Classic Airplanes

I though this was pretty cool:

 
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The Vought F4U and FG Corsair pilots claimed 2,140 air combat victories against 189 losses to enemy aircraft, for an overall kill ratio of over 11:1. This airplane was the coolest looking in my opinion. It was the first single engine fighter to exceed 400 MPH. It sported six 50 caliber guns, three in each winould fly any
 
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The Vought F4U and FG Corsair pilots claimed 2,140 air combat victories against 189 losses to enemy aircraft, for an overall kill ratio of over 11:1. This airplane was the coolest looking in my opinion. It was the first single engine fighter to exceed 400 MPH. It sported six 50 caliber guns, three in each wing.
If I could fly any plane, the Corsair would be my choice. My dad was a crew chief sergeant on one in Okinawa just after the end of the war. The Japanese were said to call this plane "Whistling Death." Just awesome!
 
One of my dreams was always to own one of these warbirds from the WWII. Unfortunately the price and everything that comes regularly afterwards, maintenance, fuel and so on, was far beyond my financial capabilities. However, my brother and I own a plane that is more comparable to what was used in WWI and it is also fun to pilot something like that.

The video was made by a satisfied passengers and client.

Great soundtrack ! Very appropriate.
 
Here is some Vietnam jet history and the real “Maverick” fighter pilot. The ads and some of the narrative is annoying. If you don’t need a Vietnam bombing re cap fast forward to 10:00.
The first 10:00 does a nice job explaining why the U.S. is getting its ass handed to it in the air.

One hint. Politicians

Operation Bolo starts at around 10:00

 
Here is some Vietnam jet history and the real “Maverick” fighter pilot. The ads and some of the narrative is annoying. If you don’t need a Vietnam bombing re cap fast forward to 10:00.
The first 10:00 does a nice job explaining why the U.S. is getting its ass handed to it in the air.

One hint. Politicians

Operation Bolo starts at around 10:00


When I was station with the 31st TTS, we had a picture of him in the Squadron Trough; I remember the Vietnam pilots telling stories about him. My Squadron Commander, Lt Col Bill Byrns was an F-4 pilot and a POW for 2-3 years, knew him. Great commander.
 
Here is some Vietnam jet history and the real “Maverick” fighter pilot. The ads and some of the narrative is annoying. If you don’t need a Vietnam bombing re cap fast forward to 10:00.
The first 10:00 does a nice job explaining why the U.S. is getting its ass handed to it in the air.

One hint. Politicians

Operation Bolo starts at around 10:00

After a few minutes, couldn't listen to this babbling idiot.

If you want to hear a good recap of Robin Olds, take a look at Ward Carroll's video.

 
I agree the video I posted although occasionally funny has some very annoying portions. I did like his political portions.
Ward Carroll does a much better narration
 
Worked with an F4 navigator. He didn’t talk a lot about missions in Vietnam other than he couldn’t see much from the back seat and was happy they made it back each time. Another friend was a Cobra pilot in Vietnam. He said most flying was uneventful with really no visual contact with VC. When bored or during extended lulls, they would fly low and fast up and down the rivers and shoot at ducks for training and to stay sharp. Also, the most competent civilian chopper and fixed wing pilots I’ve flown with have had Vietnam flying experience.
 
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I live over here in Yuma.. I need to come visit there! I've been to the Plane's of Fame Museum in Chino and it's AWESOME!!

Those guys come up to Nampa every year for the Warhawk fly in. So cool. Generous guys with their time and planes.
 
This is my favorite picture I've ever taken of airplanes..
 

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One of my prized possessions, a P40 print signed by 33 members of the AVG, aka Flying Tigers. Last American died in 2020, aged 99. Still revered in China. Cell phone camera doesn't do it justice. For our Texas members, includes Tex Hill (bottom left corner).

AVG.jpg
 
Hanging around the airport one day, the president asked me if I wanted to put my bird on the-upcoming calendar. What the hell, I said sure. Alongside of me is a T6 trainer owned by a WW2 air force colonel, retired. Most times he flew front seat and I the back. He was pretty rigid on engine RPM, scolding me more than once at the correct number. When purchased, neither one of us knew the history of this aircraft. Eventually he researched it and found that it was an authentic Tuskegee trainer. It now resides in the museum in Detroit, MI.
 

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Many years ago when I had more than a handful of channels, I watched the hell out of the Dogfights series on History. Puts all those videos on YT to shame. Here's one on Robin Olds.

 
My dad started early in fighters right after flight school. That timing window however called for more bomber pilots so that’s where he went. First in B17s but very shortly to the B29. I know that most WWII fighter attention goes to the P51 and the Spitfire. However, my dad always praised the P40 even though he said it was a little squirrelly on the runway plus had poor visibility until the tail could be lifted just prior to take off.
 

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