Re: Aircraft pics
 

This link's a great read for old aircraft fans too...
http://jonproctor.net/lax-through-the-years/
[img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif[/img]
~ Pete

https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...raudercrew.jpg

Re: Aircraft pics
 

Peter, they have all been slowly succumbing to old age unfortunately and I do not believe many are left if any. The original pilot (after restoration) Don Hinz who was one of the men who I worked under was killed at an air show in 2001 in that very P51C pictured when there was a mechanical failure in the engine. I was at the show and saw him peal from the formation but the engine sounded fine when it flew over me. I later learned it had crashed a mile from the airport. The P51C was again restored and is once again flying.

Re: Aircraft pics
 

Thanks for the update Rick, I recall the P-51 accident you're describing also am sorry knowing these were your friends.
Whether any of us realize it or not, we all lose something as each and every one of these airmen pass away.
[img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/flag.gif[/img]
~ Pete

Re: Aircraft pics
 

An excellent video - a little long, but stick with it. For those of us who shed the blue uniform some 30/40 years ago, it will make your chest swell a little bit, watching the young blue suiters performed their daily tasks as true professionals. Where else but the military are youngsters trusted with such responsiibilites.


: http://www.af.mil/News/ArticleDisplay/ta...22-raptors.aspx

Re: Aircraft pics
 

I just stopped off at my buddy's gas station this afternoon. There was an &quot;elder statesman&quot; there in the shop area who had a British accent. Turns out he flew Hawker Hurricanes for the RAF during WWII. He came over here after the war and became a tennis and soccer coach for the local high school. Long since retired now. Nice old chap to talk with. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img]

Re: Aircraft pics
 

I remember in the early 80's when my brother was a maintenance captain on F14's and was based at Miramar SD (the original &quot;Fightertown&quot;)which is now a Marine base. When his bird was scheduled for night ops, we would take a tug to the end of the runway and tell the pilot to do a 100% military takeoff (max afterburner). An absolute breathtaking site to witness. I maintain a shrine to the F14 to this day, incredible airplane.

Re: Aircraft pics
 

An OP 2E from Navy squadron VO 67 based at the Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand. In commision just over a year from Feb 67 to June 68 they lost 3 aircraft and 20 crew. Very interesting story.
While I was in VW 1 based out of Guam we landed there in our squadrons C121J during a cargo haul to assist one of the regular haulers. Very interesting place, all the runways and ramps were WW II era steel landing mats, that was cool landing on that when they were wet. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/crazy.gif[/img]
I think the photo is at Davis Monthan AFB for storage ?



http://www.vo-67.org/vo67_opening.html


https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics..._03aug2011.jpg

Re: Aircraft pics
 

Skip ahead to 3:20 and just listen to the takeoff and initial climb. Love how the power comes up and the turbo-compound 3350s make their characteristic sound. I had relatives who lived a few miles south of McClellan AFB in Sacramento back in the '60s-'70s and on dead-calm mornings you could faintly hear the EC-121 Super Constellations actually taxi out to the runway and perform their run-up checks. Then the sound would die off until the power came up for takeoff and then we'd go out into the yard and wait. Even a couple of miles after takeoff the 121s were maybe 1500 feet over the house. MCC was also a depot for F-105 overhauls and there was nothing quite like a 450-knot four-ship in-trail departure of 105s screaming over the house. I must have blown the screen door off its hinges a hundred times.

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Re: Aircraft pics
 

Growing up close to Willow grove and Maguire AFB I remember hearing the super const's flying over too as a kid. It sure is an unmistakable sound [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif[/img]

Re: Aircraft pics
 

Is that safe??? the open flame on the underside of the wing