Wed Jun 10, 2009 9:12 pm
The Army and the National Guard spend a butt-load of money sponsoring NASCAR teams, and I see a lot of people wearing their T-shirts.
FWIW, I think the AF Mustang's pretty cool. If Galpin built it, then it's going to be first-class workmanship all the way. Galpin's been around a LONG time (remember the '64 Ford Thunderbolts?).
Cheers,
FWIW, I think the AF Mustang's pretty cool. If Galpin built it, then it's going to be first-class workmanship all the way. Galpin's been around a LONG time (remember the '64 Ford Thunderbolts?).
Cheers,
Wed Jun 10, 2009 9:14 pm
Exposure is what they want, and what they will get. That car will tour the country going to car shows and other events. I bet you 10 bucks there is a line to sit in it.
Wed Jun 10, 2009 9:26 pm
warbird1 wrote:
I joined the Air Force because of the Thunderbirds! So there, you've heard of at least one!
Well, what do ya' know? There IS one.
I'll pass along that info.
Gary
Thu Jun 11, 2009 8:15 am
That's just not right. I get all excited to see Merlin power, and what do I see? 
Nothing even close! There is only 1 real Mustang. Anything else is a sad representation of the name. Talk about judging a book by its cover - I won't do that again (nice title - fooled me).
Tommy
Nothing even close! There is only 1 real Mustang. Anything else is a sad representation of the name. Talk about judging a book by its cover - I won't do that again (nice title - fooled me).
Tommy
Thu Jun 11, 2009 9:03 am
Sometimes it's not the Thunderbirds themselves, rather they're the hooplah that the advertising for the show is built around. Maybe that's the spark that gets a youngster to come out and see not only the T-birds but the displays, etc and realize the AF is something they can do instead of just seeing it on TV. Several times I've taken a C-130 to an airshow and I've always been surprised by the number of young people I tell "You can come do my job" and they look at me as if I'd come in from Mars. "No, really, get a degree, pass the tests, work hard, and you can do this too". I wouldn't belive it if I hadn't seen it myself - but many kids see that kind of thing as out of reach - which is a tragedy.
As far as budget goes, I can take or leave the Mustang car. It doesn't appeal to me - but it might to a 17 year old who aspires to be an auto mechanic, hydraulics specialist, or any number of specialties where they'll join for 4 years, learn a skill, and leave if they choose. Is the car a waste of money? Maybe, but as other posters pointed out, it's the government. Unless you want to run for the Senate to single-handedly fix the problem, that's their M.O.
My first airshow was around 1976; I was 8. (I was already an airplane nut so the show didn't sway me per se, however there's a big difference in reading about jets and seeing/hearing/feeling them fly.) The T-birds were there in the T-38. After the performance, my folks took me to the rope line to meet a pilot and get an autograph. We picked one guy at random and then left due to the crowds. I stuck the program in a box and, although I haven't seen it in 20 years, I assume it's still there.
Fast forward to 1998. I was in my second year as an airline 727 flight engineer. We were in Dallas and, as often was the case, a fellow pilot came in, introduced himself, and asked to ride our jumpseat to the next city. I did a double-take when I read his name on the form. "Did you happen to fly for the Thunderbirds around 1976?" I asked. "Sure! Wow, you must have quite a memory to know that". "Well, I was at one of the shows and got your autograph ... I was 8". "Wow ... you really know how to make a guy feel old."
Because the 727 is so loud, it's difficult for the FE to hear the pilots and vice versa - but the jumpseater and FE can talk easily. So, for the next 2 hours I enjoyed chatting with the ex-T-bird and, having flown the T-38 myself as an AF student, I truly enjoyed hearing his impression of what it was like to fly the Talon in the show. Pretty neat. That was one of my more memorable legs on the panel.
Ken
As far as budget goes, I can take or leave the Mustang car. It doesn't appeal to me - but it might to a 17 year old who aspires to be an auto mechanic, hydraulics specialist, or any number of specialties where they'll join for 4 years, learn a skill, and leave if they choose. Is the car a waste of money? Maybe, but as other posters pointed out, it's the government. Unless you want to run for the Senate to single-handedly fix the problem, that's their M.O.
My first airshow was around 1976; I was 8. (I was already an airplane nut so the show didn't sway me per se, however there's a big difference in reading about jets and seeing/hearing/feeling them fly.) The T-birds were there in the T-38. After the performance, my folks took me to the rope line to meet a pilot and get an autograph. We picked one guy at random and then left due to the crowds. I stuck the program in a box and, although I haven't seen it in 20 years, I assume it's still there.
Fast forward to 1998. I was in my second year as an airline 727 flight engineer. We were in Dallas and, as often was the case, a fellow pilot came in, introduced himself, and asked to ride our jumpseat to the next city. I did a double-take when I read his name on the form. "Did you happen to fly for the Thunderbirds around 1976?" I asked. "Sure! Wow, you must have quite a memory to know that". "Well, I was at one of the shows and got your autograph ... I was 8". "Wow ... you really know how to make a guy feel old."
Because the 727 is so loud, it's difficult for the FE to hear the pilots and vice versa - but the jumpseater and FE can talk easily. So, for the next 2 hours I enjoyed chatting with the ex-T-bird and, having flown the T-38 myself as an AF student, I truly enjoyed hearing his impression of what it was like to fly the Talon in the show. Pretty neat. That was one of my more memorable legs on the panel.
Ken
Thu Jun 11, 2009 12:57 pm
Totally Ghey!
Thu Jun 11, 2009 1:22 pm
Nothing ghey about a 600hp Mustang. Now it would have been coler if they got a few of the P-51A Mustangs.
Thu Jun 11, 2009 2:26 pm
I think it's pretty rad. Way better than the Blue Angels Vette. 
I think it will be an excellent marketing tool. But hey, what do I know. 
I think it will be an excellent marketing tool. But hey, what do I know.
Thu Jun 11, 2009 2:40 pm
I wonder how many "Paint Scrapers" the Navy gets with that Corvette? I'll bet it helps to have that ride at "Tailhook" parties.
Thu Jun 11, 2009 2:43 pm
Actually, this car was with a Corvette club on display at Jet Blast at Yolo County Airport, so it may not be an official USN recruiting vehicle. A common vehicle at the shows for the US Marines and Army seem to be HUmmers.
Thu Jun 11, 2009 2:46 pm
mustangdriver wrote:Nothing ghey about a 600hp Mustang. Now it would have been coler if they got a few of the P-51A Mustangs.
Ok, not as Ghey as
But not as cool as
The Lawman Super Boss toured with the USO to Vietnam and Germany and made quite a few passes down some runways.
The new Mustang is ok, but that interior made me call it out.
Django should've shown them how to do an Aircraft theme!
Thu Jun 11, 2009 2:53 pm
Haha, all my aircraft knowledge of the USAF contains an extra A. But I'm sure between both of my jobs, I could come up with a pretty spectacular campaign.
But I'm sure between both of my jobs, I could come up with a pretty spectacular campaign.
Thu Jun 11, 2009 3:58 pm
Jesse C. wrote:
Django should've shown them how to do an Aircraft theme!
Man, I was just thinking the same thing! Django's car rules!!! (Ahem...Chad, this would be a perfect time to post a picture
)
Gary
Thu Jun 11, 2009 4:20 pm
Well... ok.
Here is the feature article from Rod and Custom magazine.
http://www.rodandcustommagazine.com/fea ... index.html
It was a fun project for sure!
If you're not bored yet, go HEREFOR VIDEO
Here is the feature article from Rod and Custom magazine.
http://www.rodandcustommagazine.com/fea ... index.html
It was a fun project for sure!
If you're not bored yet, go HEREFOR VIDEO
Thu Jun 11, 2009 4:21 pm
That is one of the coolest cars I have ever seen.