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Post by Mark O on Jan 27, 2015 16:41:22 GMT 9
Pretty productive weekend. I managed to build two, small electronic kits; a morse code keyer that allows me to send recorded messages, adjust my sending speed, and other morse related functions, and a kit I picked up at Radio Shack that is essentially a small amplifier with two microphones, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. Mostly just to practice my soldering, but the keyer will actually be used. I'll probably send the amp to my son for a present.
Oh yea, I also read "Ol' Shakey" by Gene Fish pretty much in one sitting. Picked it up a few months ago, but just threw it on the bookshelf/desk. Pretty much just a collection of his stories as a flight engineer on the C-124 during the 1960s. He did sort of jump around a bit chronologically, but as I got into the book, that was okay. Man, those guys got away with murder back then! I could definitely relate to many of his FE adventures, an would have loved to worked on one of those planes. Not sure about crossing the oceans at 9,000 feet in an unpressurized aircraft though! Most interestingly, as I read the book was his descriptions of pilots that weren't much different than ones I flew with many years later.
A good read for FEs, or anyone who was on an aircrew, or worked on Ol' Shakey.
www.amazon.com/Ol-Shakey-Memories-Flight-Engineer/dp/1478716908
Mark O |
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Post by Jim on Jan 28, 2015 1:38:08 GMT 9
]
Oh yea, I also read "Ol' Shakey" by Gene Fish pretty much in one sitting. Picked it up a few months ago, but just threw it on the bookshelf/desk. Pretty much just a collection of his stories as a flight engineer on the C-124 during the 1960s. He did sort of jump around a bit chronologically, but as I got into the book, that was okay. Man, those guys got away with murder back then! I could definitely relate to many of his FE adventures, an would have loved to worked on one of those planes. Not sure about crossing the oceans at 9,000 feet in an unpressurized aircraft though! Most interestingly, as I read the book was his descriptions of pilots that weren't much different than ones I flew with many years later.
A good read for FEs, or anyone who was on an aircrew, or worked on Ol' Shakey.
www.amazon.com/Ol-Shakey-Memories-Flight-Engineer/dp/1478716908
Mark O  ?? 6 April 1956: C-124 52-1078, crashed on takeoff from Travis AFB. 3 of seven crew members died in the crash. The cause of the crash was attributed to the crossing of the elevator control cables by maintenance personnel...... en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douglas_C-124_Globemaster_II A bit more on the disappearance: archive.airforcetimes.com/article/20110326/NEWS/103260306/Plane-s-1951-disappearance-still-a-mystery |
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Jim Scanlon (deceased)
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Post by Jim Scanlon (deceased) on Jan 28, 2015 2:53:06 GMT 9
Great story, which I had never read before.
I wouldn't be a bit surprised that the Soviet Navy snatched them and took them to one of their military facilities for "debriefing".
It was not the first time they snatched people, nor would it be the last.
And, I suspect under Putin it is still going on.
Probably on both sides, well three or four sides, if you consider Red China and North Korea.
Not all our "friends" are friendly.
Jim Too
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Post by Mark O on Jan 28, 2015 16:57:11 GMT 9
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Post by pat perry on Feb 15, 2015 11:06:47 GMT 9
Just finished reading Dog Company: The Boys of Pointe du Hoc - The Rangers who accomplished D-Day's toughest mission and led the way across Europe by Patrick O'Donnell
www.amazon.com/Dog-Company-Hoc---Accomplished-Toughest/dp/0306822644/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1423963647&sr=1-1&keywords=dog+company+the+boys+of+pointe+du+hoc
A Review: The combat scenes in this book are incredible and the author's lyrical prose brings an intimacy to WWII combat that I have never experienced in any other combat book. Mr. O'Donnell weaves a compelling narrative developing the men of Dog Company like movie characters. He takes the reader through their training (some of the toughest of any Allied unit prior to D-Day) as these intrepid Rangers climb 100-300 foot cliffs without safety harness in full equipment. In their boots, you scale Pointe du Hoc under murderous German machine gun and grenade fire. Fighting through a maze of tunnels and minefields two men neutralize a crucial gun position, 700 tons of allied bombs and thousands of naval shells failed to destroy. Moving through France to the battle of Brest, a small group of Rangers miraculously seize another Guns of Navarone like gun battery after a gutsy Ranger forces his way into the massive underground fortress and puts a grenade between the German officer's crotch and compels the entire 800 man garrison to surrender. Like a crescendo, the book builds to a bayonet charge and an against all odds assault/defense of Hill 400.
Pat: No wonder they called these guys the Greatest Generation.
When Ronald Reagan gave his famous speech "The Boys of Pointe du Hoc" at the location at Normandy, one of the survivors, Herman Stein, in his 60s climbed the 110 foot cliff with a group of young Green Berets and beat them to the top to get to the ceremony. Reagan acknowledged the survivors onsite as an example of the sacrifices of it's WWII veterans needed to win the Cold War. 
Pat P |
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Post by pat perry on Feb 15, 2015 21:58:37 GMT 9
The Worth of War by Dr. Benjamin Ginsberg
I meant to post this recently and forgot. www.c-span.org/video/?323264-1/book-discussion-worth-war
This is a short 23 minute interview with the author. The transcript of his talk is also there if you want to read some before you listen. I have not read this book yet. I like to watch these book reviews on CSPAN Book-TV to get some idea if the book would be worthwhile to read. This one sounds very interesting.
Amazon link: www.amazon.com/Worth-War-Benjamin-Ginsberg/dp/1616149507/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1424004469&sr=1-1&keywords=the+worth+of+war+-+benjamin+ginsberg
Author's description: Although war is terrible and brutal, history shows that it has been a great driver of human progress. So argues political scientist Benjamin Ginsberg in this incisive, well-researched study of the benefits to civilization derived from armed conflict. Ginsberg makes a convincing case that war selects for and promotes certain features of societies that are generally held to represent progress. These include rationality, technological and economic development, and liberal forms of government.
Contrary to common perceptions that war is the height of irrationality, Ginsberg persuasively demonstrates that in fact it is the ultimate test of rationality. He points out that those societies best able to assess threats from enemies rationally and objectively are usually the survivors of warfare. History also clearly reveals the technological benefits that result from war—ranging from the sundial to nuclear power. And in regard to economics, preparation for war often spurs on economic development; by the same token, nations with economic clout in peacetime usually have a huge advantage in times of war. Finally, war and the threat of war have encouraged governments to become more congenial to the needs and wants of their citizens because of the increasing reliance of governments on their citizens’ full cooperation in times of war.
However deplorable the realities of war are, the many fascinating examples and astute analysis in this thought-provoking book will make readers reconsider the unmistakable connection between war and progress.
About the Author: Benjamin Ginsberg is the David Bernstein Professor of Political Science and Director of the Center for Advanced Governmental Studies at the Johns Hopkins University. He is the author of more than twenty books, including The Value of Violence; How the Jews Defeated Hitler: Exploding the Myth of Jewish Passivity in the Face of Nazism; The Fall of the Faculty: The Rise of the All-Administrative University and Why it Matters; Do the Jews Have a Future in America?; and Political Science as Public Philosophy, co-edited with Gwendolyn Mink.
Pat P.
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Post by Jim Scanlon (deceased) on Feb 15, 2015 23:51:12 GMT 9
The Worth of War by Dr. Benjamin Ginsberg
However deplorable the realities of war are, the many fascinating examples and astute analysis in this thought-provoking book will make readers reconsider the unmistakable connection between war and progress. . However, even then, it may be iffy, depending on the level of destruction and ability and/or desire to rebuild.
Japan and West Germany are probably two examples of the desire, but their ability came from outside, money from the U.S.
East Germany, however, was not completely rebuilt until after the Communist government was overthrown.
If you consider recent wars in Africa and parts of Asia, no rebuilding has been done, and both sides have sunk deeper in to centuries old poverty and disease causing environments.
If we look at wars that took place centuries ago, some civilizations were wiped out, and the "winners" were not any better off, because of the loss of men, than the losers.
Pat, I will await your full report, after you have read the book.
But, those are some thoughts I had when reading the book review you posted.
Jim Too
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Post by jeep3 on Feb 19, 2015 5:53:15 GMT 9
I'm reading "Beyond Band of Brothers." It is an account of the war memoirs of Major Dick Winters. yep it's a good one!
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Post by Bullhunter on Feb 21, 2015 1:38:58 GMT 9
This it. Attachments:
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Post by Jim Scanlon (deceased) on Aug 13, 2015 8:21:22 GMT 9
Recently, I was in Half-Price-Books, and looking for books by Bill Yenne.
I found one, it was publisher priced at $26.95. but they had it marked at $5.95.
First Edition and looks new.
Yep, sure did!
I bought it.
Title: Big Week (Six Days that Changed the course of World War II). Author: Bill Yenne ISBN: 978-0-425-25575-9 Publisher: Berkley Caliber
During the period of 20-25 February 1944, the Eighth Air Force flew 3,300 Day Missions from Great Britain, the Fifteenth Air Force flew 500 Day Missions from Italy, and the RAF flew 2,350 Night Missions, all aimed at military and manufacturing targets in Germany.
It was the proof of "Billy" Mitchell's Theory of Strategic Bombing which the Military "Leaders" in Washington and London had refused to believe.
Winston Churchill said in a 1942 speech: "Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning."
"Big Week" was the "tipping point" of the War in Europe.
If you can find this book, it will be worth the read for you, as it gives the history of "Big Week", many involved, and a bit of the history of "Air Power".
Jim Too
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Post by Mark O on Oct 4, 2015 8:59:01 GMT 9
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Jim Scanlon (deceased)
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Post by Jim Scanlon (deceased) on Oct 4, 2015 11:25:22 GMT 9
Thanks, Mark.
The story of the flight is amazing, but even more amazing is the story of what happened 40 years later.
Enjoy the read.
Question? Is your company going to move to the new facility being built next to the Air Force Base?
Jim Too
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Post by Mark O on Oct 4, 2015 14:12:49 GMT 9
Haven't heard a thing about our company moving out there, but I seriously doubt it. That will be UAV territory as far as I know.
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Post by Mark O on Oct 6, 2015 7:56:01 GMT 9
Finished 'A Higher Call' last night. (Only 18 contacts in the contest. The book won!)
Amazing, amazing story. Guys, if you haven't read it, I really recommend it highly.
BTW, have fun in Colorado for those of you going!
Mark O
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Post by adart on Oct 13, 2015 7:12:27 GMT 9
I just started reading Bail Out Over the Balkans. A local man piloted a B-17 during WW-II. He was assigned to the 414th Squadron of the 97th Bomb Gp with 22 missions under his belt. His B-17 was shot down over German occupied territory. This is about his escape through Nazi-Occupied Yugoslavia . Very good reading.
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Post by pat perry on Oct 19, 2015 7:05:41 GMT 9
Col Chuck Lehman was at the F-106 Reunion. He was selling his books at the table where I was selling F-106 key chains, Reunion lapel pins and Reunion Challenge Coins.
I bought his book Angels Three Six - Confessions of a Cold War Fighter Pilot. It is paperback 193 pages of fighter interceptor pilot experiences, very well written and a very good read. I'd recommend it. Chuck has written 5 books and was just introducing his sixth at the reunion.
Amazon: www.amazon.com/s/ref=dp_byline_sr_ebooks_1?ie=UTF8&text=Chuck+Lehman&search-alias=digital-text&field-author=Chuck+Lehman&sort=relevancerank
"Strap into a mortar-fired parachute, a rocket powered ejection seat and fly with Col Chuck Lehman in the fastest single engine jet fighter ever built, the F-106 Dart. Feel the exhilaration of hurtling through the blue at a mile every 2.35 seconds, the “G” forces and the satisfaction of keeping the bad guys out of our airspace.
You’ll laugh at some of these stories, sweat out a few and ask, “How could he have been so stupid?” in others. These confessions bare it all. Sense what it was like to live and work as a fighter pilot in an environment of huge egos, unbridled confidence and an eagerness to push it to the edge—and sometimes over it. As Chuck says, “Just keep the pointy end forward.” Also get acquainted with the F-102, F-86, Harrier, T-33 too, and even the ubiquitous Gooney Bird."
The book contains a lot of pictures from MOW and the F-106 website. Thanks, Pat P. |
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Post by Mark O on Mar 21, 2016 5:07:49 GMT 9
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Post by Jim on Mar 21, 2016 13:27:38 GMT 9
Our Lost Constitution: The Willful Subversion of America's Founding Document MP3 CD – Audiobook, MP3 Audio, Unabridged. ... In Our Lost Constitution, Senator Mike Lee tells the dramatic, little-known stories behind six of the Constitution’s most indispensible provisions. Unbroken is worth the money, bought mine at Sam's Club
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Post by Jim on Jul 24, 2016 5:09:00 GMT 9
Our Lost Constitution: The Willful Subversion of America's Founding Document MP3 CD – Audiobook, MP3 Audio, Unabridged. ... In Our Lost Constitution, Senator Mike Lee tells the dramatic, little-known stories behind six of the Constitution’s most indispensible provisions. Unbroken is worth the money, bought mine at Sam's Club  Perhaps the above was foreseen, and is the reason for this |
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Post by pat perry on Jul 24, 2016 7:19:30 GMT 9
Our Lost Constitution: The Willful Subversion of America's Founding Document MP3 CD – Audiobook, MP3 Audio, Unabridged. ... In Our Lost Constitution, Senator Mike Lee tells the dramatic, little-known stories behind six of the Constitution’s most indispensible provisions. Unbroken is worth the money, bought mine at Sam's Club Perhaps the above was foreseen, and is the reason for this
If you know anyone who really feels that open borders and political correctness is the best policy, have them watch this video:
If it's only 25% accurate, the message is devastating to the free world. Look at Europe. I don't believe any of the political videos I've seen. Too much "spin doctor" crap going on. The radicals have learned that seeding and breeding is the path to domination. Remember the Hitler Youth Corps?
Open borders and political correctness is standing at the gate, welcoming our destruction. Like Pres. Reagan, trust but verify.
Just sent Trump a few bucks. I also spent 30 minutes listening to Hillary's VP pick promise to give a Florida college crowd more free stuff that Bernie Sanders. He is a much more eloquent a speaker than she is and made Bernie look like a right wing conservative. My first thought was why didn't the DNC run this idiot instead of Hillary.
I also watched Trump's acceptance speech. There were a lot of people standing up cheering, but what bothered me is the number of them sitting down with their chin in their hand. Probably disappointed Ted Cruz fans. What part of losing the nomination do these presidential candidates not understand? We don't need 4 million republicans to stay home and not vote like they did in 2012.
Off the soap box now.
Here's another reason we don't need to eliminate the Wart Hogs.
Pat P
Pat P.
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?? 6 April 1956: C-124 52-1078, crashed on takeoff from Travis AFB. 3 of seven crew members died in the crash. The cause of the crash was attributed to the crossing of the elevator control cables by maintenance personnel...... 
