Well this is my B-52 story.

Tuesday, May 14th, I was cutting wood with my chainsaw. I needed to change the chain and had the saw apart outside behind the shop. I went into the shop to get a chain and while inside I heard this loud roar coming this way. I said to myself “that is a military jet”.

I ran outside, looked up 30-45 degrees and WOW, it was a B-52 coming over the shop. It was low and flying fast. I dropped what I had and got my phone to take a picture. But no good. My fingers were oily and I just could not set up the camera. The B-52 was gone in a few seconds. Then I heard it make a wide left hand turn heading East, towards Louisiana. A friend heard the B-52 but never saw it. Thought it was a plane about to crash.

Later, I did a search and found a news article about the return of Wise Guy. I figured that may have been it making a tour of the area. This area used to be a low altitude military training route. Back 20-25 years ago I used to see B-52’s flying formation. And also A-10’s from, now deactivated, England Air Force Base, LA. Interesting times. These days, I get to see the B-52’s when I visit Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana.

Flyer good luck on that air show. Lots of aviation history in your family. It would be a treat for you to see that B-29. I love air shows and have been to many. Air Venture in Oshkosh WI. tops my list. Sun n Fun in Florida comes in second. Lots of warbirds at those shows. Also a few other shows in between. My favorite warbird has to be the B-58 Hustler since I worked on them 3 ½ years. What a bomber.

Barksdale AFB is having its air show today and tomorrow. Weather is not cooperating. Weather is starting to build in your area and down just west of Dallas. Will be in my area this afternoon. Threat of severe weather. The ground is still not dry here. Yesterday I mowed along the road side. But I avoided the middle swale area. Too wet and fear of getting tractor stuck in the mud. Oh well, with rainy days maybe I can get this model finally finished. Just a CG test for equipment placement. Then finally cover the fuselage; last thing to cover, hooray!!!

acdii that had to be thrilling to see. Such power from an airplane. After September 11, I was mobilized and sent to NAS Key West, Florida. With my ties to Florida, of all places to send me. Anyway, one day a navy jet took off and made a straight up climb out of sight. Impressive to see. And yes you get to feel it too.

Donny, yep mowing season is upon us. I still have much to do but weather is not helpful. The humidity was awful today. Worse to come. Lol. Any B-58 that landed at another base, usually a recovery team was sent out to bring it home. I did a few of those. It was a highly sophisticated airplane. Being a flight crew member would have been fun. We also has KC-135’s. I always thought being a boom operator would have been good duty.

The weather was on and off rain showers most of the day. The Barksdale air show lucked out on the weather. The Canadian Snowbirds were flying, saw them on local TV. I’ve seen them before. Weather system passing us now 8:30PM. Much later than forecast and not as bad as forecast.

I spent time in the shop. I reloaded my sanding blocks with new paper. They needed it. Then assembled the plane for a CG check. It came out just inside the rear CG mark, 7.5 pounds. So good to go. Still have a couple of thing to do up front then start covering. Forgot I still have to do ailerons too. Good progress here. Finally.

Donny, you were lucky with your motorhome. It could have been a disaster. You need to find the cause. Make sure your gas bottle is turned off when not in use. Scale models involve a lot of work and they take time. So I stay away from scale. I like to work on one plane at a time. Hopefully a quick build. Lots of interruptions has made this one my longest build.

Yesterday I was wrong about the weather. The system had moved thru the area but there was one, last, red cell still to pass and it was heading for my area. I stayed up and it hit around 11:30 PM. Well it turned out to be a powerful electrical storm. Hardly any wind, but the lightning lit up the night. The thunder shook the house. Raindrops were coming down gallon size. I have never seen so much rain from one storm cell. My Lab outside was going crazy. I tried to get her to stay in her doghouse as she normally does. Not for this storm. I finally let her into the house where she finally settled down. The storm took 45 minutes to pass and it put on a show. Rain gauge reads 3 3/4 inches.

Hey Flyer. Happy Anniversary, the best to You and Wife.

It’s all about the memories. If you can’t make the ride, then make the visit.

Here is a B-29 in case you have not seen this.

Donny good idea to keep the gas off until you troubleshoot the problem on the motorhome. It is a strange situation. You be careful.

Speaking of hot and muggy, yesterday I changed course a bit. I’m at the point I can’t handle the heat as I used to. I’ve wanted a roof cover over my slab to keep the sun off. I placed 4 steel posts for the job long ago. But it was an involved construction job. Being almost president of the procrastinators club, I always thought of the job tomorrow. Also, my Dodge truck has been without AC for about 4 years now. System has too large a leak. A scary trip in March said I need to get the AC fixed.

So, yesterday I got an opinion on a simpler roof cover and I’m starting on that project today. I’m getting parts pricing for a total AC system replacement. Hardest part of the work is you have to remove the dash panel. Fun fun. Hope it all doesn’t take too long. Then there is, as you say, the honeydo’s that need to get done. I’ll never finish the list. Lol.