Wow, I wasn't expecting this to turn into such an EPIC thread... I'm in total disbelief at @JFingers photos
Even the most mundane topic can turn to awesomeness here due to thread drift that can be measured on the Richter scale.
So what's that like going back and forth regarding a big U-2 wing and a stubby T-38 wing? Do you have to put your big wing/small wing hats on interchangeably? I would imagine so! I fly with quite a few former USAF T-38 FAIP types at Delta...and they often comment on that stubby T-38 wing regarding how it can turn you into a smoking hole in a quick-like fashion. 馃槻
Nevertheless...that T-38 is a HOT ride! 馃槑
So... @JFingers how does a Brit go about getting a back seat ride in one of those rocket ships... or maybe just to sit in one on the ground? 馃槑
"talking on the big white phone"
Even the most mundane topic can turn to awesomeness here due to thread drift that can be measured on the Richter scale.
I would think Chuck Yaeger, arguably the greatest mid century test pilot, would say that his GMT was his true pilots watch. Of course, arguably for me, the 35.9 IWC Mark II is the prince if true Pilots watches though. A simple time only dial and good luminous is, I think, a better indication of a pilots watch.
In another life I had to do some of my air travel in the back of C130s, DHC4 Caribous et al.
Once I had become a seasoned veteran of this luxurious mode of conveyance, the novelty wore off and amusement was the only relief from boring transits of up to 12 to 14 hours.
One game we oldies played was to convince newbies travelling on the Caribou that the best seats were right at the back.
We'd always sit under the wing, the most stable place on the whole row of seats. The seats at the back were susceptible to every pitch/yaw/roll movement that those flying trucks made, and with that huge vertical stab (tailfin), the seats at the back were like a roller coaster ride.
On to the amusement.
When we noticed a few green faces down the back, we'd surreptitiously get a tub of fruit salad or other snacks from our IFRs, empty it into a chuck bag and then do a great rendition of a person hurling their breakfast into the bag.
You'd take a few deep breaths, look down the back to the greener faces and say "Ah! that feels better!", and then reach into the chuck bag, grab a handful of fruit salad etc and scoff it down.
They usually ran out of chuck bags on those trips.
馃榿
Howz that for thread drift (still aviation related though).
I have a 145.012-67 that was worn by an F4 Phantom pilot during a number of tours over Vietnam during the Vietnam war. Although not designed as a pilots watch per se, they have certainly seen service in the skies.
