I vaguely recall, as a young spear carrier in training at Pendleton, in late 1964, having seen a ground support demo of the F4. A distant spec, quickly resolving into an airplane, an amazingly large ball of fire, followed in a split second by that airplane disappearing straight up into the sky. Holy S***!!!
Back in 1982, Air Force Magazine paid me $5,000 to go flying with the Wild Weasels. I had seven hours of instruction on how to survive the myriad of possible bad outcomes, then two hours in the back seat of an F-4E on a mission into the Red Flag range at Nellis AFB.
Interesting how the American fliers have developed ties to their former foes sufficient to recommend sources in Vietnam for historians. Not entirely unexpected given the nation airline is good Boeing customer.
Not only that, but US pilots and their counterparts have visited each other's homes in their respective countries and become good friends. It's the one good piece of news from that war I can think of.
Like JFK and the skipper of the Amagiri who planned to meet, but couldn’t when Kennedy got sick. They corresponded for years and planned a reunion of the crews of the two ships when Kennedy visited Tokyo. Alas.
Attended a funeral years ago of an old family friend where I was a bystander to a meeting and conversation between a German and a Canadian (I think) tank commander reliving African adventures. Fascinating conversation. This had clearly not been thier first rehashing of old battles.
I vaguely recall, as a young spear carrier in training at Pendleton, in late 1964, having seen a ground support demo of the F4. A distant spec, quickly resolving into an airplane, an amazingly large ball of fire, followed in a split second by that airplane disappearing straight up into the sky. Holy S***!!!
Back in 1982, Air Force Magazine paid me $5,000 to go flying with the Wild Weasels. I had seven hours of instruction on how to survive the myriad of possible bad outcomes, then two hours in the back seat of an F-4E on a mission into the Red Flag range at Nellis AFB.
Best. Roller. Coaster. Ride. Ever.
And I got *paid* to do it!
Interesting how the American fliers have developed ties to their former foes sufficient to recommend sources in Vietnam for historians. Not entirely unexpected given the nation airline is good Boeing customer.
Not only that, but US pilots and their counterparts have visited each other's homes in their respective countries and become good friends. It's the one good piece of news from that war I can think of.
Like JFK and the skipper of the Amagiri who planned to meet, but couldn’t when Kennedy got sick. They corresponded for years and planned a reunion of the crews of the two ships when Kennedy visited Tokyo. Alas.
I think you can safely count on getting all sorts of feedback.
Oh yeah.... :-)
pre-ordered: waiting with bated breath
Looking forward to a informative read, TC
Looking forward to a good read.
Attended a funeral years ago of an old family friend where I was a bystander to a meeting and conversation between a German and a Canadian (I think) tank commander reliving African adventures. Fascinating conversation. This had clearly not been thier first rehashing of old battles.
That's one hell of a link.
I am advertising with friends who are military history buffs. I suspect you'll pick up some more followers and readers!