Ed Rasimus wrote in message . ..
On Sat, 20 Sep 2003 20:06:35 GMT, Buzzer wrote:

On Sat, 20 Sep 2003 15:14:04 GMT, Ed Rasimus
wrote:

SNIP:
The C with it's wing fold hinge patches was a long way from "worn out"
and the patches weren't atypical regarding fixes for a lot of various
types and models of aircraft.

When tactical aircraft cost multiple millions apiece and when the
taxpayers deserve to get the maximum bang for their bucks and when the
Congress is reluctant to approve lots of new spending, it isn't really
a bad decision.
SNIP:

I agree, Ed, except the wheels that be could react a little quicker
when the birds are getting worn out. I was in the USAF when the F86Fs,
F100s, F105s, F4s and KB29s/KB50s/B47s/A26s all were 'retired' when
they started coming apart in the air. That cost us some good pilots.
The B52s and C130s got some heavy reskinning and doublers added to
prolong their lives.
I lost a good friend at Homestead in about 76 when the outer wing came
off during a max performance reversal - a 135* slice at .9M and and
7G- they were nose down and partially inverted and never got out of it
as the bird went into Marco Bay.
When I was working with the DC Guard out of the 31st TFW at Homestead
they were towing a 105 out of the hangar after an engine change. It
was going to be prepped for the required test hop - and a main wing
spar broke during the tow! That was it for their 105s - the previous
summer camp they lost a plane and a pilot when the spar broke during
the pitch-out for landing. Take any machine too many times to the well
and she will, some time, break on you. That, of course, goes for cars
too . . .
Walt BJ