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Post by adart on Mar 6, 2015 9:40:55 GMT 9
Don't know what section to put this in. Just bought a new F-150 4x4 super crew truck. 2014 got a good deal with all the year end rebates and things. Didn't go for the eco boost engine. this one has the 5.0 V8 (302ci) So far its doing great, rides great and has plenty of pick-up. 7350GVWR package.
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Bullhunter
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Post by Bullhunter on Mar 6, 2015 10:48:45 GMT 9
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Post by lugnuts55 on Jun 23, 2015 5:02:01 GMT 9
I used my aircraft maintainer skills after I left active duty by becoming an auto mechanic for the next 27 years before I couldn't climb up into the County trucks anymore. My back and knees gave out. I still use my skills fixing things around the house. My granddaughter tells her friends when she brings me something to fix, "my grandpa can fix anything". Lucky for me she hasn't brought me anything that was out of my league. I used to maintain my own vehicles but I cannot do it anymore. Now I just stand or sit nearby and advise how to do a job. I have most of the tools to do small jobs. I kept my electrical testing and diagnostic tools and meters because I can do most of that from a sitting position. Unfortunately, I am finding that it's time to retire from the maintaining my own vehicles department soon. I have been going to a Quick Lube place run by a Ford dealer for several years now.
Yes, I believe I still have my maintainer skills but I just have to use them in other ways now.
By the way, adart, that is a sharp looking truck!
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Post by LBer1568 on Jun 23, 2015 23:13:09 GMT 9
It is amasing how many of us sixers suffered knee damage. AS a MA-1 tech I had to open and close the "05" door many times on a shift. Before the new Radar Scope we had to download film cartridges after every mission, and load new film pack for next mission. It was described in MA-1 tech orders as a two man operation. But I seldom had the help of anyone in closing, or opening door. It was one knee on ground and shoulder into door and speed handle to work zues fasteners. I had first surgery on left knee way back in 1982. Doctor described it as damage from too much pressure on knee joint. I asked if doing 05 door was that type of way to damage it...Yes very much the reason. I also worked B models a lot. The coffin rack, located between two front launchers was a similar task requiring lifting, or lowering, a heavy weight while on back or knees. It was also a two man operation, but I removed tons of racks by myself. Putting it back in required a helper to lift and hold rack while you tried to line up bolts and install. There were many other tasks requiring work under Six that required cramped working and lifting on knee. So if you don't have a service connected VA award for knees, you should. Just like my premature cataracts in both eyes was related to being around Radar, UHF and TACAN transmissions. But VA refuses to allow service connection because newer tech data described a Danger Zone from transmissions and placed restrictions on operations of Radar on Flightline. Those changes came in late 60's a long time after our exposure to them. I can remember walking with a cig about 50' in front of six while another MA-1 troop locked on to cig with IR to test tracking. BTW, the radar went into pencil beam transmission at same time to allow dual tracking. Anyone not remember seeing light carts light up as MA-1 Radar sweep went past them? The Six was a joy, but also had many hazards for maintenance folks. I just remembered how Crew chief or engine troops would drain fuel after failed engine start. The speed handle into drain port and JP-4 all over arm. Weren't those the good ole days? Lorin
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MOW
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Post by MOW on Jun 24, 2015 7:08:34 GMT 9
Lorin, those were indeed the good old days. I can smell the jp4 on my arms right now haha. For me it was my back. Working under the wings was a pita.
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Jim Scanlon (deceased)
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Post by Jim Scanlon (deceased) on Jun 24, 2015 7:45:04 GMT 9
It is amasing how many of us sixers suffered knee damage. AS a MA-1 tech I had to open and close the "05" door many times on a shift. Before the new Radar Scope we had to download film cartridges after every mission, and load new film pack for next mission. It was described in MA-1 tech orders as a two man operation. But I seldom had the help of anyone in closing, or opening door. It was one knee on ground and shoulder into door and speed handle to work zues fasteners. I had first surgery on left knee way back in 1982. Doctor described it as damage from too much pressure on knee joint. I asked if doing 05 door was that type of way to damage it...Yes very much the reason. I also worked B models a lot. The coffin rack, located between two front launchers was a similar task requiring lifting, or lowering, a heavy weight while on back or knees. It was also a two man operation, but I removed tons of racks by myself. Putting it back in required a helper to lift and hold rack while you tried to line up bolts and install. There were many other tasks requiring work under Six that required cramped working and lifting on knee. So if you don't have a service connected VA award for knees, you should. Just like my premature cataracts in both eyes was related to being around Radar, UHF and TACAN transmissions. But VA refuses to allow service connection because newer tech data described a Danger Zone from transmissions and placed restrictions on operations of Radar on Flightline. Those changes came in late 60's a long time after our exposure to them. I can remember walking with a cig about 50' in front of six while another MA-1 troop locked on to cig with IR to test tracking. BTW, the radar went into pencil beam transmission at same time to allow dual tracking. Anyone not remember seeing light carts light up as MA-1 Radar sweep went past them? The Six was a joy, but also had many hazards for maintenance folks. I just remembered how Crew chief or engine troops would drain fuel after failed engine start. The speed handle into drain port and JP-4 all over arm. Weren't those the good ole days? Lorin I don't know if the troops to-day still have the joys of getting soaked with Jet Fuel, when the Fuel Nozzle stuck open and JP came streaming out of a drop tank opening, or from one of the tank openings on a T-Bird.
Or the Single Point didn't shut off when you took it away from the receptacle.
I have had more than one oil bath from a recip engine, when attempting to change the oil, or stop a leak on an oil line or cooler.
Then there was the coolant bath, while changing a radiator on a Mustang.
Yep, those things were fun.
Or, how about hanging upside down in the cockpit, searching for something a pilot or maintainer dropped, and hoping you didn't have to pull the seat.
Doing quick turns in the heat at Yuma or in Thailand, with no air conditioning on the ramp, and the line chief yelling at you for taking so long.
It was always "fun" to have the cowling off a recip and hang on to the engine mountings, while adjusting something on the engine, while it was running.
Lots of things we all went through, because it was what we did.
No, Lorin, for some reason, unknown to me, my knees are just fine, as are the rest of my joints.
But, I do wear hearing aids, provided by the VA, and have been blessed with what was declared to be Agent Orange caused Prostate Cancer, and the resulting surgery to excise the Prostate.
Oh, and don't forget all the banged heads we got from crawling under wings and fuselages.
And, the burnt fingers from touching the still hot Pitot Tube or Angle of Attack Vane.
I don't think any of us did those things because we really wanted to, or because of the "high" pay we were getting.
It was just a part of our jobs, no matter the AFSC.
Now, we can look back over those many years ago, and reminisce.
Yeah, they were pretty good times, and wouldn't give them up for anything.
But, wonder what level of sanity it took for us to enjoy doing what we did.
Jim Too
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Post by lugnuts55 on Jun 24, 2015 11:20:59 GMT 9
Jim, You said it yourself, It's what we did. I don't think there was any level of sanity involved, except maybe our love for the "6". It was just what we did.
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Bullhunter
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Post by Bullhunter on Oct 21, 2015 3:08:46 GMT 9
This maintenance guy has communation skills. Attachments:
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Bullhunter
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Post by Bullhunter on May 31, 2016 5:50:38 GMT 9
Us maintainers usually have humor and jokes to play. This was back in the early 1980's. I had chem warfare training late one day and didn't get a chance to turn in my equipment. It was late and the lights were low in the living room. My wife and kids were watching TV so I got this bright idea. I put on my gas mask & hook. Snook into the living room, jump up, and yelled with a growl. Scared the $hit out of the kids and startled my wife. The joke was not well received.
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Post by adart on Jun 28, 2016 6:52:39 GMT 9
Thought I was using my maintainer skills today. Putting a repair kit in the delta kitchen faucet. Used to do it in 15Min., boy it took me about 90 minuets. Must be loosing my touch. Hey when it was done no leaks...Geeze
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Bullhunter
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Post by Bullhunter on Oct 5, 2016 3:01:30 GMT 9
What skill does this fall under ?
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Post by Jim on Oct 5, 2016 3:16:49 GMT 9
What skill does this fall under ? Flight Chief ?
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Post by LBer1568 on Oct 5, 2016 13:16:59 GMT 9
What skill does this fall under ? Flight Chief ?As an old avionics guy, this was obviously a couple of crew chiefs showing their only true skill sets. You can almost see the scars on their arms where they cut the extra 6 inches off so their knuckles didn't drag the ground. Lol Lorin
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Post by Jim on Oct 5, 2016 23:54:08 GMT 9
As an old avionics guy, this was obviously a couple of crew chiefs showing their only true skill sets. You can almost see the scars on their arms where they cut the extra 6 inches off so their knuckles didn't drag the ground. Lol Lorin Don't remember any surgery, but I do remember having to push a fully load six up a very slight incline and we had MA-1 Flight line and Mock Up come to HELP us, none of them could figure out why the a/c wanted to go in a circle with 30 weenies on one wing and 2 -3 APG guys on the other wing. Even after explaining to them that 15 on the leading edge of the wing and 15 on the trailing edge of the same wing wasn't going to work either, we took them over to fresh snow and drew a picture of what was necessary to get the bird into the hangar. As most weenies were never any closer to a farm than the super market, few knew what the word "WHOA" meant. But, as soon as I shouted BREAKTIME, the airplane stopped and all that was left were the 2-3 APG guys..........
Read more: forum.f-106deltadart.com/search/results?what_at_least_one=ma1+snow&who_only_made_by=0&display_as=0#ixzz4MDrdHeeb
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Post by LBer1568 on Oct 6, 2016 0:53:10 GMT 9
As an old avionics guy, this was obviously a couple of crew chiefs showing their only true skill sets. You can almost see the scars on their arms where they cut the extra 6 inches off so their knuckles didn't drag the ground. Lol Lorin Don't remember any surgery, but I do remember having to push a fully load six up a very slight incline and we had MA-1 Flight line and Mock Up come to HELP us, none of them could figure out why the a/c wanted to go in a circle with 30 weenies on one wing and 2 -3 APG guys on the other wing. Even after explaining to them that 15 on the leading edge of the wing and 15 on the trailing edge of the same wing wasn't going to work either, we took them over to fresh snow and drew a picture of what was necessary to get the bird into the hangar. As most weenies were never any closer to a farm than the super market, few knew what the word "WHOA" meant. But, as soon as I shouted BREAKTIME, the airplane stopped and all that was left were the 2-3 APG guys..........
Read more: forum.f-106deltadart.com/search/results?what_at_least_one=ma1+snow&who_only_made_by=0&display_as=0#ixzz4MDrdHeebI am surprised that you could get any MA-1 guys to help push an airplane. They knew that a tug was much better at that job. How did you get them to stop playing pinochle to help you?
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Post by Jim on Oct 6, 2016 1:45:17 GMT 9
Don't remember any surgery, but I do remember having to push a fully load six up a very slight incline and we had MA-1 Flight line and Mock Up come to HELP us, none of them could figure out why the a/c wanted to go in a circle with 30 weenies on one wing and 2 -3 APG guys on the other wing. Even after explaining to them that 15 on the leading edge of the wing and 15 on the trailing edge of the same wing wasn't going to work either, we took them over to fresh snow and drew a picture of what was necessary to get the bird into the hangar. As most weenies were never any closer to a farm than the super market, few knew what the word "WHOA" meant. But, as soon as I shouted BREAKTIME, the airplane stopped and all that was left were the 2-3 APG guys..........
Read more: forum.f-106deltadart.com/search/results?what_at_least_one=ma1+snow&who_only_made_by=0&display_as=0#ixzz4MDrdHeeb I am surprised that you could get any MA-1 guys to help push an airplane. They knew that a tug was much better at that job. How did you get them to stop playing pinochle to help you? We were civilized at Loring, we had that big thingy painted yellow, not a tug....I offered FREE Pizza from the pizza place outside the Limestone gate... I just stuck my head into Mockup and offered FREE and most didn't wait to hear "pizza" and hollered "WHERE" and damned near run me over going out the door.... Same trick used when fishing, throw out some CHUM as bait
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Post by Tom Dlugosh on Oct 6, 2016 3:31:38 GMT 9
Was the big yellow thingy the one that had 4 wheel steering?
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Post by Jim on Oct 6, 2016 5:22:39 GMT 9
Was the big yellow thingy the one that had 4 wheel steering? Yep, 5 if you counted the steering wheel!!!!!!!!!
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Post by Tom Dlugosh on Oct 7, 2016 7:13:43 GMT 9
Used that to get my wife out of a snow bank near the flight line entry gate one night. Cost me a six pack for the driver.
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Post by LBer1568 on Mar 28, 2017 1:51:11 GMT 9
I remember lovingly how we used to have exercises and practice for upcoming exercises all the time. It seems we used to practice 12 hour shifts and max turn-around's about every other week. When I first got to 539th FIS, back in 1964 we were issued M-1 Carbines for area defense. We had to keep them with us at all times. Well, I also worked Quick turn for MA-1 and usually had to climb the ladder to check out something or set controls correctly. One time I had the M-1 strapped to my back and when I leaned into cockpit it came close to pilots face. Well long story short, I was issued a .45 for the rest of my time there. As were most MA-1 guys who worked Quick turn. Speaking of quick turn we violated Regulations every time we played war. Anytime we opened the aft electronics panels (Right in front of intakes) we were required to enter a Red X in forms for structural panel opened and have 7-lever inspect it before returning A/C to operational status. The UHF and TACAN boxes were located in the left aft compartment. And we would do about half of the birds before or after a flight and also never did forms or entry for remove/replace units. We had to do the same thing on B-models except UHF/TACAN were on the hump (Saddle Rack) just aft of cockpit. And yes we did those on quick turn as well. About 1965 we started to do hot turns. That meant the pilot (S) never exited A/C or shut down engine. We would do quick fix on returning bird, the pilot would then taxi down to Hot refueling point and would be fueled. During this time we would have MA-1 3-levels open 05 door and swap out the RADAR recording film before next flight. Armament guys would also open armament doors and swap out MSR Film or WSEM tape so next flight would have fresh tape/film. Every one of those tasks required Red X and 781 form entries which were never accomplished. As I remember our briefing on these actions, they were waived for "War time" exercises. I wasn't working MA-1 when we started doing Chem warfare suits. But I imagine it was tough working in them. I was in Flight Sim during the time we had to use Chem suits. The actual Simulator bay was exempt from that as we were evaluating A/C doing actual wartime missions. Since all Flight Sim troops had Top Secret clearances, all of our younger troops worked Command Post as Classified couriers carrying War Orders to the Squadrons. At RAF Upper Heyford (F-111E) TSgt and above worked Operation/maintenance of Sim during Alerts. At Spangdahlem AB only 3-4 of us were exempt from Command Post Duty. That was the only time I got to do Operation/Maintenance on F-4 Sim. I was MSgt/SMSgt back then. At McChord AFB I was on C-130 most of the time and since we trained International Crews we were exempt from all exercises in Sim building. But we also sent all younger troops off to the Command Post during exercises. At WPAFB since I was in Acquisition our exercise duties consisted of wearing fatigues or flight suits during exercises. AS part of my duties on C-5/C-141 Air Refueling Trainer I was assigned "Flight Test Engineer" status. I rode on both C-5 and C-141 during refueling missions behind both KC-135 and KC-10 A/C and recorded mission using high tech video/sound recorders. I sat in co-pilot seat and ran recorders. We had to get Command waiver to do that as Air Refueling missions require both seats have qualified Pilots. During those missions I always had a qualified Crewmember right behind me ready to swap out with me. But we also had Instructor Pilot at the controls. So during Alerts at WPAFB I wore my baggies (Flight Suit). During one of our Missions flying a C-5 behind a KC-10 tanker we had a heavy load and refueled to highest weight C-5 every weighed during flight. We had to record all combinations of C-141 and C-5 (weights) to have video/sound of different mission profiles.
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