Don't want to steal the thread, but Jim posted some pics earlier in the thread of Charlie Hillard flying his Sea Fury. I think Charlie is looking down smiling now. The aircraft is now owned by Joe Thibodeau, and raced at Reno.
Charlie's wife allowed the sale of the aircraft on the condition that it would be restored completely differently from the Lone Star Fury scheme that Charlie and Nelson Ezell designed. I remember the morning Charlie called me and asked if I would fly over to his hangar as soon as I could, he had something to show me. He was so excited about the Fury. I went to Phoenix with him for his first airshow and he dazzled them. We had dinner at the end of the weekend and he put the serious press on me to go to Sun'n'Fun the following week with him. I couldn't due to a shoot on the west coast, his crew called me from the site before they even got the airplane right side up. You only had to meet him once to know what a fine individual he was. One evening we landed from a long and particulary grueling air to air session, Charlie was running very late and there had been multiple calls from his wife to remind him of a committment they had that evening. We had said our goodbyes and Charlie was up on the wing of the Fury getting ready to strap in and bolt when a dad and his little boy walked up to the plane. "You're Charlie Hillard!" the dad exclaimed. He proceeded to tell his little guy just who this gentleman on the wing was. I watched as Charlie unbuckled and crawled out of the cockpit to meet these two fans. Before I knew it, the little boy was up in the cockpit and the dad was standing by him on the wing. Charlie, knowing he was going to get a whippin' for being later than he already was, spent a half hour with these folks and they left walking on a cloud. That's the kind of person Charlie Hillard was.
JW
Edited by JWilsonphoto on Sep 04, 2007 at 06:00 PM GMT
This beautiful Corsair was destroyed in a formation launch accident at AirVenture. The prop severed one wing of Howard Pardue's Bearcat, which has been flawlessly restored by the capapble hands at Nelson Ezell's shop in Breckenridge, Texas.
JW
Edited by JWilsonphoto on Sep 04, 2007 at 06:01 PM GMT
I could tell you that, but...... you know the rest. Seriously, I have been very fortunate that over the years, my images have been brought to the attention of people with substantial influence in both civilian and military circles. My deep respect and heart for our military men and women has had the side benefit of allowing me deeper access, even post 911, to that venue in particular. The shot of the B2 and our flag not only resides in the White House, a 40" image hangs in the Thunderbird complex at Nellis AFB, which also houses the Air Warfare Headquarters for the USAF.
JW
P.S. I don't have any Hellcat shots. Should though, my Dad flew them off carrriers in WWII.
Edited by JWilsonphoto on Nov 01, 2006 at 10:50 PM GMT (Reason: spelling)
Edited by JWilsonphoto on Sep 04, 2007 at 06:01 PM GMT
The Strike Eagle is just an incredible aircraft. The first aircraft in history that could climb vertically AND accelerate in the climb! The USAF decided not to use it as a Thunderbird platform because it's operating cost was so much more than th F-16.
JW
Edited by JWilsonphoto on Sep 04, 2007 at 06:03 PM GMT
The F-16, Boyd's attempt to get the brass to buy a pure fighter isn't too shabby either. Of course, like everything else they couldn't leave well enough alone. It also has more thrust than weight and will acclerate straight up. 41,000 fpm pulling a 4g spiral will get the job done. In a barroom knife fight I believe I'd like to be in one:-))).
Unless I misinterpret, I owe you a thank you for your service. It's only because of folks like you throughout the past 200 years that my family and I get to breath free air. My sincerest thanks!
Jim Wilson
Edited by JWilsonphoto on Sep 04, 2007 at 06:04 PM GMT
I bought three hours, the first how and I'm going to shoot touch and goes to see if I can land her. The rest of the time will be spent turning and burning with my little brother who is, I'm sad to say, is going down. At least they won't have to notify the next of kin.
