North Bound to South Dakota

[Old and Reliable]

Bruce- thanks for the info. Sounds like you have a well organized hunting plan, allowing of course for the inevitable intrusion of "Murphy's Laws" of course. I'm going on a Birthday preserve hunt tomorrow- most likely will use the GHE 12--The same club (I am a member) will have a European of Tower release shoot on Sun 22/Nov--then a pick-up hunt afterwards- always a great event- I like the idea of us older guys (I was born in 1941) being blockers, and being a pass shooter at heart, that's my style- I would guess you have the rule of "only climbing birds or those clearly visible above the line"- same as with the Tower shoots- only birds above the top line of the Tower are shootable-sometimes we get a few (mainly hens-) who do a tuck and roll and wait for the static line to "pop their 'chute" just above the deck, they get a "pass" and we hope to visit them later on the "pick-up" hunt--

As to your USAF issue sidearm- S&W Model 10-- let's not forget the armament of your aircraft- 20mm cannon, .50 cal. M-2 Brownings--I assume the sidearm was part of the "survival gear" in case- hope that never happened to you or your crew, very hostile country both above and below the DMZ- and of course, as "Tricky Dick" told the American public- we never flew sorties over Loas or Cambodia, Ho Chi Min Trail nonwithstanding- Just wish you guys had the "bunker buster bombs" for that cavern complex astride the Song River in NVA territory-

If you want a good read that deals with air combat (partially) during that era, read Michigan writer Jim Harrison's story "Revenge"- deals with a Navy aviator and his Phantom fighter- some aircraft indeed- but no cannon or MG's I believe--

I had a 1911-A-1 for a TO sidearm when I made E-6, but was never a high expert qualifier- I have a Colt Python with 6" barrel and shoot .38 wadcutters for target work at our club's ranges- I also have a Colt .38 Detective Special for my CCW carry gun- one thing about a "wheelgun"- the springs are NOT under tension until the piece is cocked- what sort of pistol noontime competition do you guys have? Sounds like fun- I have my Dad's Colt MT Woodsman he bought new in 1940--That's the only semi-auto handgun I own, and it is a great shooter- a hunting pal has a Colt "Ace" .22 built on the 1911-A-1 design- it's also a great shooter, but not as accurate as the MT Woodsman (IMO)--The handgun is weapon to be mastered, takes a lot of practice indeed, IMO.