Airplane!

[markeb01]

I realize this is an older thread, but just found it while researching the history of your truck for the current TOTM contest. I’m not usually a fan of larger wheels, but studying the before and after photos it’s readily apparent how much nicer it looks with them. Beautiful truck and color selection. You got my vote.

It is so fortunate to be allowed to take the photos with the aircraft, not many people get that opportunity.

I’m reminded of the time a similar appearing Skyraider landed at Chu Lai airbase back in 1969 with battle damage. The pilot declared an emergency after suffering a 20mm hit in the centerline tank during a ground attack with his partner. So much fuel was spraying out of the plane it obscured the entire tail section during landing. The round came through the front of the tank, hit the armor plate under the pilot (resulting in a 6” dent about an inch deep) deflected back into the tank tearing a big hole in the bottom. This jammed the valve open and drained all the fuel out of the airplane. After he parked so little fuel remained it only amounted to about a six foot diameter stain on the ramp. He was very lucky to have landed when he did.

Our guys pulled the tank which cured the valve problem, filled him up and he was on his way. What surprised me most was the age of the pilot. I expected it to be some kid that couldn’t make it in jets but he was a guy in his 50’s, a self proclaimed retread from Korea. It was an interesting adventure and I was most impressed with the biggest single radial engine aircraft I’d ever seen.

That hangar photo is fantastic. The floor looks like you could eat off it.

[68Stepbed]

markeb01, thanks for the compliments and vote. Thanks for sharing your story as well. That's what I love about the old piston aircraft. They were rugged, tough and dependable, alot like the pilots that flew them.

[ol'blu72]

When I worked F-16s at Eglin I was able to get my car into the hangar and take a pic of my car and my jet. It was pretty awsome (even though the car wasnt a Chevy). Im thinking I am going to try to get my Blazer on the line here with a F-22, that would be AWSOME! Time to hatch an evil plan

[AusTx68]

Very cool! I wish my garage floor looked like that hangar floor!!