DC10FE

I did hear of a Southern Air Transport crew leasing a car in Lisbon and putting it on their airplane, flying to another city in Portugal and turning it in there with almost no miles put on the car. Sea story? War story? Funny story. Don R.

Col, Welcome back. As far as I know, there were 3 RC-135D's (4 according to Wikipedia) with an FE position. When they were de-modded to the KC configuration, the FE position was removed, although they kept the "D" designation. When the old J-57's were replaced by the TF-33 engine, they became KC-135E's. Later the TF-33's were replaced by the CFM56 and they became KC-135R's. I don't know if this happened to all 3 of the D-models, but I know that 60-0356 is still flying around as an R-model. These original D-models were 60-0356 (msn 18131), 60-0357 (18132) and 60-0362 (18137). Although I take what's written in Wikipedia as not being always true, there is a section there on all the KC-135 variants. Click here: KC-135 Stratotanker - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia There is also another thread on this forum somewhere discussing the KC-135. I think the lack of an FE on most KC-135's and all B-52's had to do with the "powers that be" not wanting an enlisted swine in the cockpit. It has always amazed me that the 8-engined B-52 was lacking an FE. The co-pilot on them was not just along for the ride! Hope this helps. Don R.

Does the USAF C-130's have an MEL? I don't remember ever seeing one up until I retired in 12/85. CRS? I know commercial Hercs have an MEL. Don R.

I only worked on the B-52H for about 7 months at KI Sawyer AFB, MI -- a very impressive airplane! Here's a clip of 120 TF-33P-3 engines rolling down the runway @ Minot. Don R. http://www.fark.com/cgi/vidplayer.pl?IDLink=4632948

Thanks Casey It looks awesome!! Don R.

I'm sure "airnav" could add a few comments about mustangs, right Kurt? Don R.

I think I need a new scanner! Don R.

For as long as I can remember -- in the commercial world, at least -- I logged my time in "The Little Red Book." I think Scotty's sold them. I used to get mine at an aviation shop at the St. Pete/Clearwater airport. I also stuck all my licenses in it for when a Fed would jump on board for a ramp check. Don R.

For all you old-timers out there, check out this flying model of Ole Shakey. The clamshell doors even open. The only things missing are the sexy rumble of the 4360's and the squeeling brakes. I think the model flies faster than the real thing!!! http://www.rcuvideos.com/video/Douglas-C-124a Don R.

OK, seriously, what is a MAC purse? Don R.

MAC purse? No, I'm not even going there! Don R.

Sorry, Bob, but with a subject title like "Ramstein," this thread is gonna get hijacked all over the place. I don't know about the Firehouse restaurant @ Ramstein, but I do remember the German kanteen down by the motorpool at R/M. Brats & beer. If I remember correctly (a real challenge at times), wasn't there also a German kanteen near the tower? "Joint Forge" reminded me of the Reforger exercises every year. Some little VW or a house would always get accidentally crushed by an Army tank -- never failed to happen every year. Don R.

I found this while cleaning oout my old flight bag -- it hasn't been opened since 8/03!!! Seems like a pretty simple approach. Merry Christmas. Don R.

I would jump in here with my opinion, but since neither "mooseherc" nor "mc130pfe" have decided to share their backgrounds or real names with us in their profiles, I'm have no idea what their qualifications are to back up their arguments. My guess is that "mooseherc" is probably in Alaska & "mc130pfe" is in special ops. OK, my opinion anyway. Apples & oranges. After 40 years in aviation -- 30 years of it as an FE/PFE, military & commercial, I say the C-17, the "legacy" Herc & the J-model are all excellent airframes. I realize that the original thread was about Lockheed and its lack of foresight, but it's turned into a pissing contest between a couple of individuals arguing about the pros & cons of different airframes. Stepping down from the soapbox now. Don R.

I am soooo glad I'm retired (for the last 24 years). I don't think I could put up with this crap. Although the following pertains to the Navy, it's also a description of all services. Don R. Then - If you smoked, you had an ashtray on your desk. Now - If you smoke, you get sent outside and treated like a leper, if you're lucky. Then - Mail took weeks to come to the ship. Now - Every time you get near land, there's a mob topside to see if their cell phones work. Then - If you left the ship it was in blues or whites, even in home port. Now - The only time you wear blues or whites is for ceremonies. Then - You wore bellbottoms everywhere on the ship. Now - Bellbottoms are gone and 14 year-old girls wear them everywhere. Then - You wore a Dixie cup all day; with every uniform. Now - It's not required and you have a choice of different hats. Then - If you said "damn," people knew you were annoyed and avoided you. Now - If you say "damn" you'd better be talking about a hydroelectric plant. Then -The ship's office yeoman had a typewriter on his desk for doing daily reports. Now - Everyone has a computer with Internet access and they wonder why no work is getting done. Then - We painted pictures of pretty girls on airplanes to remind us of home. Now - We put the real thing in the cockpit. Then - Your girlfriend was at home praying you would return alive. Now - She is on the same ship praying your condom worked. Then - If you got drunk off duty, your buddies would take you back to the ship so you could sleep it off. Now - If you get drunk off duty, they slap you in rehab and ruin your career. Then - Canteens were made out of steel and you could heat coffee or hot chocolate in them. Now - Canteens are made of plastic, you can't heat them because they'll melt and anything inside always tastes like plastic. Then - Our top officers were professional sailors first. They commanded respect. Now - Our top officers are politicians first. They beg not to be given a wedgie. Then - They collected enemy intelligence and analyzed it. Now - They collect our pee and analyze it. Then - If you didn't act right, they'd put you on extra duty until you straightened up. Now - If you don't act right, they start a paper trail that follows you forever. Then - Medals were awarded to heroes who saved lives at the risk of their own. Now - Medals are awarded to people who show up for work most of the time. Then - You slept in a barracks, like a soldier. Now - You sleep in a dormitory, like a college kid. Then - You ate in a mess hall or galley. It was free and you could have all the food you wanted. Now - You eat in a dining facility. Every slice of bread or pat of butter costs, and you can only have one. Then - If you wanted to relax, you went to the rec center, played pool, smoked and drank beer. Now -You go to the community center and can still play pool -- maybe. Then - If you wanted a quarter beer and conversation, you could go to the chief's or officers' club. Now - The beer will cost you three dollars and someone is watching to see how much you drink. Then - The Exchange had bargains for sailors who didn't make much money. Now - You can get better merchandise and cheaper at Wal-Mart. Then - If an Admiral wanted to make a presentation, he scribbled down some notes and a yeoman spent an hour preparing a bunch of charts. Now - The Admiral has his entire staff spending days preparing a Power Point presentation. Then - We called the enemy things like "Commie Bastards" and "Reds" because we didn't like them. Now - We call the enemy things like "Opposing Forces" and "Aggressors or Insurgents" so we won't offend them. Then - We declared victory when the enemy was dead and all his things were broken. Now - We declare victory when the enemy says he is sorry and won't do it again. Then - A commander would put his butt on the line to protect his people. Now - A commander will put his people on the line to protect his butt.

I'm not sure which one it is, but, for an air show support airplane, it could certainly use a bath!! Don R.

Dan, Thanks for the video. I forwarded it to my Filipino friends that I flew with at Transafrik. The majority of them flew with the PAF before going to Angola. Don R.

Actually, the last C-133 flight was in August 2008 from Anchorage to Travis AFB, via a tech stop in McChord AFB. It was a C-133A registered as N199AB (ex-USAF 56-1999). It and one or two others were owned and operated by Cargomaster Corp. and flew for the state of Alaska with commercial registrations. I saw them many times parked up by the FedEx ramp when I would pass through ANC. Here's a video of it landing in McChord. It had a really unique sound -- sorta like the 3-bladed A-models. Click here: C-133 | www.asb.tv Don R.

I'm pretty sure BETA lights, along with the anti-ice and low oil pressure lights, were required by the FAA for commercial certification. Don R.

My condolences also. What was your father's name? I'm sure he was known by some on this board. Don R.

John, Any way you could post a couple of the photos? I'm sure if you do, you'll get the full story in no time. Don R.

I forgot "NG." That was the 105th TAS @ Nashville (1972 - 1974). Don R.

118 AES Ret. Here are some I've tracked down. Some of Lars Olausson's earlier books had the tail codes listed in them. You can also go to this web site -- www.chancefac.net and go to the tail code section. Not much help for your A-models, though. I'm pretty sure all the 3-letter tail codes were from the South Vietnamese Air Force. YP -- 41 TAS (1968 - 1971) Naha AB MT -- 155 TAS (1974) Memphis AG -- 195 TAS (1970 - 1974) Van Nuys VG -- 115 TAS (1970 - 1974) Van Nuys SG -- 139 TAS (1971 - 1974) Schnectady WG -- 142 TAS (1971 - 1974) Wilmington OB -- 40 TAS (1968 - 1971) Yokota or Naha, memory fails me (CRS) I'll shoot you my email address by PM. I'd like a copy of your project. Thanks in advance. Don R.

It was 46 years ago today that Kennedy was assinated in Dallas, TX. I can't remember what I had for breakfast this morning, but I can remember that day like it was yesterday. I was a brand new one-striper at Langley AFB, VA and I can remember going over to the CQ's office in one of the barracks and asking about it. Those were the old open bay WW II baracks in the Shellbank area and TSgt Clevenger was the CQ. Don R.