Amen, my learned brother!
Only the spirit of adventure in you causes you to question your life and career choices. I have entertained a lot of what-if's in my lifetime also. Like what-if i had accepted the offer of nomination to NavCad pilot training in Pensacola, or what-if I had gone against my wife's wishes and accepted the civilianization of my Navy job (GS-14). Adm McCormick offered it to me when I told him that I was getting out of the Navy after almost 10 years but, I would have had to stay in Norfolk which my wife h**ed. I ended up divorcing my wife 2 years later. Go figure!
You can't go thru life "shoulding" on yourself for bad choices, i.e., I should've done this or done that instead of this. I'm convinced that, for reasons that still elude me, God guided me on the path that I'm on and I'm thankful.
Guys, guys, while we're reminiscing - Let's not forget the warhorse of all warhorses, the invincible A-1. McDonnell-Douglas dominated the skies over Vietnam with this bird and the F-4.
As for the most beautiful aircraft - I was Plane Captain/Mechanic/B.N. on the North American A-5 Vigilante.This bird was modified from a Mach II+ high altitude (50,000 ft.+) bomber to become a super sophisticated, high tech super snooper. This bird was tasked with elint and photo mapping of the entire S.E. Asian theater. All of this was accomplished while unarmed, yes unarmed over enemy territory. It only had electronic countermeasures to rely on.
Thanks for the memories gentlemen!
It only left a smoke trail at low altitude. J-79's weren't made to be fuel efficient. I flew rear seat, multiple times, in a dual control trainer version of the F4-B when I was stationed in Albuquerque in '62 & '63. What a kick in the ass, especially in max a/b!
It only left a smoke trail at low altitude. J-79's aren't made to be fuel efficient. I flew rear seat, multiple times, in a dual control trainer version of the F4-B when I was stationed in Albuquerque in '62 & '63. What a kick in the ass, especially in max a/b!
Do you really believe that drivel you espouse? The islamists fully intend to eradicate us simply because their precious koran labels us as infidels. With all of the people in the world who don't have the stomach for a fight, you among them, the islamists will easily accomplish their goal because of pacifism and political correctness. They have no scruples, no rules of engagement and are not the least bit squeamish when it comes to k*****g humans even when it is done by beheading. You cannot believe ANYTHING a muslim tells you because their koran says that it is permissible to lie to anyone (especially infidels) as long as the lie helps to further their agenda. It is called taqiyyah, look it up.
They are the fastest growing demographic on the planet even exceeding the Chinese. Taking all of this into consideration, there is only one way for America and the rest of the free world to survive their onslaught. We have to fight their way, throw out all the rule books, political correctness and pacifism and use all means at our disposal to eradicate the scourge. People who are afraid to fight for their lives will die a violent death. The people who will survive are those who are willing to fight, by any tactics, even if it means putting their lives on the line. I will not fight for those who won't. They already have a dangerous grip on our Country and our freedoms. Don't say you weren't warned!