Quotes and Jokes (5 Viewers)

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I love the "Caged Gyro"that seems to be a hamster in a wheel wearing a crash helmet. And the ball on the far Right side that says OOPS!

Also the "TDY Money" gauge, and the lights marked "Panic," "Tech Rep," and "Chaplin."

The control on the panel that says "CHOKE" made me wish I had an instrument panel that could have that one as well as two others next to it that say "PUKE" and "GAG."
 
That checklist reminded me of photo I took of an aircraft checklist in PNG in the 70's. My (much later) bro-in-law purchased the aircraft from a mission that was shut down by CAA after a totally preventable fatal accident. Four or five aborted takeoffs because of massive engine surge and backfiring followed by takeoff and engine failure. The pilot had the choice of a golf course almost straight ahead or turning back. He stalled turning back.

The brand new Aztec had a checklist in the middle of the control specs that said (as far as I can remember) prayer, start engines, prayer, taxi clearance, prayer, taxi, prayer, clearance, prayer, takeoff.
 
In 1956 when some fellow Civil Air Patrol cadets returned from an European exchange trip to Spain, we were told of one of their Ju 52 flights where the crew chief started the engines, tuned and adjusted them, and when satisfied, tapped the pilot. The pilot and co-pilot then crossed themselves and firewalled the three throttles.
 
Thinking back to the stories they related about their two weeks is Spain, There were these:

Cadets were given rides and stick time in Bu 131s. One cadet told of his pilot flying to a small town near the base where the pilot's girlfriend worked in the bank, the tallest building in town (four floors), and flying down the street at window level. Another cadet with another pilot told of seeing a train, and the pilot flying down alongside the engine and with circular motion hand signs, challenged the engineer to race. The fireman was seen frantically shoveling coal into the boiler and as the train just began to pull ahead the pilot pulled hard up to almost 60 degrees. Tunnel! At Torrejon, their escort assigned to them was a Spanish AF Captain, in a body cast from just under his shoulders to just below his knees using crutches, who was chosen (he said) because he was the only officer who spoke English. I personally doubt he was only officer English speaker on base but the cadets said they found no one else while they were there. When finally asked about his injuries, he told them he flew into a fence post in his Mustang.
 
I love this stuff.
 
OK, a few more which should not result in prosecution:
After the cadets' two week trip was over, the USAF ? could not pick up the guys. It was decided by those above the locals' paygrade that the Spanish AF would fly the cadets to France to be picked up. There they were sent to Germany for the flight home, but that didn't happen so they were flown to the UK where they caught USAF ride to the US. All told, their 2 week exchange became more than 4 weeks.
The flights to France were on Ju 52s. The first had passenger seats just like the streetcars and busses at home with grab handles at the top outer corners. Once the seats were filled people continued onboard sitting on the floor or standing holding strap handles hanging down as on streetcars. The second Ju 52 on the relay had only one bench buss seat for two people while the remaining cadets and excess passengers sat crosslegged on the floor, some bringing with them chickens. This flight lost and engine over the mountains but flew on even slower.
While in Spain, one cadet who had logged flight time in the US before the trip was given sailplane instruction and soloed in a sailplane. Most of this stuff would have terrified parents here is they had known. Most likely USAF people as well. This was a different time from now. Many of my fellow male CAP cadets won service academy appointments and all served (the draft, you know) in the various branches, including some of the female cadets. Outstanding careers, F-101, F-4, AT-37 plus airlines. Enough for now
 
A guy I worked with had been a F-102 mechanic with a unit stationed in Spain. Their 102's were the usual light gray with black markings, but were getting worn. They were told they would have to fly their airplanes to Germany to get them repainted. They found a local company in Spain that would do the job at a good price and were told that was acceptable. The quality of the work turned out to be excellent but when done the airplanes were baby blue rather that gray and the markings were dark blue rather than black. They joked that the markings should have been pink! They thought the fighters were quite attractive but USAFE HQ nonconcurred and told them to fly their airplanes to Germany to be repainted. I guess this was the first Air Superiority Blue paint job, a few decades ahead of schedule.
 
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