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Note: I wrote this before the tragic events of last weekend so I'm not trying to make any comparison or commentary as to the deaths of LT Walker and the victims of the mass shootings.
I suppose that's a strange thing to say- a sad death. Like there's any other kind. At the very least it's a little redundant. Or maybe not. I'll be flying down to San Antonio next weekend, to help put my father in hospice. He's 86 and in failing health. For many years he's been a Timex watch- takes a licking, but keeps on ticking. He's been plagued with a bad ticker (3 heart attacks, 2 bypasses) since the late 80s, and diabetes since he was 40 (losing half a foot and the other toes several years back). He's in great spirits though, good with God, and ready to go. Not sure how long he'll be in hospice, as he's just slowly failing, but his end is coming. He's ready, we're prepared, but yes, it will be a sad death.
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The one above isn't actually a sunset shot. It's captioned "F-102 jets with their afterburners alight on a dawn bombing mission along the Vietnamese coast, 1966." My recce skills have atrophied quite a bit because at first glance I thought these were Mirages. Mirages- I guess that's sort of an unintentional pun.
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If you look closely, you might be able to see the tail flash. It's a Swiss Air Force Hornet. That reminds me, what's the best thing about Switzerland? Well, I'm not sure, but their flag's a big plus.
That's not much of a picture. Good sunset, but low resolution, so here's a couple more Swiss jets.
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F-18 above, or the F-16 below. I think the Hornet did it better.
This one got loaded before his night out.
Who let that guy in here? Nice shot nevertheless.
Like most of these, I found this one on Pinterest. I'm not sure if it's a real photo, or a screen grab from TOP GUN. By now you've probably seen the trailer for TOP GUN - Maverick. It looks pretty good. I'm sure it'll be panned by aviators, but every one of them will go and see it, probably more than once, just like the original. Of course the meme warriors made quick fun of it. If you haven't watched the trailer, take a look, then the meme.
Notice at the end of the trailer there's a Tomcat flying off into the sunset? I don't know anything about the movie, but I'm going to guess it borrows a plot line from both history and Clint Eastwood. Notice the test pilot plaque and space suit? Now think Gary Powers and Firefox.
Enough for today's post. I'll leave you with this talented guitar player.
*A pinky is a landing at dusk that counts for a night flight since it's after sunset (when the sky is a shade of pink).
Nothing like a little jets and sunsets to start the day. Good stuff Tuna!
ReplyDeleteBest thing about Switzerland........my vote is for the K31. Excellent choices on the photos Tuna, that last one still has me chuckling.......
ReplyDeleteWe'll add your Dad to the list Tuna, If you need a break, our guest house is available.
ReplyDeletePics of Jets are always good.
That's' very kind of you Juvat, thanks.
DeleteOops, I forgot to mention, that second photo, who (besides me) knows what aircraft that is?
ReplyDeleteNot an Eagle, therefore...Target!
DeleteNow, if Beans would just stop griping
Don't tell me I posted a picture of a Chinese J-10.
DeleteWhy yes, yes you did. 🤣
DeleteSo...I was right....Target!
DeleteOh yeah.
DeleteWhy would I be griping about it not being a Grippen.
DeleteTarget! Maybe the ROKs or Singapore will shoot it down.
There are prayers here, Tuna, for your dad. It is hard, even when expected.
ReplyDeleteThe Deuce pictures show two "F's" and a "TF", I think. Bombing - not really. We, er they, were used to inderdict the trail in the early 60's. The two guys in the TF would ground radar/radar altimeter fly around in the dark and try to find something moving that looked suspicious. Four eyes, ya know. As far as I can remember, there were only the mighty 2.75 FFARs for ordinace. There were some Hughes sand-seekers in the bay for high altitude stuff, but I don't think they'd be real good at anything like a truck unless they were just "sort of aimed and sort of shot". The most exciting part of the mission was that it was SOOOO Secret and you, er they, got money. The picture looks like it was taken from the backset of a T-Bird maybe. I forget what they looked like.
Thanks Dave- good stuff. Sounds like a guest post may be in order.
DeleteNice planes. There's something about sunrise and sunset that can bring out the poetic side in even the most humdrum plane. Being on Kwajalein in the early 70's, it was watching the MAC C-141s every hour on the hour, but especially at dawn and dusk. A gorgeous plane, one of the few planes that got replaced by an equally capable or more capable aircraft in the last 4 decades (the C-17, while not as sleek looking, has done a good job of replacing the -141s.)
ReplyDeleteThe two foreign planes in the photo mix kind of threw me off.
And I have always wondered why the Swiss bought F-18s. I mean, buy a carrier-landing design for a landlocked country? Makes me wonder if some of their short fields have arrestor cables set up.
Thanks beans. There's something about the colors of the sky at sunset that just give me a sense of calm. I think we really push the export variant of the hornet, so it's sort of like a Toyota Hilux, a good quality vehicle that is easy to get parts for!
DeleteAnd my thoughts go with you. My dad died unexpectedly in supposedly good health, so I did not get to experience the slow decline. Take care of yourself. And, yes, take juvat up with his hosting offer if you need it. Always good to have friends in foreign lands, so to speak.
ReplyDeleteJust realized that I have been remiss in not offering solace for your Dad, Tuna. Thoughts and prayers my friend.
ReplyDeleteTuna, thoughts and prayers for your Dad and your family. My Dad was in hospice for nineteen days so...... God Bless.
ReplyDeleteThoughts and prayers for you and your dad. My own dad was a widower and died alone. I got the call the next day after a friend found him at home. It wasn't until after the fact that we found out just how bad his cardiovascular really was. He knew, but never let on. He had beaten cancer once, and I think had had enough of hospitals and all that. He just decided to ride out the river come what may. I was OK with that.
ReplyDeleteThey say that when an old man dies, somewhere a library burns. I believe that.
That's a very prophetic. Thanks
DeleteThanks for the kind words for my father everyone. But like the Monty Python skit, he's not dead yet! Your prayers are appreciated.
ReplyDeleteWhat, no comments on the dad joke everyone? Other than nylon of course.
ReplyDeleteLove the Python reference.
DeleteWell, contrary to popular opinion, some of us here do have things to do with our daily lives. (Schedule a nap, vacuum the house, cut toenails...)
DeleteSarge, I meant the Swiss joke. I tell jokes to make people laugh, or to make them groan- either way I laugh!
DeleteDamn! I did chortle with glee when I read that. Guffawed even. (Flag is a big plus, for those like me who's mental density rivals that of lead...)
DeleteTuna, my condolences for your Dad. When mine was in his last decline, a commenter at my place left some wisdom for me that has been a great comfort, about the visits before the end:
ReplyDeleteWhatever yo think you shouldn't say,
Whatever you think you can't say,
Whatever you think you won't say,
Say it.
I have many regrets of my years with my Dad, but not that there was anything left to say between us. That has been a great comfort these last years.
Good luck to your Dad, and to you. Fair winds and following seas to him.
Thanks. We're pretty square. We weren't always, but it got better. No regrets.
DeleteNot sure what to say about your Dad, tuna, but prayers sent.
ReplyDeleteAnd a new "Top Gun"? Two tickets, please.....
Great picture choices Tuna. I'll add you and your family to my prayer list.
ReplyDeleteAs we old farts see our country fading away, I always think of this song. It goes along with sunsets.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TeIAqLcIiVE
Goes quite well! Never heard that one before.
DeleteOh, and Tuna... Hang in there. It's going to get worse before it gets better. But we've all got your six.
ReplyDeleteRoger that. Always...
DeleteAs to "Top Gun," some people out there already have shown that 'Maverick' would have, after failing to attain flag rank, been kicked out of the service sometime in the late 90's or early 2000's at the latest. I mean, try to be somewhat realistic about some things...
ReplyDeleteAt least Kilmer is too fat to fit in a cockpit...
Guys and gals to go to NASA get to keep getting promoted even though they're "off-track" for a regular career. Maybe the test pilot gig was for that? Either way, it's hollywood so I'm not expecting much realism. I expect they'll try to explain in the movie.
DeleteI think the trailer sort of does explain when the admiral asks why Maverick's still a captain... in an oblique way...imagine the movie will get into more detail... and I was wondering about how the Tomcat snuck into a modern day tale (maybe it's from the Iranian AF?). but I'll go see the movie.
DeleteMy dad passed in 1996 - no regrets to speak of on my part, but still come across things I wish I could ask him about. His decline was slow and likely painful, although he never let on.. and even though expected, his passing left a hole that has gradually healed. All the best wishes for you, your dad and your family, Tuna.
Decades ago I read all the extant books of Wilbur Smith. I recall a phrase out of them. On parting, "Go with God" and "Abide or stay with God." When one is ready for the next step, whatever it is and has time to prepare, that's a blessing. My dad is slipping away now and has been since his stroke about 5 years ago. He was all better except a minor speech impediment which didn't keep him from being a reader for the blind as part of the Smithsonian's Read to the Blind program but....Smartest man I ever knew, slipping away one day at a time. Lex had it right. Rather go out wrestling snakes in the cockpit than slide into senility. Yeah, last time I saw him there was no danger of either lurking.
ReplyDelete