Continued, page three. VAC2004:
Bill Larson: Old friend George Skula left us a few years back. Big loss. George was Grumman's base manager at Kennedy Space Center during the heyday of the space program. He was in charge of the lunar module. It was the only flying vehicle that had to work perfectly without ever being tested in the environment for which it was intended. History will record it as one of the world's great success stories.
George later became Chairman of Grumman Aerospace in Beth Page, Long Island and his baby there was the F14
...the Tomcat...this one right here. Swing wing, 50,000 plus ceiling, max speed at altitude--mach 2.38; at sea level, mach 1.2.
It, too, should go down as one of the world's great success stories. But then, I may be biased.
Lest we get too wrapped up in mach numbers, though, here's a reminder of another time, another war: the Boeing Kaydet, first introduced in 1934, trained a lot of young pilots who went out and made history.
The L-39 is a Czech built trainer circa 1984. This one spent some time
with the Russian Air Force in the Ukraine. It has a max speed of 460 knots...not fast, but very maneuverable according to its owner, Wyatt Fuller.
Fuller's first warbird was a T6, which he still has along with a F86 that's almost finished. Last but not least, he just bought an A4.
Fuller spent 20 years with Braniff but that's not what allows him to buy his toys. You can see what he's been doing for the last 10 years every time a Harley Davidson roars down the street. He's Harley's only design consultant.
Used the whole runway and still couldn't get it off the ground.
The Valiant Air Command may concentrate on yesterday, but they know you have to start the future now; everybody gets a sample.
