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WATCH: ‘Geiger Tigers’ Took Air Defense to New Laughs

Bill Walton
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WATCH: ‘Geiger Tigers’ Took Air Defense to New Laughs

These 1950s Air Defense Command Pilots Didn’t Take Themselves Too Seriously- and It Showed

We’ve unearthed some classic gag films while prosecuting our never-ending search for great aerospace content. From the Navy’s classic send-up of carrier aviation, Launch ‘Em, to the Air Force’s rocket-powered railroad at Holloman Air Force Base (AFB), to student pilot-produced gag films, there are plenty of laughs to go around. Even the Air Force safety film No Sweat is yuk-worthy in spots. The 498th Fighter Interceptor Squadron (FIS), AKA the Geiger Tigers, produced their own classic gag film and it’s a real gem. So get your popcorn ready, sit back, turn your volume up, and enjoy Geiger Tigers (uploaded to YouTube by sdasmarchives.)

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NOTE: A two-part version of the film with better audio and lower definition video is linked below.

The Vagabond 498th

The 498th FIS was originally established as a III Fighter Command Operational Training Unit (OTU) on 10 August 1943 after its genesis as the 303rd Bombardment Squadron (Light) on 13 January 1942. The squadron was initially equipped with a variety of light bombers such as the Vultee A-31 Vengeance, the Douglas A-24 Banshee, and the Bell P-39 Airacobra. The vagabond unit was based at Savannah Army Air Field (AAF) in Georgia, Drew Field AAF in Florida, Harding Field AAF and Hammond AAF in Louisiana, and Abilene AAF in Texas. While based at Hammond the 498th received Republic P-47 Thunderbolts, but it wasn’t long before the unit was disbanded at Abilene on 1 April 1944.

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Image via National Museum of the US Air Force

A New Jet-Powered Beginning

When additional Cold War Air Defense units were needed, the 498th was reactivated at Geiger Field in Washington on 18 August 1955 and equipped with North American F-86D Sabre Dog interceptors as part of Air Defense Command’s (ADC) 84th Fighter Group (FG). The film was shot when the F-86D-equipped Tigers attended a rocketry training course at Yuma AFB (later Vincent AFB- today Marine Corps Air Station [MCAS] Yuma). The 498th turned in their F-86Ds for Convair F-102A Delta Daggers in 1957 and were the first operational squadron to fly the Convair F-106A Delta Dart when they switched to them in 1959. The Geiger Tigers moved to McChord AFB in Washington in 1963, to Paine Field in Washington on 1966, and finally to Hamilton Field in California in 1968 before they were deactivated again, and for good, on 30 September 1968. Their Delta Darts were reassigned to the 84th FIS.

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Image via National Museum of the US Air Force

We Like Choices and We Pass Them On to You

NOTE:  When given a choice between video quality and audio quality our standard practice is to go with the better visuals. However, with a film like this the audio is important as well. Therefore, we have provided links to a version of the film with better audio and less-than-stellar video. These were uploaded to YouTube by Tom Dozier. Tom’s father actually appeared in the film.  Part One  Part Two.

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Image via National Museum of the US Air Force

WATCH: Flying From the ‘Shang’ With the Sixth Fleet

Bill Walton
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WATCH: Flying From the ‘Shang’ With the Sixth Fleet

This HD Action Shot Aboard the Carrier Shangri-La Takes Us Back to a Colorful Time

The Essex-class aircraft carrier USS Shangri-La (CVA-38) was launched on 24 February 1944 and commissioned later that same year on 15 September. Named for the fictional setting of the James Hilton novel ‘Lost Horizon’ the “Shang” earned two Battle Stars fighting her way across the Pacific during World War II. She was decommissioned and laid up from 1947 until 1951, when she was brought back into service for the Korean War. The Shang deployed with the Seventh Fleet to the Western Pacific (WestPac) five times and to the Mediterranean (Med) with the 6th Fleet seven times before her final deployment to the Tonkin Gulf in 1970. This gorgeous HD footage from film, uploaded to YouTube by SuperCanopus, was shot aboard the Shangri-La during her 1962 Med deployment.

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Shang’s Second Med Cruise

Shangri-La’s 1962 Med deployment was her second deployment to that region and her second with Carrier Air Group TEN (CVG-10) embarked. The carrier departed Naval Station Mayport in Florida bound for the Med on 7 February 1962 and returned 28 August 1962. CVG/CVW-10 would deploy aboard the Shang three more times before CVW-8 took over.  

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Image captured from YouTube video

Bird Farm Birds

During their 1962 Med deployment aboard Shangri-La, CVG-10 consisted of VF-13 Night Cappers flying the Douglas F4D-1 Skyray, VMF-251 Thunderbolts flying the Vought F8U-1E Crusader, VA-46 Clansmen and VA-106 Gladiators flying the Douglas A4D-2 Skyhawk, VA-176 Thunderbolts flying the Douglas AD-5 and AD-6 Skyraider, a Detachment from VFP-62 Fighting Photos flying the F8U-1P Crusader, a Detachment from VAW-12 Bats flying the Grumman WF-2 Tracer, and a Detachment from HU-2 Fleet Angels flying the Piasecki HUP-2 Retriever and Sikorsky HUS-1 Seahorse.

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Image captured from YouTube video

Record-Setting Marines

VMF-251 became the first Marine Corps F8U Crusader-equipped squadron to deploy aboard the boat. The Thunderbolts set a record for Sixth-Fleet F8U squadrons clocking more than 500 flight hours. VMF-251 and Shangri-La port calls during the 1962 Med deployment included Cannes in France, Palermo in Italy, Rhodes and Athens in Greece, Istanbul in Turkey, Malta, and Genoa, Livorno, Naples, and Rapallo in Italy. The footage in the video was shot for the German film ‘Mediterranean Holiday’ (AKA ‘Flying Clipper’), which was apparently a real stinker- even when released in the United States in the early 1960s with Burl Ives doing some narration for the film. But we’re glad the footage is out there because it’s some of the best you’ll see.

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Image captured from YouTube video

Air Force Selects First Female to Command, Pilot F-35A Demo Team

Charles Atkeison
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Air Force Selects First Female to Command, Pilot F-35A Demo Team

OGDEN, UTAH — The U.S. Air Force Air Combat Command announced Saturday the selection of the first female to both command and pilot the F-35A Demonstration Team during the 2020-2021 air show seasons.

Capt. Kristin “Beo” Wolfe has been selected as the new leader the F-35A Demo Team. She also becomes the Air Force’s first female single-ship aerial demonstration pilot.

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Wolfe will pilot the military’s newest fifth-generation jet during 20 show site visits between March and November. The nearly 18-minute demonstration will showcase the F-35s speed and high-G turns before the spectator crowds.

“It’s extremely humbling and rewarding to get the opportunity to showcase the F-35A at so many different locations,” Wolfe said on Saturday. “It’s a privilege to work with the best airmen from Hill Air Force Base, and to give people a small glimpse of what this jet is capable of.”

The F-35A Demo Team has been preparing for the start of the air show season. Capt. Wolfe’s training flights over the snow-covered mountains surrounding Hill AFB have been picturesque during January and February.

“She was a phenomenal choice as the next pilot and commander of the F-35A Demo Team,” Outgoing F-35A Demo pilot Maj. Andrew “Dojo” Olson added. “As a previous F-22A Raptor Instructor Pilot, she’s flown and instructed in fifth generation fighters her entire career.”

Wolfe graduated from the University of Alabama in 2011 with a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering. A few weeks later, she began training as a pilot in the Air Force. She earned her silver wings in September 2012.

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Capt. Wolfe performs a practice demonstration on Jan. 24, 2020, at Hill AFB, Utah. (USAF/ Capt. K. Sumner)

She began piloting the F-22 Raptor, and in 2017, transitioned over to the F-35 Lightning II. Capt. Wolfe has logged nearly 800 total fighter hours in each of the Air Force’s fifth-generation aircraft.

Capt. Wolfe, who flies by the call sign “Beo” as in the Old English epic poem Beowulf, recently served as a pilot with the 34th Fighter Squadron at Hill AFB. As a member of the 34th’s Rude Rams, she was deployed to Kadena Air Base in Japan for six months between November 2017 to May 2018.

In July 2019, Capt. Wolfe participated with her fellow pilots in Gunfighter Flag 19-2. The annual military aircraft exercise involved F-35s, F-15s, and A-10s practicing target strikes at Mountain Home AFB in Idaho.

Before she was selected to lead and pilot the demo team, Capt. Wolfe served as an instructor pilot for the 388th Fighter Wing at Hill. When she’s not flying, Wolfe enjoys water skiing and hiking in the mountains.

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Capt. Kristin Wolfe pilots a recent flight on an F-35A Lightning II over Hill AFB. (USAF/ Capt. K. Sumner)

Capt. Wolfe’s role as a pilot and team leader is destined to inspire women of all ages. She and the team will visit schools and hospitals at air show sites to inspire young adults into a career with the Air Force.

“When we travel to different air shows across the country, we’re there to recruit, engage, and inspire the next generation,” F-35 Demo Team spokesperson Capt. Kip Sumner explained on Saturday. “When we travel across the world, it’s to showcase the professionalism and excellence of our United States Air Force. Whether that’s visiting with schools, hospitals, or veterans organizations, we aim to tell our story through the lens of being an Air Force demonstration team.”

(Charles A. Atkeison reports on aerospace and technology. Follow his updates via social media @Military_Flight.)

2020 Schedule AFPIMS
F-35A Lightning II Demonstration Team 2020 Schedule (USAF)

WATCH and LISTEN to the C-5 and That Fine TF-39 Whine

Bill Walton
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WATCH and LISTEN to the C-5 and That Fine TF-39 Whine

The C-5A and C-5B Galaxies Sing You the Song of Their People

The Lockheed C-5A Galaxy strategic airlifter was powered by four of the most unique jet engines ever produced. The General Electric TF-39 high-bypass turbofan was the first of its kind and developed specifically for the C-5A and was never used to power any other aircraft. The TF-39 was developed into the GE CF6 series of engines which powered the majority of first-generation widebody jetliners and the GE LM-2500 industrial and marine turbine engine that has powered more than 50 classes of Navy ships around the world. But the TF-39 is forever linked to the Galaxy.

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Boeing JB-52E testing the TF39 engine. image via us air force

More Power

The last TF-39-powered Galaxy engines made its final flight to the AMARG Boneyard at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base (AFB) for retirement on 7 September 2017. All C-5M Super Galaxies now in service are powered by GE F138-GE-100 engines- a development of the CF6, which was developed from the TF-39. The new powerplants produce 22% more thrust than the TF-39s did, which equates to a 30% shorter takeoff roll, a 38% better climb rate, and greater payload with longer range for the C-5Ms they power. All good, but ask anyone who ever heard a C5A, C-5B, or one of the two C-5Cs fly over and they’ll tell you they miss the unique Fine Whine of the TF-39.

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tf39 engine. image via uS Air Force/DVIDS

Turn it up!

Enjoy this series of C-5A and C-5B ops uploaded to YouTube by gags5503. The first is a flight deck view out the starboard side windows at the two TF-39s on the starboard wing during a heavily loaded takeoff on a hot/high day (aren’t they all?) out of Afghanistan. The engines were set at 99.8% of N1.

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Touch and Go

This video is of a similar viewpoint shot during a touch-and-go on runway 33 at Westover Air Reserve Base (ARB) with subsequent climb to 3,000 feet during crew training. The high power setting for this clip was “only” 91.1% of N1. Those big fans spool up to power pretty fast!

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Touch and GO!

Here’s another C-5A touch-and-go on runway 23 at Westover ARB in some typically murky New England weather. That TF-39 whine is in full song!

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From the Flight Deck

A C-5A standing takeoff as experienced on the flight deck. Power setting was 98.0% of N1. FRED rumbling down the runway at full screaming whine!

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To the Boneyard

When this clip was shot in March of 2017 the crew was flying one of only five TF-39-powered FREDs left in service to the Boneyard at AMARG. The aircraft had amassed some 25,493 flight hours since entering service in 1970. Thrust reversers in action!

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From the Runway

We wouldn’t be letting the Galaxy sing the song of her people for you without that fine TF-39 whine heard from the ground. We found a great video compendium of TF-39-powered FREDs taking off, landing, and in general making sounds like nothing else in a variety of locations and conditions- many of them shot on runways 21 or 03 at Gander International in Newfoundland. This video was uploaded to YouTube by 235FireFly. Enjoy!

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image via US Air Force/DVIDS

WATCH: Ride Along On a BUFF Mission With This Inflight Video

Bill Walton
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WATCH: Ride Along On a BUFF Mission With This Inflight Video

B-52H Operations Today Must Look Similar to How They Looked When These BUFFs Were Born

The modern Boeing B-52H Stratofortress is destined to serve for the foreseeable future as America’s delivery system for tactical munitions anywhere on this planet. The aircraft will eventually be modernized (again!) with uprated engines. The exact strategy for this next round of improvements to the fleet of 76 BUFFs isn’t entirely clear yet, but we know it’s necessary. Today’s B-52Hs are being flown by the grandchildren of the pilots who flew them when they were spanking new. The guys flying the BUFFs in this video might just be some of those grandchildren. Enjoy this look at current B-52H ops as uploaded to YouTube by USA Military Channel.

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Starring One Vagabond BUFF

The BUFF appearing first in the video is Air Force serial number 60-0024 (CN 464389), a 1960-vintage B-52H-145-BW Stratofortress built by Boeing at their Wichita, Kansas assembly plant. The jet entered service with the 4042nd Strategic Bomb Wing at K.I. Sawyer Air Force Base (AFB) in Michigan on 4 August 1961. On 1 February 1963, 024 was transferred to the 410th Bombardment Wing (Heavy), still at K.I. Sawyer. From there the BUFF was sent to serve with the 7th Bombardment Wing at Carswell AFB in Fort Worth, Texas.

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Image capture from linked youtube video

Giant Fish

In 1983 024 was assigned to a special atmospheric radiation sampling project codenamed Giant Fish. 60-0024 was equipped with sampling pods along with B-52H serial numbers 60-0033, 60-0051, and 60-0052. After the project concluded in the early 1990s the bomber was transferred to the 416th Bombardment Wing at Griffiss AFB in New York. From there, while wearing the name I’ll Be Seeing You, 024 was transferred to the 72nd Bomb Squadron of the 5th Bomb Wing at Minot AFB in North Dakota in December of 1994. In 2010 the bomber was sent to serve with the 20th Bomb Squadron Buccaneers of the 2nd Bomb Wing at Barksdale AFB in Louisiana where she serves today.

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image capture from linked youtube video

Coming From a Stable Home

The other bomber in the film is Air Force serial number 60-0001 (CN 464366), a 1960-model B-52H-135-BW Stratofortress also built by Boeing in Wichita. Balls 1 rolled out the doors in 1960 and entered service with the Air Force in 1961, but did not galavant around the country serving with several bombardment squadrons the way 024 did. 60-0001, named Memphis Belle IV, is still with her original outfit- the 96th Bombardment Squadron Devil’s Own of the 2nd Bombardment Wing at Barksdale AFB. Film Credits: U.S. Air Force video by Technical Sergeant Christopher Ruano, Senior Airman Luke Hill, Staff Sergeant Philip Bryant, and Staff Sergeant Levi Rowse. Bravo Zulu!

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B-52H showing off. Image via US Air Force/DVIDS

WATCH and LISTEN: Powerful XP-82 Twin Mustang Flies Again

Bill Walton
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WATCH and LISTEN: Powerful XP-82 Twin Mustang Flies Again

Heart-Warming Sights and Sounds for the Warbird Lover in All of Us

We brought you the EAA-produced video about the restoration and imminent first flight of the one-of-a-kind XP-82 Twin Mustang. We also did a Twin Mustang retrospective for the 70th anniversary of the P-82 Twin Mustang Betty Jo’s record-setting long distance flight from Hickam to LaGuardia in 1947. But since we published those stories that beautiful warbird has indeed flown. At EAA Airventure 2019 in Oshkosh the XP-51 flew, and we brought you the proof. Enjoy these three gorgeous videos, all uploaded to YouTube by AirshowStuffVideos.

First up:  The XP-82 Twin Mustang flying during the Saturday Airshow

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As it turns out, the XP-82 Twin Mustang flew for the first time after that ten-and-a-half-year restoration on 31 December 2018, but the flight didn’t go exactly as planned. In fact the flight wasn’t planned at all. The aircraft’s last flight had occurred on 14 December 1949. When test pilot Ray Fowler took the powerful aircraft out to the runway for some taxi tests (including a quick liftoff/setdown) that power got the better of him.

Next Up:  a tailcam perspective of the same flight during the Saturday Airshow

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After all…at comparable power settings the Twin Mustang has just shy of two and a half times the horsepower of a single P-51 Mustang but only weighs in at about a Mustang and a half. So the XP-82 took to the skies sooner than expected. Rather than try to stop the aircraft, Fowler just went ahead and flew it around the pattern and then landed it. With no gripes.

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Restored XP-82 Flying Oshkosh Skies. Image via AirshowStuffVideos

The first planned test flights commenced in late January of 2019. After four gear-down hops to check systems and expose the inevitable (minor) issues, the man who spent all that time (207,000 hours all-told over those ten-plus years) restoring the warbird, Tom Reilly, finally went flying in her.

Finally:  Another XP-82 flight during the Tuesday Airshow[youtube id=”EUrkjSUU11c” width=”800″ height=”454″ position=”left”]

U.S. Navy Rhino Demo Team Excited to Inspire in 2020

Charles Atkeison
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U.S. Navy Rhino Demo Team Excited to Inspire in 2020

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — The thrust and high speed maneuvers of the Navy’s Super Hornet jet will thunder over air show sites across the United States during the 2020 season.

The Navy’s Rhino Demonstration Team will charge into 2020 to perform at 11 show locations. Based at Naval Air Station Oceana, the demo team will display the dedication of its service members and inspire future naval aviators.
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Lead Rhino Demo pilot Lt. Shane Brady is one of four who will demonstrate the handling and maneuvers of the Navy’s F/A-18F Super Hornet, nicknamed the Rhino. This year will mark Brady’s second season with the team.

“This year I am the overall lead with the team,” Lt. Brady said in an exclusive conversation on Tuesday with AvGeekery.com. “In terms of the talent we have on the team this year, and our show sites, we are doing double the shows we did last year.”

Lt. Brady and the entire Rhino Demo Team are currently practicing for their first show in mid-April. He acknowleged the team’s excitement in taking off for their first public demo.

“Once you go airborne, it get’s your heart racing which is awesome,” Snuffy began. “It’s a pretty busy time and when you’re off the brakes you’re essentially in air show mode, and you try to put a good show on for the crowd.”

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Lt. Shane Brady, VFA-106 Rhino Demo pilot. (US Navy)

Lt. Brady, who flies with the call sign “Snuffy”, pilots the two-seat F/A-18F with an assistant known as the weapon system’s officer. It is the WSO’s job to provide aircraft updates and announce the next maneuver to the pilot during the demonstration.

“The Wiz-O (WSO) allows me to focus solely on flying the aircraft,” The Wiz-O is like a second set of eyeballs, calling out airspeeds, and the timing of when to bring the afterburner back on and when to start the maneuver turns.”

Each 15-minute flight by the VFA-106 Rhino Demo Team will be the only way to witness the aircraft at an air show on the eastern half of the United States. Its twin-engines will glow bright orange as the afterburners kick in and the aircraft accelerates.

“This year, you are going to see a lot more out of our team,” “We changed our name, and we are trying to get that message of naval aviation out there. I think this year you should expect some good things coming from the team.”

F/A-18 Rhino Demo Team’s Updated 2020 Schedule:

April 18 …………….. (Cancelled) Thunder Over Louisville

May 23-24 …………. Hyundai Air and Sea Show (Miami Beach, FL)

June 5-7 …………….. Wildwood Air Show (North Wildwood, NJ)

June 13-14 …………. Ocean City Air Show (Ocean City, MD)

July 4 ………………… Thunder Over North Beach (Racine, WI)

July 23-26 ………….. EAA AirVenture Oshkosh (Oshkosh, WI)

August 15-16 ……… Chicago Air and Water Show (Chicago, IL)

August 29-30 ……… New York Air Show (New Windsor, NY)

September 19-20 … NAS Oceana Air Show (Virginia Beach, VA)

October 10-11 …….. Wings Over Houston Air Show (Houston, TX)

November 14-15 …. JBSA Air Show (San Antonio, TX)

(Charles A. Atkeison reports on aerospace and technology. Follow his updates via social media @Military_Flight.)

WATCH: A Gathering of Mustangs Has You Surrounded

Bill Walton
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WATCH: A Gathering of Mustangs Has You Surrounded

This Mass Flight of P-51s Looked Every Bit as Incredible as it Sounded

The Experimental Aviation Association (EAA) AirVenture 2019 was an event few who were in attendance are likely to forget. The show is always great and the exhibits, discussions, and general camaraderie with other Avgeeks is without equal. The fact is that as soon as one AirVenture ends, for many the countdown to the next one begins. At AirVenture 2019, known as ‘The Year of the Fighter,’ the Thursday Warbirds show featured a gathering of North American P-51 Mustangs so huge that it was impressive even at an event known for great P-51 owner attendance and participation. Enjoy the video (with the volume turned UP) as uploaded to YouTube by AirshowStuffVideos.

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When You See It…

If you watched closely you saw at least one example of every P-51 model manufactured by North American. Naturally the lineup is dominated by P-51Ds (someone once said “they’re common as weeds”), but three P-51B/Cs and a P-51H also flew in the event. Both are considered rare by any warbird standard. Even rarer was the presence of the restored prototype XP-51 at Oshkosh. The XP-51 didn’t fly in the show but its presence alone is a treat for Mustang fans. But there was one more Mustang at Oshkosh that raised more eyebrows than most- the recently restored-to-flightworthiness XP-82 Twin Mustang.

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image capture of linked Youtube video

Planting Warbird Seeds

Warbirds of America is today the historical military aircraft component of the EAA. But it wasn’t always that way. Warbirds of America was incorporated on 25 March 1966 by a group of warbird owners who at first limited membership to World War II-vintage fighter and bomber owners only. In 1967 Warbirds of America became a division of EAA. They also opened up membership to owners of the North American T-6/SNJ/Harvard trainers, which swelled the ranks considerably. With each passing year more warbirds are restored and membership is no longer limited to World War II. If it was flown by the military it’s now considered a warbird- including jets!

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P-51D Mustang. Image via US Air Force/DVIDS

Meet Jonah: Founder of Plane Bricks, Creating Customized airplane Block Kits

Avgeekery
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Meet Jonah: Founder of Plane Bricks, Creating Customized airplane Block Kits

Great to meet you Jonah! Many avgeeks love legos and they love building things too. Some lego sets offer aircraft. But they aren’t really that accurate. What is supposed to be a DC-9 airliner kind of looks like a kids toy. You took a different approach. Tell us about your store and why you decided to start Plane Bricks.

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Jonah PadBerg, founder of PlaneBricks.com

Plane Bricks is currently a place to get the most accurate Lego aircraft available and also where you can get a commission done by me, but it all started out as just a hobby. Up until launch my work had mostly just been on Flickr. I had been building throughout childhood and then really started honing in on my technique around age 18. In 2017, Brick Universe came to Oklahoma City for the first time and I barely made it in before the deadline. I was able to set up my planes for display that weekend and I got such a great response. Many people asked if I made kits, several others thought they would sell if I entertained the idea of doing so. I had never thought about doing that, but I did know that I wanted to somehow make money doing what I love to do, which is build with Lego. Later that year I decided I would give it a go. In Jan of 2018, I launched Plane Bricks and have been working since. Currently I have an online store where you can buy full kits, electronic instructions, custom stickers and custom minifigs.

Have you always loved Legos? What things did you build as a kid?

Since I was seven, I’ve been addicted to the brick. I say brick because my first set wasn’t even Lego. It was a Megablock A-10 Thunderbolt! I love History. My grandfather flew the TBF Avenger in the Pacific in WWII and was the only one of his squadron to make it out. If you have ever seen that famous picture of the five TBF Avengers in formation, he is the second one from the bottom. Learning about him and his flight career and that set, really sparked something in me. After that, I started collecting actual Lego as much as I could. I used to build trucks and cars mostly. My mom runs an online homeschool support group in our area and we hosted Lego Club for so many years and still does since I have five other siblings. With that club I was able to spend a lot of time building with people of all ages. We became known as the Lego family in our homeschool circles. When I was about 14, I entered a Lego magazine contest with one of my trucks and it won the little gift card you get for those.

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The famous TBF Avengers photo. Jonah’s grandfather is flying the second plane in the photo.

Around 15, I started focusing on airplanes but didn’t really start being more complex and detailed until around 18. I also was a part of a contest here, called the Great OKC Build, where we gathered a team of four to represent our group. We were able to build a building that resided downtown and won in our division so our model became a part of the buildings representing OKC. With each experience I had, I knew that Lego would be a part of me forever. Now, I’m 22 and still making planes. I get commissioned to do a lot of planes in addition to what’s on my site. I’ve also been contacted to build other things and am about to launch a page for commissions that will encompass anything they’d like to see built.

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Meet Jonah: Founder of Plane Bricks, Creating Customized airplane Block Kits 24

What was the first aircraft template that you decided to do for Plane Bricks?
The first plane I crafted was the B-17. I had done it a couple of years before I launched so it was an easy starter kit.

And how many models of aircraft do you currently sell?
Currently, I have 11 aircraft, a fuel truck and trailer, and about five aircraft sitting in my office waiting to be released.

Are all your aircraft military or do you have civilian aircraft too?
We only have military aircraft at this time, but one of my models waiting for release is a civilian aircraft. I plan to do more civilian aircraft in the future. We welcome requests that we place on a list, which helps determine what plane we do next.

What if a fan of your store has a request? Do you put together custom plane sets?
Commissions are very welcome! If you’d like an aircraft, or something completely different, I invite you to contact me. I am able to offer a pre-done model, an electronic file only, a print book, and a full kit. The combinations can be made to work for you.

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Meet Jonah: Founder of Plane Bricks, Creating Customized airplane Block Kits 25

What does the future look like for Plane Bricks?
Plane Bricks hopes to flourish in the years to come, with the expansion of our product line, securing of licenses needed for certain companies, and building up the commission side of it all. We are currently not selling Lockheed Martin aircraft due to licensing fees. We are still fairly new and couldn’t justify the expense at this time, so in the interim, we are offering those digital instructions for those planes for free. We would appreciate you all spreading the word about Plane Bricks/Jonah Padberg. As a new business on the block, getting your name out there can be challenging.

And we heard you have a special offer for readers of Avgeekery!

We would like to extend a special offer code for your readers! Come visit Plane Bricks and use code AVGEEKS for 20% for an entire month from the publish date of this article.

You can also follow PlaneBricks on Facebook and Instagram.

WATCH: Classic Film of VIII Bomber Command at War

Bill Walton
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WATCH: Classic Film of VIII Bomber Command at War

“Target for Today” Details What It Took to Put a Bombing Mission on the Target

The film Target For Today was shot during the preparation for, execution of, and post-mission evaluation of the VIII Air Force Bomber Command Mission 113- the 9 October 1943 strikes on Marienburg, Anklam, Gdynia, and Danzig in German-occupied Poland. The mission covered as many as 1,400 miles round trip. Twenty VIII Air Force stations supported the mission, putting 430 heavy bombers in the air. In the film the mission planning is extensively depicted, along with preparation for man and machine at several of the stations where the crews flying the mission were based. Enjoy the film, uploaded to YouTube by Periscope Film.

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The Lineups

115 B-17s from the 91st Bomb Group (BG) Ragged Irregulars at Bassingbourn, the 303rd BG Hell’s Angels at Molesworth, the 351st BG at Polebrook, the 379th BG The Grand Slam Group at Kimbolton, the 381st BG at Ridgewell, and the 384th BG at Grafton Underwood were sent to attack the Arado factory at Anklam. 100 more B-17s from the 94th BG at Bury St. Edmunds, the 95th BG at Alconbury, the 100th BG Bloody 100th at Thorpe Abbotts, the 385th BG Van’s Valiants at Great Ashfield, and the 390th BG Wittan’s Wallopers at Framlingham were dispatched to bomb the Focke-Wulf plant at Marienburg.

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93rd Bomb Group B-24. Image via National Archives

Both Big Bombers in Action

The shipyards at Gdynia received the most attention from VIII Bomber Command that day. 164 B-17s from the 92nd BG Fame’s Favored Few at Alconbury, the 96th BG at Snetterton Heath, the 305th BG Can Do at Grafton Underwood, 306th BG Reich Wreckers at Thurleigh, and the 388th BG at Knettishall made runs on the target. Joining them were B-24s from the 44th BG Flying Eightballs at Shipdham and the 392nd BG at Wendling. Attacking the U Boat pens at Danzig were B-24s from the 93rd BG Traveling Circus at Hardwick and the 389th BG Sky Scorpions at Hethel.

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marienburg under attack. image via national archives

Results and Hap’s Take

American losses were 28 bombers lost with 123 crew killed in action, 35 wounded in action, 131 taken as prisoners of war, and 29 interred in Sweden. The gunners aboard the bombers claimed 122 Luftwaffe fighters shot down, 32 probables, and 57 damaged. The Fw-190 assembly plant at Marienburg was particularly heavily hit. VIII Bomber Command sent 98 bombers to bomb the place again exactly six months later. General Henry H. “Hap” Arnold called Mission 113 “The greatest strike ever.” If you watched the film you now know from where much of the footage used in other bomber movies came.

Gdynia post-strike assessment. Image via national archives

Akron Classmates Achieved High-Flying Careers as Astronaut, Blue Angel

Charles Atkeison
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Akron Classmates Achieved High-Flying Careers as Astronaut, Blue Angel

AKRON, Ohio — Two high school classmates driven early by different goals found themselves a decade later working in similar career fields — one a top naval aviator and one a NASA astronaut.

On June 6, 1966, Stuart Robinson Powrie and Judith Arlene Resnik graduated with their senior class from Firestone High School. Their families and the educators at the Akron, Ohio school, inspired the two to climb higher and travel farther.

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The Firestone High 1965 yearbook “Volplane” featured two future aviators. (Charles Atkeison)

Stu (as he liked to be called) was a competitive swimmer during high school and later at the U.S. Naval Academy. In 1970, Powrie graduated from the academy, but not before he set two Navy records as a competitive swimmer.

Judy loved classical piano, however, she loved mathematics even more during high school. She even earned a perfect score on her SAT exam. In 1970, she graduated from Carnegie Mellon University with a B.S. degree in electrical engineering.

Stu earned a Master of Science degree in aeronautical engineering in 1975. This lead to a job at the Pacific Missile Test Center at Pt. Mugu, California.

After Carnegie Mellon, Judy joined RCA as a Missile and Radar Projects design engineer. In 1975, she began attending classes at the University of Maryland. She graduated with a Ph.D in electrical engineering two years later.

Dr. Resnik also earned her pilot’s license in 1977, and she quickly became a top aviator. She also began to shift her job focus to new heights — a career in aerospace.

Judy wanted to become an astronaut, and for the first time, NASA was hiring new candidates for their upcoming space shuttle program. She was selected in 1977 as part of the new astronaut candidate class.

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LCDR. Stu Powrie was chosen as the Slot pilot for the Navy’s Blue Angels in 1980. (US Navy)

In October 1980, LCDR Powrie was chosen as a pilot for the Navy’s Flight Demonstration Squadron. Known as the Blue Angels, he trained and served as the opposing solo as Blue Angel 6 during 1981.

Stu performed at air shows across the United States and Canada during the Blue Angels season. He also visited hospitals and schools during the squadron’s public outreach programs.

During autumn of 1981, Stu elevated to the position as the lead solo pilot with the Blues. The team returned to their winter training home in January at NAF El Centro in southern California.

On February 22, 1982, Stu was completing the Dirty Loop maneuver during a Blue Angels training flight at El Centro. His A-4F Skyhawk stalled and he crashed into the desert floor. He died at the scene.

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astronaut Judy Resnik returns from a T-38 Talon flight at Ellington Airfield near Houston. (NASA)

In August 1984, Judy made it to space aboard shuttle Discovery’s maiden flight. She assisted with the deployment of three satellites and tested a new 100-foot solar array. After six days in orbit, Discovery’s crew of six landed at Edwards AFB in California.

Judy next launched aboard the space shuttle Challenger on January 28, 1986. As Challenger rose into a blue Florida sky, its external tank ruptured 73 seconds into flight. Flames from a faulty solid rocket booster seal had penetrated the fuel tank’s skin.

The force of the explosion shattered the orbiter, separating the crew cabin and sending it up and away. Three minutes later, the cabin splashed down in the Atlantic waters with a force of nearly 200 times that of gravity. Challenger’s crew of seven astronauts were killed.

Today, inside Firestone Community Learning Center’s atrium, trophies and banners highlight the school’s past achievements. High above the open area, a school hall-of-fame features glass mounted glossy photographs of several former students.

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Photographs of Stuart Powrie and Judith Resnik adorn the walls of their alma mater. (Charles Atkeison)

Side-by-side, U.S. Navy pilot LCDR Stu Powrie and NASA astronaut Dr. Judy Resnik hold the last two positions. Their portraits face the front entrance to Firestone reflecting upon the faces of future scholars.

(Charles A. Atkeison reports on aerospace and technology. Follow his updates via social media @Military_Flight.)

Movie Props: Those ‘Thirteen Days’ RF-8A Crusaders

Bill Walton
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Movie Props: Those ‘Thirteen Days’ RF-8A Crusaders

Accuracy in the Film ‘Thirteen Days’ Was Better Than Average, But…

In the 2000 Beacon Pictures/New Line Cinema film ‘Thirteen Days’ there are great pains taken to make the dramatic events of the Cuban Missile Crisis look and feel as realistic as possible. To the credit of all concerned, the Department of Defense allowed filming on several bases as well as the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN-65). Museum ships like the USS Joseph P Kennedy (DD-850) were also used for filming of the maritime blockade shipboard scenes. However, we found a few holes in the visuals. First, take a look at the Light Photographic Squadron SIX TWO (VFP-62) Gray Ghosts/Fighting Photos Vought RF-8A Crusader photo reconnaissance mission sequence of 23 October 1962 from the film as uploaded to YouTube by Colt cat.

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When You See It

The first thing that jumps out is that GY tailcode for those Fighting Squadron TWO FOUR (VF-24) Fighting Renegades Vought F-8C Crusaders on the flightline at Naval Air Station (NAS) Key West. VF-24 was deployed in the Western Pacific (WestPac) with Carrier Air Wing TWO (CVW-2- tail code NE) aboard the aircraft carrier USS Midway (CVA-41) between 6 April and 20 October 1962. Therefore it is unlikely that VF-24 would have been seen wearing GY codes or hanging around at NAS Key West within a week of returning from WestPac. But the presence of all those Gunfighters on the flightline does make an impression. We know that VFP-62, along with a detachment of four Marine Composite Reconnaissance Squadron TWO (VMCJ-2) Playboys (tailcode CY) RF-8As and pilots were based at NAS Key West at the time.

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Image via YouTube screen grab from embedded video

Location Location Location

The shooting location for the RF-8A mission sequence was the former Clark Air Force Base (AFB) in the Philippines. In 1988, after flying from Cesar Basa Air Base since 1977, the Philippine Air Force grounded and open-stored their remaining operational former US Navy and Marine Corps F-8H jets. They did not operate any RF-8As or RF-8Gs. When Mount Pinatubo erupted just 15 miles from Basa the entire area was covered with volcanic ash, rendering the Philippine Air Force Crusaders entirely inoperable. But that didn’t stop the film crew from using the jets as props for the film. With new coats of paint and semi-realistic markings you have to look closely to spot the gotchas. We did.

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Philippine Air Force F-8H in flight circa 1977. Image via US Navy

Consistency is Key

Tailcode GY never assigned to VF-24. VF-24 wore G on their tails while flying FJ-3Ms and NG (usually) while flying F8Us, F-4s, and F-14s. VFP-63 wore PP. VFP-62 wore GA and of course Air Wing codes when detached. Tailcodes beginning with G were used primarily for Heavy Photographic (VAP), Heavy Attack (VAH) and Heavy Attack/Photographic (RVAH) squadrons. The tailcodes on the supposed RF-8As is correct for VFP-62 (GA) though, as are the Bureau Numbers (BuNos). Both 146871/GA910 and 146886/GA906 were assigned to VFP-62 during 1962 and were flown on the mission depicted in the film by the pilots shown. For this writer the final word on the events during October and November 1962 is William B Ecker’s book Blue Moon Over Cuba. Ecker was not only there, he was the CO of VFP-62 at the time. It’s a great book.

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Image via YouTube screen grab from embedded video

Stand Ins Not Quite Standing Up

Some other inconsistencies surface when one researches the timing of events. The F-8Hs playing the role of RF-8As in the film were dressed up to look like RF-8As but the grafted on flat panels for the camera bays are obvious- especially when the jets taxi in after returning from Cuba. The RF-8A also lacks the prominent nose-mounted infrared seeker head (IRST) and the ventral strakes seen on the jets in the film. The camera bay where the Photographers Mate (PH) is working isn’t very realistic and we’re not convinced about those film canisters either.  So the F-8Hs did a decent if not quite believable job as RF-8As in the film. Another inconsistency is that CDR Ecker actually recovered at NAS Cecil Field in Jacksonville, hot refueled, and then flew directly to Washington to deliver the film he shot on the mission dramatized in the film- not back to Boca Chica for a cold one. He deserved to, but he didn’t.

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Image via YouTube screen grab from embedded video

Giving It Away

The shooting location was given away when mountains appeared in the distance during the takeoff. The Philippines have mountainous terrain visible from runways. The only towering mountains near Key West are made of Cumulus clouds! In several cases the ground equipment (yellow gear) shown in the film is either period-inaccurate or wasn’t used at Naval Air Stations at all. We could get into the other inconsistencies in the film (there are a few more) but suffice it to say that VFP-62 did a great job, deserving and receiving a Navy Unit Commendation (the first in peacetime) from President John F Kennedy himself on 26 November 1962.

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Image via NAtional Naval Aviation Museum

Trivia Alert

Ironically both of the jets flown on that 23 October 1962 mission were operational losses after being upgraded to RF-8G standard while flying with VFP-63 Eyes of the Fleet later in their service lives. 146871 entered service with VFP-62 in 1960 and later served with VFP-63, was stored at the Boneyard in 1975 and returned to service with VFP-63 before she was lost to a bad cat shot on 2 December 1976. 146886 entered service in 1961 with VFP-62 and served with both VMCJ-3 and VFP-63 before she was shot down over Vietnam near Vinh on 22 May 1968.

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Image via YouTube screen grab from embedded video

The actor who played CDR William B. Ecker (pilot of 146871/GA910) in the film is Christopher Lawford- the son of Patricia Kennedy Lawford and the nephew of President John F “Jack” Kennedy and brother Robert “Bobby” Kennedy. Ecker retired as a Captain and passed away on 5 November 2009.

The actor who played LT Christopher Bruce Wilhelmy III (pilot of 146886/GA906) is David O’Donnell- the grandson of Kenneth “Kenny” O’Donnell. Wilhelmy’s name is often misspelled as ‘Wilhemy’ but not in the film. Wilhelmy perished when the North American T-28B Trojan he was flying shed its wings on 17 February 1966.

There was much more to the story of the RF-8A photographic reconnaissance mission over Cuba. More than 70 sorties were flown by VFP-62 and VMCJ-2 pilots between 23 October 1962 and 13 November 1962. All 16 of the pilots who flew the Operation Blue Moon missions received the Distinguished Flying Cross.

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Former VFP-62 RF-8A crusader at USS Alabama museum. image via author
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