YRx3RRfpJ-iSJAQGFM103P6H8J3fDVlayFVCnBbxMHZW3L1FTM3dyav4FMw6N8QpbXpP0ZfbMjsFmZnMWnaE0lBsLnZOj1xCSeswId_cB0w0c86FbxemfrittTFH4eOsohb2A2t7mUSvoORIoPdu=s1182" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1174" data-original-width="1182" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhKgKFRc_rcHUjgYq-I2tamYwhVZpcxfvUf3h73YRx3RRfpJ-iSJAQGFM103P6H8J3fDVlayFVCnBbxMHZW3L1FTM3dyav4FMw6N8QpbXpP0ZfbMjsFmZnMWnaE0lBsLnZOj1xCSeswId_cB0w0c86FbxemfrittTFH4eOsohb2A2t7mUSvoORIoPdu=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.wyomingnews.com/milestones/obituaries/powell-malen/article_f4d68464-0392-5c2d-afa2-b954dab8317c.html" target="_blank">Malen Powell - 1921-2021</a></div><br /><div dir="auto"><br /></div></div></div></div><div>*Mammy Yocum was the tough-talking Matriarch of Dogpatch, USA of the then-famous comic strip, "Lil'Abner."</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>JSMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11887081006253101167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1361503268172319169.post-61744842266347617822021-11-01T15:01:00.146-05:002021-11-03T08:04:47.587-05:00The Aero Scouts of Vietnam - Reading the Sign<p><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQznVtSh0j0Ts7rlM7KgL5sxeK2lZMYzADF0pkd4IL3cwxERsrAW4EH0aiWyvrffPc9F_cebb71zDTYhsn2Y-_UOdo5PU2LgfmoIaglDRoheelacx2oBAEkHwIM3jo2eJTA4MSUKGqoaw/s2511/Screen+Shot+2021-10-21+at+11.00.01+AM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1252" data-original-width="2511" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQznVtSh0j0Ts7rlM7KgL5sxeK2lZMYzADF0pkd4IL3cwxERsrAW4EH0aiWyvrffPc9F_cebb71zDTYhsn2Y-_UOdo5PU2LgfmoIaglDRoheelacx2oBAEkHwIM3jo2eJTA4MSUKGqoaw/w400-h200/Screen+Shot+2021-10-21+at+11.00.01+AM.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">At 100mph and 100 feet altitude, it’s amazing what you can see.</span><div><br />
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It’s also amazing what you can SMELL.</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Have a look above. It’s an unusual graphic for this blog because it shows three of my drawings with a suite of logos.</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I will explain.</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">* break break *</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This past weekend, I was able to participate in an event produced by the <a href="https://www.americanflightmuseum.com" target="_blank">American Flight Museum</a> (AFM) in Topeka. The AFM is unique in that while most museums have doors and windows, theirs coughs smoke, makes noise and flies. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We’ll get to that in another post, probably early-ish next year. But suffice it to say the AFM is keenly interested in ensuring that the historical record is underlined with the preservation of personal accounts and the machines that helped make them.</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq2GoXO-qbM64TxblaOT19x0MG5zoj6sP9d5ylEFyCS-etp8FhCX3-mDi9nKW39R99DpfrBcInMxBoAiB-zucYqVxO_2AajbYFXJ73qEEzMH1w-GpV3hWWmMASfoX12ZT4Gz416Biz9WM/s4032/IMG_9429.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq2GoXO-qbM64TxblaOT19x0MG5zoj6sP9d5ylEFyCS-etp8FhCX3-mDi9nKW39R99DpfrBcInMxBoAiB-zucYqVxO_2AajbYFXJ73qEEzMH1w-GpV3hWWmMASfoX12ZT4Gz416Biz9WM/s320/IMG_9429.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><div style="text-align: center;">This'd be the AFM's AC-47 Gunship, "Spooky" dolled up in Medal of Honor recipient <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Levitow" target="_blank">John Levitow</a>'s historic decor. <span style="font-family: inherit;">More on this later. ©Me.</span></div></span><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Earlier this year, I was commissioned to draw a particular Vietnam War helicopter - a Hughes OH-6A Cayuse (or more popularly referred to as “Loach”) flown by veteran Hugh Mills. Hugh is an extraordinary individual in that he’s been awarded <i>just about every</i> medal the military and law enforcement community can offer. Adding to it, the man can <u>write</u>. He’s the author of the seminal book on U.S. Army “Aero Scout” operations, “<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Low-Level-Hell-Scout-Pilot-ebook/dp/B001QAP3JQ" target="_blank">Low Level Hell</a>.”*</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjweVBJLCLm8CEAa01kegPlzwnlSn1t6evLO2-Z0CF6sYlJJxgptG2XDPMDCeLc_MQ6aiQ1UKGYEapGOQjz7m11v3fHRTVWsXA1nEPN_Dli4TW64BzEZjJLy6pQa5TSM7AyqZFxdhNx6NI/s1530/Screen+Shot+2021-11-01+at+11.19.53+AM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="780" data-original-width="1530" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjweVBJLCLm8CEAa01kegPlzwnlSn1t6evLO2-Z0CF6sYlJJxgptG2XDPMDCeLc_MQ6aiQ1UKGYEapGOQjz7m11v3fHRTVWsXA1nEPN_Dli4TW64BzEZjJLy6pQa5TSM7AyqZFxdhNx6NI/s320/Screen+Shot+2021-11-01+at+11.19.53+AM.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Hugh Mills signs prints of my drawing - the AFM will use these as a fundraising tool for their Museum. The title of the print, </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">"You can't make history sitting in the office" is a quote Hugh gave me while talking to him about his history. Great one, eh? </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">©Me. And if you want to buy a print, contact the AFM. </span></div></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">However, these kind of moments are like when my neighbor starts up his 800hp Camaro; within minutes, every gear-head within a four-block radius is drawn to the noise like wasps to an open can of Mt. Dew…</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">… and suddenly, we’ve got Vietnam-vet Loach pilots taking turns at the controls of their old war mount, a hangar full of food, new friends and a hastily cobbled <a href="https://youtu.be/BO3Xs1lzV6w" target="_blank">Live Stream</a> featuring three extraordinary Aero Scout pilots (and me with a microphone).</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Was it awesome?</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Uh… you decide. (Be advised. The audio at the beginning starts out "not awesome." But, after about three minutes, it cleans up).</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="345" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BO3Xs1lzV6w" width="480" youtube-src-id="BO3Xs1lzV6w"></iframe></div><br /><p></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ok, back to the SMELL.</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It needs to be stated that the mission of the Aero Scout pilot was to find the enemy and direct operations to engage. Of course, 'the Scouts' were part of a complicated package that included Cobra gunships, troops on foot, directing tactical air support (i.e. jets with bombs)... but, the Aero Scout was often (by design) the first to make contact. And by making contact, it could include “I see some North Vietnamese way over there about a mile away.”</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">But most of the time, “…make contact” meant “Holy shite!” And right below, no further than twenty feet away are the angry enemy, blasting upwards with their AK-47s. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“So how close did you get (to the enemy)?” I asked Aero Scout, <a href="https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/85824" target="_blank">Gary Worthy</a>.</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Gary waited a few moments, processing the question, then calmly nodded towards a clump of </span>people<span style="font-family: inherit;"> in quiet conversation, standing no more than twenty feet away. “Closer than that.”</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">To put a fine point on his statement, on 16 October of 1968 near <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lai_Khê" target="_blank">Lai </a></span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lai_Khê" target="_blank">Khe</a><span style="font-family: inherit;">, Gary took a brace of fire that riddled his Loach with nearly eighty bullet holes and left a 7.62mm bullet lodged permanently in his head. And he managed to fly his crew, riddled helicopter and bleeding self back to base (South Vietnam) where he waited to be lifted to a hospital.</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Let that sink in. Gary’s survival story is miraculous.</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrzQset7YXZBfmq6NRFvtU34J2-cPqbmlSJTA50P3zrnJlQcq7slGzKCil08UP991-3K9CwXNegrQx3RLJIdNApe1iJM8f1qFTpb-arzUL61szRBkQAvtd7YokQjPsVV2gArv7b8YXmBc/s640/IMG_0317.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrzQset7YXZBfmq6NRFvtU34J2-cPqbmlSJTA50P3zrnJlQcq7slGzKCil08UP991-3K9CwXNegrQx3RLJIdNApe1iJM8f1qFTpb-arzUL61szRBkQAvtd7YokQjPsVV2gArv7b8YXmBc/s320/IMG_0317.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span>It's a crummy picture of a far-crummier occasion that ended up pretty beautiful. </span>Gary, recovering in the hospital, was visited by <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Patton_IV" target="_blank">Col George Patton IV</a> - yes, THAT Patton's son. Gary was impressed by the man and grateful for the visit. Photo courtesy of Gary Worthy.</span></div><br /><p></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">But Gary’s engagement story was common; remember that the Scout's role meant essentially meant poking a wasp nest with a stick and hollering, “They’re HERE!”</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Uh... wow.</p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">At any rate, in Hugh’s book, he wrote about how a Loach crew*** would need to be extraordinarily observant for all kinds of “Sign” of the enemy. Hence the word, “Scout” that harkens back to the days of the Wild West when trackers were used to find outlaws hiding in the wild country. That <i>Sign</i> could include, odor. Cooking odor, human waste odor and simply normal, routine body odor. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As someone who grew up in the country, the concept of looking for observable Sign was somewhat easy to grasp. But SMELL?? How on earth can people be ‘sniffed out’ from a helicopter zipping over trees at 80 miles an hour?!</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Uh...Hmmm.</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Wait. Before I get to the smell-thing, let's get back to the moment. Remember that it started with a lowly art commissioning. But by now, there were flying warbirds involved and a host of Vietnam War vets (and their friends, families and a slew of History Geeks). </p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSUl_yQRgeBz8TUtOhPsoz3i3XgSemt6lmfNJwyr8sgcLbXQ_u28d_POiVeIMvhgbo3yuMKiUSQN2qnbKr9o_v5i7bdby94cj3s69FS0BwO-EwBth6lBwM7Y40Me3rLRhp42wwaXjw7G0/s4032/IMG_9558.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSUl_yQRgeBz8TUtOhPsoz3i3XgSemt6lmfNJwyr8sgcLbXQ_u28d_POiVeIMvhgbo3yuMKiUSQN2qnbKr9o_v5i7bdby94cj3s69FS0BwO-EwBth6lBwM7Y40Me3rLRhp42wwaXjw7G0/s320/IMG_9558.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span>History Geeks + History Maker - L-R, Me, Gary Worthy and AFM President, Robert Rice. </span>(note to world, Robert hosted the gathering, backed by a beautiful team of other History Geeks that showed up, cleaned up, poured up, laughed up, shook hands and shared in the awesomeness of the moment).</span></div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Gary had obviously survived the war and in time, established a successful business as a crop sprayer. Over time, he'd accumulated the resources to do something he felt needed to be done — tell the story of his service in such a way that people could touch, hear, see (and ironically, smell). To Gary, that meant buying a vintage, brilliantly restored OH-6A helicopter and fly it.</p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Obviously, you know where this is going. </p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">First flight of the day, I'm with <span style="font-family: inherit;">Bruce Huffman, another highly decorated Aero Scout preflighting for a sortie over the Kansas countryside. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I had no idea that, “Fly a re-enacted combat mission with a combat pilot who flew said mission in combat” was on my bucket list. It should be on yours, too.</span></p>
<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="300" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/641200768?h=682052ce79" width="480"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">"Aero Scouts, crank engines!" from </span><a href="https://vimeo.com/historyisnutritious">Old Guys and Their Airplanes</a><span style="font-size: small;"> on </span><a href="https://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a><span style="font-size: small;">.</span></div>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">ANYWAY...</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We’re buzzing along, maybe 100mph, right over a narrow river, <i>lower than the tree line</i> and I wondered, "So what's this reading Sign all about?" </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">If there ever was a class in understanding the term, Situational Awareness, it should surely involve flying in a Loach!</p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq2RxbdI2aI0MaQ9ziDlaqtWbcfeEmYOy8pBHZO4lsMK0dpWya866lLYodr9jCKtQ3dpnITJm0-03gNMYOQYdbEs8IYcfnxz6hGEqXpWq3Fso0Yv3xaVnvtiiPZz_mzv-ORwYNMN6-0i0/s4032/IMG_9508.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq2RxbdI2aI0MaQ9ziDlaqtWbcfeEmYOy8pBHZO4lsMK0dpWya866lLYodr9jCKtQ3dpnITJm0-03gNMYOQYdbEs8IYcfnxz6hGEqXpWq3Fso0Yv3xaVnvtiiPZz_mzv-ORwYNMN6-0i0/s320/IMG_9508.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span>I took this at about 80kts — notice we're below the tops of the trees. </span>I know what I thought I saw...did YOU see anything?! ;) ©Me.</span></div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The tiny helicopter is not only fast, the bubble canopy and open doors provide an <i>exceptional</i> view of the world around. Though we were racing, low-level, I could identify various sizes of submerged tires, distinguished between a 2 x 4 piece of lumber and a 4 x 4 post, spotted an old chair left to rot in a bush and could follow the weave of game trails throughout the copses and clearings. The amount of information that I could glean was astounding. </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="300" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/641208338?h=6f230e0cac" width="480"></iframe></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">LOOKING FOR SIGN at 80kts from <a href="https://vimeo.com/historyisnutritious">Old Guys and Their Airplanes</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">But, the Loach was also suprisingly quiet. Twice, we surprised animals — one was a buzzard picking at a dead raccoon; ever see a big bird flinch?! It didn’t react until we were just overhead and even then it quite literally scared the sh*t out of it. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Suffice it to state, I was blown away by how much information could be obtained from buzzing around in these little Loaches. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">I was also blown away by how little time there was to process it.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="300" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/641206532?h=5826730b85" width="480"></iframe></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">An Aero Scout at the stick (Bruce Huffman) from <a href="https://vimeo.com/historyisnutritious">Old Guys and Their Airplanes</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Years ago, Bruce explained to me that a Loach crew had to function on a high level to do the job. <i>Every</i> set of eyes had to be working. <i>Every</i> mind alert. Unlike a Hollywood movie, there were no lazy minutes leaning on the door gun thinking of ‘back home.’ There was no time to reflect on life as the scenery scrolled below.</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Nope — from start to finish, the Aero Scout mission was all about acutely tuned, astutely sensed and accurately interpreted inputs from the world outside.</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Smell was one of those inputs.</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ok. So we were heading back to base, 500’ altitude, whopping-along at about 100mph when suddenly, I get this sharp scent of a barbecue — hickory smoke, ribs, to be precise. I look down (straight down) and one, two, three… there he was, a highly surprised Backyard BBQ Master, eyes upward, mouth agape, spatula frozen in mid-flip of the juicy rack.</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">And poof! We were gone.</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A few more moments passed and sniff! Burning leaves! Sure enough, there they were, a small pile of Fall leaves, smoldering away, and another surprised soul, stunned as our green tadpole shot over his yard.</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">And poof! We were gone.</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Then, up ahead I saw a column of white smoke from a much larger fire — the kind of controlled burn that a farmer would have after clearing out half an acre of old growth. A few moments later, the smell hit me and I realized how these Aero Scouts used all of their senses to play their extraordinary role in combat operations.</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin0Kq8fux6LGSjd4EAnHCE40DQuMLyMNXy7k8pZ_ylYPzaz99r86c0Oto2JTMlqR8zoqRtGRiwOzQZm7mDLPbiBj1nk0XX7CLoE-MqVShPjpp1Hyazy2xNrSVAu7fJ7d0gfETuYQ7jMww/s4032/IMG_9519.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin0Kq8fux6LGSjd4EAnHCE40DQuMLyMNXy7k8pZ_ylYPzaz99r86c0Oto2JTMlqR8zoqRtGRiwOzQZm7mDLPbiBj1nk0XX7CLoE-MqVShPjpp1Hyazy2xNrSVAu7fJ7d0gfETuYQ7jMww/s320/IMG_9519.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">Kansas? Khe Sanh? Doesn't matter. Where there's smoke, there's fire. </span><span style="font-size: small;">©Me.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sight, Surprise, Smell… </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Later on I was sharing my experiences with Hugh, Bruce and Gary; they nodded in sober response to my musings. But I knew that THEY knew there was <i>way more to learn</i> about being an Aero Scout than one flight above rural Kansas. Nevertheless, they were pleased to teach.</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="300" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/641209106?h=cc2f531b95" width="480"></iframe></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Rear view, turbine heat from <a href="https://vimeo.com/historyisnutritious">Old Guys and Their Airplanes</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Now you can appreciate why I wanted to be off the pad before sunrise and be over our AO (Area of Operations) so early in the morning. To catch the last wisps of smoke from cooking fires. To smell their food. War is about getting and using information.” Bruce smiled, gave me a firm pat on the shoulder.</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">There's no better way to learn History than to actually look at the eyes, hear the voice and make the mental connection with someone who was actually <i>there</i>. No. Better. Way. </p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">And poof! The night was over, handshakes, smiles, good cheer... and a whole lot to think about.</p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKyAZVwXODpYVh5da563bUJtlpkJa4gy6nsbEmcKz0A_7uQZVkcCn8XPUDVuPYSumJCANChsq8QbmlnPvsrqHR_tEbOWdhW8F7ksxPyJB3ZyCZENCpj3uIrEofMJIQ4GNl77LEm_6RttA/s4032/IMG_9572.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKyAZVwXODpYVh5da563bUJtlpkJa4gy6nsbEmcKz0A_7uQZVkcCn8XPUDVuPYSumJCANChsq8QbmlnPvsrqHR_tEbOWdhW8F7ksxPyJB3ZyCZENCpj3uIrEofMJIQ4GNl77LEm_6RttA/s320/IMG_9572.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">L-R Aero Scouts Gary Worthy, Hugh Mills and Bruce Huffman in front of Gary's Loach, hangared and loved-up for the night. </span></div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">(deep breath, exhale)</p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">These are tough days. </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We have a crisis in this country and it’s greater than COVID, gas prices, trigger warnings or canceled flights at the airport. It’s the crisis that occurs when the lessons and examples of one distinguished generation fade away before the generation before can read the Sign.</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">(deep breath, exhale)</p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This is why I put “When an old man dies, a library burns” on my personal challenge coin. Crisis, threat, terror, trouble - those things happen and they always will. But they’re so much easier to manage when we - as a team - stay humble, stay aware and stay vigilant in learning from the experiences of others. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">More stuff to come… I can smell it. </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio1pqbXSVs-JuQzZlHBeFZkTRQJX7OIqlXI_bT-a9NKCubAroT5XYw76ay3olvObk9_fzk8lS6tUqXcH7CyQLH7cEPI5xU9yz8P4st6Kou_idwy9GP1dgEoN1YZj2KmZxw1iXLjUxkdPg/s4032/IMG_9575.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio1pqbXSVs-JuQzZlHBeFZkTRQJX7OIqlXI_bT-a9NKCubAroT5XYw76ay3olvObk9_fzk8lS6tUqXcH7CyQLH7cEPI5xU9yz8P4st6Kou_idwy9GP1dgEoN1YZj2KmZxw1iXLjUxkdPg/s320/IMG_9575.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Thank you to Vaerus Aviation for letting us have our little party in their "little hangar." </span><span style="font-size: small;">God Bless America, Amen and Good Night. </span><span style="font-size: small;">©Me</span></div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">*HIGHLY. RECOMMENDED. MUST. READ. EVERYONE. YOU TOO.</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">** (pilot, observer and door gunner/crew chief) </span></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRZ5tQ7N_bvc0KE_2FeMbtjujObz-kWIfZsJr8rA8yWFQSiwT_686_uKeInmRcqKd7raollRAWRRjT-t-H4DxUkiUY49khI0Vvy9kuY9tNXny1qKE0tY46Gs7Nw2fIk9XAfUOPwvufl_8/s4032/IMG_9551.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRZ5tQ7N_bvc0KE_2FeMbtjujObz-kWIfZsJr8rA8yWFQSiwT_686_uKeInmRcqKd7raollRAWRRjT-t-H4DxUkiUY49khI0Vvy9kuY9tNXny1qKE0tY46Gs7Nw2fIk9XAfUOPwvufl_8/s320/IMG_9551.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Hugh Mills (R) and "Roddy" Dill (L) - our prime pilot for the day. Among History Geeks, Roddy is totally ONE OF US — on behalf of HG's everywhere, we're proud to call you one of our own. </span><span style="font-size: small;">©Me</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoA72Cv90oDDCdpobY_HaHxTsz1RUjkzpakMhq5qLF_vYg_OZVHwBqW4b50uQT0IQc0JcDDMP6u5IIIG-jYrPTolQ5KFrHu21iYn0IzzgPMZ5LrfQyqYoZRrPEsYl3sIEYiQuhDkI2_20/s4032/IMG_9522.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoA72Cv90oDDCdpobY_HaHxTsz1RUjkzpakMhq5qLF_vYg_OZVHwBqW4b50uQT0IQc0JcDDMP6u5IIIG-jYrPTolQ5KFrHu21iYn0IzzgPMZ5LrfQyqYoZRrPEsYl3sIEYiQuhDkI2_20/w400-h300/IMG_9522.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span>Ah heck. One more photo. And thanks again, Roddy. </span>btw - Mills and Huffman said you're one fine pilot. ©Me.</span></div><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><br /><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><p></p></div>JSMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11887081006253101167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1361503268172319169.post-46170667416055607292021-10-27T12:51:00.002-05:002021-10-27T13:00:21.529-05:00"The Obstinate Owl II " - F-86F Sabre, 35th FBS, 8th FBG as flown by... <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5aG1lRu-4ox1rm5iE1CCBcaGWGkdHayKaxtYnQIyOmCYZa0QwTiMUEEIQWeuP5ZRbTKgnL7P9lw06mI6MmFHRp-5X2Q3Lrtw278IRjZcoLTYFQjUQ6yT_QL99RxiGecY2wGGd9a4vjvI/s1728/MollisonF86.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="1728" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5aG1lRu-4ox1rm5iE1CCBcaGWGkdHayKaxtYnQIyOmCYZa0QwTiMUEEIQWeuP5ZRbTKgnL7P9lw06mI6MmFHRp-5X2Q3Lrtw278IRjZcoLTYFQjUQ6yT_QL99RxiGecY2wGGd9a4vjvI/w400-h266/MollisonF86.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /> Quick post - this blog is 'trending' again and figured a post should be made to keep up appearances. <p></p><p>BUT.</p><p>Aside from the fact that the above is about 50% of the way to completion, the most interesting thing here is what you don't see (yet) — the nose art.</p><p>There are only TWO known photos of this airplane, almost to spite the fact that its pilot is a human legend. One is a photo of the brand-new Sabre on its way to K-13 (the airfield from which it was based as assigned to the 35th FBS).</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixOyNlZ6fQSu8J60NM_WVUkP7P9x3joZIXiQXau_jCQx_56BaAnbMkpGrGxe11BMBX6GeAGtobsopRsozACBh7smF44NBerNMbPI1aOVxh5OrH1k68n0hAbt5N4aLYk6uQyVnYa5AdZwE/s2048/Screen+Shot+2021-10-27+at+12.28.21+PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1407" data-original-width="2048" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixOyNlZ6fQSu8J60NM_WVUkP7P9x3joZIXiQXau_jCQx_56BaAnbMkpGrGxe11BMBX6GeAGtobsopRsozACBh7smF44NBerNMbPI1aOVxh5OrH1k68n0hAbt5N4aLYk6uQyVnYa5AdZwE/s320/Screen+Shot+2021-10-27+at+12.28.21+PM.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">It's a fantastic photo of 458 in-flight! Photographer unknown but obtained <a href="http://www.flyingfiendsinkoreanwar.com/Pilots-Crew/Gushwa.htm" target="_blank">here</a> and attributed to an F-86 pilot named Paul Gushwa, 36th FBS.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>How do I know it's "on it's way from Depot in Japan (possibly Itazuke AFB)? Well, the pilot said that when the airplane arrived at <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suwon_Air_Base" target="_blank">K-13</a> (Suwon Air Base), he picked it out as 'his.' So, seeing that the Sabre doesn't have the pilot's quirky nose-art applied, we can assume it's INBOUND.<div><br /></div><div>Prolly February, 1953 but what do I know?</div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway, the photo below is the only other photo of "The Obstinate Owl II." </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibDGpD59Y8m2rFq2RX6V-lZOBR5TpcFgmWnIzFeQyphGwR4pNBgauFQUC8G4r9j5Yuc3mAH4rATgXSOPuxHW3crc4HaQYQjL7R4TEO67Qn6e6JrxbdAEX2yxEfE_DxLNmtnJ5ikxFsh1Q/s1296/OOII.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="892" data-original-width="1296" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibDGpD59Y8m2rFq2RX6V-lZOBR5TpcFgmWnIzFeQyphGwR4pNBgauFQUC8G4r9j5Yuc3mAH4rATgXSOPuxHW3crc4HaQYQjL7R4TEO67Qn6e6JrxbdAEX2yxEfE_DxLNmtnJ5ikxFsh1Q/s320/OOII.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">A totally funny, ridiculous and sworn-to-secrecy story is behind the name. I'm trying to get the man's blessing on sharing it here. I gotta keep my promises...</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>So, I'm working on mastering that fantastic script-work of whomever it was with the 8th FBW that did it. How do I know 8th FBW? Well... the photo below is the boss's bird. <a href="https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/354665" target="_blank">Col Walter Gotlieb Benz</a> was obviously Sierra Hotel, awarded the Silver Star, DFC and Bronze Star... and obviously influenced a few of the 8th FBW aircraft's nose art. Click the two photos and see what I mean — TOTALLY 'same guy' who did the brushery. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid-ECBUTGAAx3GELWHXHMplFDD0G8T3ywBgfJ-nnWCqJzkioe6Qt6e2VKq1_pcBajAIsGrkmy6EajK4jijELnQcfxp6SY3c5ub17OEEuTvKtE0EfJDXT1nhyphenhyphenyVvEazVHQijV7Q66Tx0cA/s913/Col+Benz+last+mission_3.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="913" data-original-width="605" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid-ECBUTGAAx3GELWHXHMplFDD0G8T3ywBgfJ-nnWCqJzkioe6Qt6e2VKq1_pcBajAIsGrkmy6EajK4jijELnQcfxp6SY3c5ub17OEEuTvKtE0EfJDXT1nhyphenhyphenyVvEazVHQijV7Q66Tx0cA/s320/Col+Benz+last+mission_3.JPG" width="212" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Photo of Col Benz climbing out of his F-86F, "The Dirty Old Man." Copyright unknown but found at: http://www.flyingfiendsinkoreanwar.com, a mighty fine site featuring the 35th FBS's sister squadron, the 36th FBS.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><div>And here's where things get amusing — the pilot who flew "The Obstinate Owl II" does have a photo of him standing in front of "The Dirty Old Man."</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwYvPgwhyphenhyphen5zLiGbkWI7N2RbMLoKvnHsJqQlR-EyXiIstgjI4w5VJgDXZpOmDejFwkQnZG379r5MAYzGRv5oUrYO_-8KnIOsnGHGHc5cRU1gbwcFedIWkWV3MOOufgsl3akDw7obbM7vIM/s914/Screen+Shot+2021-10-27+at+12.48.40+PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="914" data-original-width="722" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwYvPgwhyphenhyphen5zLiGbkWI7N2RbMLoKvnHsJqQlR-EyXiIstgjI4w5VJgDXZpOmDejFwkQnZG379r5MAYzGRv5oUrYO_-8KnIOsnGHGHc5cRU1gbwcFedIWkWV3MOOufgsl3akDw7obbM7vIM/s320/Screen+Shot+2021-10-27+at+12.48.40+PM.png" width="253" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Evidently Col Benz didn't worry to much about who was flying "his" airplane when he was away. And rightly so as the guy above was pretty much Sierra Hotel himself. </div><div><br /></div><div>More later. :) I think the next post, I'll be able to share why this F-86F is so darned special to the lore of American history.</div><div><p><br /></p></div></div>JSMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11887081006253101167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1361503268172319169.post-589049540139411982021-10-16T17:56:00.017-05:002021-10-17T08:35:54.632-05:00"The Obstinate Owl II " - F-86F Sabre, 35th FBS, 8th FBG as flown by... <p><i></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOZGedLLN4Rc4fhatF52j2Fw7HlXTVD7NLfdNoZIXL53yAdKL0zZ1_o7AclAAuiPH4J0Y7F4xArr4d4m56IPMNshr-Z7EKKhrh7yhylIaQUZ4iHbaOuSuW9JJfz_-Awc68n99fAARoDRQ/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1444" data-original-width="2002" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOZGedLLN4Rc4fhatF52j2Fw7HlXTVD7NLfdNoZIXL53yAdKL0zZ1_o7AclAAuiPH4J0Y7F4xArr4d4m56IPMNshr-Z7EKKhrh7yhylIaQUZ4iHbaOuSuW9JJfz_-Awc68n99fAARoDRQ/w320-h231/Screen+Shot+2021-10-16+at+4.32.27+PM.png" width="320" /></a></i></div><i><br /></i><p></p><p><i>"Gawd. You get to meet the most amazing people..."</i></p><p>Ever hear the phrase, "If you're the smartest/best/coolest person in the room, find another room"?</p><p>(cough cough)</p><p>Uh... my seat in the room of <i>"...most amazing people"</i> is hewn from solid granite with a foundation that sinks a mile into the earth. I ain't moving anywhere.</p><p>It's a great gig. But, it's spoiled me. Perhaps rotten. At least for the word, "Leadership."</p><p>To this point, the word <i>often</i> makes me blanch — what my generation passes as Leadership is (often) simply not. At best it's naive. At worst, it's a manufactured veneer. Narcisism anyone?</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVcshVExSQ1BafwSDruO6ynggSwMYP4_Yyaf9aziNkvlXEvvRbrddnp1J9KGENfKT43L5MlIALcrgUIuccjAD3qeWabTkxyJXuuBCTfvdC1wRFULQibj15ooF4U5Zh4fuUW21X-vpzPh0/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="688" data-original-width="1084" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVcshVExSQ1BafwSDruO6ynggSwMYP4_Yyaf9aziNkvlXEvvRbrddnp1J9KGENfKT43L5MlIALcrgUIuccjAD3qeWabTkxyJXuuBCTfvdC1wRFULQibj15ooF4U5Zh4fuUW21X-vpzPh0/" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">To me, this photo represents the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bonfire_of_the_Vanities" target="_blank">Bonfire of the Vanities.</a> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p><i>"Oooh. That's a little negative, don't you think?" </i></p><p>Nah. Hear me out. (irony-alert!)</p><p>Need to experience this for yourself? Clue into <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnmollison/" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a> and read the myriad of posts stuffed with the pronoun "I," the bullet-pointed lists of assured success-tips, pontificated musings and the remarkable youth (of all ages) from which they're conveyed.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7qOj7Ue02FXJZ-WAjnfYRY0Rgo509MhecTTtR62R1uiJUk4q8VtUlbXNpaaDe0HRVTNKgw7yWG-ou2_XAPFUynZVAAQmis88n5G09SCVaDNFHfg99h0pPzTDEX6VkaUyAKbts71C9eWw/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="222" data-original-width="1028" height="86" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7qOj7Ue02FXJZ-WAjnfYRY0Rgo509MhecTTtR62R1uiJUk4q8VtUlbXNpaaDe0HRVTNKgw7yWG-ou2_XAPFUynZVAAQmis88n5G09SCVaDNFHfg99h0pPzTDEX6VkaUyAKbts71C9eWw/w400-h86/Screen+Shot+2021-10-15+at+11.35.07+AM.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Will_Rogers" target="_blank">Will Rogers</a> was a "National Treasure." If he were alive today, I'd vote for him. So would you. Prolly.</span></div><p></p><p>Guilty as charged, too.</p><p>Nevertheless, the more I spend time with "...the most amazing people," the more I'm convinced that Leadership is a deep, personal void that one fulfills by using God-given talent, perfecting acquired skill and confidence that every human has a responsibility to the other.</p><p>Hmmm. Maybe I should post that. </p><p>(cough cough)</p><p>Anyway...</p><p>Have a look at the sketch at the top of this post — it's a North American F-86F-30 Sabre, circa Spring, 1953, South Korea, airfield "<a href="https://disciplesofflight.com/korea-files-1-k-13-4th-fighter-group/" target="_blank">K-13.</a>"</p><p>The story that will follow includes bombs, rockets, risk, reward, the moon, a drunk executive and his grateful wife and the kind of cache that will make even the most distinguished hero straighten up, shut up and listen up.</p><p>And it involves The Brady Bunch. Yes. With Marcia, Greg and Florence Henderson ("Mike Brady" was kind of a 'meh' but that's another story).</p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj13MqKWvp0DBwq2hf9SVDYPOTmXBI6VFy2IWBk8ayxLWbXLD10NWASfRPemdqQ3fxxu4fHiVgxWepaJ6rw5eO7i1FtEoipC46QNvM1gVfsepC0-f3c3u85-NUxJ3R7pT3apxHhzr8ttFY/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj13MqKWvp0DBwq2hf9SVDYPOTmXBI6VFy2IWBk8ayxLWbXLD10NWASfRPemdqQ3fxxu4fHiVgxWepaJ6rw5eO7i1FtEoipC46QNvM1gVfsepC0-f3c3u85-NUxJ3R7pT3apxHhzr8ttFY/" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />So... ©CBS (I guess) owns the copyright to The Brady Bunch.<br /><br />Jan vs. Marcia. I was (and remain) TEAM JAN. Marcia was too vain. (Oh! My Nose!)</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br />But first, let's get the Geeky stuff out of the way.<p></p><p>• This is an F model (not an A or an E or an H and certainly not a fat-nosed D).</p><p>Significance? The F model Sabre was the perfection of the breed. Aesthetically, it's probably the most beautiful jet fighter ever made. But Aerodynamically, it was almost perfect. Though unable to sustain Mach 1 in level flight, it absolutely mastered its flight envelope. Rumor has it that if the pilot (somehow) managed to get it in a spin, all one had to do was center the controls and it would return to normal vectored flight. </p><p>Beautiful AND pleasant. How's that for airplanes?!*</p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4PJmAyrJ_x1M6XE9w1jfwkzBe17kvnr10jYzefpYXfn-HQE9yZ6QfGBgi-pdJ3BSzWRXOdQZN_pCiB4WYa76mLizFVeg3Fv4xcn0VVZA41nESCaNKnHR0lYwdsJ-Z_0lnJWSJ9oy7h6o/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="740" data-original-width="1080" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4PJmAyrJ_x1M6XE9w1jfwkzBe17kvnr10jYzefpYXfn-HQE9yZ6QfGBgi-pdJ3BSzWRXOdQZN_pCiB4WYa76mLizFVeg3Fv4xcn0VVZA41nESCaNKnHR0lYwdsJ-Z_0lnJWSJ9oy7h6o/" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">This is an F-86D. I drew this for a family who loved their Patriarch.<br /><br />Someone actually said, "The D-model is ugly!" Bah. They wouldn't know 'ugly' if it farted on their lap.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p>• The particular Sabre I'm drawing <i>right now</i> is an "F" model and part of the 8th FBG. That'd be "Fighter Bomber Group" for those who don't care to know all the military acronyms. And in case you're wondering about FBS, that'd be "Fighter Bomber SQUADRON."</p><p>But, back to the letter "B."</p><p>Significance? "B" in the Air Force world means "Bomber." Though her pilot <i>"...thinks (he) saw a MiG, once..."</i> (and would have loved to tangle with it), this F-86F was a ground-pounder, dropping bombs and strafing targets. </p><p>So I asked him, "Did you ever want to get into a dogfight (with the North Korean** MiGs?)"</p><p>He replied, "Ah hell no. I liked bombing missions! I could have flown around (on MiG patrol) all day and never see (MiGs)! But when I was bombing, I was getting something done! 'Something happened' every time I took off and something happened every time I dropped my bombs."</p><p>So, I asked, "How'd you do hitting the target?"</p><p>He just glowered, coughed, looked away for a moment... then locked eyes and stated flatly, "I <i>always</i> hit the target."</p><p>Mmm'kay.</p><p>I got his point. The man never missed. Which is good because... uh... never mind. I'll hit that point in a later post.</p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyJS47z5VYpJMD9VJJfYwfgkzKw_rpficEi8prn3WBtWpJLHoQops0dpkuI2VEijeOSEKB5OuzMQSn37wCUVA0GwVc4gcDJI8qUStwf1HVM-23bTXdWyj1Ww0xyiS3qNzQLkaxW4mIJrY/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyJS47z5VYpJMD9VJJfYwfgkzKw_rpficEi8prn3WBtWpJLHoQops0dpkuI2VEijeOSEKB5OuzMQSn37wCUVA0GwVc4gcDJI8qUStwf1HVM-23bTXdWyj1Ww0xyiS3qNzQLkaxW4mIJrY/" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />"Major Tom to Ground Control..." © NASA</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>• The F-86F that I've been commissioned to draw represents the absolute apogee of the pilot's career (at least that's what <i>he</i> thinks). But, you'd never, ever <i>guess it </i>because the pilot of this particular aircraft is an American <i>Gawd</i>.</p><p>Significance? Well, that gets into this word, "Leadership" - at least how my generation has tried to promote it. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5KBrKbF4KUPZlKnQOqVyCC6IOv4Uu2dOK5pPLT3R-G3ZOIpfC4KwePx3jeYLqBguHvpr_1Ewn2TJ7ismMFiEumt4_QEaMadoIE0rOwlh7v6Jx4CnJ9TTUEvX6EUlI_aOTb18_YV_7E1o/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="367" data-original-width="550" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5KBrKbF4KUPZlKnQOqVyCC6IOv4Uu2dOK5pPLT3R-G3ZOIpfC4KwePx3jeYLqBguHvpr_1Ewn2TJ7ismMFiEumt4_QEaMadoIE0rOwlh7v6Jx4CnJ9TTUEvX6EUlI_aOTb18_YV_7E1o/" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">So. Back to that bonfire... Thank you @Cracked.com. </span></div><p></p><p>Pour yourself a cup/glass of whatever you think is prudent and clear your December calendar. The unveiling of this art will be live-streamed.</p><p>And you'll see (hopefully) that "Leadership" walks slowly, needs a cane (sometimes) and clears whatever <b>space</b> he's in of poseurs. </p><p>More coming. :)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtN5aQwzIRBrxUQsHM6TmKjM2aWpUdhwSSJ74tI60q-8Tq8ilGrVckkcWzJ-6UP0Aga-rQIT5ey-lNSG0xWmjK_3ZFfcvs_KYvoKk-3D7M-k4tmgch9__nCaNxs1Uzn2SRLmTNrmsKH98/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="980" data-original-width="2386" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtN5aQwzIRBrxUQsHM6TmKjM2aWpUdhwSSJ74tI60q-8Tq8ilGrVckkcWzJ-6UP0Aga-rQIT5ey-lNSG0xWmjK_3ZFfcvs_KYvoKk-3D7M-k4tmgch9__nCaNxs1Uzn2SRLmTNrmsKH98/w400-h164/Screen+Shot+2021-10-16+at+5.50.11+PM.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The quote is ©ME!. If the Kardashians call me up and want to buy it, it will cost ONE MEEELION DOLLARS. No... Seven. No... TWELVE. NO... </span></div><br /><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0QgaSupxWfc5fkwmipGp4Mr4VvU3SL6RZ5brtML8vLoaEhshcdz31eyz2p95bqNXyFgQ2GysI0uHxcGKIOR6-zMS8ywkkWJy_i3SsF2gyr1ImPWQWiNnDSzNVhAbzfvDZN1y9e4lH95w/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1364" data-original-width="2048" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0QgaSupxWfc5fkwmipGp4Mr4VvU3SL6RZ5brtML8vLoaEhshcdz31eyz2p95bqNXyFgQ2GysI0uHxcGKIOR6-zMS8ywkkWJy_i3SsF2gyr1ImPWQWiNnDSzNVhAbzfvDZN1y9e4lH95w/" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Stand by. This is going to get GREAT. :)</span></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">*The Supermarine Spitfire is beautiful, pleasant and... amazing.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">**Also (disproportionately) Chinese and Russian pilots. </span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>JSMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11887081006253101167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1361503268172319169.post-55053016843898260342021-09-21T11:28:00.012-05:002021-09-24T10:00:00.586-05:00Flown West: Eugene "Red" James. Are you supposed to read this?<p style="text-align: left;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVSiRwgEBgQ1TWD80GYvHTbHx769Zyif-JO4DJC-5IzSr62_ogq1ebMaWthBH22QVegI3i4rRJeDYiNUbc__pVHmiGmxChYyzfr1wOE8axygM5Td4PC_zYZlra-Nj-ccuAtPWSl5LrIrY/s2028/Screen+Shot+2021-09-21+at+10.57.15+AM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2028" data-original-width="1634" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVSiRwgEBgQ1TWD80GYvHTbHx769Zyif-JO4DJC-5IzSr62_ogq1ebMaWthBH22QVegI3i4rRJeDYiNUbc__pVHmiGmxChYyzfr1wOE8axygM5Td4PC_zYZlra-Nj-ccuAtPWSl5LrIrY/w258-h320/Screen+Shot+2021-09-21+at+10.57.15+AM.png" width="258" /></a><br /><br /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Eugene "Red" James sits in his Corsair, VMF-311 sometime in August of 1945.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">At some point, everyone must come to grips with the reality that life is personal.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">There is a point to-it-all and there is a test.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">* break break *</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">Years ago, “life” afforded the opportunity to learn about itself in the form of “old guys.” Specifically, combat aviators from WWII. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">As a history geek, it’s one thing to actually meet the people who’d participated in the peaks and valleys of the human timeline. It’s another to learn that <i>real</i> life is transacted, mostly, between those peaks and valleys.</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">In between dogfights, bombing runs and secret missions, life was common, if not mundane. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">These Old Guys, eyewitnesses to huge crescendos of humanity, mostly raised families, started businesses, walked to work, were married, divorced, hurt their children, were hurt by their children, made money, lost fortunes…. normal life. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">Life, however it is lived is a Process and Truth the result.</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">The process of sorting this “truth” is like the Prospector’s practice of panning for gold — swishing out the dirt and debris to leave behind the nuggets of value. Hanging around “Old Guys,” especially those who’ve experienced much, can make someone rich. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">However, there’s that phrase, “Not all the glitters is gold.” Conversely, “Not all gold glitters.” In fact, sometimes the most valuable is hard, black, and so jagged, it draws blood.</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">Meet Eugene “Red” James. </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiccN4iWjAg5SdADK9QmMnBVpG80QlScVw2Mr8I-C-SV6ZeqCbBC6OEGCg_6bfAtRop_RzETgHN79His-3dVs891aq2Rn5j7117tdGzdkqqP-nGMTvgj8V09PjoAh_XqChSp4-w7otrIyo/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1522" data-original-width="1894" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiccN4iWjAg5SdADK9QmMnBVpG80QlScVw2Mr8I-C-SV6ZeqCbBC6OEGCg_6bfAtRop_RzETgHN79His-3dVs891aq2Rn5j7117tdGzdkqqP-nGMTvgj8V09PjoAh_XqChSp4-w7otrIyo/" width="299" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Red with his VMF-312 squadron on the CV, Badoeng Strait (CV-116)</span></div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">As a fighter pilot, Red was a commoner of the extraordinary breed. He was not an ace, neither did he partake in war-changing battles. He did, however, accumulate an impressive tally of missions in WWII and the Korean War. Years ago, I wrote a little .pdf about his life called, “Marine Red.” It describes how he learned to master the famous fighter, the Chance-Vought F4U Corsair and wield it in mortal combat. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">You can read it by clicking <a href="https://issuu.com/johnmollison/docs/marinered" target="_blank">here</a>. But not quite yet. Read on, ok?</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">Anyway...</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">“I just did my job,” he’d say after recalling a particular memory of this or that combat action. Though he was highly decorated — The Distinguished Flying Cross is not handed out to just anyone — his modesty was sincere. Utterly so. He didn’t swagger, he didn’t brag, he didn’t boast… his participation in war was simply the result of circumstance, born at the right/wrong time with the right/wrong genes.</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">Later in life, he was content to poke around his small town, hands in pockets, making small talk, playing pinball and doting on his wife, Dorothy. Bumping into him ‘at the store’ was an invitation for fifteen, twenty, thirty…minutes of friendly banter about ‘stuff.’</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">“See ya Red!”</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">“Yep!” </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">And he’d putter on his way, leaving you/me the happier.</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">I got to meet Red by bumping into his grand daughter (in a fashion). She was thrilled to talk about this representative of Tom Brokaw’s “Greatest Generation” to such a degree, she handed out her mom’s phone number.</span></p><p><i style="font-family: times;">“You will call my mom, right? She’ll connect you with my grandpa! He flew Corsairs!”</i></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">“Yep. Sure.” A little weird to have strangers extract promises and offer family phone numbers… but life is weird. So, why not?!</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">Besides, Corsairs are cool. The greatest fighter aircraft of WWII? Quite possibly. But that’s not important here. Suffice it to state, I got to know the Old Guy. I think…we became friends of a sort, at least the kind of friendship that can happen between someone who’s twice one’s age and separated by huge distance.</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-h_gwleIV3tyMTRed_ZsqrmAc0deRchW8dSCBZhogfPleEgc-W49B7lrMJW5Y3JZUCzdYvtx9LBkldT5lUoxpfW3IwGC7GTjDl9Za-7z8g6564B4CDBmpS9z6UK8EedRReCBDdoh1b9Q/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1402" data-original-width="1910" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-h_gwleIV3tyMTRed_ZsqrmAc0deRchW8dSCBZhogfPleEgc-W49B7lrMJW5Y3JZUCzdYvtx9LBkldT5lUoxpfW3IwGC7GTjDl9Za-7z8g6564B4CDBmpS9z6UK8EedRReCBDdoh1b9Q/" width="320" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Red's granddaughter, Red and me. I made a presentation at the National Naval Air Museum about Red. If you squint, you can see a checker-nosed F4U-4 in the background; Red flew that precise airplane, BuNo 97349</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">But, there was a moment when I wasn’t so sure he’d even tolerate me again. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">Early on in meeting Old Guys, I developed a set of patent questions that reached beyond the cockpit and into the vague, the personal. Socrates wrote, “The unexamined life is not worth living.” As exiting as a Corsair is/was, once the data is known, it’s just a machine. The pilot, however, is a life. And there’s far more to life than war, right?</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">Anyway, Red’s daughter had warned me that in his age, some of his cognitive abilities were like skips in a vinyl record. I could always come back to a point but not to be frustrated if he couldn’t express himself so clearly. The question, “What makes a man successful?” resulted in a poignant moment of frustration as he appeared to struggle with the answer.</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">As it turned out, the struggle was no fault of age but the churning through eight decades of life, sorting and distilling the answer in a way that I could understand. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">So, He told me a story.</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">It’s a good one! The story involves an attack on an ocean port near Pyongyang, North Korea during the Korean War. There’s flying into flak, taking battle damage, a fantastic crash landing and a host of circumstances that will make even the most cynical believe in the Divine. Against all odds, Red brought his once-damaged Corsair back to the carrier, healed and whole.</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">I kid you not. </span><span style="font-family: times;">You should hear it, but that will have to wait for another day. Today, it’s more important to get to the point... Red finished his story with his finger stabbing at my chest, his voice slightly raised and his blue eyes shooting icy cold condemnation, “…and that man was a </span><i style="font-family: times;">coward</i><span style="font-family: times;">!” </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">I will <b>never</b> forget how that last word came out of his mouth, “…<i>coward</i>!” He spat it as if it were the most repulsive filth he knew. A few seconds passed, a deep inhale, sigh and he sank back into his chair, defying me to break his stare.</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">Awkward? Yes. Uncomfortable? Absolutely. Riled-up old men are not at all pleasant to be around. Still, the story he told didn’t have what I’d imagined as the traditional expression of Cowardice.</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">In Red’s story, no one ran away from battle. There was no sobbing at the bottom of a war trench. No cries for mommy. But the word remained – a word that embodies perhaps the worst, at least for a man. To be called a Coward is a curse of the worst order — to be known for failure, for fear, for worthlessness… “coward” is a bad word for sure.</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHFFszpGNzBjjMAcDdylMlUoutxwftFqjsM4OczD3iXMs_JmfMDAwqf-lYjlsr_x2ODafkKDuPTsfh7OstJHNZZgMwlSYrd6WP2qk4lBdnFPr4KihFXaHxToqbZCI74VmVN-2EDcCgvgs/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1540" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHFFszpGNzBjjMAcDdylMlUoutxwftFqjsM4OczD3iXMs_JmfMDAwqf-lYjlsr_x2ODafkKDuPTsfh7OstJHNZZgMwlSYrd6WP2qk4lBdnFPr4KihFXaHxToqbZCI74VmVN-2EDcCgvgs/" width="319" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Was this "the coward moment"? Dunno - could be. Does it matter? Prolly not. The best thing was that it was one of many over the years. </span></span></div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">Red remained simmering in his chair, a calm fury betrayed by a slight tremor of the hand and trembling of the jaw.</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">I gulped… perhaps a wiser person would have left well enough alone. But I wasn’t quite as wise as I am today.</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">“That’s a hell of a story. But I have one more question.”</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">Red glared.</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">“That guy you called a coward. He didn’t really seem like a coward to me. A jerk, sure. But a coward? What’s a coward to <i>you</i>?”</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">(Again, the story is pretty incredible. You’ll have to wait for the details).</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">He leaned forward, placing his hands at the end of the seat as if he were going to leap onto mine and hissed, “A coward is someone who doesn’t do what he’s supposed to.”</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">…</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">Please. Read that again. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">In a moment, his words blew through me like a cold South Dakota wind scours a stuffy, dank house. Clarifying, shattering and sobering — in an instant. There’s a reflexive action to slam the door and, “keep the cold out!” But then, there, I knew better — Truth can be like that. Icy, brutal. And at times, necessary.</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">Of course, all the images, memories and moments of Cowardice, as expressed in my rich American life came to mind. The failings of politicians, celebrities, business leaders, ministers of faith… friends, family and of course my own rap sheet were distilled in a simple, harsh paradigm that somehow, someway an Absolute was written onto a human’s soul and it alone was Judge and Jury.</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">To Red James, life came with a personal obligation and the obvious answer was to fulfill it. Yet, any number of temptations and distractions could deflect our time. Some small, some large but none inconsequential. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">What makes anyone successful? To Red James it was a personal calling, a fulfillment of responsibility that if avoided or ignored resulted in the condemnation of cowardice. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">“So what am I supposed to do, Red?” Pssshhh! Don't think for a second that I actually asked that question! I’m so damn glad I had the common sense to keep my mouth shut — I knew damn well the answer was one afforded by the voice of conscience, the work of reason and the faith that the soul is hard wired for a thing greater than daily life. </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">The answer to that question was mine and mine alone. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">Another quote came to mind, “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” (Mark 8:36, NASB).</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">I have since stopped asking that question about "Success." It's really none of my business.</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">Life is so short… it’s devilishly easy to get distracted by fame, pleasure, ease. I am extraordinarily grateful to Red for the sobering touchstone that life is a mission — a personal one — that transcends the temporary.</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">Yesterday, September 20, 2021, Red James died. I’m certain he’s in the presence of Grace, woven into the eternal fabric of those giants that proceeded him, resting in the sweet peace that he did what he was supposed to…and one of those ‘supposed to’s’ was direct me.</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">Godspeed, Red James.</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">I believe I'm supposed to meet you again, too. </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkDZBsfkK2be4DNDngMfDgxa6CmREOcs8aH76r7holDhpnCep4LqkEBBUFSFs3oLkrWd1BQ0BGjAbXp0lfjJCtUpkgSg60YyoTd_wxRvu5iBPUlDkqXBJHhnFTiBVRC_rB2VOhzan0M2s/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1746" data-original-width="1874" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkDZBsfkK2be4DNDngMfDgxa6CmREOcs8aH76r7holDhpnCep4LqkEBBUFSFs3oLkrWd1BQ0BGjAbXp0lfjJCtUpkgSg60YyoTd_wxRvu5iBPUlDkqXBJHhnFTiBVRC_rB2VOhzan0M2s/" width="258" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Red leaves the train station, bound for WWII, some time in the summer of 1942. He was 20 years old.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">See ya, Red...but not before I've done what I've supposed to do.</span></span></div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /><br /></span><p></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMO3tL8oLblBssEVwcZxVh995M1kvmTxqD6-IQhveK8PUBj9zdBb1FETYSm5sq5ilSs6NCUaUCbjT5DdBWZdOXsgupIdYEdI7A2XR13sOZHzxnoFSOXVz_-Z3kR68BwBzHy6KVzYzksZY/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1373" data-original-width="2048" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMO3tL8oLblBssEVwcZxVh995M1kvmTxqD6-IQhveK8PUBj9zdBb1FETYSm5sq5ilSs6NCUaUCbjT5DdBWZdOXsgupIdYEdI7A2XR13sOZHzxnoFSOXVz_-Z3kR68BwBzHy6KVzYzksZY/w400-h269/Screen+Shot+2021-09-21+at+10.50.27+AM.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red's F4U-4 Corsair. Not my best drawing but to me, it's one of my most important.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: times;"><br /><br /></span><p></p>
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<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>JSMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11887081006253101167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1361503268172319169.post-77485048955109687632021-08-21T13:10:00.002-05:002021-08-21T13:10:27.035-05:00Profile 155: Hughes OH-6A as flown by Hugh Mills, C Troop, 16th Cavalry<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF_mU6eDvz8lVc9B2lN0omUqGrXjkUBI6xTS4_R6N93QfcWt-27Mjav-fs2tXwgl1F8_I3Ro6RtytbnD7IEEI9IpiUED3kqqWOoe0nmk9s17pAS8WpvuEHG3j7btnK4FM7Q662qbP3ecE/s1444/Screen+Shot+2021-08-15+at+12.23.41+PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1100" data-original-width="1444" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF_mU6eDvz8lVc9B2lN0omUqGrXjkUBI6xTS4_R6N93QfcWt-27Mjav-fs2tXwgl1F8_I3Ro6RtytbnD7IEEI9IpiUED3kqqWOoe0nmk9s17pAS8WpvuEHG3j7btnK4FM7Q662qbP3ecE/w347-h244/Screen+Shot+2021-08-15+at+12.23.41+PM.png" width="347" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>One of the most impactful 'combat' photos I've seen is also the most nondescript. In fact, it's so nondescript, 99.9% of humankind would think it a throw-away.</p><p>Have a look.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_mBiWdQffBabHU5EQ_fNFMtehUQWJa_PZY-3uEH3Mbb7_99mXJIXdAwfr800U4Q5J0n69NmMMMqsMSzGsmlFPRuD-cJSAvtXyywOTo2uQDaCIJ5CFilFE-BUDpu8-nwxqT86pVb6Smy8/s1000/NVA+fires+at+OH-6+Huffman.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="872" data-original-width="1000" height="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_mBiWdQffBabHU5EQ_fNFMtehUQWJa_PZY-3uEH3Mbb7_99mXJIXdAwfr800U4Q5J0n69NmMMMqsMSzGsmlFPRuD-cJSAvtXyywOTo2uQDaCIJ5CFilFE-BUDpu8-nwxqT86pVb6Smy8/s320/NVA+fires+at+OH-6+Huffman.png" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>A careful ".1%" eye will notice that the trees are of a deciduous variety; the long, spindly trunks are (as any school child will tell you) Bishop Wood! Though used for food (the leaves are edible and the fruit can be fermented to make wine), the tree is also known to be extraordinarily strong. So strong, anyone with the time and inclination to scurry up trunk could easily reach their way into the lush, thick canopy that flourish as high as 60 feet off the ground (AGL - for you aviation-minded.)</div><div><br /></div><div>Blah blah blah blah. </div><div><br /></div><div>Just kidding. Are these really Bishop Wood trees? Maybe... I don't know anything about trees, especially trees in the forests of the Central Highlands of (former) South Vietnam. Forgive me for the rabbit-trail as I simply wanted to put some verbal 'distance' into the before/after photo (so y'all wouldn't just jump ahead). </div><div><br /></div><div>The reality of this photo is that it's a life or death moment between the photographer and a North Vietnamese soldier. In a tree. With an AK-47. Firing off his clip...</div><div><br /></div><div>...straight into the face of the photographer; a helicopter pilot.</div><div><br /></div><div>The picture was snapped in April of 1968 by Bruce Huffman(C-troop, 9th Cav) who was in a hover in a UH-, somewhere in the foothills West of Hue, South Vietnam. He saw the poofs of smoke coming from the clattering assault rifle, a peculiar duel of shooting bullets vs. shooting film. </div><div><br /></div><div>Need some help finding the NVA soldier?</div><div><br /></div><div>See below.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIsmKc4XPDWvRiotO8q4gQszl2K3XSChn_qlO400oNXEMrMFuP2HbZgY_QL4uKPsHqF0hfmpNiDZUs6Ej4wytpKW1KTXmTYStVD4WYv8RlurwMDm4WNLXoVbzsKfaKH3eewYD0xv_WpEo/s990/Screen+Shot+2021-08-15+at+4.53.31+PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="866" data-original-width="990" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIsmKc4XPDWvRiotO8q4gQszl2K3XSChn_qlO400oNXEMrMFuP2HbZgY_QL4uKPsHqF0hfmpNiDZUs6Ej4wytpKW1KTXmTYStVD4WYv8RlurwMDm4WNLXoVbzsKfaKH3eewYD0xv_WpEo/s320/Screen+Shot+2021-08-15+at+4.53.31+PM.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>If you squint, you can see the smudge of gun smoke. </div><div><br /></div><div>"Ahhh. I see it!" (you say).</div><div><br /></div><div>"Yeah, and if this were real life, you'd be dead." (I say).</div><div><br /></div><div>Frankly, it hit me smack-dab in the forehead how humans can create <i>and survive</i> such mortal environments. It takes a lot of experience to look into the moment above and notice the difference between puffs of cordite and the sensory noise of everything else.</div><div><br /></div><div>So, time-travel yourself to 1968 and put yourself in Huffman's shoes.</div><div><br /></div><div>What would YOU have done?</div><div><br /></div><div>For me, I think I'd just have gone slack jawed and stared until the slugs knocked me into either a field hospital or Jesus' knee. </div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway, I'm introducing my newest public commission - that of a Hughes OH-6A flown by one of, if not the, most heavily decorated helicopter pilot in the Vietnam War, Hugh Mills. I've been getting to know Hugh and will share what I'm learning in posts to come. Hopefully, I'll be done with this little power-egg by the first week of September.</div><div><br /></div><div>In the meantime, here's my progress so far...</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif-uWPVNWrWMDzrr8vgD8aKtmf8EPfXJYa_2jUPGlWNmE5yA2CISJrka-UWLAZLZBgZU_b_YhlbzUXZvfuagGJzML4oVXoY60RPQD_Y5ZwLmWrbzMkq-1mSrwyoZdRSXHlITYVtAcVo7o/s2048/Screen+Shot+2021-08-15+at+12.39.58+PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1392" data-original-width="2048" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif-uWPVNWrWMDzrr8vgD8aKtmf8EPfXJYa_2jUPGlWNmE5yA2CISJrka-UWLAZLZBgZU_b_YhlbzUXZvfuagGJzML4oVXoY60RPQD_Y5ZwLmWrbzMkq-1mSrwyoZdRSXHlITYVtAcVo7o/s320/Screen+Shot+2021-08-15+at+12.39.58+PM.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>This is only my fourth helicopter. The proportions and lines are still somewhat unfamiliar territory to my 'eye'... which leads me to the point of this post's intro. This tiny, two-three crewed beast performed an extraordinarily visual role in the Vietnam War because its mission — as part of the U.S. Army Scout (or Aero Scout) mission — was to get down low and ID the NVA/VC in order to direct a Cobra helicopter to deliver its heavier firepower.</p><p>Quite literally, like a hunting dog sniffing out pheasants, theScouts kicked up the enemy...only instead of flying away like the game bird, the NVA/VC often hunkered down and shot back... at distances that were regularly (repeat, no exaggeration) point-blank. </p><p>I remember a few years ago, I asked Bruce how they (Scouts) did their work and he described a process that involved flying 50-70mph at 6-10' off the ground (or tree canopy) simply looking for 'bad guys.' </p><p>"What on earth can you see at 60mph, ten feet above the trees?!" I asked.</p><p>"Lots of things," Bruce replied. "If you're thinking that there's a skill to it, there is. Aero Scouts needed experience and a great sense of observation."</p><p>"Like what?"</p><p>"You see paths, footprints... sometimes people shooting at you. And that's the point. We <i>found them</i>."</p><p>Hmmmm. When I read Hugh Mills' famous book, I initially thought the title, "Low Level Hell" was simply dramatic literary license, perhaps cooked up by some marketing weenie at the publisher. No such thing. It was Hugh's unit's (The Outcasts) slogan.</p><p>HEARTILY RECOMMENDED. (geez not a single four-star or less review?!?). Click the pic.</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Low-Level-Hell-Scout-Pilot-ebook/dp/B001QAP3JQ/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Low+Level+Hell&qid=1629568942&sr=8-1" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="224" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzfisS2YcZ9Lg69rF8Vdo6fF18BsmBzl4j_UoGp_toZ-rYXfiKJeYBAci2-C-lWZwoFV9OXOl4KePFbe-uhOOZJiVsTYSn01p0-fOZZY0Agn8pwO1wVbfEnMV0SNCg0769H1DmehFnZ6w/s320/512WTFgQS7L._SY346_.jpg" width="207" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />Easily as awesome-of-a-read as Robert Mason's "<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Chickenhawk-Robert-Mason-ebook/dp/B0031Y9DCS/ref=pd_sim_5/130-8292286-8107317?pd_rd_w=10k3A&pf_rd_p=80152b05-d527-42f7-bbb4-c9d645b6dcf5&pf_rd_r=RWG4QGCV3N95AP9THEKT&pd_rd_r=a1647965-662c-4c5e-9d7d-62617c13f097&pd_rd_wg=UOGf6&pd_rd_i=B0031Y9DCS&psc=1" target="_blank">Chickenhawk</a>."</td></tr></tbody></table><p>A LONG way to go. But soon enough it'll be a (hopefully) perfectly accurate rendering of "Miss Clawd IV," the OH-6 shown below.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCkcSoq53zWSteFALMGqiucL6n5TJmkXky8BRJB76wV7Mtz-OEZOco-NICid-z7MfiTwq96b3EDrjqcit3nV7CSwDcJ5WuxORbJocPbWbgVSxqJBnmmUByiKf9PfI9W8EJKVd7tTY-0VE/s740/Oh-6+340+over+the+delta-1.tif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="740" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCkcSoq53zWSteFALMGqiucL6n5TJmkXky8BRJB76wV7Mtz-OEZOco-NICid-z7MfiTwq96b3EDrjqcit3nV7CSwDcJ5WuxORbJocPbWbgVSxqJBnmmUByiKf9PfI9W8EJKVd7tTY-0VE/s320/Oh-6+340+over+the+delta-1.tif" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>QUICK UPDATE:</p><p>I got a little extra time recently to move it along... </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYwxZvQ9EKL9E6lTzNFtuyKAzBowxbd2ASiCXlfy8dxFT20Mfv7m8Oc8yyvxwNPp5361RFVbW06dqjld4oeQr_lUHD2NDGJGwaa8mQgnpa_KFKf5DHs2j-nwZziPUSGwSpAB5bzFYkIkc/s1289/Hugh+Mills+OH-6+8-18-21.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="876" data-original-width="1289" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYwxZvQ9EKL9E6lTzNFtuyKAzBowxbd2ASiCXlfy8dxFT20Mfv7m8Oc8yyvxwNPp5361RFVbW06dqjld4oeQr_lUHD2NDGJGwaa8mQgnpa_KFKf5DHs2j-nwZziPUSGwSpAB5bzFYkIkc/s320/Hugh+Mills+OH-6+8-18-21.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>JSMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11887081006253101167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1361503268172319169.post-18019590111686069622021-06-29T08:43:00.003-05:002021-06-29T08:43:50.935-05:00Profile 150: Boeing B-17G-20 as flown by Richard Bushong of the 390th BG, 569th BS<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnwS0z-9gyBNe3m9YOgPgoZfy05-iBIA_OI0Y_idz06uHEJ_T4UCLMa1nV-beQJnGhRFp0Eprz9vFw1IDmB7mtNAwbuSl-3pj4g2QRk2Sdfkp0uLJyHMJFTAwuKHmgVFFpxWhU9lXcSBU/s2048/%25C2%25A9JohnMollisonBushongB-17final.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1419" data-original-width="2048" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnwS0z-9gyBNe3m9YOgPgoZfy05-iBIA_OI0Y_idz06uHEJ_T4UCLMa1nV-beQJnGhRFp0Eprz9vFw1IDmB7mtNAwbuSl-3pj4g2QRk2Sdfkp0uLJyHMJFTAwuKHmgVFFpxWhU9lXcSBU/w400-h278/%25C2%25A9JohnMollisonBushongB-17final.png" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>So. What do you think meeting a 98 year old man would be like?</p><p>(Go ahead, wonder for a sec...)</p><p>Well, when the 98 year old man is a highly decorated combat pilot from WWII and the Vietnam War, it's pretty awesome!</p><p>Have a look at the artwork of the B-17 Richard flew on his last combat mission, April 13, 1944. The mission was a "Hollywood Moment" that ended with three dead engines and ten crewmen grateful to be alive.</p><p>Want to know more? Of course you do... and you have three options:</p><p>1. You can listen for yourself by clicking <a href="https://americanwarriorradio.com/2021/06/old-guys-and-their-airplanes-john-mollison/" target="_blank">HERE</a>, thanks to <a href="https://americanwarriorradio.com" target="_blank">American Warrior Radio</a>.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2YeOWFvsy4reQrW3IS0EvA3wvEuM95uyMV-HdE4jD-Y8Gt17mRoQXKARkS1b2l8Y4RVT2der9uNlMB3GcC4UGsU9B8ua6iNRew7zSNE16AfFK6ia4Z5dySkOVAoDNxHwPTo0MTabVO2o/s4032/IMG_7353.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2YeOWFvsy4reQrW3IS0EvA3wvEuM95uyMV-HdE4jD-Y8Gt17mRoQXKARkS1b2l8Y4RVT2der9uNlMB3GcC4UGsU9B8ua6iNRew7zSNE16AfFK6ia4Z5dySkOVAoDNxHwPTo0MTabVO2o/s320/IMG_7353.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">I'm the dork on the left. American Warrior Radio host Ben Buehler Garcia is in the middle.<br />WWII B-17 bomber pilot, Richard Bushong is on the right. </span> <br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></div><p>2. You can listen and <i>watch</i> by clicking <a href="https://youtu.be/O04I6nBgvbU" target="_blank">HERE</a>, thanks to <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFmJCN9lQ0vYLWYE4ErCH9A" target="_blank">Military Tales.</a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/O04I6nBgvbU" width="320" youtube-src-id="O04I6nBgvbU"></iframe></div><br /><p>3. Visit the <a href="https://390th.org" target="_blank">390th Memorial Museum</a> (located in the campus of the PIMA Air & Space Museum)! And, if you make it on a Thursday, you can meet Col. Richard Bushong yourself!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3lLcxh38lDkt2PWE07edUyI3iFMUf5qaRZez__vq7guBR9hfxnpk8kN8BRSDDhRDSogz-cmg3SHpTxcHM09oAfgMEjWUvvQxvq-1krcU1fLhKAHeTdPj91TDZ2YkxpC4rHr31O3qdW9A/s1902/Screen+Shot+2021-06-29+at+8.31.10+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1646" data-original-width="1902" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3lLcxh38lDkt2PWE07edUyI3iFMUf5qaRZez__vq7guBR9hfxnpk8kN8BRSDDhRDSogz-cmg3SHpTxcHM09oAfgMEjWUvvQxvq-1krcU1fLhKAHeTdPj91TDZ2YkxpC4rHr31O3qdW9A/s320/Screen+Shot+2021-06-29+at+8.31.10+AM.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />So that's Richard explaining the design of the B-17 to me. <br />He shows up every Thursday and holds court to whoever wants to listen.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Many thanks to the Distinguished Flying Cross Society for their work in promoting the idea that "History is Nutritious!" Do yourself a favor and go to the <a href="https://www.dfcsociety.org" target="_blank">DFCS website</a> and click on their "Teachers & Educators" tab. The downloadable .pdfs are pretty awesome...</p><p>And. They tell me that there are a few more prints of "A greater mission remains" <a href="https://390thstore.org/products/a-greater-mission-remains-print-by-john-mollison-1?_pos=4&_sid=8fcdf9b94&_ss=r" target="_blank">available for sale</a> — of course, you're not doing this on my account as Richard personally autographed each one and 100% of the proceeds go to the 390th Memorial Museum. </p><p>Good days to be a History Geek don't you think? </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>JSMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11887081006253101167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1361503268172319169.post-15680477431896005832021-06-16T14:18:00.021-05:002021-06-16T16:48:05.030-05:00Profile 153: TWENTY YEARS LATER...North American P-51B Mustang as flown by Robert "Punchy" Powell, 352nd FG, 328th FS<p></p><div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3JNAE4JIG5egMcVFhGp1WHCx-NNbkZIgVJlho9cWo7TdSlOAuucdlQUkoxB_ow5_EEyyEjFMA9KPtqQFvevxhOql9gbNATLUeV3OkVPT_EWQyhYH2E5JT2dPUqi6RLyvwIeAYF3uNlyM/s1586/Screen+Shot+2021-06-16+at+1.42.36+PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="918" data-original-width="1586" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3JNAE4JIG5egMcVFhGp1WHCx-NNbkZIgVJlho9cWo7TdSlOAuucdlQUkoxB_ow5_EEyyEjFMA9KPtqQFvevxhOql9gbNATLUeV3OkVPT_EWQyhYH2E5JT2dPUqi6RLyvwIeAYF3uNlyM/w400-h231/Screen+Shot+2021-06-16+at+1.42.36+PM.png" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />Twenty years of progress, five years too late.</span><p></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This post is a little light in History but heavy in appreciating its value.</span></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Twenty years ago, I began — in earnest — my practice of “interviewing old guys and drawing their airplanes.” Of course, I’d been drawing airplanes since I was able to fist a crayon. But by 2001, technology provided a whole new paradigm. Thanks to WWII ace and American hero, Clarence “Bud” Anderson, I was given extraordinary access to the fellowship of WWII pilots and aircrew. It didn't take long before realizing the value of these people’s lives stretched far beyond the skies of war...</span></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It didn't take long before collecting a group of amazing friends and mentors that changed my world-view. They became the grandfathers I never had. </span></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Today, those influences are the bedrock to my psyche as well as providing me the means to affect many, many, many others.</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhliAZAaRbfrBHoXDPMNBo5_jK9vIUfJx5h3TJqhtvIqYwz2M428RV0O8EnVs-6IMFd5GEVU9SIuT2eN_xcg9zqGp6BqRqxOzTSkvggIXCed-Dkdvp98kA3B0RIL4QcbznJpiB_LUVlk7w/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhliAZAaRbfrBHoXDPMNBo5_jK9vIUfJx5h3TJqhtvIqYwz2M428RV0O8EnVs-6IMFd5GEVU9SIuT2eN_xcg9zqGp6BqRqxOzTSkvggIXCed-Dkdvp98kA3B0RIL4QcbznJpiB_LUVlk7w/w400-h300/07DBC397-8907-47DE-9C2F-AF88265A15D7IMG_0100.heic" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">That's me with "<a href="https://www.amazon.com/3rd-Greatest-Fighter-Pilot/dp/1420844725/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=Third+Greatest+Fighter+Pilot&qid=1623869558&sr=8-3" target="_blank">Third Greatest Fighter Pilot</a>" (in the Universe) Bill Creech.<br />One of over 150 "old guys" interviewed. <br /><br />Funny anecdote - one day, Bill called up and commanded, "You've been interviewing me six years! When do I get to see it?!?"<br /><br />"Hmmm. When I get it right!"<br /><br />Bill <a href="https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/el-paso-tx/william-creech-bill-5036013" target="_blank">Flew West </a>in 2012. And I'm still working on the interview. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">What started as a lark to learn leadership has turned into something unexpectedly greater. I've drawn over 200 specific-moment airplanes and in some fashion, told their tale. </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">True story - four years ago, I was spotted in an airport and asked, "Are you that guy who draws airplanes?!" Since then, the recognition has only increased...and in the world of aviation artists, I'm not even one of the most popular!</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">"History" is becoming legit. :). Good times, eh?</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Anyway, I remember getting dogged at a Veteran’s event in 2005 by a sharp-eyed critic who pointed out that my drawings weren’t anywhere <i>near</i> as good as other aviation artists, especially when it came to how I drew the most crucial aspect of an aircraft - the wing. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">He said they looked like <b>knives</b>. </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">WHAT?!</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Yeah, well... he had a point. I explained that sometimes deadlines to make an interview rushed things and wasn’t the real value of the art the pilot's signature??</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span> </span>“Your wings look terrible!”</i></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><br /></i></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span> </span>“It doesn’t matter. Punchy autographed it.”</i></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><br /></i></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span> </span>“Maybe. BUT. Your wings look like knives!”</i></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Whatever. Thankfully, a career in advertising had thoroughly beat my ego to hell. I persisted with the interviews, the stories, the visits…and drawing <i>their</i> airplanes. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Nevertheless, last year, the (gobsmackingly awesome) photographer<a href="https://www.johnslemp.com" target="_blank"> John Slemp</a> contacted me to use one of the very first printed drawings I’d done for a book he’s publishing featuring the iconic, painted leather jackets worn by so many airmen of the era.</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">He wanted to use my drawing of Lt. Robert “Punchy” Powell’s P-51B, “The West ‘by gawd’ Virginian.”</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The answer was easy. <b><i><u>“Absolutely-freaking-NOT.”</u></i></b></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span> </span>“Why <b>not</b>?” </i></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><br /></i></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span> </span>“Because it’s awful.”</i></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><br /></i></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span> </span>“What?!”</i></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><br /></i></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span> </span>“The wings look like knives!”</i></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXdTwe4dBjEpP8AKrrxod5ASVIyE34r79KNJo-Wvl63hO9FK-tDETydoX_YQjkyYmxNR6w4af1u96x6Gs5EbcjAdYvYbHZNCsO5-eLwLvLwuvix5s1FtW_ndwWO4URfV64LqA4-qAxdjo/s1000/I00002nNM.y84hWc.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXdTwe4dBjEpP8AKrrxod5ASVIyE34r79KNJo-Wvl63hO9FK-tDETydoX_YQjkyYmxNR6w4af1u96x6Gs5EbcjAdYvYbHZNCsO5-eLwLvLwuvix5s1FtW_ndwWO4URfV64LqA4-qAxdjo/w400-h320/I00002nNM.y84hWc.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Punchy with a piece of the actual nose art from his WWII P-51. He was involved in a horrible accident right after take off that resulted in most of the airplane burning up. Crew Chief Bob Lyons salvaged this piece of history and gave it to Punchy as a token of his good fortune. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">©John Slemp</span></div></span><p></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">* Break break *</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>Let’s be real. I’m no <a href="https://www.starduststudios.com/troy-white-biography.html" target="_blank">Troy White,</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/marcpoolestudios" target="_blank">Marc Poole</a>, <a href="https://www.castlefineart.com/artists/robert-bailey" target="_blank">Robert Bailey,</a> <a href="https://rickherterart.com" target="_blank">Rick Herter</a>… and I never will be. And Punchy Powell helped me realize that when one afternoon we ended up talking on the phone for over an hour and never brought up WWII or aviation once. </span><span>The art wasn't my passion. The <i>person</i>, however, was.</span></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>The pilot of The West ‘by gawd’ Virginian was no longer just a hero.</span><span> </span><span>He was a buddy.</span><span> </span></span></b></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">You know how fantastic it is to share friendship <i>with</i> someone who’s got three times the life experience that you do? <i>IN ADDITION to duking it it out with the enemy at 25,000 feet?!</i></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>Jealous? Stop it. </span><span>Do yourself a favor, pick up the phone, write an email…and make time for coffee/beer/whatever with your own gray haired heroes. </span><span> </span><span>And don’t stop.</span><span> </span><span>Stick with it. </span><span> </span><span>You’ll find that the secrets to success are as universal as they are pin-pointedly personal.</span></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I remember Punchy describing how he felt that 80 years old was a new plateau for him; he’d just joined a medical research project to measure whether geriatric patients could build muscle mass. He and I walked Omaha Beach at low tide for nearly an hour — he described the D-Day landings from his vantage point, from take off to landing… and a press photographer following us had to stop on account of being exhausted trying to keep up. </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Could geriatrics build muscle mass? Uh... yeah. Thank gawd I don't skip cardio or else I'd been left in the dust, too.</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Back to Slemp and his request.</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>Could he use my artwork? No, at least not that one. But if he would wait, I would do a new one. Last week, I finished and <i>day'um</i>...t</span>wenty years of practice has paid off!</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The color is better...</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The lines are more accurate...</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The nose art is more accurate...</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The markings are more accurate...</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The wings don’t look (nearly as much) like knives...</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>Have a look — I've added a bit of time-lapse effect so you can see the difference </span>yourself<span>.</span></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTkvHTiKYwWgv8E8cVXnKczhcucAyoqWU6nmMfMTjjKN0KHTBD2X2zsDaTYmkwjPwaI2MAhaiQDeZTXf5TKTGVovQycPbez-34iFEgVG2g7gJ45JOCD9K5SP-nyPkBxXRoV4qgYryLAzQ/s1368/PunchP-51animation.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="936" data-original-width="1368" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTkvHTiKYwWgv8E8cVXnKczhcucAyoqWU6nmMfMTjjKN0KHTBD2X2zsDaTYmkwjPwaI2MAhaiQDeZTXf5TKTGVovQycPbez-34iFEgVG2g7gJ45JOCD9K5SP-nyPkBxXRoV4qgYryLAzQ/w400-h274/PunchP-51animation.gif" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>TWENTY YEARS OF PROGRESS. No. Kidding.</b></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">But. The progress, though obvious, has lost much of its luster in that Punchy and SO MANY of that initial cohort of WWII vets have “Flown West” as they say. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">On 22 June, 2016, five years ago, Punchy did just that. I got the wretched honor of writing his (somewhat famous in that it went viral) obituary… read it for yourself, <a href="https://ww2fighters.blogspot.com/2016/06/flew-west-robert-punchy-powell-11211920.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">You know, it's a shame that sometimes the inspiration for a thing doesn't get to see it's fulfillment. Frankly, I think it's probably just-as-well that so many of "that generation" isn't here to see the anger, division and </span>self-absorption<span style="font-family: inherit;"> that's come to represent America. But I'm optimistic that </span>the<span style="font-family: inherit;"> fruitlessness of our </span>self-absorption will make itself known and we'll do the hard work to get back to more reasonable behavior.</p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">But. I hope it doesn't take twenty years to notice the difference. </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">BLUE SKIES, </span>Punchy Powell<span style="font-family: inherit;">! Tell the rest that we're all still working on it!*</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfphKcZgY8JZwkEMgNkDBW5jFCAiw2M046AApdPApx0U_X7nGSlT80d5JptcjUjVH64SMa0E3CapSgUcTNSl-r_3opv5Q31EfciIHXojkDgAxKLWmM4DbWj-nzryr_p7UvjpDxcvpTN7M/s2048/Screen+Shot+2021-06-02+at+2.27.39+PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1526" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfphKcZgY8JZwkEMgNkDBW5jFCAiw2M046AApdPApx0U_X7nGSlT80d5JptcjUjVH64SMa0E3CapSgUcTNSl-r_3opv5Q31EfciIHXojkDgAxKLWmM4DbWj-nzryr_p7UvjpDxcvpTN7M/w298-h400/Screen+Shot+2021-06-02+at+2.27.39+PM.png" width="298" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Robert "Punchy" Powell in his leather jacket. I've seen the galleys and it's going to be an AWESOME BOOK. Look for it next year! (Photographer John Slemp is still working on it...)</span></div></span><p></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">©John Slemp.</span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">*I'm SO NOT religious but the Bible's Philippians 4:8 has some good words that I know Punchy would approve.</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><em style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(119, 119, 119); color: #777777; font-family: "Open Sans"; font-size: 16px;">Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. MSG</em></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p></div>JSMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11887081006253101167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1361503268172319169.post-25689662923068400702021-06-06T08:39:00.005-05:002021-06-06T10:52:42.701-05:00Profile 152: Martin B-26B Marauder as flown by Donald Wolfe, 391st BG, 575th BS<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG-idHZp39rRg2uMyVI7PNplzAPttX7stOlliA_bs59hBccQLV4CHSQiGUxRXy4J2cAXWYzXVByy6AA4chuuO0D0yG85VmvfGMocgZ7zXaUdeospYfp1vprP26kMDSCoTnUXYTJmO9UXA/s2048/Screen+Shot+2021-04-16+at+3.03.32+PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1417" data-original-width="2048" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG-idHZp39rRg2uMyVI7PNplzAPttX7stOlliA_bs59hBccQLV4CHSQiGUxRXy4J2cAXWYzXVByy6AA4chuuO0D0yG85VmvfGMocgZ7zXaUdeospYfp1vprP26kMDSCoTnUXYTJmO9UXA/w400-h276/Screen+Shot+2021-04-16+at+3.03.32+PM.png" width="400" /></a></div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">How cool is this?!? — "You'n me" are partners in a priceless artifact of history! </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> <span style="font-family: times;">'Tell you what I’m doing to celebrate — I’ve got a date on the deck with some great friends, an adequate bottle of Willamette Valley Cabernet… and the weather weenies tell me that it'll be a gorgeous day. If you've never experienced the sweet sun under the canopy of South Dakota skies, there's nothing like it!</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">Proof below.</span></p><div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX3vCiHYvnS6saxuhwI3R9ZAXwg68E-Hr2k53eKEHD6Nb3ABfCxP1bu43C-utFShA8x8e31_aMAqWk2ZWtYZKmBPw7OQzX23yO94gjTulxCyNpn5Nu1DWunqfgQxLKaYQtwhsJevbHLcI/s4032/IMG_7118.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX3vCiHYvnS6saxuhwI3R9ZAXwg68E-Hr2k53eKEHD6Nb3ABfCxP1bu43C-utFShA8x8e31_aMAqWk2ZWtYZKmBPw7OQzX23yO94gjTulxCyNpn5Nu1DWunqfgQxLKaYQtwhsJevbHLcI/w300-h400/IMG_7118.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />A Canadian Harvard Mk. IV perched under a canopy of South Dakota BLUE. <br /><i>"No it isn't! It's a T-6!"</i><br /><i>"Uh, no it isn't! It's a Harvard!"</i><br />Oh the stupid things we argue about, eh?<br />(it's a Harvard, btw)<br /><br />©Me</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: times;">Ahh... fat, happy and rich. That's the way we roll, eh?</span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;">Anyway, back to that priceless piece of history that you and I own together. It's not the red-tailed Harvard Mk.IV trainer in the photo above. <i>That's</i> the proud possession of a buddy who cares for it like the treasure it is. He'll never sell, either.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;">Neither is it the artwork of the greenish Martin B-26B Marauder with the peculiar black & white stripes* on the fuselage. That's actually the bomber that South Dakota native Don Wolfe flew during WWII. It was commissioned by two guys who wanted to honor the man and his family. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;">Actually, the priceless piece of history that <i>we</i> own is the darkly ominous photo shown below. </span></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpTbw1LB3d3VTgBuEP19LHrNj_EJ9Ig4iFliuYYNIuQkq5cgl4TKSdLm_yEICdqVihcRXgPrUdkMi06RK1CgELT-YSDNwYnhW-BO2ZFd2SqkJfYmyCZj5RwBa6CN_jsCfGwZLlxgczEaU/s2048/Into_the_Jaws_of_Death_23-0455M_edit.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1648" data-original-width="2048" height="323" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpTbw1LB3d3VTgBuEP19LHrNj_EJ9Ig4iFliuYYNIuQkq5cgl4TKSdLm_yEICdqVihcRXgPrUdkMi06RK1CgELT-YSDNwYnhW-BO2ZFd2SqkJfYmyCZj5RwBa6CN_jsCfGwZLlxgczEaU/w400-h323/Into_the_Jaws_of_Death_23-0455M_edit.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />Our priceless artifact! Yay!<br />This photo and everything about it is public domain. What does that mean for you and me? It means that the 'rights' to this moment in time are shared by EVERYONE.<br /><br />Feeling rich?</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: times;"><div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div>It's a photo taken from a landing craft that had just deposited E Company of the 1st Infantry Division onto "Omaha Beach," during the Normandie landings of D-Day. History nerds will know the day well - 6 June, 1944, seventy seven years ago.</span><div><span style="font-family: times;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;">Someone named the photo, "Into the Jaws of Death" and rightly so — in a</span><span style="font-family: times;"> few moments, over 2/3rds of the people depicted will be casualties of war. A few months later, at the close of the battle (generally agreed to be the end of August, 1944) — well over half a million casualties, including 20-30,000 civilians, will have been killed or wounded. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;">So, um...yeah. The photo above is the "priceless artifact of history" we all own. How so? As a the photographer, Robert F. Sargent, was serving as a photographer in the U.S. Coast Guard at the time, he surrendered his legal ownership to the image as part of his military service. Thus, this photo falls under a legal metric called "<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_domain" target="_blank">Public Domain</a>." </span><i style="font-family: times;"> </i><span style="font-family: times;">This means that the rights to this photo is assigned to the general public —</span><i style="font-family: times;"> so, <u>we all share in its ownership</u> with rights to value it as we wish.</i></div><div><div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;">Please have another look at the photo. A whole lot of people paid for it.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;">Oh. That got heavy quickly, didn't it?</span></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><div><div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYihJ1Xhz3PhO76QDYRRPH4apIVmPzbR8FkNaR0lOQsw-iwnROkSd1Me67hTlkCggErXWj-m29doTMlpnDMy4RbeXRm0DwgP8JAgnjiFkG59CUlK7BZICzZ6AHpUq_HztXS-7EuM7wJDo/s760/IMG_9198.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="589" data-original-width="760" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYihJ1Xhz3PhO76QDYRRPH4apIVmPzbR8FkNaR0lOQsw-iwnROkSd1Me67hTlkCggErXWj-m29doTMlpnDMy4RbeXRm0DwgP8JAgnjiFkG59CUlK7BZICzZ6AHpUq_HztXS-7EuM7wJDo/w400-h310/IMG_9198.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">The hand-off.<br /><br />The past meets present, patron meets pilot; proof-positive that 'young-people' care about their past.<br /><br />©2021 used with permission from patrons. </span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: times;">Guilt-trip? Not a bit. Guilt is a dumb choice as it just makes people depressed and unproductive. However, living up to ones legacy is a <i>smart</i> choice as it inspires us to live up to what we've been given.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;">So, tell you what. Today, let's you and me put the glass of wine/beer/soda/fizzy-water down for a few moments, look towards the northern coast of France and remember the day when leaders and followers of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand, Greece, Denmark, Belgium, Czechoslovakia, Poland, Norway and France put self-interest aside and charged into the maw of tyranny.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;">Then, lets toast to our good fortune...and if we end up weeping for the souls that paid the tab, so be it — in the currency of humanity, tears outweigh gold.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-family: times;">Today is a great day to think deeply about what it means to (as the title of Don's artwork states) "Live as if you'll never be forgotten."</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;">*Those black and white stripes are commonly called, "Invasion Stripes" and were hastily applied to aircraft flying over the Normandy area so nervous gunners would know friend or foe. </span></div><div><br /></div></div></div>JSMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11887081006253101167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1361503268172319169.post-49039470597237642492021-05-17T09:39:00.005-05:002021-05-17T10:08:43.390-05:00Profile 150: (UPDATE) Boeing B-17G-20 as flown by (Shhhh) of the 390th BG, 569th BS<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHCnTBfwruiHXIR1bQnr1q8CBNks6Az7ja3TMzYJ2pl3FpOg6-ulAZOqi5ZUMzKf751j4OeGHCQ9ft1eocSa5YvHj85rxTa7lnnhTfhK1xgP9vfd4my3G7GieXIv8_VLD5BxI2ppwWYzE/s1080/BushongB-1710May-21.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="738" data-original-width="1080" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHCnTBfwruiHXIR1bQnr1q8CBNks6Az7ja3TMzYJ2pl3FpOg6-ulAZOqi5ZUMzKf751j4OeGHCQ9ft1eocSa5YvHj85rxTa7lnnhTfhK1xgP9vfd4my3G7GieXIv8_VLD5BxI2ppwWYzE/w400-h274/BushongB-1710May-21.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This post is in response to two reader's recent questions regarding my work. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Q: How many people does it take to draw an airplane?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A: It depends. But in this case, seven!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I can't name-names but on a typical-bases, here's the break down:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>1. Patron(s)</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ru4FMsT4rQ6D02wWLEjeHU8hzDvnM9a7XFV_kUqPu6HwbgLoCRmYvAoYBjZcTOS2OJNPXm55EGVMPxUD9LCuDMT-WT3OUxzA1vunyQ82cD35bnsNTdw1c26xeN8MyWC3swG3eq0IYgk/s1924/1_patrons-of-renaissance-art_174680.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1082" data-original-width="1924" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ru4FMsT4rQ6D02wWLEjeHU8hzDvnM9a7XFV_kUqPu6HwbgLoCRmYvAoYBjZcTOS2OJNPXm55EGVMPxUD9LCuDMT-WT3OUxzA1vunyQ82cD35bnsNTdw1c26xeN8MyWC3swG3eq0IYgk/w400-h226/1_patrons-of-renaissance-art_174680.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Click <a href="https://study.com/academy/lesson/patrons-of-renaissance-art-roles-influence-famous-works.html" target="_blank">here</a>. It tells the story of "Patrons."</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">You've heard the expression, "Starving Artist"? Yeah, well being an artist is great. Starving only works for super-models. So, I work to get paid, hence my appreciation for the word, "Patron."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But the Patron does more than simply bankroll the project. The Patron is actually the vibe-setter which, is <i>absolutely</i> as important as having a check that 'clears.'</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Patrons are individuals, organizations — sometimes families — that originate the idea that "we need to make sure (insert name) gets memorialized. Nevertheless, most of what people have heard about 'creative types' is true; we can be mercurial, capricious and (sometimes) clueless. Thus, a Patron <i>also</i> establishes "Why" the project is important as the "why" is the bedrock that supports getting the project started and completed (on time).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In this particular case, the Patron is an organization that desires to honor a living WWII veteran currently playing an extraordinary role in his community. More on that later (and you'll like it)!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Nevertheless, when a Patron contacts me for a project, he/she/it begins what is called a <i>Commission</i>. But, Commissions are simply marching-orders. The 'work' needs to begin!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>2. Promoter(s)</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQLT_PhdCbUbbnpmOgrrwJDKX4n0qINwhcXenHHlqWEFqlr62hkmCgiYMJ8FJ6nkyFhkzHzo0CTL1i4oaelmrlepL9qhDkFvcfnc5PfIMuSzLEnV8FSLSA20Wmnl-ObKZyCUjRLhuBicY/s2048/IMG_9042.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQLT_PhdCbUbbnpmOgrrwJDKX4n0qINwhcXenHHlqWEFqlr62hkmCgiYMJ8FJ6nkyFhkzHzo0CTL1i4oaelmrlepL9qhDkFvcfnc5PfIMuSzLEnV8FSLSA20Wmnl-ObKZyCUjRLhuBicY/s320/IMG_9042.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">That'd be "Heath'uh."*<br />She's the grand daught'uh of WWII ex-POW <a href="https://vimeo.com/144711715" target="_blank">Chris Morgan</a>.<br />To me, she personifies "Promoter" as she connected me with Chris<br />and has been a tireless supporter of his story. She's shown in Burma (Mayanmar)<br />at the grave of Chris's friend, Jim Drake. Click the link, watch the film. Don't be "...dead by Christmas", ok?<br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Promoters are the support-folk behind the Patron. They're employees, family, friends that help make sure the Commission proceeds as desired, as needed. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Promoters help with research, obtaining reference material (historical photos, artifacts, lining up conversations...). Promoters also end up with making sure the desired audience is aware of what's going on. Sometimes that means email blasts, social media campaigns, media interviews... and sometimes putting a lid on the whole deal.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">True story: a Patron (whom I never got to actually meet) told one of his/her/its employees to "...have (me) draw my airplane as a gift for "Tom Smith." I ended up working with a woman who had no idea what I was actually drawing but had a perfect idea of what needed to be done. She was firm, direct... and when the drawing was completed, she let me know in no uncertain terms that 'this project' would be kept wholly secret and forever (otherwise) unknown. Hmmm, a mystery! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Secrecy or not, without Promoters, the art doesn't stand much of a chance to get anywhere beyond my desk.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In <i>this</i> case however, the Promoters definitely want to make this B-17 drawing a big deal. Once completed, there will be NO mystery. But for now... (nothing to see here, move along)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Except someone's got to make sure it's right, right? After all, B-17s had purple tails, right?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Uh, say hello to...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>3. Rivet Counters(s)</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4WRGGtcWwBjZkIXCTiS63yWYS7qka5KO_KCJhh-4n24NdIqTG3FnGEbcfC6Pv7_4dNU8lppaR67UQgSZxmx3bSP9Ww1UaBCrU76hRTFvdpply3EozSKiFzchIK7u5sfGKaC2fZbPpUr4/s1748/Screen+Shot+2021-05-16+at+8.18.35+PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="988" data-original-width="1748" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4WRGGtcWwBjZkIXCTiS63yWYS7qka5KO_KCJhh-4n24NdIqTG3FnGEbcfC6Pv7_4dNU8lppaR67UQgSZxmx3bSP9Ww1UaBCrU76hRTFvdpply3EozSKiFzchIK7u5sfGKaC2fZbPpUr4/s320/Screen+Shot+2021-05-16+at+8.18.35+PM.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /><br />94.36% of the time, Rivet Counters become the crucial players in a project.<br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Out in public, Rivet Counters are otherwise-invisible people we pass in the grocery store aisle, ignore at the intersection stoplight or never <i>really</i> engage at the office. Faceless and nameless, they putter through life doing this/that until...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">...their precise, technical, historic encyclopedia of knowledge is needed! Then, they spring to power like the superheroes they are. In this particular case, <i>three</i> RCs have provided crucial commentary to ensure that the coloration** is correct. The markings are correct. They weathering is correct. The shape is correct...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Bottom line: without the RCs, my artwork stands a great chance of being far worse than it looks. True-story: the RCs that help with my projects are diverse and legion; they're located in England, Ireland, Finland, France, Germany, Vietnam, Hungary, Australia, Japan... and of course the United States.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I love RCs. They also drive me nuts. Especially when they reveal a fatal flaw two hours before a press check! Just for the record, I have a few RC tendencies but there's a reason I like the full-blown versions hanging around the Studio.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Nevertheless, there's a time when the critique must be closed and the artwork sent to...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>4. Vendor(s)</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWLbbfYriSi5Pntqq_nfxTG0q2urVtis-tVtT6qYqpiqSz3f1dE7whxBMs6b0Aw1zruj9X8OXw4nMOVJnI_kS9efd1r6W_wgLz57GH0HjsCY9eCS_zQCkPcE5Tl5jaqMQWFT9qUon92X0/s2048/IMG_0291.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWLbbfYriSi5Pntqq_nfxTG0q2urVtis-tVtT6qYqpiqSz3f1dE7whxBMs6b0Aw1zruj9X8OXw4nMOVJnI_kS9efd1r6W_wgLz57GH0HjsCY9eCS_zQCkPcE5Tl5jaqMQWFT9qUon92X0/w400-h300/IMG_0291.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">The TBF-1C I drew as flown by Ben Phillips, VMTB-134.<br />It has JUST come off the XEROX 800 press. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My style is not "fine art." As much as I'd think it'd be amusing, there will never be a private exhibition/wine tasting/Ferrari Concours to 'feature' my work. What I do is made for (low) quantity production. And, as it's a representation of a physical, defined object (as opposed to impressionist or abstract artwork), "it is, what it is." </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But, that doesn't mean the artwork doesn't have extraordinary value. People put it on the wall for their own inspiration — oftentimes, for totally different reasons:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"Grandpa's airplane."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"I love America!"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"A time when people came together."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"I love (insert aircraft name)!!"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"Something to remind my clients of..."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The moment I get Commissioned, my first thought is, "How many people will want this piece?" To that point, I become dependent upon the technology, skill and quality of various sorts of printing operations. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Ink formulations, paper composition, packaging are technical details that have a boggling number of permutations that <i>totally</i> affect the finished piece. The vendors that reproduce my artwork are among the very, very best in their professions, having experience that span decades. Additionally, they're people who truly share the passion for what we're all trying to accomplish.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">True story: a partner of a particular vendor came into work on a Sunday morning to supervise a particular job to meet a particular deadline. Remarkable? Yes. But that he was in the middle of excruciating chemotherapy and needed help getting into the shop from his wife is even more so. RIP, <a href="https://www.chapelhillfuneralhome.com/obituary/terry-cleland" target="_blank">Terry</a>***. You will never, ever be replaced...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Nevertheless, after the printing press ceases its work and all the prints are nicely 'jacked' and sealed, my airplane drawings are about to meet their moment of glory via...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">5. The Story.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhs7aSVKIll3LXAkjWZqLgivkWl1r9khkQufV18cVxUcaqJUziQuV5NRF-jFPjeWnxxZZTxozsTTZv4UCk6RiQ0nnjjfLWMx4NkX_tbWdzZYgJSxoz6G8ZVJtizd3cj0O6-0d4vfbJ-iI/s2048/IMG_0431.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhs7aSVKIll3LXAkjWZqLgivkWl1r9khkQufV18cVxUcaqJUziQuV5NRF-jFPjeWnxxZZTxozsTTZv4UCk6RiQ0nnjjfLWMx4NkX_tbWdzZYgJSxoz6G8ZVJtizd3cj0O6-0d4vfbJ-iI/w400-h300/IMG_0431.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">Ben Phillips, pilot of the last TBF Avenger produced by Grumman, signs<br />my prints. They were once ink-on-paper. <br /><br />Now? They're historical artifacts.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">At last count, my art is in museums, galleries and collections in fourteen countries. Is it because I'm a brilliant artist?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Nooooo. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Do you know how many people draw airplanes? Lots. Do you know how many are better-at-it than me? Lots. Four names come immediately to mind — Marc Poole, Rick Herter, Ian Garska and the AMAZING <a href="https://www.roygrinnellart.com">ROY GRINNELL</a>... </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The power behind my distribution is fueled by the STORY behind it. And that story is embodied in the signature of the person who made the story <i>human</i>. There is no mistake: <i><u>this</u></i> is what Patrons (and their audience) truly want to see. I could draw an airplane with a Q-tip™ dipped in nail polish and if the eyewitness-to-history signs it, the work steps out of 'art' and becomes an <b>artifact</b>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">People want to be inspired by this real connection and that's <i>way beyond </i>anyone's involvement. Frankly, it's especially great for me because it makes sure that any artist-ego I have is rightfully checked at the door. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We stand on the shoulders of giants, eh? A humble spot, but from here, if the sky's clear, we can see for miles!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkBK0M49l6GoaG9kYpmSLereeLkyAn5Vc5Tteh-DalPz9_Qz7X5-_n78QENzmNzeWgFiJT-k-E6P93o7pzWJbbeVT8ZvtqVd5hyphenhyphenOIwaxEVs_LFb-7J77qjUgHo4N25nP0ENW9fqThdE-Y/s620/giants.jpg.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="348" data-original-width="620" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkBK0M49l6GoaG9kYpmSLereeLkyAn5Vc5Tteh-DalPz9_Qz7X5-_n78QENzmNzeWgFiJT-k-E6P93o7pzWJbbeVT8ZvtqVd5hyphenhyphenOIwaxEVs_LFb-7J77qjUgHo4N25nP0ENW9fqThdE-Y/w400-h225/giants.jpg.webp" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So, that all being said, you should see the next "Progress Update" on this B-17!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Many hours span the distance between the progress-shot at the top of this page vs. the one below. But if I've held your attention, you'll also see that those hours have included a terrific group of people, hand-to-plow, for the purpose at hand.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So... when will it be finished? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In the next post, I'll show the next-to-last update as well as delve into the actual history of the aircraft. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It will also be the the last one before <b>The Event</b>. There won't be exotic cars on the lawn, exquisite Bordeaux or impossibly dressed art-types. But, there will be grateful souls coming together to remember a fantastic moment in history and the life-long service of a remarkable man.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">You're invited and there'll be more than a few that will like to meet you — the fact that you're reading this post at all means that somehow, some way, you're already part of the team. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Please put the <a href="https://390th.org" target="_blank">390th BG Museum</a> on your to-do list for 26 June, 2021. And if you can't make it to Tucson, we'll see about live-casting the moment.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Details in the next post.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSPY4ZNPr0ReG8GFlPhgrIhf7zVZqQ-nK5T-86Be_5BKkyyuPLLasZ5_Bk88UHTiPIabLpOB0NFWRLNE5CwINjNNfzj8WwG8MSGx0g950y3i0w4q5fn5MDuOuT6rOshEzGHBaQC10eqGU/s2048/BushongB-1712-May21.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1403" data-original-width="2048" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSPY4ZNPr0ReG8GFlPhgrIhf7zVZqQ-nK5T-86Be_5BKkyyuPLLasZ5_Bk88UHTiPIabLpOB0NFWRLNE5CwINjNNfzj8WwG8MSGx0g950y3i0w4q5fn5MDuOuT6rOshEzGHBaQC10eqGU/w400-h274/BushongB-1712-May21.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">HA!! DON'T LOOK.<br /><br />An RC totally trashed this to the point I had no spiritual recourse other than to redo it.<br /><br />The next update is better.<br /><br />Promise. You can go back to your lunch, Bob. Thank you. And go away. For now.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">***</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">*Chris Morgan spoke with a (very) New Yahk accent. True story - he left a message for me on my phone a few weeks before he died. I have kept it and periodically listen just to bring back the powerful memories of a good man.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">**Coloration. Ha. Don't get me started on what-color "Olive Drab 41" really was/is. History writer/pundit Barrett Tillman once told me, "Nothing is true in markings!" Paint two P-51s with the same lot of 1943-spec Olive Drab paint, ship one to rainy, cool England and send the other to muggy, hot India and in two months, the airplanes will look like they're world's apart. Which they were. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">***What is it with Printers in that they simply can't stop working?!? If you know one - especially the old-schoolers who have real ink jammed up their (oft tobacco stained) fingernails, send them some love & appreciation. But hold your critique; they'll never slow down. Ink is in their blood. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><p></p>JSMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11887081006253101167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1361503268172319169.post-27088900291397739512021-05-12T13:11:00.009-05:002021-05-12T17:30:47.825-05:00Profile 150: Boeing B-17G-20 as flown by (Shhhh) of the 390th BG, 569th BS<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4U8h_M8orV0CyC_PftPDUbx1QNhdXb5FjV94OMv2wnKqn2pRgUq6uVRQxmm5q8ihawYeuvn9xHRaS_ih5uRooq4zN3ky1HlkiNrfw9gJ_31W4Wdq-jvwCfRo3sJWvsKm2Pm_OXm0z2jA/s1080/BushongB-175-8-21.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="828" data-original-width="1080" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4U8h_M8orV0CyC_PftPDUbx1QNhdXb5FjV94OMv2wnKqn2pRgUq6uVRQxmm5q8ihawYeuvn9xHRaS_ih5uRooq4zN3ky1HlkiNrfw9gJ_31W4Wdq-jvwCfRo3sJWvsKm2Pm_OXm0z2jA/w400-h306/BushongB-175-8-21.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Wait wait! Don't look at the above yet!</p><p>Let's do some History Learnin! </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5L6XtewEeZI5eG68zpl5wQeKfN6_5yDRIrZ47y7xTy-qzjj82pHKlurwfydIecx2l3eigUtKUIODQ-OZdhBEAMX1nRDygK0SToou-vOqFenSo39QutJlWDiYiSPFwDRASroKttmwq3Sg/s1480/History.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="830" data-original-width="1480" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5L6XtewEeZI5eG68zpl5wQeKfN6_5yDRIrZ47y7xTy-qzjj82pHKlurwfydIecx2l3eigUtKUIODQ-OZdhBEAMX1nRDygK0SToou-vOqFenSo39QutJlWDiYiSPFwDRASroKttmwq3Sg/w400-h224/History.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />Trigger warning! This graphic may offend lazy Jedi™ gym coaches.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p>(clears throat)</p><p><b>How many WWII veterans are alive today (12 May, 2021)?</b></p><p>Let's figure it out!</p><p>According to the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs, at the end of September last year* (2020), there were 325,574 WWII veterans alive; roughly .001% of the total U.S. population of 333,000,000.</p><p>So, that means, last year, in a community of 100,000 Americans, 100 will have been (statistically) WWII veterans. </p><p>However, the National WWII Museum did a little mathwork and came up with the graph below. Assuming they used middle-school level statistical analysis, they predict that about 25% of that 325,574 will have passed into eternity by the end of September of this year (2021), leaving approximately 242,000 WWII veterans alive.</p><p>Have a look.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix9lGvBFCYtsbso9aosl1fLcsOs-P03umBQf2GGiuo9iXCxcVQQvrg5HS7moCnoRocTfL6rCjNXMEN64Hosd6OGQnhgS-taYEUmGMvJgeBimk1aaCrvkGyanZSxGVa35b5rMeYjSq3v60/s2100/Screen+Shot+2021-05-12+at+11.07.02+AM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1014" data-original-width="2100" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix9lGvBFCYtsbso9aosl1fLcsOs-P03umBQf2GGiuo9iXCxcVQQvrg5HS7moCnoRocTfL6rCjNXMEN64Hosd6OGQnhgS-taYEUmGMvJgeBimk1aaCrvkGyanZSxGVa35b5rMeYjSq3v60/w400-h194/Screen+Shot+2021-05-12+at+11.07.02+AM.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More <a href="https://www.nationalww2museum.org/war/wwii-veteran-statistics" target="_blank">here</a>. Gotta love the National WWII Museum! <br /><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div>Considering that we're splitting the difference, let's say that this means today, 12 May, 2020, in a community of 100,000 people, <b>about 85</b> will be WWII veterans. </div><div><br /></div><div>Next question.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>How many living WWII veterans are <i><u>combat</u></i> veterans?</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Well now. That's a completely different question! </div><div><br /></div><div>I remember spending time volunteering for "Honor Flight" (a program providing WWII veterans a trip to see the Washington D.C. monuments to their service). The number of veterans that fulfilled administrative, non-combat roles were high. I met a LOT of typists, clerks, messengers... of course, their service was absolutely important to the 'war effort!' But, when it comes to the visceral imagery of "war," the imagination only visualizes the tip of a very long, complicated spear. </div><div><br /></div><div>Starting with today's generally accepted percentage of 10% of military service people actually get deployed to a combat zone, the number who experience mortal combat is mercifully low. However, in WWII, a much larger number of personnel were deployed overseas - <a href="http://dig.abclocal.go.com/ktrk/ktrk_120710_WWIIvetsfactsheet.pdf" target="_blank">about 75%</a>. So, let's say 66% of those deployed overseas were actually deployed in a combat zone.</div><div><br /></div><div>Going back to our hypothetical community of 100,000, of the 85 WWII veterans alive, let's figure 56 will have been combat veterans.</div><div><br /></div><div>Next question.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD4CwsCb0ha0ZtsAIbd0fvw-jXpx_d1iL-qo22EDnE6krTTmZse4gvMbHPZHrX1aL38-bWGovJ-qBoIwpuuPQI2lHwV9h5lbg8RTztRPSjNWgI8z228x5BDaTF-hBpgP_NqN9NHlF0Z2g/s2048/Screen+Shot+2021-05-12+at+12.57.24+PM.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1521" data-original-width="2048" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD4CwsCb0ha0ZtsAIbd0fvw-jXpx_d1iL-qo22EDnE6krTTmZse4gvMbHPZHrX1aL38-bWGovJ-qBoIwpuuPQI2lHwV9h5lbg8RTztRPSjNWgI8z228x5BDaTF-hBpgP_NqN9NHlF0Z2g/w400-h297/Screen+Shot+2021-05-12+at+12.57.24+PM.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>The most influential person in my career, WWII fighter (triple) ace, Clarence "Bud" Anderson. </i>He not only gave me my start as a writer/drawer/filmmaker, he's alive and well at 99 years of age!<br /><br />If you know who he is, you know he's an absolute American hero of the highest order. If you don't know who he is, click <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bud_Anderson" target="_blank">here</a>.</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><b>How many living WWII veterans are combat <i>pilots</i>?</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Hmmmm. Ok, this is getting challenging!</div><div><br /></div><div>But, if we take the USAAF (United States Army Air Force) the number of service people who made the grade of Pilot was <a href="https://media.defense.gov/2015/Sep/11/2001329827/-1/-1/0/AFD-150911-028.pdf" target="_blank">200,000 </a>— of course there were more Navy/Marine pilots but for right now, let's just use USAAF.</div><div><br /></div><div>Figuring 16,000,000 Americans served in WWII, that means .012% were USAAF pilots. Figuring that today (12 May, 2021) about 280,000 WWII veterans are still alive, about 3,000 of them are pilots. Using 66% as our 'combat' number, that means 2,000 pilots are <i>combat</i> pilots. </div><div><br /></div><div>Going back to our hypothetical community of 100,000, of the 85 WWII veterans alive, the number of combat pilots in that number is practically <b>ZERO</b>.</div><div><br /></div><div>* break break *</div><div><br /></div><div>A few years ago, a Vietnam War veteran answered my question, "So, why did you publish your memoir?" with the darkly poignant reply, <b>"Because my kids tell me that when an old man dies, a library burns."</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Chilling quote, eh?</div><div><br /></div><div>If you're like me, the data analysis is one thing <i>but it takes the notion of seeing the value of a life's experience burn up in flames to really appreciate history!</i></div><div><br /></div><div><b>So what's the value of a library?</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ6eqL1iuR0bbFYSu-XI4-cnrfZ5SSq-3tLqUVDW2kGEAaKTSsTmF5iUS0iCxkgL_1B9FAhSDVtxwb3O8zaxyzY6vr9p4LBZTyOVlPB8F0ZG4Joov7y9vfxrRyjy0hIdjtxwBTKR-V_ug/s2048/IMG_6811.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ6eqL1iuR0bbFYSu-XI4-cnrfZ5SSq-3tLqUVDW2kGEAaKTSsTmF5iUS0iCxkgL_1B9FAhSDVtxwb3O8zaxyzY6vr9p4LBZTyOVlPB8F0ZG4Joov7y9vfxrRyjy0hIdjtxwBTKR-V_ug/w300-h400/IMG_6811.jpeg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />My Challenge Coin. If we ever meet, you will have a 20% chance of getting one. <br /><br />Thanks to Vietnam War F-4 pilot Richard Hilton for<br />the phrase and thanks to the "Geezers" of the <a href="https://fridaypilots.com" target="_blank">Friday Pilots</a> for printing a book<br />featuring their Life Wisdom. The hard copy is SOLD OUT. But the <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Wings-Geezers-Life-Lessons-Pilots-ebook/dp/B092PTQXKC/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1620841591&sr=8-1" target="_blank">digital version</a><br />is in mercifully infinite supply (as long as the power stays on).</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div>Hmmmm. THAT is probably the best question to consider!</div><div><br /></div><div>We'll start here. Have a look above at my opening pencil sketch of a Boeing B-17G "Flying Fortress." It's been commissioned to honor <i>(the statistical improbability of)</i><b> a living WWII combat pilot. </b> </div><div><br /></div><div>And even rarer, the man, nearing 100 years of age, still holds down a job. Gads, 'that generation' is a humbling one, don't you think?!</div><div><br /></div><div>There's a push to get the art done in order to honor the man in a public ceremony; I will be working late and starting early to get the art done (as accurately as possible), printed and delivered on-time. I'll try to get two, maybe three more posts here showing progress on the artwork as well see what we can learn from the man who flew it.</div><div><br /></div>Until then, here's your library card, serial number 42-31603.<div><br /></div><div>It's time to check out the life of... (stay tuned)<br /><p></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA8HhvYp8__YK5WmicStaoYiKScY4clqx7hPYjbgFCpb9L_hL-Ixiw-TnB91xKSURK8SbJs63U9M_wypdwLkeePr3vdRvwQeUeRuJiQPhbP2zioByScoJgyLxoZ9AFTS4zqt2HJSv2lYc/s1080/BushongB-175-10-21.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="740" data-original-width="1080" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA8HhvYp8__YK5WmicStaoYiKScY4clqx7hPYjbgFCpb9L_hL-Ixiw-TnB91xKSURK8SbJs63U9M_wypdwLkeePr3vdRvwQeUeRuJiQPhbP2zioByScoJgyLxoZ9AFTS4zqt2HJSv2lYc/w400-h274/BushongB-175-10-21.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></div>JSMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11887081006253101167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1361503268172319169.post-14034573597838922562021-05-04T12:35:00.014-05:002021-05-04T21:51:21.608-05:00PROFILE 149: Cessna A-37B Dragonfly as flown by Col. Từ Đễ, North Vietnamese Air Force<p> </p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNeT0x-LhbLPLzDEpV7QuBo_dIm7PCu3MkaM8BcvBAJbRVcA_aPj1rDucHFrpGfCddOMvnjaRz0-wzyW36zbHZgMqYEXqk-_FkDqROW1-zCva6uDd1kZCMsvLhBkMD4glcy-zL61htZ_s/s1276/A-37.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="883" data-original-width="1276" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNeT0x-LhbLPLzDEpV7QuBo_dIm7PCu3MkaM8BcvBAJbRVcA_aPj1rDucHFrpGfCddOMvnjaRz0-wzyW36zbHZgMqYEXqk-_FkDqROW1-zCva6uDd1kZCMsvLhBkMD4glcy-zL61htZ_s/w400-h276/A-37.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><i>"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times..."</i><br /> - Charles Dickens, "A Tale of Two Cities"<br /><br />This is how it came down.<div><br />I was on a rented shuttle bus, rumbling from Ho Chi Minh City to a 'farm' somewhere on/near the border of Cambodia and Vietnam. We were traveling to be the guest of one North Vietnam's great aviation heroes, <a href="https://draft.blogger.com/#">Nguyen Van Bay</a>.<br /><br />There were eight of us — Rick Lingberg (heavy-lifter for the show "<a href="https://draft.blogger.com/#">Old Guys and Their Airplanes</a>"), ex-POW CAPT <a href="https://draft.blogger.com/#">Charlie Plumb USN</a> (Ret.), four ex-North Vietnamese fighter pilots, a translator and myself. <br /><br />Rick, Charlie and I knew, maybe, four words in Vietnamese.<br /><br />Our translator was (thankfully) AWESOME.<br /><br />Anyway, one of the ex-NVAF pilots decided to start reading our palms. Charlie was seen as macho, tough and strong. Me? I was a weenie intellectual artist-type. Dang. It's not as if I hadn't heard that before but still...<br /><br />...I was <i>little</i> piqued. So, I asked what made <i>him</i> significant and he replied that in addition to being a fellow macho, tough and strong fighter pilot, he partook of the raid on Tan Son Nhut Air Force Base in 1975. <br /><br />* break break *<br /><br />We Americans do a horrible job of teaching/remembering The Vietnam War. IMHO, the moment (1964 - 1973) did more to affect American culture than anything since, including 'the internet' or anything the Kardashians have ever (ever, ever!) done.<br /><br />However, recognize this: on April 28 of 1975, the <a href="https://draft.blogger.com/#">American military was scrambling to evacuate</a> all of its friends & family from South Vietnam while North Vietnamese forces advanced towards the capitol of South Vietnam, Saigon. And when I write "scrambling," I mean it! Think, "You've got five minutes to cram your life into a bag and meet me outside or else you're not going!" <br /><br />What did that mean? Well, depending upon your perspective, Vietnam was about to be united or South Vietnam was about to fall. The United States was reneging on a sworn duty or the United States was finally finished with a grueling war.<br /><br />Regardless of your point-of-view, one point remains clear: four North Vietnamese pilots used freshly captured South Vietnamese A-37s to <a href="https://draft.blogger.com/#">attack Tan Son Nhut Air Base</a>, located just outside of Saigon. At the time, the base was a whirlwind of activity as South Vietnamese and Americans alike, as I wrote before, scrambled to leave. <br /><br />In spite of his palm reading skills, I was fascinated by the pilot's history. Of course, I offered to draw an airplane representing his service in exchange for an interview. It's taken a few years to finally make good, but I'm pleased to introduce you to Col.Từ Đễ, born 1949, MiG-17/Su-22/Su-27/A-37 pilot with 923 FR, veteran of Vietnam air war (1968-1975), former Vice Chief-of-Staff of VNP AD&AF Service, former Vice Head of Operational-training Department of VNP Army, (Ret.)<br /><br />The following is our conversation, edited only (by myself) for formatting and clean up the most noticeable of grammatical/translation issues. <br /><br />Btw - yeah, yeah... there will be argument on any number of points. My brand is built on hanging out with people who've experienced important moments in history. I don't hand out Report Cards and frankly, no one wants one from me anyways. <br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://draft.blogger.com/#"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg65L1qGyvjuBLHeIhNodF2JvBUDjhGPc0LzO7nDk-SBNd6CnnCZ020iQVb4j-MwU1TYzxTV5UmKtCrLk1ZxvvidWAfqrLr_k-DIoEqHif01RuvKid0TZGKhT8UYbUMSHVGH0CSfgZSS5Q/w400-h300/IMG_0461.heic" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">A quick pic snapped at Ho Chi Minh City - L-R, Vietnamese fighter pilots</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Dr. Nguyễn Sỹ Hung, Col. Từ Đễ, General Le Hai and Charlie Plumb.</span></div><br /><br />********************************<br /><br />Me: So... tell me about how you grew up? What was your childhood like, what were your parents like?<br /><br />Từ Đễ: My father and my father-in-law are both French-trained doctors, so they brought the French cultural model in the life and they are really good doctors. Besides basic knowledges, we have the chance to learn more on arts, for example, I was learned to be able to drawing, one my brother learned to play the violin, the youngest was to do sports. During the resistance war against the French, they all followed Ho Chi Minh and when the US involved to Vietnam conflict, they continued to fight against the US until the victory. I have been studying in Schools for 10 years since Hanoi had liberated from French(1954), furthermore, we received good teaching from the French-trained teachers an furthermore we got very early personalities: love of freedom, honor and deep love for the country. <br /><br />My aspire was to become a military officer: brave, strong and disciplined like my father. In addition, as many young boys, I also want to be a good boy, that get attractive from girlfriend, because like a old Vietnamese idioms has saying: “Boys in wartime, girls in peacetime”<br /><br /><br />Me: So, tell me about how you got interested in aviation?<br /><br />Từ Đễ: The way to enter the Air Force, it should be noted that, my generation was able to usually watch movies, photos, and books praising the Soviet Red Army in fighting with the German Nazi Facism. All of us as young people want to become a fighter pilots, but that dream seems a bit far-reached. Unexpectedly there was once, a my boy friend went to a selection committee and passed over the exams to be able to become a flight cadet, which made me decide to go to the medical examination to try to test my lucky fate, and surprisingly, yet I passed. At the beginning, I didn't dare to inform everyone, and only when I got an official call from Medical Committee I informed to my friends and especially the girlfriend, whom I secretly loved for a long time. At that time I was only 16 years and 3 months old. When you thought about a distant dream comes true, there is no great(er) joy.<br /><br /><br />Me: Describe your thoughts on (what you call) "The American War"...<br /><br />Từ Đễ: Thoughts and impressions of the war with the US... I thought that when the French was defeated in Dien Bien Phu Campaign, then US would jump in to involve the conflict, it might has been that some plan-markers of the US thought that they had never lost to anyone during its history, so it would win this war. I think that the Vietnam must be fought and won this war to prove that Vietnamese people is not afraid of any invaders, either France or the US. In fact, in the Vietnam air war neither the Soviet Union nor the Chinese gave us any lessons and training courses in tactics and experience getting from Korean war, we had to find-out the way to fight against US Air Power by ourselves. The VNPAF pilots were very proud of their commanders of VNPAF at that time, the two our Lieutenant Colonels, who had to/confronted/faced/ with four/or may be more/ 4-star Generals of the USAF & USN for 8 years and won/get/the victories. That was a big surprise!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://draft.blogger.com/#"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTWAus0YB4N9lGXZ9Ac66tRVdctm_nh7TTs6beFEPWxhxt2VyHBWf10_PuDzu1FK71mD03elH_DKmoC5CCjzYImeX4cdmvvl5vo7tRfs0YDmNbAP6qquXYSzRZUHU9sD1cwwPFnDDsm7U/w400-h286/Screen+Shot+2021-05-04+at+12.22.19+PM.png" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">This is my <a href="https://draft.blogger.com/#">drawing of Gen. Le Hai's MiG-17</a>. The "PF" is similar but has</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">a big bump on the front of the nose to accommodate the additional radar.</span></div><br /><br />During the war, I myself used to fly on <a href="https://draft.blogger.com/#">MiG-17</a>PF with radar that only detected targets at about 4 km range, but still took off at night time to find-out and destroy helicopters during the search and rescue mission of the US Air Force, of course, by the same time,- I became a target to be destroy by the USN's F-4B flying MiGCAP and escort missions. They managed to fire missiles at me twice with 4 AIM-7s, but I avoided them thanks to the tail alarm system, there (was once a near hit) from a missile that detonated at about 500 m away from my MiG-17. Realizing that our forces was small and weak, we only chose favorable opportunities to intercept and fight with US aircrafts, except the engagements on <a href="https://draft.blogger.com/#">10 May 1972</a>, when the air engagements lasted throughout all day, and ending with the score of ratio 5 / 5. <br /><br />In 2016, when former USN pilots visited Vietnam, I had the opportunity to meet F-4J pilots who attacked us at Kep airport that day (note: Mr. Curt Dose, living in San Diego).<br /><br />In April 1972, I also witnessed the MiG-17 attack on two USS battleships, that were USS Higbee and Oklahoma City of the USN 7th Fleet on the coast of Quang Binh on <a href="https://draft.blogger.com/#">April 19, 1972</a>. <br /><br />If an aggressive war happened now, I would have acted the same way, to protect our motherland, but I believe that our opponent will not be the United States. <br /><br /><br />Me: What can you tell me about your thoughts regarding the "War with the South"...?<br /><br />Từ Đễ: On the conflict with the South... I still keep the idea of comparing this war with the Civil War of the South and North in United States (in the 18th century). It is a war to unify the country according to the wishes of the people of entire country. The mental consequences of any war may last several generations, but the country of Vietnam develops like it is today proves that our choose was right. And now an independent and unified Vietnam want to have friendly relationship with all nations in the World in peace, friendship, cooperation and mutual benefit. <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://draft.blogger.com/#"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXVUrzrSOCGw761SRvUNiRO9EyJakKSjsgvbyxDku0uUwTlxhPq6SIh5fLpDaFWBv_ZMcvvyILT2BWTq88tZHC0ceL22lq0fR4Yrl45RrVeHq34RmAI_I1bYDdOkLzFAYpXf0QcHufRfg/w400-h276/A-37+-+4+March+2021.png" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Progress shot on Từ Đễ's A-37. It's a mess. I ended up redrawing about a third of it</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">because I had so much wrong. And at this point, I wasn't quite certain of</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">the markings anyways. </span></div><br /><br />Me: What can you tell me about how you acquired and learned to fly the A-37s?<br /><br />Từ Đễ: When we took over/got in/liberated Danang airport, there is a pile of A-37s, F-5s aircraft and Helicopters that the South VNAF left at Da Nang airport (some sources figured a total more than thousand aircrafts and helicopters of South VN AF). With the assistance of the technical staff of the both VNPAF and the South VN AF captured technicians, we quickly picked up aircraft’s components from many aircraft and combined back to fit-up to be have two good flyable A-37s aircraft, that could be in operation status. in fact at that time we were experienced pilots, who participated in many air battle with American pilots, some time,-even we experienced our fly skills by making some adventurous flying movement in the skies/I don’t know exactly what in English called this action, but in Russian and Vietnamese air force language, we call it, "hooligan in the air."<br /><br />Obviously, we are self-confident to fly steadily in all weather conditions, when operations away from the GCIs. In a very short time -with assistance of 2 captured pilots of the South VNAF - I had study the aircraft manual and got acquainted with the A-37B cockpit and was ready to have my first fly in A-37B. <br /><br />I was the one assigned to be the first VNPAF pilot, that implemented first fly of the conversion training from MiG to fly in A-37B. This is the first inspection flight. With the initial feeling, I believe in the American aviation technical system (ease of use, high modular connectivity and high reliability). Thinking like this I confidently take the first test flight. This flight was accompanied by a captured- pilot of South VN AF- lieutenant Phạm Ngoc Xanh, and after only 15 minutes of flight, I was able to master of the aircraft, found the feeling of flight and quickly returned to the airport to save the flight reserve time for other VNPAF pilots. After those 15 minutes, I was the first person approved to successfully complete the conversion course from Soviet build-MiG into fly in US A-37B. The remaining MiG pilots in the squadron only flew 2-3 flights per person to complete the extremely short conversion course from the MiG soviet aircraft to the American A-37 aircraft(from 25 to 27 April 1975). <br /><br />Fortunately, the A-37 has two seats, so each flight we can do training for two pilots. The very next day (April 28, 1975), we took off from Thành Sơn airfield, with 5 aircraft carrying 4 MK-82 bombs and 4 additional fuel tanks, flying and heading toward Tan Son Nhất airport . When taking- off from Thanh Son airfield, we had to turn-on the screen system/mode just from the take-off first stage in order to minimize the take-off run, because the plane was too heavy with maximum takeoff weight.<br /><br /><div>Regarding with the pilot’s parachutes used on this mission, we had to wear the MiG-17 parachutes instead the A-37 parachutes. The A-37's parachute is the (worn on the back), while the Mig-17's parachute is (one we sit on), so I have to bend down low to hold the aircraft stick, like character hunchback in the Notre Dame Cathedral of French Victor Hugo.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://draft.blogger.com/#"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXkIHp_IWBI4l1qrsS74vPPRpBw7yJ-LYj2v9JZD_FgGwmwQ75hQgctdYF7syu6FlAlgPTHrGDMbuylsPJtEZhmacFfZjsjCe3-gd4AZceGvlZjye5EflUQWJYAcq9KrORejiP4eBE4QI/w400-h271/94427899_10158370094162774_2338829247105204224_n.jpg" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Attack leader Than Trung (left) and Từ Đễ post-mission - it's quite possible</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">this was a publicity photo. Credit: Nguyen Xuan At</span></div><br /><br />After I finished bombing, I still followed <a href="https://draft.blogger.com/#">Nguyen Thanh Trung</a>* aircraft until he shouted that his bombs were went out, just I lost him in sight. Seeing Saigon from above look so beautiful I decided to take a round trip of Saigon downtown at a altitude of 300ft, this causing the anti-aircraft gun protecting the president building to drop red bullets when Saigon skies were getting dark. When I pulled- up, I suddenly saw a C-130 aircraft turning right after taking-off and flying to the sea, I followed, flying by at a distance of about 10-15 m. Thinking that the A-37 could threat and shoot at his aircraft, the pilot of C-130 got level and flew straight. Actually, I just want to tilt my wings to say goodbye to this friend/guy, “I wish you safe flight back to America ". I guess this vehicle was carrying civil evacuees and now the US troops were withdrew, so it was no longer an enemy aircraft.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://draft.blogger.com/#"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilWMK9T799b0C6cXVC0VqEJV9vZ4y998dMq-h0kCNsg5iz9G65y4lI23DmEYvAYp6Ngq7RhyphenhyphenVq1z4J-9lQ3hb2qSfrIJG2YlKpeaGoCQP8UdI-v8H-zdQb58hVGISao415YR5RTXHOQ1g/w400-h230/VNAF_C-130A_burns_at_Tan_Son_Nhut_29_April_1975.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Burning C-130 during the attack on Tan Son Nhut. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Source: wikipedia</span></div><br />Actually, the war has ended, everyone should go home for their family-wife and children. Because I was spend fly time to ‘’cruising around the City center”, when I flew back to the airport, my fuel almost run-out, I had to turn off one engine when approaching the airport, and when I flying at a altitude of only 1 meter above the run-way, the other one also stopped. All five A-37B of my Squadron was landed safely, after accomplish bombing mission. God saved our life. Post-mission assessment point-out that actually we only need 3 aircrafts to bombs in the combat aircrafts storage, and rest two A-37 should use to bomb the parking area of the F-5E (in the night time of that đay,and in the next day morning, two F-5E flew to attack Thành Sơn airport, but getting not any damage to aircrafts and peoples).<br /><br /><br />Me: So, go into greater detail on your role in the April 28 mission...<br /><br />Từ Đễ: I flew number 2 in a group of 3 attackers A-37, the two other assigned to support us, if we met the VNSAF F-5.By the way, I am not highly assessed the F-5 pilots, because they never really have any air engagement, and perhaps could not effectively fire airborne guns. Note: The USAF did not equipped with missiles for the South VN AF aircraft.<br /><br />Since Trung had previously flown the F-5E at the Tân Sơn Nhất Airport, he was assigned to fly in the first position to indicate the target. But because during the attack Trung’s bombs didn't come out, so I decided that when diving to attack, i switched the bomb-switch from throwing a series to single-shot mode to indicate the target. Because I had seriously study the air navigation map of Tan sơn Nhất, so I have accurately image about the targets, and my indicating bombs were drop precise.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://draft.blogger.com/#"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqXDfwArKv8IGF-JUrvj3R5bm35Gm4gIKTb6qw74xLF1GpTA5aOHE4DIjklTynqntfVNpLTNBxTHyrAGJoOaBv4nwMVkNaEsu6zldOrfm2OXELdUu3fvPl-qs6FU3niweogOmXN0oRT8I/w400-h256/Nguye%25CC%2582%25CC%2583n+Tha%25CC%2580nh+Trung_+Nguye%25CC%2582%25CC%2583n+Va%25CC%2586n+Lu%25CC%25A3c_Tu%25CC%259B%25CC%2580+%25C4%2590e%25CC%2582%25CC%2583_Tra%25CC%2582%25CC%2580n+Va%25CC%2586n+On_Ha%25CC%2581n+Va%25CC%2586n+Qua%25CC%2589ng_Hoa%25CC%2580ng+Mai+Vu%25CC%259Bo%25CC%259B%25CC%25A3ng.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Publicity photo of North Vietnamese pilots post-attack. Leader Nguyen Thanh Trung is</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">far left, Từ Đễ is third from left. Clearly, these guys have the swagger of victors.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Note the motley mix of A-37s from various ex-South Vietnamese units... Credit: unknown</span></div><br /><br />** break break **<br /><br />Right now, a lot of Vietnam/American war veterans are reading this, pouring over Từ Đễ's words — this interview is historic for many reasons, not withstanding the fact that it's the punctuation of nearly thirty years of conflict. I respect Col. Từ Đễ as well as rest of history's witnesses. For me, this kind of interview is exactly what I hope to bring to the world.<br /><br />However, recognize that wars are fought by people. If I've learned anything by interviewing old combat veterans it's that we are a fundamentally homogenous species. To know the "enemy" is to know oneself. <br /><br />[Back to the interview]<br /><br />Me: Let's just talk about airplanes. What's your favorite?<br /><br />Từ Đễ: (It) is true that the aircraft (is) operated by pilot, so in my opinion, the Mig-17 is one of best aircraft. Later I flew in some modern airplanes like the Su-22/27, actually, the plane was controlled by a computer system, humans were interfered by computers so I didn't like it, and MiG-17 is the most favorite aircraft, the A-37 was also cute one. <br /><br />(Personal note - I think A-37s are 'cute' in a squished-frog sort of way, too).<br /><br />Me: So, what do you think it means to be successful in life?<br /><br />Từ Đễ: The most important thing that I believe (helped) me to get success in life: Honesty and courage. <br /><br />Me: If you could go back in time and visit yourself, what would you say?<br /><br />Từ Đễ: If I can go back in time to the past, and could to tell myself something...I would say that, I still like to fly, and enjoy doing some adventurous flying movement in the skies, and ready to fought against any invader to protect my Fatherland.<br /><br />Me: Who are the people you admire most? <br /><br />Từ Đễ: The person that I most admire is my commander, Ace-pilot MiG-17, Colonel <a href="https://draft.blogger.com/#">Nguyen Van Bay</a>** (A). He is the legendary of VNPAF. <br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://draft.blogger.com/#"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyyMF5by_bKvIsEAs29a34JCY3CegZMjCZ-lQgqdkv7r031dixQhbI7-e_uYa4ZgFsK-75Uz_qlWxPzpI3OfPc6pf7ME_IL0z8nfWViXOGWDASZfk5P-wrcgLBvSOqDA17Z6la0PAzeCU/w400-h300/IMG_0498.heic" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">This is me doing what dorky intellectual-artist-types do when we get to</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">hang around people who've accomplished something - that's Nguyen Van Bay (right).</span></div><br /><br />Me: So, what is then your greatest achievement? <br /><br />Từ Đễ: My greatest achievement is having a harmonious, and happy family- through the war time –I should say thank my wife, who is my classmate-girlfriend more than 60 years ago and she is a Sen. Col. military doctor also.<br /><br />** break break **<br /><br />Last year (2020), I got to partake in producing a <a href="https://draft.blogger.com/#">film, live Q&A</a> and Educator's Kit (in partnership with the <a href="https://draft.blogger.com/#">Distinguished Flying Cross Society</a>) featuring Col. Marty Mahrt's famous rescue from North Vietnam on May 10, 1966. <br /><br />Marty returned to Vietnam to serve with MACV (Military Assistance Command, Vietnam) where he helped with the evacuation of Saigon. He witnessed, first-hand, Từ Đễ's bombing run on Tan Son Nhut. I let Từ Đễ know of Marty's eyewitness experience and it fostered a connection that was brokered through email; I share it below.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://draft.blogger.com/#"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikhusscXP2jIn7D9B_ifjrtZPVYkfeXNIpfpP_-IQK9sjCgoL_84kTdDLVKXF_iPPL2-JoemUPuYxKhUAxpe8nlWL7tNIWLUwFtMpt2kXffVqPY6Pybjr5kPNlVbk3Z2TgKTQ2mYIcdZE/w291-h400/Marty66+2.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Marty Mahrt c. 1965. Interesting that he'd STILL be in Vietnam TEN YEARS LATER.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Photo: USAF, courtesy Marty Mahrt.</span></div><br /><br />[Back to the interview]<br /><br />Từ Đễ: About Colonel Marty Mahrt seeing the group of A-37 bombing Tân Sơn Nhất at 28 April 1975-, It is very interesting and I would like to ask you to extend my best regard to Him. <br /><br />Taking this opportunity I would like to ask him a question. If he was at Tan sơn Nhất airport on the afternoon of <a href="https://draft.blogger.com/#">28 April 1975</a>, so how you think about a point of time that the Commander of SGN AF realized that these A-37 are not friends, and the airport was bombed by North VNAF A-37? After that attack, did you go to the scene to see the results of the bombing, if so what would you see the situation at the airport at that time, and why does the CIA recommend using helicopters instead of air transport planes to carry-out the mission of evacuation,- causing public panic and creating a bad image of the chaotic evacuation of US Embassy and US staff (in these photos that were captured in that day in Saigon by some international photographers). <br /><br />Marty Mahrt: I was loading the VNAF wives and their children on a bus to go to the processing center to depart. I saw 3 planes coming on initial and didn't suspect anything unusual until they went in to a dive angle. I shouted for them to unload and get under the bus. (The wives and children) were unharmed but the runway was in disarray and a <a href="https://draft.blogger.com/#">C-130</a> was aflame.<br /><br />The VNAF themselves were trying to <a href="https://draft.blogger.com/#">evacuate</a>, so they did not even try to retaliate. Most all the planes were being used to evacuate — <a href="https://draft.blogger.com/#">the helicopters took many trips to the USS MIDWAY (aircraft carrier) which was stationed in the South China Sea. </a> Some VNAF took their F5s to Thailand. C141s and C130s were used as well. It was chaos and we (25 officers) evacuated at 9 pm, leaving the area to the Marines to clear and burn the MACV headquarters. We were evacuated to the Midway and sailed to Thailand to safety.<br /><br />***<br /><br />Từ Đễ: Anyway, thank you for remembering and learning about the history of the air force of the two countries, that happened for so long time ago.<br /><br />Me: You. Are. Welcome. (checks palm)<br /><br />***<br /><br />Parting comment — on account of my experiences in Vietnam with "their" veterans, I'm oft asked if there's any antipathy towards Americans. So far, that's been extraordinarily rare. In fact, I experienced it only once and that's a story for another time.<br /><br />Instead, I've been consistently reminded of a familiar Vietnamese saying. Từ Đễ referred the sentiment and frankly, I agree with it wholeheartedly.<br /><br /><b>We remember the past, but we must move forward…</b><br /><br /> <br /><br />_______________________________________________________________ <br /><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />*Hopefully, I'll be talking to him very soon. Stay tuned...<br /><br />**There were/are two "Nguyen Van Bay" pilots, "A" and "B." The one I met is "A" - a hero by anyone's standard. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />Credit needs to go to Hungarian VN War/Soviet aircraft expert/photographer, Dr. Istvan Toperczer. He's a huge resource for all-things-MiG (and appropriate ops). Also, aviation enthusiast Pha Truong Son was also a huge help in hunting down photos - the next twenty beers are on me. And that goes for both of you.</span></div></div>JSMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11887081006253101167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1361503268172319169.post-19884732677832482992021-02-23T10:32:00.008-06:002021-02-23T14:15:45.641-06:00PROFILE 149: Cessna A-37B Dragonfly as flown by... not quite sure about all-this yet...<p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3iFdV8GVrdnP5AKIVHZvT-QvTso1gMXwEjvJIQxEtuDUJgY324wgE9VSmNT045txewh0g1-MWKARZdZxRbHdD4fJsZldc3v6hG3md5z6rd0ff91Ex39zQLYJP6BY0T4SRfLpA4bmU0lY/s2048/img20210207_21185132.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1583" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3iFdV8GVrdnP5AKIVHZvT-QvTso1gMXwEjvJIQxEtuDUJgY324wgE9VSmNT045txewh0g1-MWKARZdZxRbHdD4fJsZldc3v6hG3md5z6rd0ff91Ex39zQLYJP6BY0T4SRfLpA4bmU0lY/s320/img20210207_21185132.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Mystery plane! </p><p>Not that the airplane itself is a mystery — the Cessna A-37B "Dragonfly" is certainly a remarkable, significant aircraft for any number of reasons: trainer, attack aircraft, participation in historic events, vicious engine noise... the mystery here is that I've been asked to draw a <i>specific</i> A-37B that took part in a <i>specific</i> moment on a <i>specific</i> day. </p><p>Currently, I know the event, date, time and even pilot. But the aircraft? Not specifically. </p><p>I'm working it out. Mysteries are meant to solved.</p><p>Anyway, it's going to be a fascinating project as it involves all the stuff humans tend to find interesting — drama, sadness, victory, regret, ambition, power, struggle. And this airplane is a symbol for all of it.</p><p>In the meantime, have a look at the pencil sketch above. I threw it together to help get a handle on the A-37s peculiar, 'squished frog' aesthetic and also set my brain to start learning about an aircraft that, frankly, I haven't given much thought to.</p><p>Right now, I'm learning the basics. For those of you who aren't as smart on All-Things-A-37, follow along with me.</p><p>The A-37 is a re-purposed T-37 "Tweety Bird/Tweet", a twin-engined trainer used by the USAF for a whopping fifty two years. That kind of longevity isn't surprising because the manufacturer — the Cessna Aircraft Company — knows a thing or two about long-lived designs. The ubiquitous Cessna 172 is the most produced aircraft of all time and it has been flying for seventy two years! Though the Cessna 172 does not play any part in this project, I throw it in because it reinforces the idea that there's power in 'time.'</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwz8sROeQeYmVL17_rNeJhfVniI_Vw67vcfWGmKoGn1QGHTIvzxDLSp7te7olqjdBpcWgrtFbyhJ7MadqFjY8YUcT_plbzE9VoMmGr6yn15g30ohhCD23moHnYCx0CW5te2FpDL1Zh0GQ/s1536/C-172A_N7481T_at_Anderson%252C_Indiana%252C_USA.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="454" data-original-width="1536" height="95" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwz8sROeQeYmVL17_rNeJhfVniI_Vw67vcfWGmKoGn1QGHTIvzxDLSp7te7olqjdBpcWgrtFbyhJ7MadqFjY8YUcT_plbzE9VoMmGr6yn15g30ohhCD23moHnYCx0CW5te2FpDL1Zh0GQ/w320-h95/C-172A_N7481T_at_Anderson%252C_Indiana%252C_USA.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">Gawd bless Cessna. Geniuses at teaching people to live & love aviation.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Still, these kind of numbers are staggering for the average person steeped in modern consumerism. "We" are lead to believe that stuff typically has a much shorter shelf-life. Cars 'go bad' after three-four years, phones after 18-24 months and clothes? They're disposable. Thinking about using something for years and years and years seems to be increasingly hard to wrap one's head around.</p><p>Like, 1975, the year in which this particular project originates. That was FORTY SIX years ago. Gads, looking back on where I was forty-six years ago, I am barely able to conjure up images of eating Cap'n Crunch cereal and watching cartoons on Saturday morning.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV5rqMYGPdHDVEPr0-s50VcqD3QCNuNRHkIFEAGXNXq5pSVc7Ht_7k8PI-aZeOXWKI_POAlCjktYEzEToKtqGR0feEqu7nmW3GXlMYB7ruQJk4cCT-KCXmFNxgId773oUTVpMngk4hRUk/s1114/0ef3e9504eb0dc0c46acbfd8d3adf6c1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="391" data-original-width="1114" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV5rqMYGPdHDVEPr0-s50VcqD3QCNuNRHkIFEAGXNXq5pSVc7Ht_7k8PI-aZeOXWKI_POAlCjktYEzEToKtqGR0feEqu7nmW3GXlMYB7ruQJk4cCT-KCXmFNxgId773oUTVpMngk4hRUk/s320/0ef3e9504eb0dc0c46acbfd8d3adf6c1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">In the1970s, THIS was my world. <br />But what-the-heck. At least the U.S. wasn't in a Civil War.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p>I digress...</p><p>Back to the A-37.</p><p>Though the essential airframe is the same as the T-37, the A-37 had a very different mission - it was a light attack aircraft designed to appeal to nations looking to transact war on a limited budget. To this end, a significant amount of engineering went into converting the Trainer into a Warrior:</p><p>• More powerful engines: 5,600 lbs of thrust (combined) vs. 2,100 lbs</p><p>• A 7.62mm mini-gun + Swiss Army Knife™-like array of ordnance</p><p>• Armor/protection</p><p>The end result was an aircraft (almost) ideally suited for the war that would come to define its image, the Vietnam War. Or, the American War depending upon your point-of-view, which in this case, is irrelevant because Americans weren't involved. No, scratch that... that's not entirely true, but I'll get to that later. </p><p>Anyway, back to the A-37.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlXikg5Xf88ml7vvDqDcIPmbgvdCf1R8xSQ663FwEaXgjA_uTeVUHWZoGft9x-Aj96OzCzNVxEqui4QsjxRbqDbzDM0QbQCv6-ZOvSQS4LxcxCVrX-7hFfApdoBREpaNhYmlbDIin2ZRA/s1347/minigundragonfly.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="456" data-original-width="1347" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlXikg5Xf88ml7vvDqDcIPmbgvdCf1R8xSQ663FwEaXgjA_uTeVUHWZoGft9x-Aj96OzCzNVxEqui4QsjxRbqDbzDM0QbQCv6-ZOvSQS4LxcxCVrX-7hFfApdoBREpaNhYmlbDIin2ZRA/w441-h149/minigundragonfly.jpg" width="441" /></a></div><br /><p>Have a look above. The photo on the left shows the 7.62mm 'gatling' style machine gun featuring 3,000 rounds per minute with an ammo-load of 1,200 rounds. That's almost 30 seconds of hell-fire. The photo on the right shows what could be packed under the wings — up to 5,000lbs of even more hell-fire. Considering that a WWII B-25 Mitchell would normally carry about 3,500lbs, the half-sized A-37 was truly an evolution in combat aviation design!</p><p>The other day, I got to talk to two A-37 pilots; one who flew it in Panama, Lt. Col. John Stiles USAF (Ret.) and another, Maj. Gen. Don Shepperd USAF (Ret.) who helped train South Vietnamese Air Force to fly it in South Vietnam.</p><p>Stiles also has significant combat-time in the RF-4C over Vietnam (including meeting an Atoll missile hell-bent on ruining his day). He's a pragmatic, no-nonsense kind of guy who gets to the facts, quickly. </p><p><i>Me: So. Give me some idea what it would be like to transition to flying the A-37 (from another type).</i></p><p><i>Stiles: Fill it up. Put air down the intake. Push the start button as you advance the throttle. Taxi out. Point it down the runway. Advance the throttles and it will fly off. Very simple. Learning the weapons systems is almost that easy. </i></p><p><i>Me: How about a MiG pilot.</i></p><p><i>Stiles: Yes, a MiG pilot could learn to fly it. </i></p><p>Ok. So, why did I ask about whether or not a MiG pilot could fly one? I certainly wasn't making any derogatory comments about MiG pilots! In fact, every MiG flown during the period (MiG-17, MiG-19 and MiG-21) had <i>much</i> higher performance than the A-37. Any MiG pilot would and should be able to transition into an A-37. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYNMTNddM17W5M_IXnkcC9GDxE-7NpvtSrl6oxRrB3qPtm96TtzAOqMhS1gQItdRRa9FhZ3zipjQH2UjiNwZWroSGw-P99iUS0-vqTyQ0e270IQgRcZSOakMTTdm08_VOEBvwPXfc9Ah4/s2048/IMG_0700.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1374" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYNMTNddM17W5M_IXnkcC9GDxE-7NpvtSrl6oxRrB3qPtm96TtzAOqMhS1gQItdRRa9FhZ3zipjQH2UjiNwZWroSGw-P99iUS0-vqTyQ0e270IQgRcZSOakMTTdm08_VOEBvwPXfc9Ah4/s320/IMG_0700.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Stiles sent this Panama-period photo of A-37Bs in flight to me.<br />It shows the tandem-seat configuration as well as a neat formation-shot. <br />Photo: USAF, photographer unknown</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Now, geek-minded readers will realize the A-37 wasn't sold-to any country that flew MiGs. At least in the 1960s and 70s. But they were <i>captured</i> by a country that flew MiGs. </p><p>I bet you're <span style="font-family: inherit;">going</span>, "Hmmmm..."</p><p>So am I.</p><p>Anyway, General Shepperd weighed in, specifically on training pilots of a country that flew A-37s (besides the USA), South Vietnam.</p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Me: So you trained South Vietnamese pilots to fly the A-37...</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Shepperd: Yes! I was at (England AFB, Alexandria, LA), 4532nd CCTS* training Vietnamese students in the (airplane). I was there from November of '68 through October of '69. </i></span></p><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Me: You had experience in Vietnam...</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Shepperd: Yes, I'd just finished 247 F-100 combat missions, 58 were over the North. (Note: Don was one of the famed MISTY FAC pilots - his book, "<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Bury-Us-Upside-Down-Pilots/dp/0345465385" target="_blank">Bury Us Upside Down</a>" is an excellent read.)</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Me: How'd (the Vietnamese pilots) do? </i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><i style="font-family: inherit;">Shepperd: Well, I really enjoyed the experience training them. They were smart, hard-working and well-prepared for missions. There was a bit of a language problem with some students but I admired them and wondered how I would have done going to </i><i>language</i><i style="font-family: inherit;"> school, then pilot-training, then right into the war. </i></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Me: I heard that somehow a Viet Cong or North Vietnamese pilot snuck into training. Is that true?</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><i style="font-family: inherit;">Shepperd: After the war, we found it was true! But at the time, it was only a rumor. </i></div><div><i style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></i></div><div>Now I bet you're REALLY going, "Hmmmm..."!</div><div><br /></div><div>So am I!</div><p>As of now, I have no idea what the markings will be other than it'll be one of three options. I'm eagerly awaiting conclusive evidence one way or the other. But even more than that, I'm looking forward to discussion with the pilot and of course will share what I learn, along with the finished artwork.</p><p>Until then, it needs to be said how fortunate we are to be living in an age where poking around in the back-pages of history can be so easy. A few keystrokes and a click can sustain connections minted via a willingness to swap some money for experience. Today is a <i>great</i> time to be a history geek!</p><p>Nevertheless, have I the opportunity to jump in a time machine and go back to my cereal-snarfing self, transfixed by the electric glow of Scooby Doo, I would of course replace the bowl of cavity-inducing crunch with something better and kick my butt outside to play. </p><p>But I would encourage some TV time. The nightly news may not have been much but it was better than nothing. Just like the progress shot of my art below. </p><p>Stay tuned, more's coming. In the meantime, a little bit of insight into the times, courtesy of CBS Nightly News, c. March, 1975.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/36lLBbhnkZU" width="320" youtube-src-id="36lLBbhnkZU"></iframe></div><br /><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ydcfcw5-HdE6qjnRdnNufYUHM0M_ZyGRfHsvjePKBkRqvKiaU7wuOfPKI10fKu3IaucN2sU-8PIn8lNm5O1jITqQ-XYLKhUfiBiPEoK26-hKcal0Ydtgy71rp1_kPHiLX-gIyUNeAnQ/s1710/Screen+Shot+2021-02-16+at+8.42.41+AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1124" data-original-width="1710" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ydcfcw5-HdE6qjnRdnNufYUHM0M_ZyGRfHsvjePKBkRqvKiaU7wuOfPKI10fKu3IaucN2sU-8PIn8lNm5O1jITqQ-XYLKhUfiBiPEoK26-hKcal0Ydtgy71rp1_kPHiLX-gIyUNeAnQ/s320/Screen+Shot+2021-02-16+at+8.42.41+AM.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>*Combat Crew Training Squadron</p>JSMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11887081006253101167noreply@blogger.com