#129 - Having explored the perimeter of the base, we knew of a low spot under the fence near the train yard where we could drag ourselves and our bikes underneath, hopefully unseen by the guards at po
Great post, James. Living near an air base, so cool. Lots of adventure, real and imagined. You capture the innocence, imagination, and enthusiasm of youth. Yeah, a house at the end of a runway will probably be abandoned. I wonder what the market value would be? My friends and I lived on our bicycles in the summer. They had the Stingrays. I had the traditional 24" Huffy. I could never do a wheelie on that thing.:)
If we had wheels we had everything. Really opened things up. I don't remember what kind I had, a Schwinn of some sort, I think. It took a lot of abuse. No wheelies that I remember. Thanks, K.C.
Thank you, Ron, for sharing this fine memoir with us. I have no experience of air bases or haunted houses, but I was right there on my bicycle with you. Beautiful.
Claire Chennault is one of America’s unsung heroes. At least they named an Air Force base after him.
When I was a kid, I read everything I could find about him and his American Volunteer Group in China before the bombing of Pearl Harbor and America’s official entry into the war.
His Flying Tigers helped slow down Japan’s invasion of China and were true heroes. Somewhere, I have an old copy of a book written by one of his pilots, “God is My Copilot.”
Hi, Switter. Yes, he led a special unit. I'll try to find that pilot's book, I'd like to read it, for sure. The shark teeth painted over the P-40's sharklike head profile is just so fitting. A bit odd though that shark teeth were on a 'Flying Tiger.' I'm not surprised that you would know of Chennault. : )
The book is “God is My Copilot,” by Robert L. Scott. I couldn’t find my old copy, so I ordered a first edition with a good dust cover from Amazon for about $20.
Awesome! I’ve been also fascinated by planes, but it came much later in life when we met our neighbor in CA who is an aviation artist (and pilot). He took me to Edwards where Mike painted a mural in the museum of legendary planes tested there. I share your love for these machines.
Hi, Barry. Thank you. I think it's great that we can see so much, in our lifetime, of the development of all things that fly. The harnessed power and technology. I almost made it to Edwards to see a couple of the shuttle landings but my 'going to see' travel time window was too narrow. I know of the museum. it is a must see, one day. Cool you got an inside look.
Great post, James. Living near an air base, so cool. Lots of adventure, real and imagined. You capture the innocence, imagination, and enthusiasm of youth. Yeah, a house at the end of a runway will probably be abandoned. I wonder what the market value would be? My friends and I lived on our bicycles in the summer. They had the Stingrays. I had the traditional 24" Huffy. I could never do a wheelie on that thing.:)
If we had wheels we had everything. Really opened things up. I don't remember what kind I had, a Schwinn of some sort, I think. It took a lot of abuse. No wheelies that I remember. Thanks, K.C.
"Afterwards, not so much." I feel for you, brother. Harsh life lessons intervene but we can still remember those heady days of youth.
Yes, I treasure my safe and sane childhood. I know for many others, it was not so. Thank you, Jim.
Thank you, Ron, for sharing this fine memoir with us. I have no experience of air bases or haunted houses, but I was right there on my bicycle with you. Beautiful.
You are welcome, and thank you, Sharron. I suspect you would've done the same if the opportunity presented itself. : )
Claire Chennault is one of America’s unsung heroes. At least they named an Air Force base after him.
When I was a kid, I read everything I could find about him and his American Volunteer Group in China before the bombing of Pearl Harbor and America’s official entry into the war.
His Flying Tigers helped slow down Japan’s invasion of China and were true heroes. Somewhere, I have an old copy of a book written by one of his pilots, “God is My Copilot.”
Hi, Switter. Yes, he led a special unit. I'll try to find that pilot's book, I'd like to read it, for sure. The shark teeth painted over the P-40's sharklike head profile is just so fitting. A bit odd though that shark teeth were on a 'Flying Tiger.' I'm not surprised that you would know of Chennault. : )
The book is “God is My Copilot,” by Robert L. Scott. I couldn’t find my old copy, so I ordered a first edition with a good dust cover from Amazon for about $20.
Thanks. 👍
Awesome! I’ve been also fascinated by planes, but it came much later in life when we met our neighbor in CA who is an aviation artist (and pilot). He took me to Edwards where Mike painted a mural in the museum of legendary planes tested there. I share your love for these machines.
Hi, Barry. Thank you. I think it's great that we can see so much, in our lifetime, of the development of all things that fly. The harnessed power and technology. I almost made it to Edwards to see a couple of the shuttle landings but my 'going to see' travel time window was too narrow. I know of the museum. it is a must see, one day. Cool you got an inside look.