However, even after 1,600 hours of fighter time, countless open houses and
airshows that I have attended as well as participated in, and many
Thunderbird
performances that I have watched, a low altitude flyby for my benefit (as a
spectator) still puts a lump in my throat and gives me a strong exhilaration.

I'm sure it will do this to me until I take my last breath.

Well Kurt, if we can get the tankers back up, I could probably arrange for you
to ride along in the C-54 at some point.
Certainly not during the fire season, but during a reposition back to the
tanker base at the end of season.

Not quite a D model Vark, but at least you can get up, walk around.




Ron
Tanker 65, C-54E (DC-4)
Silver City Tanker Base