[R-390] What a beautiful sight, slightly OT

[Todd Bigelow - PS]

Scott, Barry (Clyde B) wrote:

>Not sure what an F4U is, but we had an airshow here this weekend featuring the Blue Angels.  They did some pre-show stuff for the press and I work very near the airport.  I think it was my first time to see them.  Watching those guys doing formations over the area was awesome.
>
>I didn't see it before the show, but they had an F14 Tomcat at the show.  That thing was pretty cool!  Also had some of those twin-engine types that they are using in Iraq now (A-100??).  Pretty chilly day, but fun.
>
Ah, yes....the A-10 Thunderbolt a.k.a. 'Warthog'. What a plane. Saw my 
first one up close in the late 70s/early 80s when it came down the 
runway about 50 ft off the ground without a sound until it was *there*, 
then went straight up as the pilot pulled back on the stick. Tail bears 
a striking resemblance to the twin tail of the B-25 Mitchell. Titanium 
'bathtub' cockpit to protect the pilot from ground fire. Hard to believe 
they wanted to muster these birds out in the mid-90s. Actually it's not, 
considering the mindset then.

That would sure be my choice of today's rides. Something about the 
looks, the mission, and those depleted uranium rounds spitting out of 
the mini gun in the nose....

Hey Barry, didn't you ever watch Black Sheep Squadron? They had a buncha 
F-4Us. They also had some really good close ups of military BAs as well 
as a few civilian sets in the radio shots. Most amusing was a shot in 
the cockpit of someone changing frequencies with a much more modern 
tuning head. 50s/60s style avionics look.

Boomer,  KA1KAQ