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Welcome back Joey!
The Corsair, when I was a kid I was a big WW2 nut (read dozens of books about WW2, probably interested because my Grandpa flew in the Pacific in a B24 Liberator).
I used to get so excited to watch Ba Ba Black Sheep on TV when that series was on, flying that F4U Corsair.
Wow.I never knew this.Yes, facebook can be a cluster of idiots posting crap, but the main reason I am on there is for animal stuff, archaeological findings that I would have never known or places I've never seen or heard of and also historical stuff. I'm sure there's many more i can't think about right now. I just ignore the nonsense kind of like this place. But this is pretty cool and I never knew about it. 😎
During Game 1 of the 1943 World Series on October 5, 1943, Lt. Jack W. Watson and his crew, along with three other crews, were flying their B-17s to Maine as a stopover en route to England. As they passed New York City, the 21-year-old freckled-face Watson realized that the game was just starting and decided to do an impromptu flyover. The flight of four Flying Fortresses buzzed Yankee Stadium, where the Yankees were taking on the St. Louis Cardinals. The crews enjoyed it so much, they decided to make two more passes, on the third pass flying so low, one reporter said it looked like they would clip the stadium's flag poles!
New York Mayor Fiorello La Guardia, who attended the game, was outraged and demanded the USAAF investigate. They did, but given the need for pilots in World War II, the four pilots, including Watson, were given a $75 fine, and the matter was dropped.
As for Watson, he would go on to complete 35 missions in the war effort and, in a radio interview, remarked that he hoped Mayor La Guardia would forgive him. La Guardia, hearing of Watson’s plea, sent him a cable stating:
“Delighted to get your message. All is forgiven. Congratulations. I hope you never run out of altitude. Happy landings. Will be seeing you soon.”
Wow, I never knew about this B-58 Bomber. 😲
On November 11, 1956, the Convair B-58 Hustler made its first flight at Carswell Air Force Base in Fort Worth, Texas. Piloted by B. A. Erickson and G. W. Rodney, the Hustler became the first operational jet bomber capable of sustained Mach 2 flight.
The B-58 had been under development since the early 1950s as part of the Air Force’s efforts to counter increasingly sophisticated Soviet air defenses. Designed by Convair, the aircraft featured a delta wing and four General Electric J79 turbojet engines, and it utilized a distinctive pod under the fuselage that housed both a nuclear weapon and fuel. Its design incorporated advanced materials and systems for the time, including a sophisticated inertial navigation system and an escape capsule for each crew member. Testing and development had been plagued by challenges due to its complexity and cutting-edge technology.
Following its first successful flight, the B-58 entered service with the Strategic Air Command in 1960. Although its operational lifespan was relatively short, ending in 1970, the Hustler set numerous speed and altitude records and demonstrated the feasibility of supersonic strategic bombing. Despite its limited deployment, the B-58 influenced subsequent aircraft design and contributed to the technological evolution of high-performance military aviation during the Cold War.
Check out the movie Fail-Safe from the 60s…an alternative Dr. Strangelove…
The Hustler has a staring roll.
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https://www.zona-militar.com/en/2025/12/14/the-a-10-thunderbolt-endures-congress-once-again-delays-u-s-air-force-plans-to-retire-the-attack-aircraft-in-2026/#
Seems the Warthog just can’t be killed off.
Paul Stewart has a great video on the B-58...
Do you see where that article speaks to The Hog being used to remove airborne drones…?
I get the feeling it’s being adopted for that mission in other theaters, too.
In other threads I’d told of seeing them getting ferried over to Europe. I think that’s nice. I think it’s time to blow certain drones and a/c out of the sky as soon as they infringe on NATO airspace…which…btw…is happening A LOT alllllll over Europe…and all to often…and it’s ALL RUSSIAN…
So, the Hog will return to its original “Thru 2030 use plan” and I’m betting there’s a “manned replacement” or another…yes…another…Hog upgrade that takes it into another decade.
Also…the B52 (scheduled use thru 2050…actually the 2050s…no shit) is getting a shot in the arm as of late. They’ve just finished up some pretty amazing tests and upgrades out at Edwards and I’m pretty sure it was used just last week to tell China, North Korea and Russia to Fuck Off during a real complex flex out over the Pacific and the S. China Sea as it teamed up with Japanese F35s and F15s.
Before this decade is out: I think we may see some of our best ac getting adopted by Japan as they tell China to EABOD. They might even get a few Hogs and BUFFs in the deal (BUFFs for advanced Radar -&- dropping some interesting ordinance).
Get this: a new Hog is not out of the question.
News | RTX delivers first B-52 AESA radar to Boeing | RTX
Pretty cool to see the F-18 radar repurposed for the B-52. I've seen those built and tested for years.
You sure have a stimulating job bud. I envy you and I'm happy for you.
Back in 1999 I was at the World Mini Grand Prix and I'll never forget seen the US airforce taking off and coming in to land at Nellis. That was awesome to see.
This one just popped up on my feed. The Dragon Lady has been flying since the 50’s and still going.
When you’re riding at Marysville MX & E-Street MX…you get to watch them come and go from Beale. They’re amazingly graceful birds.
The Growl of the P-40! Sound UP for the beautiful sound of that vintage Allison Engine! Thom Richard in the TP-40 Warhawk ‘American Dream’ . I love the Mustang but love the Warhawk too!
https://www.facebook.com/share/r/16bPCvKrGz/
Before jetways. Before runways. Before crossing an ocean meant flying for 12 hours.
In 1935, the China Clipper lifted off from San Francisco Bay and changed the world forever.
Operated by Pan American World Airways, the Martin M-130 flying boat opened the first regular trans-Pacific air route—linking the U.S. to Hawaii, Midway, Wake Island, Guam, and finally Manila. It wasn’t just a flight. It was a declaration that oceans were no longer barriers.
Flying boats skimmed across vast stretches of empty blue, navigating by stars and radio bearings, landing in lagoons instead of airports. The trip took days, not hours—but it carried something priceless: mail, passengers, and the promise of a smaller world.
The China Clipper connected continents and launched the age of global air travel.
✈️🌏
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/19F6smmg28/
The Japanese Navy still has 8 flying boats in their inventory they use for SAR. I've never seen one take off or land on the water but I've seen them launch out of NAF Atsugi (about an hour from me) a bunch while I was playing golf.
Kawasakis? Mitsu’s?
(No, I’m not looking it up. I’d rather hear about it from “a local”!🤣)
A company called ShinMaywa. No idea what else they make, but knowing Japanese companies, their products probably range from seaplanes to toothbrushes.
Pit Row
Hi All.
Do yourselves a huge favour and look up Brisbane Riverfire Australian Airforce. Probably some of the best images ever captured of current Gen military aircraft.
Aussies ain’t scared. 💪🏼
Not historic but damn cool as hell.
RAAF Supermarine Walrus.I handmade the Left frame common to the forward gun ring mount when I was an apprentice.
RAAF Mirage III probably early 70’s definitely at Avalon Australia. My dad is standing in the centre in the white labcoat
Love me some F-100 super sabre.
A Tomcat peaking thru the shock-wave…
Complete Awesomeness!
17 years ago on this day. I didn't realize they were able to actually preserve the frame and keep it on display now-a-days.
Sully has the right stuff.
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