Alaska Bird

Fred Galey provided the following photos of a C-133A (tail number N199AB, formerly 61999 at Dover AFB) "still flying in Alaska," taken by his son, Fred Galey, Jr, from the cockpit of a FedEx MD 11 in July, 2007. THANK YOU, FRED & FRED JR!!!!

The following is a relevant excerpt from Wikipedia:

"Two C-133As have been in storage at Mojave Airport, California, since the 1970s. They are N201AR (ex-62001) and N136AR (ex-40136). They are owned by Cargomaster Corp, Ted Stevens International Airport, AK, which also owns and occasionally flies C-133A N199AB (ex-61999). That aircraft was never certificated by the Federal Aviation Administration for civilian operation. Thus, it must fly as a government aircraft, mostly for the State of Alaska, where the last known flights were in the summer of 2004. The ANC based aircraft flew test flights and then a real flight, carrying fire trucks and heavy equipment to the bush, on April 18th, 2006."

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I then Googled the Cargomaster Corporation mentioned above and discovered the following two websites with more description & photographs of their three aircraft. Click on Cargomaster on the Go! and Goleta Air & Space Museum.

C-133 1:100 resin model

There is a new C-133 model on the street. Cast in resin, it is imported and distributed by Nostalgic Plastic. Check the C-133 web site (http://www.angelfire.com/wa2/c133bcargomaster/home.html) for a thorough and positive review. There is a link to the dealer, who has quite a selection of other things.

The decal sheet includes markings for five different A- and B-models. Harry Heist worked with Chris Mikesh, at Nostalgic Plastics, to insure accuracy.

Cal Taylor

Book of the Month

ON BULLSHIT

by

Harry G. Frankfurt

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Now, here is a little writing of 67 pages that is absolutely delightful. Frankfurt begins the first sentence of the book by declaring "One of the most salient features of our culture is that there is so much bullshit." At our age we can certainly agree, but do we have a clear understanding of what bullshit is, or why there is so much of it? If that intrigues you, then this is the read for you.

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Frankfurt begins by developing a theoretical understanding through philosophical analysis of what it is. He does not consider the misuses of the term in one's everyday vocabulary. Rather, he focuses upon how and why it has become so prevalent, and the distinction between a liar and a bullshitter, given their sincerity when showering us with their thoughts.

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The crux of this distinction according to Frankfurt is "Both represent themselves falsely as endeavoring to communicate the truth." Development of this argument makes fascinating reading and has major applications to one's understanding of public officials, talking heads, news reporting, and, unfortunately, friends. Frankfurt suggests that bullshit becomes unavoidable when one is required to talk without knowing what he is talking about. His final thought is that sincerity itself is bullshit given the nature of other things. I will not elaborate further as that would ruin your study of this disease that is so common and has no known cure. But, I can guarantee that by reading this analysis you will be able to distinguish bullshit for what it is, and those who are the main propagators.

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Harry G. Frankfurt is a renowned moral philosopher and Professor Emeritus at Princeton University, and his work is serious even when considering this, heretofore, somewhat forbidden subject. As always, enjoy!

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Reviewed for C-133 Crewmembers by Rick Spencer

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To find out more about this delightful book, and buy it for $4.08, click on: ON BULLSHIT

Into the Sky Blue Yonder

Here's a link to a great video plus other interesting links like "WWII Air Museum" and "Fly Air Combat Manuevers."

Click on: Air Power

Hoot of the Month

Sandy says, "I don't see a problem here. He is wearing a safety helmet, and his marshalling signals look like they are "by-the-book". Obviously, it was also one of those HOT summer days. HA!"

Subject : How to get kicked out of the AF 101. A few days ago somebody found a pic of a KC-135 guy marshaling a jet in his underwear. The next day Airman Jerknuts of our grand 34th AMU decided to out do the tanker guy. I think our guy won! The chief lost his mind over this. He read 11 people their rights and they all lawyered up. The chief confiscated a bunch of cameras (not before the pics got put on laptops of course) The kid asked everyone if they minded, including the aircrew and super, no one cared. There's a huge cluster-gaggle with it. Apparently every lawyer in the AOR plus a few extras have to be flown in for this.

Old Photo ID

Jimmy Donlan provided the following old photos, plus one "more current" view of him on his lake with his friends, Bud & Bud Light!! The question is: WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE???? You can help identify them. Just click on the Comment label at the bottom and enter your information......

Check Terry Wall's Comment added below on 8/23 (THANKS, TERRY!!) He ID'd some of those shuffleboarders, and asked a couple questions. Any answers??


If you have more old photos, please send them to rehanson342@aol.com for Posting.

Smilin' Sandy

Sandy Sandstrom and the Dover AMC Museum "Project" on static display........







Sandy & Erich Hausner (thanks for the great photos!!!)

Smart-xxx Ground Crews

New "intelligence" provided by Richard Huey & Alan Harding:

Supposedly, it takes a college degree to fly a plane, but only a high school diploma to fix one. Reassurance for those who fly routinely in our jobs. After every flight, UPS pilots fill out a form, called a "gripe sheet," which tells mechanics about problems with the aircraft. The mechanics correct the problems, document their repairs on the form, and then pilots review the gripe sheets before the next flight. Never let it be said that ground crews lack a sense of humor. Here are some actual maintenance complaints submitted by UPS' pilots (marked with a P) and the solutions recorded (marked with an S) by maintenance engineers. By the way, UPS is the only major airline that has never, ever had an accident.

P: Left inside main tire almost needs replacement.
S: Almost replaced left inside main tire.

P: Test flight OK, except auto-land very rough.
S: Auto-land not installed on this aircraft.

P: Something loose in cockpit.
S: Something tightened in cockpit

P: Dead bugs on windshield.
S: Live bugs on back-order

P: Autopilot in altitude-hold mode produces a 200 feet per minute descent.
S: Cannot reproduce problem on ground.

P: Evidence of leak on right main landing gear.
S: Evidence removed.

P: DME volume unbelievably loud.
S: DME volume set to more believable level.

P: Friction lock cause throttle levers to stick.
S: That's what friction locks are for.

P: IFF inoperative in OFF mode.
S: IFF always inoperative in OFF mode.

P: Suspected crack in windshield.
S: Suspect you're right.

P: Number 3 engine missing.
S: Engine found on right wing after brief search.

P: Aircraft handles funny.
S: Aircraft warned to: straighten up, fly right, and be serious.

P: Target radar hums.
S: Reprogrammed target radar with lyrics.

P: Mouse in cockpit.
S: Cat installed.

P: Noise coming from under instrument panel. Sounds like a midget pounding on something with a hammer.
S: Took hammer away from midget.