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Just watched the BLunder...
Rocky Raab
Member Posts: 14,472 ✭✭✭✭
I mean, THunderbirds at the Hill AFB air show. Don't know how many tens of thousands of people watched them in 93-degree heat, but they flew their usual superlative show.
Have I ever told you that I was in line to be the T'Bird announcer, flying the F-16 from show to show? And that I turned the job down? Yup. That was back in '76 and I voluntarily took a desk job instead.
Of course, that desk job led me eventually to NASA, where I did launch countdowns commentaries.
Turned out well, I think. When I considered that my family with two teenage daughters would be in Las Vegas and I'd be gone for 300 days a year, it was a difficult but rational decision to say "Nope." Never regretted it. (Well, I DO regret the not flying the F-16 part...)
I may be a bit crazy - but I didn't drive myself.
Comments
So from your title you feel their show was a blunder??
So what do you mean by blunder?
🇺🇲 "The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." - Thomas Jefferson 🇺🇲
Well, those of us who have flown jets in formation can always pick out some little "oopsie" in their show. Nothing major, mind you, but something that we'd see and smirk just a tiny bit.
Purest jealousy, I assure you. Those guys (and gals now) are the cream of the crop. Flying as well as they do is a supreme accomplishment. Most of us would kill to even be considered.
I loved to watch the Blue Angels fly at the Seafair races in Seattle.
I was a young kid at the time and also enjoyed hearing those Rolls-Royce and Merlin engines in the hydroplanes. Didn’t think it was a big deal at the time, but I saw a Tex Johnston roll the 707. How many of you guys can say that?
1976, the F-16 was a fairly new bird, it's still one of my favorites since my brother flew one and I had the opportunity to crawl all over it, inside & out (no photo's allowed though). A very sleek plane for its time just like the P-51 Mustangs of their time.
"Never do wrong to make a friend----or to keep one".....Robert E. Lee
Thanks for all your insight into the air force and space program
Always good to hear from the experienced pilots
JHHO Some great pilots even if a few tiny mistakes are made 1000x better than I could be
I can say it, but as I am not running for President I probably shouldn’t.
Brad Steele
I have lived next door to Seymour Johnson Air Force Base all of my life. Have had the opportunity to see the Thunderbirds and the Angels multiple times .Unbelievable skills .
If no one died, I would call it good enough. I guess I am not as picky as you Rocky, and you know I say that with respect.
As I said, those of us who weren't good enough to be T'Birds loved to pick any microscopic nit we could see with their performance. While deep down knowing we'd do worse.
After every practice or performance, the team has a lengthy and detailed critique. Self-criticism is demanded and excuses are not tolerated. They are MUCH harder on themselves than we could ever be.
Tex Johnston was an amazing man.
After he rolled the 367-80, Bill Allen (Boeing President) called him into his office and asked him what he thought he was doing.
Johnson replied 'Selling airplanes, Mr. Allen'.
And he was
Brad Steele
Whew! At least they can use the planes again.😉