Strange things one finds in attics and shoeboxes… I cannot imagine being able to watch my own bailout sixty years later! Kudos to those brave men who flew into harms way, and the sailors who saved those they could… Video … Continue reading
Category Archives: honoring our military
In honor of our Australian comrades who gave their all… I believe this was the single largest loss of life by Australia in any war. And the Turkish losses weren’t much better. May they rest in peace. … Continue reading
Duxford became home to the 78th Fighter Group when they arrived in England with their P-47B Thunderbolts in 1943. The objective of the American fighter units was to gain air superiority over the Luftwaffe in support of their daylight bombing … Continue reading
8 years… Somewhere around 3000 hours… I started in P-3s sittin on the ‘rail’ as it was known… Started in the left station as a SS (Sensor Station)2 operator, then qualified as a SS1, the second seat from the left. … Continue reading
Sorry, the scheduler didn’t schedule… Having talked to a few Brits that flew the “Shacks” as the Shackeltons were known, their instructors were the guys that few the Sunderlands during WWII. To a man, they said the ‘boys’ that flew … Continue reading
It’s been an interesting couple of weeks… First it was a week of volunteering… And working with a friend, in an ‘unusual’ environment… HERE is his post. But I will take exception to #18, it wasn’t a smile, it was … Continue reading
Sooo… I’m in Jacksonville for the MPA Symposium, and the speakers yesterday morning after VADM Shoemaker were two veterans of VP-21 and VP-44, from WWII. AMMF1C (That stands for Aviation Machinist Mate Flight Engineer 1st Class) Clarence ‘Bud’ Lane enlisted … Continue reading
The group first activated in August 1942 as the 325th Fighter Group at Mitchel Field, New York. After training, the group moved to North Africa in 1943, where it flew combat missions with the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk, earning a Distinguished … Continue reading
Playing under the ice… Did this a couple of times, but from the air side. It’s frikkin COLD up there this time of year!!! -40 to -60 ambient, -160 or lower at altitude… Note the ‘guard’ with the rifle. Polar … Continue reading
Twenty-five years ago this week, we lost twenty-seven shipmates in a two plane crash off San Diego during routine training. I knew most of them personally. HERE is a link to the memorial held this week. Their bodies and the … Continue reading