My oldest daughter has two boys and I took the three of them to the March Air Force Base Museum. It’s important that they get a sense of history from those of us who have lived through some of it and can put a personal twist on it.
Upper left – I sit at the flight simulator with 2.5 year old Cannon and we fly the aircraft through digital space. He loves airplanes and liked the simulator room best of all.
Middle Left – The Flight Line. There is an F-102 Delta Dagger, flown by President George W. Bush.
Lower Left – One of my favorite jets, the F-100 Super Saber. The Hun had 4 20 mm cannons and while it was a fuel hog, it was one heck of a jet. The pre-fly-by-wire combat aircraft appeal to me. The Hun was a single seat rocket and chewed up a lot of North Vietnamese turf.
Upper Right – The nozzle of a Space Shuttle. We’re all touching something that had been to space and returned.
Lower Right – We’re in front of an SR-71 Blackbird. It would have been cooler if it was an A-12 Oxcart (combat version of the venerated design), but as it, the experience was very good for the boys.
You're doing it right! Keep up the good work.
They're both aggressive, inquisitive little boys who like jets.
Loved planes all my life. The F-100 has always been a "real" fighter, loved their sound as they spun up to exit their revetments. The hanger I "lived in" at Wright Patterson was home to a couple SR-71s. Man could they move!! And I still remember the F-102 from the Steve Canyon days. I suspect you may have a future airman or two there sir! 🙂
It will be up to them, but both have that fighter pilot spirit.
Good for you Gramps! Raising'm up right! Would be Awesome if they flew Navy… just saying.
Is there any other service flying?
Did you tell the boys that the 20MM gun in the Hun is a six shooter. Belt fed revolver.
Yes, I did, but I don't think that they really understood. I also discussed what a fuel hog that the Hun was (not unlike the Phantom and Thud) and that you flew to the target, fueled, went in on full after burner, drank the tank, refueled and flew back to base. The original Wild Weasels flew the F-100's. Seat-of-the-pants jet flight.
They must really love you.
They're very lucky to have a grandfather around.
Being part of their lives is the very essence of life.
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