Welcome to- The Fountain Pen Community!

DWL · ***

The house just got buzzed by a pair of A-10 Warthogs! AWESOME!!!

InkaFX · Seasoned

More than knowing what they look like, I actually helped to build them back before Desert Storm!
I worked as a sub-contractor for Fairchild Space, where the electronics such as weapon system and Intervalometors were made.
At the time we were told the A-10s were just training aircraft, to be use out in the California deserts, no one was told there was an upcoming war to be fought.
I wasn't able to serve in the military due to having been rear-ended just after enlisting, but it felt good to have a hand and taken part in the building of such extraordinary aircraft to help keep our country safe and help free the World of tyranny!

DWL · ***

OK, that thud you just heard was my jaw hitting the keyboard. I don't know what to say. Thats mind boggling to me. I'd love to hear anything you can/will share about your experiences.

InkaFX · Seasoned

Eh, I guess it doesn't feel like a big deal to me, having done this stuff, but gladly share some stories as we merrily trod along.
I'd spent @ 20 years as a military sub-contractor, the A-10 Thunderbolts were just a fraction of what I'd worked on.
I've done stuff like building satellites for COMSAT, wiring harnesses for the U.S. Space Shuttles, computer systems for battleships & destroyers, worked on making changes to the CH-46 "Chinooks", helicopter trainers/simulators like a prototype for the H53s.
Being a sub-contractor meant times without contracts, which is why my resume includes so many things.
Between contracts I've done so many things I've lost mental track of them all, from the unexciting tire changer up to being a Master Gunsmith and Locksmith, a short period as a Wal-Mart Sporting Goods Manager before I needed low back surgery, worked as a mechanic for Ford/Toyota/Jaguar.

More to follow.......

DWL · ***

Dear god man, you sound like a Tom Clancy character...lol. I have to say it's truly a pleasure to meet and know you. I look forward to hearing about your life and experiences.

meanwhile back on topic, I've liked the Chinook as well as the Osprey and Harrier. All amazing aircraft in their own right.

HAHAHAHAHA How funny is this. Guess what i just heard fly overhead. My A-10's. If they stay true to form, they'll be back through in a few minutes. I need to be on the porch.

So rather than post individual pics, here's a link to the air show that Jefferson city hosted a year or 2 back.

https://s276.photobucket.com/albums/kk28/vintagedelights01/JC%20air%20show/

InkaFX · Seasoned

Tom Clancy = COOL PC games! I can wholeheartedly relate and I often have.
Interesting you'd mention that, it's definitely me to some degree.

InkaFX · Seasoned

Um, says I need to log in, you maybe have your album privatized?
https://s276.photobucket.com/albums/kk28/vintagedelights01/JC%20air%20show/

DWL · ***

whoops, brb

DWL · ***

FWIW, I'm not responsible for what, if anything you see if you go wandering out of that album...lol.

I'm jus sayin'..........

InkaFX · Seasoned

Hehehe, makes me feel in good company. I do stuff like that all the time.

DWL · ***

InkaFX · Seasoned

Oh man, bi-planes!
I've always wanted to go up in one!

DWL · ***

They were giving rides for $50 each. we just stumbled upon the show & were as broke as broke gets at the time. but it was still awesome watching them taxi, take off and play around. Getting to see them up close was just aweinspiringfacinatindrippingwithcool. The whole family really had a great day.

Frank · Admin

Scott!

Did you say "Jaguar" mechanic!??

You just keep going up a notch with me everyday!!

Frank:)

Got any XJS manuals lying around?

InkaFX · Seasoned

Frank wrote:

Scott!

Did you say "Jaguar" mechanic!??

You just keep going up a notch with me everyday!!

Frank:)

Got any XJS manuals lying around?

I surely did, Frank, Jaguar mechanic among other vehicles, although the Jag' work requests weren't anywhere as prevalent as were having to work on the Toyota vehicles [mostly SR5s like the 4x4s, the original 4-Runners with removable rear caps and Corollas] I'd worked on. I've probably only worked on @ a dozen Jag's in my time whereas I've done over a couple hundred Toyota & Fords up to rebuilding engines from the ground up ["crate" engines weren't available as they are now, so rebuilding OEMs was the standard]. The Jag' owners were the coolest, always gave me great tips when I'd do good work on their cars. One guy had an older, dark green [forget the name of the paint, just recall the color]� 12-cylinder Jag' convertible [XKE Series 3, I think? My memory fails me ATM and it was back in the '80s I did the work, sorry] that needed the carbs synched, a job the other mechanics didn't want to touch due to the finicky way they need to be synched, so I got stuck with the job. I also had to do some work on the positive-ground Lucas ignition system [nicknames "The Prince of Darkness" ignition system by mechanics in the day, due to them being finicky as well] although at this moment I forget what it was I did to it [what I did will come to me, when least expecting it, as it usually does]. When the owner came in to pick up his car he'd told my boss/shop manager he insisted the mechanic that did the work go for a test-drive with him before paying the bill. The entire ride he was just awe-struck by the responsiveness of his engine after I did the tuning, kept saying he couldn't remember when it ran so well. That car could pull @ 6 seconds to 60mph when properly tuned as it now was, something the owner claimed he hadn't experienced until I got done with it. Apparently others had tried to do what I did and failed, and this time he wanted the mechanic with him. When we got back to the shop he said "Hold out your hand, I want to give you something." I replied "That's OK, you don't owe me anything, you paid to have it fixed and that's my job." He asked how much I got paid, then when I'd hesitated he said 'That's OK, you don't have to tell me and I apologize for asking, but I can bet it's not enough for the work you do!" So just HOLD OUT YOUR HAND, I insist!". OK, so I did, and he crossed my palm with a crisp $100 bill, when I tried refusing it he almost got mad, so I took it. That's just one story that sticks out in my mind, that the Jaguar owners were some of the nicest and most grateful car owners I've ever come across. Just thought I'd share that with you.

Nope, sorry, I never have had any manuals of my own, they were all at the shop I'd worked in.
At this point in time I've forgotten most of what I knew, or as the old saying goes "I've forgotten more than most people know."
If I can be of any help, drop me an e-mail. Not sure what I can do long-distance and having forgotten so much from time & age, but I'd be glad to do my best to help if at all possible.

�

InkaFX · Seasoned

DWL wrote:

They were giving rides for $50 each. we just stumbled upon the show & were as broke as broke gets at the time. but it was still awesome watching them taxi, take off and play around. Getting to see them up close was just aweinspiringfacinatindrippingwithcool. The whole family really had a great day.

There's a place south-west of me near Orlando, an aircraft museum [Warbirds?]and place that also gives rides on occasion. there's a guy there that began restoring old aircraft many years ago and still does, has a massive collection now including old military aircraft. I'm not far from a small airport where I live, that also has owners of bi-planes that will give rides, but like you've said I too just never seemed to have the extra $ to make the trip in one. Helicopter rides are big here too, usually these tiny little things that look more like dragonflies than helicopters, kinda scary looking to me they're so small and the prop shafts so high off the mainframes/cockpits. Last time I'd seen a sign on the road it was also @ $50 for a ride in those, never have gone up in one.

With all the work I've done on military aircraft I've not once been up in any, not the ones I'd helped build,... notta. Kinda sad in some ways but still gets my heart pumping when I see an aircraft I may have had a hand in building, like the thunderbolts [also called Warthogs, but I've long forgotten how they got that name] always wondering if my hand-assembled hardware was inside. The A-10 project was particularly rewarding, when @ 5-6 years after I'd built them they were deployed to use as fighter/bombers. I did a little work on the electronics and cable harnesses for the old F-FB-111s ["Switchblade"] too, back in the '80s, never even saw one in person, only built the retrofitted hardware that was to be placed into them.

Man, I would LOVE to take a ride in any one of the aircraft I've taken part in putting together.

Frank · Admin

Cool Scott! Thanks! Good to know!

Yes, I have a '90 XJS (the "cat" I was referring to in chat),
Signal Red with Parchment Interior (Lighter wood trim-Burl?). 110K miles.

This is my second Jag, had a blue '86 before.
I have a good mechanic- he's actually a friend I hang out with now
(Tells you I spend too much time there!!).
He used to work at the Cherry Hill Jaguar. He's been on his own awhile.

The green you are talking about is either BRG (Think MB Ink), Jade,
or a really cool Bluish-Green that was called "Kingfisher Blue".

Frank

-- Edited by Frank on Wednesday 11th of November 2009 08:53:37 PM

DWL · ***

"There's a place south-west of me near Orlando, an aircraft museum [Warbirds?]and place that also gives rides on occasion"

I used to live in Orlando (15 years) and know that place well.

"Helicopter rides are big here too, usually these tiny little things that look more like dragonflies than helicopters, kinda scary looking to me they're so small and the prop shafts so high off the mainframes/cockpits. Last time I'd seen a sign on the road it was also @ $50 for a ride in those, never have gone up in one"

we now live in your classic Midwestern tourist lake town. there are 2 in the summer that pass directly overhead 6-15 times a day peak season. You couldn' tpay me to go up in one of those. With as much use and abuse those tiny things take, critical failure of some vital component is only a matter of time. Seriously, most of those places in our area are quite literally 'fly by night' set ups.

"With all the work I've done on military aircraft I've not once been up in any, not the ones I'd helped build,... notta. Kinda sad in some ways but still gets my heart pumping when I see an aircraft I may have had a hand in building, like the thunderbolts [also called Warthogs, but I've long forgotten how they got that name] always wondering if my hand-assembled hardware was inside. The A-10 project was particularly rewarding, when @ 5-6 years after I'd built them they were deployed to use as fighter/bombers. I did a little work on the electronics and cable harnesses for the old F-FB-111s ["Switchblade"] too, back in the '80s, never even saw one in person, only built the retrofitted hardware that was to be placed into them.

Man, I would LOVE to take a ride in any one of the aircraft I've taken part in putting together."

I can only imagine how that must feel. I hope you get to take a heartpumping ride someday soon.

Titivillus · Seasoned

The Blue Angels pratice around Pensacola during the week when they are not out touring & there is an incredible museum there.

DWL · ***

sounds incredible. get any chances for pics?