Quote:
Originally Posted by red 928
how would you like to have to mow that lawn?
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That is what a small heard of sheep are for.
A hardworking farmer plowing his fields in rural Indiana, circa early 1900s
Lewis Burwell "Chesty" Puller
He was a colorful veteran of the Korean War, four World War II campaigns and expeditionary service in China, Nicaragua and Haiti. He was one of the most decorated Marines in the Corps and the only Leatherneck ever to be awarded the Navy Cross 5 times for heroism and gallantry in action.
Chief Iron Tail, cranking an automobile, 1915.
June 22nd 1954 Heinemann's Rocket, The Bantam Bomber, The Tinker Toy, also known as the famed A-4 Skyhawk, first flew from Edwards Air Force Base, Californa. Deliveries to Navy and Marine Corps squadrons (to VA-72 and VMA-224 respectively) commenced in late 1956. The famous delta winged, single-engined Skyhawk was designed and produced by Douglas Aircraft Company, and later McDonnell Douglas.
A little known fact: The A-4 was designed to be capable in the event of a hydraulic failure, to land on the two drop tanks nearly always carried by these aircraft. Such landings resulted in only minor damage to the aircraft which could be returned to flight status in less than an hour.
The A-4 also pioneered the concept of "buddy" air-to-air refuelling. This allows the aircraft to supply others of the same type, eliminating the need for dedicated tanker aircraft—a particular advantage for small air arms or when operating in remote locations.
Skyhawks extremely long operational service played key roles in the Vietnam War, the Yom Kippur War, and the Falklands War. Fifty years after the aircraft's first flight, some of the nearly 3,000 produced remain in service with several air arms around the world.