“The Black Whip, Part 2″
With my twenty five cents in hand surrounded several dozen noisy kids we storm the Movie theater. Zorro’s Black Whip is about to begin. When we left last week Zorro was rescuing a Damsel from inside the Stage Coach as it was going off the Cliff.
Like wise last week I was staring at the Engine cover hovering above the wing thinking that I might have a ticket to Heaven before my Mother. Sgt. Spivey is now leaning into the Blister with me and assessing the problem. He has been flying on these aircraft for over five years and has experience a lot of strange things. This he tells me is new and he has to think for a few minutes.
While the Sgt. is thinking, this might be a good time to enlighten you on a couple things about the B-36. If you looked at the picture last week you might have visualize the plane as a long Cigar with wings. The Flying Cigar. This long cylindrical fuselage had seventy percent of its’ surface covered with thin Magnesium sheet metal, which has physical properties of being very light and the ability to burn like a 4th of July sparkler.
Sgt Spivey starts to talk to me and so you can listen to him with some insight, Sgt. Spivey is a Texas “Good Old Boy” with a heavy southern drawl. “Well Nelson, I sees it this way” he starts out. “If that there thing breaks loose and hits that number three Prop. We’s got big trouble. It could hit a blade causing the Prop to come off.” “That, my son might cause that there Engine Housing to collapse on the left landing gear under it and if that happens a wheels up landing is going to happen. This here Magnesium Cigar will become the biggest damn Road Flare ever seen in the State of Texas.” I’m not taking this very well and respond, “Spivey, I’m having enough problems with my Skid Marks without hearing this.” ” Well Nelson, you can always bail out if you want.” he said. I answer him with an “Expletive Deleted” comment.
Spivey then gets Col. Burch on the intercom and reports his assessment of our situation. “Here’s what I think Col. That Engine cover has lifted up into the Wing Vacuum above the upper Camber and appears to be quite stable. It should be okay until Landing. I suggest number three prop be feathered at that time because when those Props reverse that puppy is going bye bye.” Burch responds “Leon, gotcha, keep an eye on it and report any changes.” Spivey, just looks at me and laughs as he goes back to his seat. I shout at him, “Spivey, you Expletive Deleted.”
So off we go to Africa. The mission profile has us going to North Carolina, up the Alantic coast to Greenland, U Turning and coming straight down the middle of the Atlantic to the Azores then turning left and flying to French Morocco landing some Forty hours later. And just as my man Spivey said, on landing when the Props reversed that Engine cover just flipped up and over the Tail to be picked up and delivered to me after we parked. There is no substitute for Experience.
Now what about that the Secret Mission? Col. Burch gets his Navigator, Major Marr, on the intercom and says “Bob, your car is here” You have understand this crew. Col. Burch and his hand picked crew are the Lead Standby Crew in SAC( Strategic Air Command) and were responsible for training all the Flight Crews in the 492nd Bomber Squadron. They have a track record of excellence which elevated them to where important secret missions are entrusted. Major Marr is an interesting man. West Point Graduate which in itself sets him above most. He also, so the rumor goes, comes from a family with lots of “Old Money”. What I do know is what is told me by his fellow crew members. No matter where his plane lands there is always Staff Car waiting for him. That’s called being “Connected”. So off Major Marr goes not to be seen again until our take off three days latter.
Before I forget, remember the scene above from the Black Whip and the stage coach going over the cliff. Well at the start of the movie this time the view we have of the Black Whip and the Stage Coach is from the opposite side. As the Stage Coach starts over the cliff the coach door opens and Zorro, leaps from the careening coach with the pretty Damsel in his arms to safety. However at the end of this Chapter he finds himself again trapped, only this time in a burning building while again the screen goes Black. But don’t worry, I’ll finish this saga, so hang on.
In the mean time the Engine cover bent and dinged is delivered to me for repair and installation back to its’ Engine while Bomb loading and Weapons installation practice for the next two days begins. This Air Base where we are is on the North end of the Sahara desert and is just an awful place. “Bob Hope” once did a USO Show there and the classic Bob Hope line everybody repeats to us was: “I hear the Base Commander doesn’t report men who go AWOL for THREE DAYS because you can still see them WALKING”.
Three am on the third day Sgt Spivey and I report to our plane and perform our pre-flight duties. I notice the Bomb Bay doors are closed and Spivey says he performed any checks involving them last night. The Flight crew arrives at Five and by Six am we are off. I’m expecting another long flight but Sgt. Spivey tells me that we’re doing a direct low level flight home and will land around 5 pm Texas time which is about seventeen hours.
The ETA to home is right on and we land promptly at Five pm. As Col. Burch pulls the plane off the runway he announces that the Base Custom Officer will be boarding the plane and collecting our “Custom Declaration Forms”. This procedure is a Federal mandate for all planes entering the States from and Foreign Counties. Sure enough an Officer pokes his up through the lower compartment hatch and ask for our forms while asking “Anybody got anything to declare”. We all answer “No”.
That done we continue to taxi to our Hanger and shut down. We all deplane and walk to the hanger where there is a gathering of Officers with their wives. It was the damnest thing. There was food, beer and believe it or not music. Party time for the returning Cold War Warriors I guess. This revelry goes until dark (around seven pm) when Major Marr orders Sgt Spivey to open up the Bomb Bays and unload that Cargo Platform that was installed before we left.
I open the Bomb Bay doors and Sgt. Spivey and I climb up on the platform which is plied high with maybe a hundred or so boxes. They’re secured to the platform with cargo netting. Spivey and I get them unsecured and start to hand individual boxes to the many somewhat drunk officers from the party who are now excitedly standing under the platform. At one time I hand a box to the same Officer who was the Base Custom Officer that inspected the plane when we landed. This took all of a half hour to do this and when done I went with Spivey back to the Hanger.
There they were, all those boxes stacked neatly on the Hanger floor and standing before them was our Major Marr with a paper list in his hand. He would read off a name and the person whose name was called came forward and claimed a certain number of those boxes. This went on until all boxes were taken. The Claimants giddy with excitemet took their haul and left.
You see, this “Secret Clandestine Mission” assigned to Col Burch and his crack SAC crew was in fact the annual 492nd Bomber Squadrons………..
WHISKEY RUN
I'm a 74 year old man who loves this new medium of Blogging. I am also an Senior Manager in Send Out Cards which gives me a superior method of relating to the world through Greeting Cards. I have met and enjoyed wonderful friends who support me and actually LIKE me which is very rewarding. My online presence is growing and if I can hang on to life I will reap the benefits of establishing a business that will comfort me when I get old. Mostly however I Blog about my life which for some strange reason is well received. Like most of us the future is scary and the remembrance of older days give a measure of comfort. So I continue to reveal the past with optimism that the future will some day be the comfort of somebody else.38 Comments
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Another great post. I kind of like the old black and white movies. I actually went to the site and watched chapter 7 of the video series. It’s funny how the dynamite had XXX printed on the side of it.
~ Tim
Tim Colletti´s last [type] ..Facebook Tip – Organizing Your Facebook Friends
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Nelson Reply:
August 20th, 2010 at 3:50 pm
Yea Tim things were pretty hokey back then. I’m pleased you like the Part 2 ending.
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Hi Nelson,
You definitely have a knack for storytelling and your passion shines through. Enjoyed both parts and got a good chuckle from the animated picture
too funny.
Thanks, Laura
Laura paulson´s last [type] ..Create A WIN-WIN For Your Blog Commenters
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Nelson Reply:
August 20th, 2010 at 4:07 pm
Laura, thank for your visit. I get a lot of comments on the “causal Friday”. Some want to know if it is a likeness. I say no but my wife doesn’t agree.
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Nelson,
Thanks for sharing this story, got a glimpse of Zorro Black Whip on your link and have to spend more time watching it in detail, Hard to find these classics on my Digital Tv with 900 plus channels…Enjoy your weekend!
Chris Bernardo´s last [type] ..How to get 2 into your Business-Super Fast!
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Nelson Reply:
August 20th, 2010 at 6:35 pm
Thanks Chris for taking the time to comment.
Nelson´s last [type] ..“The Black Whip- Part 2″
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[...] This post was Twitted by prfuller [...]
Hey Nelson
You are a great story teller, I really enjoyed the read.
Peter Fuller MBA´s last [type] ..Something You May Not Know About The Law of Attraction
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Nelson Reply:
August 20th, 2010 at 7:00 pm
Why thank you Peter. I’m always please when people comment on my work. Again thanks a bunch.
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Hi Nelson,
I love reading your Blog…it always makes me smile. You have a gift for storytelling, so keep on writing!!
Make it a great day,
MaryKay
MaryKay Edelen´s last [type] ..How To Stop Going Broke In MLM – Free Download
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Nelson Reply:
August 20th, 2010 at 7:02 pm
Welcome Mary Kay. I glad I was able to put a smile on your face today. Your comments make me smile also. Thank you very much.
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Hi Nelson,
Whew! I had to stop and take care of our sick son, but I had to come back to finish Part 2. Thank goodness you were okay. You’ve got a true gift for the suspense in storytelling – keep writing!
Best,
Jennifer
Jennifer Akers´s last [type] ..Top Writing Resources
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Nelson Reply:
August 21st, 2010 at 12:37 am
Jennifer, hope your son is okay. Thanks for coming back. You honor me by doing so. Again keep your son close for he is more important than an old man’s musings.
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Nelson…great stories. I enjoyed reading the post very much. I will have to come back when I have more time and read part 1. Thanks so very much for the experience thus far.
Bruce Backman´s last [type] ..How to Create Ebooks- Video Tutorials- Audio Series and so much more by attending Crushers College
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Nelson Reply:
August 21st, 2010 at 12:39 am
So your part Chinese Bruce. Reading from the back to the front. Just kidding, but do read part 1 to understand the why’s of part 2. Thanks for dropping in.
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Nelson,
Your story telling is nothing short of amazing. I love the way you create the stories and explain them in a way that you can actually visualize as you read it.
Great job!
Lori
Lori Robertson´s last [type] ..The Importance Of Building A List Of Paying Customers and Distributors
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Nelson Reply:
August 21st, 2010 at 9:56 am
Why thank you Lori, that is most gracious of you. I enjoy a good yarn and I try to write for any other “Yarnoholic’s” out there. Your comments mean a lot to me. Thanks.
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Nelson,
Oh, the important secrets of the US government
So glad that whiskey run wasn’t your last… no one can tell stories the way you do!
Of course, now we all have to wait at the edge of our seats to see what happens to Zorro. Darn it all…
Thanks,
~ Pat and Lorna
http://TheCoolestCouple.com
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Nelson Reply:
August 24th, 2010 at 4:32 am
Zorro I think is okay. I saw him just last month. The guy hasn’t aged a bit. Pat, Lorna, I look forward each week to your comments. You kids are a badge of Honor for Canada. If it wasn’t so cold up there I move. Well maybe not, my Medicare Supplement is pretty good. Anyway thanks a bunch for dropping in.
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Nelson- As I look through your comments – I am not the only one who knows what a great writer you are! I hope you have that book started:) I really enjoyed part 2 – did they call your name to come and get a box too? Keep up the great work!
Glyna Humm´s last [type] ..Facebook Friend or Foe
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Nelson Reply:
August 24th, 2010 at 10:46 am
Yep, one case of Seagram’s seven. I used to be a heavy drinker when I was in the service. Not proud of it but I acknowledge it because I survived. Glyna thanks for the continued push. Who knows maybe I’ll get inspired and do it.
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Nelson – Once again you have me captivated. What a great story teller you are! Thanks for some great entertainment! Loved the outcome!
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Nelson Reply:
August 24th, 2010 at 5:03 pm
Thanks Steve. I only hope I able to as gracious to others as you are to me. Thanks again for your comments.
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Nelson,
Now there may be “other” contract pilots & planes bringing in packages for our fighting guys.
Loved it! Some things never change do they? These kinds of “secret missions” still happen, just with different players.
Thanks for an entertaining story,
Val
Val Wilcox´s last [type] ..A Mind That is Stretched…
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Nelson Reply:
August 24th, 2010 at 6:24 pm
Stuff like that has been going on ever since there has been an organized Military. Just the nature of the beast. But they deserve it because when the rubber meets the road they lay down their lives for others. Thanks Val for chiming in.
Nelson´s last [type] ..“The Black Whip- Part 2″
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Well that was a great ending to the Engine-Cover-Hanger (aka cliff-hanger?).The wait for the conclusion was worth it! No question, it was well written!
Cold war stories… one of my fav books was Blind Mans Bluff – sub “warfare” during the 70s mostly but before and after too.
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Nelson Reply:
August 25th, 2010 at 4:34 am
Blind Man’s Bluff by Sontag and Drew. Read it twice Richard. And it is one of my favorites also. Great to have you visit and comment. Thanks
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What a great storyteller you are Nelson! I love the way you described the accent of the Texan, so I could hear it in my head while reading. Makes a big difference to the story when that happens!
Julieanne van Zyl´s last [type] ..Everybody Needs A Dream
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Nelson Reply:
August 26th, 2010 at 4:11 am
What a nice compliment. Thank you Julieanne. I gather you might be familiar with those who have a handicap speech pattern. Thanks for you comments and please do come back.
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Nelson, I thoroughly enjoyed this post! You are truly a gifted writer! I really was not expecting this story to end the way it did, The mission being a “Whiskey Run”. I think that is the mark of a good writer! Anyways, thanks for the great post, and I am looking forward to your next post! ~Joseph McDevitt
Joseph McDevitt´s last [type] ..HTML – Understanding The Basics
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Nelson Reply:
August 26th, 2010 at 10:31 am
Joseph,I am truly blessed to have such nice comments from a person of your stature. Thanks you very much. I’m glad you enjoyed the “Whiskey Run ” ending.
Nelson´s last [type] ..“The Black Whip- Part 2″
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Haha Nelson, great ending! Well worth coming back for the second instalment! Think I will just come back every week for my dollop of great storytelling! lol
Thanks!!
Sue
Sue Collier´s last [type] ..Twitter Trials And Tribulations
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Nelson Reply:
August 26th, 2010 at 10:35 am
Sue again you’re giving super comments. They are much appreciated. Thank again and I hope I can have another dollop ready for you to slurp down next week.
Nelson´s last [type] ..“The Black Whip- Part 2″
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I absolutely look forward to & love reading your stories Nelson (and am not shy about telling my personal friends that they need to check out your blog) – and although I’m not much of a black and white movie fan, I enjoyed the excitement you have brought to the story of “The Black Whip”
Christine
Christine Casey´s last [type] ..How do you use Facebook
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Nelson Reply:
August 27th, 2010 at 1:03 pm
I’m not a black and white fan either. Technicolor was only in a few movies in the early forties. Thanks for the recommendations, they always help. Christine I really appreciate you and your faithfulness in returning to my blog. How much am I paying you anyway? I seem to have forgotten.
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Another great story Nelson. Thank you for sharing them with us. I love the ending of the story that was priceless.
Julie Elliott´s last [type] ..The Power Of A Orgainized Life
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Nelson Reply:
August 28th, 2010 at 4:34 am
Julie, thank you for commenting and being a faithful follower. Your are appreciated..
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Hey Nelson finally got back to finishing your first post on this. You know, before I go to the end of your post I thought to myself, this is a whiskey run. Thanks for entertaining me.
Michael
Mr. Personal Development Michael Berry´s last [type] ..Clean Drinking Water
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