Old Shakey

[Eric Friedebach]

I usually don’t forward funny things that show up in my inbox, but I couldn’t resist sending this to a buddy of mine that was a 124 FE.

If you were ever an ole shakey crewmember this'll bring a tear to your eye. Thanks to Herb Coon FE, WFJ FE


C-124 "Old Shakey"

HERE IS A STORY OF AN ALUMINUM CLOUD

It flies awfully slow,

And it sounds mighty loud.

It shakes and it rattles,

While it bounces and roars..

This monster is known as a

"One Twenty-Four."

The sync lever is touchy,

And the throttles all stick.

And it's an oil leaking,

Backfiring son of a bitch.

Now don't get me wrong,

One thing is for sure,

You'll get back alive

On this faithful old whore.

The ground crews they cussed it

The whole world around.

And the Navigators prayed

It would get off the ground.

But a sleepy old Pilot

And a drunk Flight Engineer

Put her up in the blue
Without any fear.
The Mag drop is excessive,

And the torque's too low,

But at thirty-five inches

the Flight Engineer hollered "GO."

The fuel leaking engines

Were all belching flame,

And at eighty-five knots

He said, "Power OK."

At six thousand feet

Then he set his "Cruise"

The cargo six jeeps

And ten cases of booze.

The Loadmaster said

That his hair turned grey,

And if he had a parachute,

He'd be on his way.

Now we're headed for home

And sweet Mama we'll see,

After flying this mission

That took three weeks.

Our ulcers are burning,

And we've spent all our dough

But with three days of crew rest

We'll be ready to go.

Believe me this story did not end too well,

For that Engineer is now burning in hell.

He flirted with Satan

And had lots of fun,

But ended up flying those

"One Forty-Ones."

They said when he got it he was in the rear

Convincing the Loadmaster he had nothing to fear.

His eyes were all blood shot

And his head filled with pain

And he could tell by the sound

That they were climbing again.

Sweat streamed from his forehead

And his face turned pale,

As they hit clear-air-turbulance

And the pressure door failed.

The cabin filled with fog, and noone could see

The oldtimer crumble and fall to his knees.

His heart pumped pure whiskey and labored with the task.

As he wondered what the hell happened to his oxygen mask.

His whole life flew past him,

From beginning to end

In those perilous seconds

While trying to descend.

When the fog finally cleared

And his body was found

All of his buddies had gathered around
One said softly, as he wiped away a tear,.

"Old Sarge's gone to hell as their Chief Engineer."

We should all learn from this story

And obey all the rules.

Make use of your head

As well as your tools.

Perform all your duties,

And do them with pride,

Or old Sarge might just give you

"Your Final Check Ride'

Thanks to CMSGT "Charlie" Brown for sending this one

[Misterg97]

Eric,

Thanks for the memories of many years ago .... I had a few flights on Old Shakey ... and remember most ... how hard I prayed the very first time as I never thought we would get off the ground ...

Is it possible to email me a copy that I can easily print?

[Eric Friedebach]

Sure Jerry! Just hit my email button below my signature (same goes for anyone else that wants a copy of the original).

The original also has an inflight photo and a funny cartoon, but I’m kinda busy right now to post them.