And what country can preserve its liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms. The remedy is to set them right as to facts, pardon and pacify them. What signify a few lives lost in a century or two? The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.
I've done that! 71-72 with 376th FMS. Had one lose it's nose gear upon landing. It skidded for quite a bit. It was then trailered back to SAC side and parked in D-1. I was then able to examine it up close. Magnificent bird.
There's a story about various aircraft having their airspeed checked by the tower. A little Cessna being overshadowed by a twin engined Beech? Then a Hornet driver blasts them. And then a Black bird checks in, all over but the embarrassment.
I was a young lieutenant in the Marine Corps in March or April of 1971 on a hilltop in a training area on Okinawa. I heard a roar and looked up. Coming out of the overcast at a very low altitude was this ghostly aircraft that looked like it was used in a science fiction movie. I went slack-jawed. My platoon sergeant explained what I was looking at. I had no idea such planes existed.
Steve, The twin Buick engine start carts were an interesting bit of gearhead, military history. My wife's best friend husband did maintenance on the sr71. He said when the shift was over they were searched before they could leave, those pesky gold seals couldn't be taken.
Habu!!
ReplyDeleteWe used to go to the end of the runway at Kadena AB to watch them take off. Unreal acceleration!
I've done that! 71-72 with 376th FMS. Had one lose it's nose gear upon landing. It skidded for quite a bit. It was then trailered back to SAC side and parked in D-1. I was then able to examine it up close. Magnificent bird.
DeleteSR71 aka Blackbird
ReplyDeleteI am not a pilot nor an aviation junkie…….but that is one damn sexy aircraft.
ReplyDeleteSexiest view is head on.
DeleteKelly Johnson has always been one of my role models along with a seemingly forgotten icon of aircraft design, Burt Rutan.
ReplyDeleteThere's a story about various aircraft having their airspeed checked by the tower. A little Cessna being overshadowed by a twin engined Beech? Then a Hornet driver blasts them. And then a Black bird checks in, all over but the embarrassment.
ReplyDeleteBrian Shul see it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a92R6x6cLRA
DeleteBrian became a motivational speaker after the USAF. I saw him give this story in Atlanta 15 years ago.
I was a young lieutenant in the Marine Corps in March or April of 1971 on a hilltop in a training area on Okinawa. I heard a roar and looked up. Coming out of the overcast at a very low altitude was this ghostly aircraft that looked like it was used in a science fiction movie. I went slack-jawed. My platoon sergeant explained what I was looking at. I had no idea such planes existed.
ReplyDeleteThere will never be another like it.
ReplyDeleteFired up by twin Buick Nailheads! 😁
ReplyDeleteSteve, The twin Buick engine start carts were an interesting bit of gearhead, military history. My wife's best friend husband did maintenance on the sr71. He said when the shift was over they were searched before they could leave, those pesky gold seals couldn't be taken.
DeleteHawk Among the Sparrows.
ReplyDeletethe pinnacle, in every sense of the word
ReplyDelete