|
Post by adart on Sept 23, 2008 3:54:22 GMT 9
Hey guys take a look at the video on www.grayeagles.org/video.htm Its about the P51 and a pilot who flew it. My hats off to the Gray Eagles and the pilots who flew those great birds.. May GOD bless them!!!!
|
|
Bullhunter
Global Moderator
318th FIS Jet Shop 1975-78
Currently: Offline
Posts: 7,384
Location:
Joined: May 2005
|
Post by Bullhunter on Sept 23, 2008 10:52:23 GMT 9
That is great. Maving been part of the McChord Air Museum and the many resteration projects, it makes me happy to see stories like this. Historical aircraft restoration is a mission that keeps on giving.
|
|
|
Post by Jeff Shannon on Sept 23, 2008 23:57:26 GMT 9
|
|
Jim Scanlon (deceased)
Senior Staff
FORUM CHAPLAIN
Commander South Texas outpost of the County Sligo Squadron
Currently: Offline
Posts: 5,075
Location:
Joined: July 2007
Retired: USAF NBA: Spurs NFL: Niners MLB: Giants NHL: Penguins
|
Post by Jim Scanlon (deceased) on Sept 24, 2008 5:58:52 GMT 9
When I arrived at Sioux City Air Base, Iowa in November 1952 the 87th FIS was the ADC fighter squadron on base. It was equipped with the F 51D Mustang. Lt. Col. Benjamin was the CO and there were a lot of "old" Mustang drivers from WW II in the squadron. They had been in Korea and reassigned to SUX. The origins of the squadron was the 163rd FIS of the Indiana Air National Guard. In 1953 the 16rd went back to Baer Field at Fort Wayne and the 87th was reassigned to Bentwaters, UK. I think that is where they went.As I recall they go F 84s. I remember Col. Benjamin flying an F 84 to SUX and watching him climb out. He was a big man and had to squeeze in to any fighter cockpit, ducking his head as he slid the canopy. As a young mechanic assigned to the 79th Air Base Squadron I worked on the squadron's T 6 and C 47. The base looked like something out of WW II. There was the squadron of Mustangs, the air base squadron and a squadron of B 29s. it was always fun to watch the Mustangs do their thing. They are beautiful birds and it was not an easy fly. Lots of take off torque and landing wasn't the easiest thing with the low wing and a tail wheel. Many of the "older" pilots were able to make those birds do things that were thrilling to watch. It was an air show every time they flew around the base. SUX was also a commercial air field, so they had to watch for the Braniff DC 3s in the pattern when they did their aerial ballet. I have seen many Mustangs fly since, and there is always a magic to seeing them. The last one I saw was at Duxford, England while visiting the Royal Air Museum. The Mustang did some really good stuff as it "beat up the field". When I saw the pilot climb out, the helmet came off and her long hair cascaded over her shoulders. To all those from WW II and Korea who flew the Mustang in combat, THANK You for a job well done and may God bless you and your families.
d
|
|
|
Post by ma1marv on Sept 24, 2008 6:26:12 GMT 9
Hey Jim! I loved the story and the insight about P-51's. I could not help but notice something in your story. Are you sure the commander was named "Benjamine" Could his name have been Harold N. Benham? The reason is your description of him being so physically big, and barely able to fit into a cockpit. Our Commander at Duluth when I got there in 1967 was a Col Harold N. Benham. Old WWII pilot and Korea vet. MAybe!!!! I have often thought of him and of what may have happened to him. His personal motto and our squadron motto at the time was "When we work, we work hard. When we play, we play harder!" MArv
|
|
|
Post by daoleguy A.J. Hoehn (deceased) on Sept 24, 2008 7:24:35 GMT 9
Very moving vid! Got me thinking. Do you all realize that we are assuming the shoes of those WWII and Korea vets. Big shoes indeed to fill. Some of those drove the machine high and hard, others turned a wrench or kicked a tire. When it comes down to it, we were... are a team. Remember Jim and his comments on his crew chief. He was important too. That vid humbled me. Somehow I feel I could never fill those shoes. Maybe my kids and grand ones will disagree. Meanwhile I will say I am just so proud to be a member of the Air Corps.
AJ
EDit: My damned typing
|
|
Jim Scanlon (deceased)
Senior Staff
FORUM CHAPLAIN
Commander South Texas outpost of the County Sligo Squadron
Currently: Offline
Posts: 5,075
Location:
Joined: July 2007
Retired: USAF NBA: Spurs NFL: Niners MLB: Giants NHL: Penguins
|
Post by Jim Scanlon (deceased) on Sept 24, 2008 8:54:56 GMT 9
Hi, Marv and AJ Col. Benjamin flew in North Africa at the start of our (U.S.) part of the war. Flew the P 36, I think, and then the P47. He was definitely big. He was also very bald and wore Wellingtons when he flew. So, Marv, I doubt if that was him at Duluth. AJ, I was a crew chief and did work some on the Mustangs. The worst job I ever had on one was pulling the radiator after it had overheated and blew some seams. The radiator was in the fuselage. You accessed it by pulling the radiator cowling off and then some under wing panels. Being the V1650 engine liked to leak oil out the bottom, the oil went in to the radiator compartment and, well, yep, it was more than a dirty job. But, as an 18 year-old one striper it was the kind of job I was given. Fortunately, it was the only time I ;D did that chore. You are correct about the crew chiefs being appreciated by the pilots. Don't know what it's like now, but they used to treat us real good. Jim
|
|
|
Post by Gene on Sept 24, 2008 17:24:32 GMT 9
That is great. Maving been part of the McChord Air Museum and the many resteration projects, it makes me happy to see stories like this. Historical aircraft restoration is a mission that keeps on giving. didn't chuck yeager shoot down a me 262 while drivinga p 51??
|
|