Edit: CAF Harlingen 1976

Franklin · **Joined:** Sat Mar 19, 2011 3:53 pm **Posts:** 183

.... And finally one (video) for you CAF dudes ...

http://www.criticalpast.com/video/65675 ... hunderbolt

John Kerr · **Posted:** Sat May 14, 2011 6:19 pm

1976 has to be Harlingen, TX

b29flteng · **Posted:** Sat May 14, 2011 6:54 pm

Harlingen, I was in one of those B-25s. Paul Tibbets was flying the B29.

Obergrafeter · **Posted:** Sat May 14, 2011 10:27 pm

Minimum crew only? Look at all those people on Lil!!

The Inspector · **Posted:** Sat May 14, 2011 10:48 pm

That was way, way before the P.C. fairys scrubbed everyones mouths out with Daisy dust for saying words like 'confederate' and before the blue blazer crowd figured out just how invasive they could be in everyone in aviations lives...... :lol:

Speedy · **Posted:** Sun May 15, 2011 1:07 am

Obergrafeter wrote:

Minimum crew only? Look at all those people on Lil!!

That's funny, it was my thought too...I actually paused the footage when I saw that and wanted to MAKE SURE that those were faces in the windows. And then I thought, yeah...those days are LONG gone!

bluehawk15 · **Posted:** Mon May 16, 2011 9:26 am

I haven't watched the video yet, but I'm going to. That was my first Airsho, and the one I was commissioned at.

That was back when we tried to not have an empty seat in any plane during the show. The Tora Kates had three seats, and a body in each. Gave non-pilots a chance to experience the thrill of the show, the ultimate Gee-Whiz ride. It also, I believe, added safety to have a qualified pilot at the second set of controls.

However, in the event of an accident, it could increase the body count, so we have to not let something happen that might!

Obergrafeter · **Posted:** Mon May 16, 2011 9:28 am

If it's fun make it illegal!

bluehawk15 · **Posted:** Mon May 16, 2011 9:36 am

OK, just watched the film converted to video, and it brought back some wonderful memories.

The lead B-25 (tan) was the "Laden Maiden", which was one of the many John Stokes owned warbirds flown down from San Marcos, Texas, to support Airsho '76.

That is the coolest scene of the "Puff of Smoke Heard 'Round the World". I understand that it was an actual A-bomb simulator. If only our Blastards or E.O.D. could figure out how to make a nice, white cloud like that.

Franklin · **Joined:** Sat Mar 19, 2011 3:53 pm **Posts:** 183

... and here's the tora act, anong with a quick shot of the two P-39's taking off. Very cool :wink:

http://www.criticalpast.com/video/65675 ... edo-bomber

Speedy · **Posted:** Mon May 16, 2011 12:36 pm

Franklin wrote:

... and here's the tora act, anong with a quick shot of the two P-39's taking off. Very cool :wink:

http://www.criticalpast.com/video/65675 ... edo-bomber

Great time capsule there! Now if we could find the footage of Whittington's 'low pass' in the Buchon!

bluehawk15 · **Posted:** Mon May 16, 2011 5:14 pm

I don't have footage, but I do have some up-close photos of the after effect...if I can find the slides. How I got them is another story!

The lead Kate in the Tora attack belonged, at the time, to John Stokes. Ron Iberg was flying it. I got my first-ever airplane ride in it, in the 3rd (gunner's) seat, when the planes headed back home. It was neat that it swiveled. This Kate is now the CAF's Kate 310.

The P-39 in the lead on take-off was the CAF's, flown by Pat Murphy. It's still in San Marcos and should be returning to the air soon, after the leading edge work is completed.

Obergrafeter · **Posted:** Mon May 16, 2011 6:13 pm

Where did the other 39 wind up?

bluehawk15 · **Posted:** Mon May 16, 2011 6:16 pm

It think that one was being flown by Larry Irvine, and Ed Messick owned it at the time. Ed flew it too, but I think he was flying his P-51 "Minute Man" at that show.

I hope someone on here will correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe it's in the Kalamazoo Air Museum.

Franklin · **Joined:** Sat Mar 19, 2011 3:53 pm **Posts:** 183

Guess I should'a post this thread in the video's location ... :roll:

Oh well, I think some of you will like these here anyway.

This video seems like some sort of weird staging deal with the jeep.

http://www.criticalpast.com/video/65675 ... ing-a-jeep

... and the P-40 taxing ... I think I liked the scheme better back then ...

http://www.criticalpast.com/video/65675 ... ne-taxiing

... looks like the tora guys were having a lot of fun ...

http://www.criticalpast.com/video/65675 ... rtiss-P-40

.... B-25's ...

http://www.criticalpast.com/video/65675 ... ell-bomber

Warbird Information Exchange

Edit: CAF Harlingen 1976

Who is online