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Monday, February 13, 2012

Lackland AFB Historical Aircraft

Today dawned cold and rainy, not that we saw the dawn, we were snoozing and dreaming.  When we did finally drag our lazy buns out of our nice, warm bed, we decided a cold, rainy day was not a good day to visit the San Antonio Riverwalk.  We may be retired and lazy, but we're not stupid...

Actually, this was the first rain soaked day we've had since leaving Oregon.  We can't complain, so alternate plans were set in motion.  Marti went to the base exchange and got her hair cut and a pedicure.  Me?  I stayed home in the Journey and watched The Magnificent Seven on a DVD.  Seems I've been craving westerns since we visited Old Tucson Movie Studios.

Late this afternoon, the skies cleared and the sun came out and started warming things up.  Looking over the Journey, it still is just as dirty as before.  The rain didn't remove any grime at all.  How come water can carve canyons, erode mountains to plains but can't remove a coating of dust from our motorhome?  Somethings wrong somewhere...

One really nice thing that Lackland AFB has (besides causing flashbacks from many of our blogging friends recalling going through basic training here when they joined the Air Force) is a parade ground surrounded bunches of famous aircraft.  Yep, history!  I'm in my element.  And best of all, these "birds" stayed still for me to photograph.  ;c)

Some pictures of World War II era fighters:


The P-51 Mustang, probably the best fighter of WWII.


If one P-51 is good, joining two together is better, the F-82.  This is a really rare aircraft, considering only 283 were built, to see one example live and in person was quite something.

The P-47 Thunderbolt, affectionately known by its pilots as the "Jug".  A big, heavy aircraft that was able to withstand all kinds of damage and still bring its pilot home safely.


The P-38 Lightning, called the "Fork Tailed Devil" by Japanese pilots that fought against it (those that survived).

There are other famous aircraft around the parade ground, but they'll have to wait for another day.  Tomorrow looks good for the Riverwalk and the Alamo.  The sun is supposed to be shining and the temperature should be lovely.  Maybe we can get outta' bed before the crack of noon.

One last picture, some folks in the campground, I guess they like Volkswagons.  Hopefully, the blue tarp kept them dry during last night's rain.


Thanks for visiting and feel free to leave a comment.


10 comments:

  1. One thing you could do is get out there next time it rains. At least if you had a sponge in your hand, you could help the rain remove that dirt. The sun is still shining brightly in Arizona.

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  2. I think it would make a great project to add up all the historical aircraft on display at US air bases around the the USA.

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  3. some times those 'maintenance days' are a necessity for us gals..glad to hear that Marti is keeping up her appearances!..I knew she would!

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  4. I thought I was over that time at Lackland 41 years ago.
    But since you brought it up in this post, I'm having bad flashbacks, and like Chief Inspector Dreyfus in the Pink Panther series, now my left eye is blinking uncontrollably.

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  5. Not having a military background, or even being on any military base..I just somehow picture Marti getting a pedicure by a soldier in fatigues. :)
    Happy Valentine's day!

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  6. We finally got a good rain here and I was just sure some of the dirt would be washed off, and some of it was, but not enough!

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  7. LOVE that VW duo. I sure would have wanted to talk to those folks. Bet they've got some stories. Let me know if you meet them.

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  8. I loved the beautiful old homes there on the base where the General's (I'm not sure of the terminology) but the big wigs stationed on base live. Those are some gorgeous places.

    We aren't military, but when we were activities directors for a park in SA our friend took us over for a tour of the base. . .

    Janice
    ReadyToGoFullTimeRVing.com

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  9. Can you believe that our first "motorhome' was a VW bus? We've come a looong way since we have a Journey now. :-)
    Syl

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