HuggyU2

I'm no math major,... but with 187 aircraft purchased, that's a rather optimisitic price tag. By about a third.

Yes,... but I need it to qualify as a "warbird" for business reasons.

No Interstate??? Boooo!!! However, the other 99% of the advice is sincerely appreciated. Yes,... I hate to hear the "no 'fixer uppers'" mantra,... but deep down I know you are right. The L-2 has an 85hp on it... but not all of the glass like the bulk of the L-2's. However, he also has a very original Jeep, with a Rat Patrol .50 cal mounted on it. And it's plumbed with an oxygen/propane (I think) combo so than when you pull the trigger, it sounds like you are firing about 7 rounds per second. My wife actually wants me to buy the Jeep and use it to drive around town. Just what I need for a milk-and-donut run to the grocery store, me thinks.

WheelzUp is wise beyond his years. I have 2.3 hours in the T-38C. 1.2 in the front seat. 1.1 in the RCP. Not impressed. But... take that for what it's worth. I'm still "iffy" on my iPhone technology. Too bad the AF didn't buy the South American F-5 upgrade to the T-38 that Northrop-Grumman offered around '93. In the long run, it would have been cheaper. In any case, the T-38A is kind of like a two-engine, twin-turbine, JP8 slurpin', dual afterburning, supersonic bar hopping machine, modern day version of the venerable J-3 Cub. I love it.

THAT is a good looking airplane. I wasn't familiar with it. I've never heard of any Luscombe being an "L-Bird". I know Taylorcraft had an L-series aircraft that was produced overseas, but if this has an actual "military history", I'm completely unaware of it. That really looks slick, though.

Thanks Moose. Your answer is what I was expecting. Based on how low prices are now for aircraft with recent fabric, I was guessing that the labor would be cost prohibitive if I factored that into a purchase. I'm not an expert by any means on fabric,... and this L-4 has been in an old WWII hangar for about 15 years... but it's looking a bit rough. And you are spot on: yes, I'm looking for a warbird-type of aircraft. Doesn't have to be an L- or O-,... but for what I "need", that's probably the best option at this point. I want two seats, since I always want to go flying with someone else. I do like the Varga. A little small for the cockpit, but I did enjoy flying it. But like I said... I "need" that warbird background. Also,... if 100LL goes away in 7-10 years, I want something that will fly on MOGAS. No hurry though: plenty of opportunity to fly other aircraft for now,... and I've got a kid in college that is soaking up my excess income.

Would this be deVere's? If so, I've never been there, but have heard about it. The menu is impressive.

Thread update... We had to get rid of the SNJ. CAF was WAY too expensive to work with. Also, some of you have some great info and knowledge. So... Questions: can anyone give me a rough idea of what it would cost to replace the fabric on a Cub or Champ type of aircraft? what else have any of you had experience with that is "old and classic", and a two seat tandem? I looked at an L-2 and L-4 recently... both looked like a lot of fun. The L-2 was pristine. The L-4 needs a restoration.

Really??? Then I'll just be sure to tell the medical community that is spending a ton of time and money trying to figure out why U-2 pilots are getting DCS so much, that you have figured it all out. In fact.... I guess I really didn't need to fly to San Antonio this week and spend 2+50 in an MRI chamber, while they looked at my brain (yes, I have one... and it is above my waist). I guess all I needed was a bottle of Gatorade and 3 more hours of sleep. Silly me. And yes... by the time any of you apply and interview, the jets will be modified and DCS will become a thing of the past. To summarize: - don't sweat the DCS thing if you are "worried" about applying. - the U-2 will be around a while. - if hired, you can plan on being the bar officer for a while... it doesn't matter if you're a major or lieutenant colonel... it's your job to clean the floor and make popcorn every day. And if you don't like that then please plan on staying wherever you currently are. BTW... to those of you I met at Laughlin on Friday, it was good to meet you. The crud games were great too. Kudos to the AFSOC guys that shut the bar down with me.

JOC Night.... a moment of silence please. I do miss that.

About 3-4 years ago at Beale, one of our pilots didn't get as high a strat from the Wing as this person should have. When given feedback, said pilot was told "For example, you're not the president of the CGOC". So... said pilot decided to fix that shit. Somehow, the U-2 CGO's learned the bylaws, called for an election, ensured all the U-2 pilot CGO's got the word... and said pilot was elected to be the president of the CGOC via a hostile takeover. The non-Ops Group CGO's were NOT happy about this. Classic pilot solution: "I saw a problem, now I've fixed it. Next?"

Mmmm... maybe your entire class sucked? Seriously though... I would have no further "bright ideas" on your difficult time at PIT.

Well, stract, your "intuition" was correct. We will not be bringing a U-2 to D-M. However, we will probably bring a T-38A (not that piece-of-FOD C-model), and an MC-12... no promises yet, though. Go buy a lottery ticket... you knew more than I did.

Well... as a former PIT IP, I'd say that maybe you didn't perform well enough to PA out of the events.

Maybe... if all these folks put as much effort into their training as they do into the hours of worrying, bitching and researching this housing issue, they'd be out of PIT quicker, bust less sorties, and be better instructors. And, yes, I lived in the Q's when I went through PIT as a lieutenant. They were just fine.

It's about time!

I don't know the AFI answer. But no one has time to worry or care about what you are wearing in flight. Assuming your MJ's are polarized, that creates some "issues" with looking at the cockpit display (or so I'm told) and is probably forbidden. If you are getting ready to go to UPT, you will be wearing a helmet through the T-6 phase. I would not subject my expensive MJ's to that (nevermind the polarization issue). Get some gov't freebies. They don't look like much, but they work ok. And the price is right.

CougarDriver,... the tough part is getting the hours in a normal 3-4 year tour. That said, C-21 pilots do better than most. However... if the MC-12 appeals to you, then you should consider it. You'll get 2 months at Beale during your 10-11 months "in the MC-12", and it will give you a chance to look at the area, and check out the U-2. And if you decide the U-2 isn't for you, you will have the opportunity to transition to the MC-12 mission. If the MC-12 mission does not appeal to you, stay in the -21. Before you call us out in public, stract, maybe you should check with the one guy at Beale that works the Aerial Events issues for the Ops Group... oh wait!... That would be me! So... if you have an email from me or the 9 OG/CC saying we aren't going to be there, then please let me know. Thanks! BTW... if we do bring the U-2 there, please be sure to be at the Big House with us. Last time, we shut the place down. I don't recall any local drivers there when we did. Weak.

Best post of the month.

Two posts, and generating that kind of scuttlebutt? Impressive.

You know me, Spoo: all I really use is a Sectional. And I cannot deny using the charts, since there is now video evidence to the contrary. In any case, a rare occurrence.

Nice steal!

Let's see... - Rainman doesn't talk to the media - Rainman does not live in AZ, and has no vested interest. - Rainman is smart enough to be careful about saying something on an internet forum and increasing the risk for a lawsuit. "Well, I think that covers the flybys..." Questions?

Not necessarily "the best", but have you read "The Black Watch" by Ernie Gann? The events are true, and everyone in there except the main character are "real people".

The policy just changed. It is still very limited, but AFPC will entertain an interservice transfer for Navy/Marine/CG personnel that are accepted to the U-2 Program. For info, call the 1RS Director of Recruiting at DSN 368-4447.