A-10A displayed in markings of the 353rd TFS/354th TFW at the National Museum of the United States Air Force

Thumper. Oshkosh 2022

So, it’s the Mighty Eighth Museum again! We visited it for free because we were the trustees of a USAF WWII pilot’s daughter-in-law. This is an amazing museum, would recommend anyone who wants to know more about the BTS stories of Masters of the Air.

lawn dart my beloved

objectively mid aircraft but it's MY objectively mid aircraft

Car Spot: Trabant 601 S "Delux"

A cold war relic is this week's car spot.

East Germany’s answer to West Germany’s “People’s Car” …. Growing up in the 1960s and ’70s I remember the Cold War, and how the communists used East Berlin as a showcase for the success of socialism. Automobiles were a big part of that but ultimately, they were just terrible cars like this week’s car spot, the Trabant 601 S Dulux. Found this example at the Air Force Museum in Dayton, Ohio. I…

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USAF Convair TB-58A Hustler 55-0663 by Mark Allison Via Flickr: Located at Grissom Air Museum near Peru, Indiana, this B-58 is the oldest example of the type still in existence. It was only the 4th B-58 to roll off the production line, originally built as a YB-58A, before later being converted to TB-58A s trainer. -30/05/2022

Vietnam tourist attraction that Americans hate... War Relics Museum in Hanoi pile of United States military aircraft wreckage.

a home for heroes

(via As Tyndall prepares to transition to the F-35, the base retires an F-22 Raptor and sends it to Hill Aerospace Museum -courtesy of "the aviation geek club" Dec. 9th 2022

Boeing X-32, fully restored by the USAF National Museum, December 2023

Display in the Cold War Gallery at the National Museum of the United States Air Force, Dayton, Ohio

WIP Wednesday

Dear Ice, I heard one of your Tomcat pilots got an air-air kill. I was convinced it must have been you, but Warlock said he was on the radio with you and your CO at the time. Good on your pilots, I was worried USAF would get all glory. Seems like all I’ve been doing is escorting them on bombing runs lately. They’re really trying to phase out the Tomcats now. I saw a couple of Eagles take out what looked like a Mi-8 and one of the pilots had the nerve to say I was flying a museum piece. Our XO wants me to lead a few nights for our F-18s, guess there’s been some news of things being moved to places they shouldn’t be. Thought you’d appreciate this – Carole said Bradley made his little league team. Guess practices will start in a few weeks. You might get back to SD in time to see him. If you do, make sure to help him with his batting. He still gets nervous. Carole said Slider’s come around to take him to the park a few times. All my best, Maverick

From the next chapter of Every atom of me.

From: American Air Museum in Britain

Major General Carroll McColpin was born in 1914 in Buffalo, New York. When he was 14, he built his own plane and taught himself how to fly. He quickly became aware of how Britain was fighting to repel the Germans and felt that the US would eventually become involved in the war. Rather than wait and take that chance, he joined the RAF in 1940.

He was sent to Dallas for flight training in the RCAF before being sent to England. He eventually served in all three RAF Eagle Squadrons, became CO of No. 133 (Eagle) Squadron, and soon had five aerial victories to his credit. As a Major, he became the first of three pilots to receive the British Distinguished Flying Cross on October 4, 1941.

In September 1942, he turned No. 133 over and transferred to the USAAF. He had an impressive career with 12 enemy aircraft destroyed and served three tours in the ETO as CO of the 407th Fighter-Bomber Group and then the 404th Fighter Group.

General McColpin was one of the most decorated and admired fighter pilots of the war with 280 combat missions and 12 aerial victories. Some awards include the Air Force Legion of Merit with two Oak Leaf Clusters, both the US and British Distinguished Flying Crosses, the Air Medal with six Oak Leaf Clusters, and both the Belgian and French Croix de Guerre. He was decorated at Buckingham Palace by King George VI.

He retired from the USAF in September 1968 and died at the age of 89 in 2004.

52-2220, Convair B-36J Peacemaker, USAF Museum, August 1974 by Gordon Riley

USAF Fairchild Republic A-10A Thunderbolt II 77-0228 by Mark Allison Via Flickr: On display at Grissom Air Museum near Peru, Indiana. -30/05/2022