Joel, Thank you for the video. Seeing the 310th patch brought back some memories. I was USAF 85-88, 58th TFW, Luke AFB, egress. The 310th was one of our squadrons, along with the 311th, 312th and 314th. Had a friend of mine that flew F-84's out of Taegu (K-2) in 1952. He was a P-47 driver during WWII, got 11 missions in before the war ended. CPT Merv "Shabby" Reed was his name. Shabby was an Ops Officer. On one mission, Shabby was hit by ground fire in the left wheel well, blowing a hole through the wing big enough to put a bar stool through. He stated that "when you look at the top of your left wing, you shouldn't be able see your wheel". He was way up north when he got hit and he wasn't sure he was going to make it home. As he flew south, he kept calling the next closest airfield, but since his F-84 was still flying fine, no fuel leaks, no hydraulic issues, he just kept flying south. He eventually made it back to Taegu. When he attempted to lower the gear, the left gear came down, but the right one stayed in the well. Yes, that's correct, the left gear came down. Perplexed and worried, he cycled the gear handle, 3 green. Except for the large hole in the left wing, it was an uneventful landing. As he was getting out of the jet, he saw a Jeep headed his way. He knew it was the base CO. Shabby thought, great, I'm in for it now. Shabby expected a royal ass chewing. As I understand it, Shabby wasn't suppose to be flying missions at that time. Not 100% sure of this though. So the CO pulled up, champagne and cigars in-hand, yelled at Shabby to "get in". They drove off to have drinks with the rest of the wing. As it turned out, Shabby was the first jet that had been hit by enemy fire, and the CO seen that was a reason to celebrate, especially considering that Shabby made it home. I have a great picture of Shabby on top of his F-84 kneeling next to the hole in his left wing. Joel, if you'd like a digital copy of it, DM me and I'll email it to you.
Thanks for sharing. My grandfather worked on the assembly line for the straight wing F-84 Thunderjet at Republic on Long Island, NY. He left when they converted over to making the Thunderstreak. A lot of issues your dad spoke of, my grandfather mentioned, regarding to the Thunderjets performance. With Thunderstreaks and Sabers symbolizing the air war in Korea, I’m glad to see some Thunderjet content out there finally.
Wow. That is awesome your grandfather built Thunderjets! After the war, my dad had another F-84 assignment at Luke AFB, AZ. I remember him telling me that he used to go up to the Republic factory to pick up brand new F-84s and fly them back to Luke. The straight winged Thunderjet may not have been sexy, and like most early jets was underpowered, by my dad loved flying the -84. He had a soft spot for Republic since he later flew the F-105 in Vietnam.
Nice that you got your Dad to give a talk to the squadron! My Dad had a similar career. F84 to Korea (474th I think), back home to Luke as an Air Gunnery IP, ATO at USAFA, B47s at Hunter! (then fighter TPS, space program, O-2s in VN, etc. Out in 1980 as an O-6!) Is your Dad still living?
Yes, he did publish a memoir later in life in 2015 entitled "The Thunder in Me" (a reference to the fact he flew Thunderjets, Thunderstreaks, and Thunderchiefs). Only a few hundred copies were published via a small company and it's no longer in print.
@@JoelWright2-ir6el Whoa that's a great title and fitting a great man! I hope more copies get to see the light of day, I sure would love to get my hands on one!
Joel, Thank you for the video. Seeing the 310th patch brought back some memories. I was USAF 85-88, 58th TFW, Luke AFB, egress. The 310th was one of our squadrons, along with the 311th, 312th and 314th. Had a friend of mine that flew F-84's out of Taegu (K-2) in 1952. He was a P-47 driver during WWII, got 11 missions in before the war ended. CPT Merv "Shabby" Reed was his name. Shabby was an Ops Officer. On one mission, Shabby was hit by ground fire in the left wheel well, blowing a hole through the wing big enough to put a bar stool through. He stated that "when you look at the top of your left wing, you shouldn't be able see your wheel". He was way up north when he got hit and he wasn't sure he was going to make it home. As he flew south, he kept calling the next closest airfield, but since his F-84 was still flying fine, no fuel leaks, no hydraulic issues, he just kept flying south. He eventually made it back to Taegu. When he attempted to lower the gear, the left gear came down, but the right one stayed in the well. Yes, that's correct, the left gear came down. Perplexed and worried, he cycled the gear handle, 3 green. Except for the large hole in the left wing, it was an uneventful landing. As he was getting out of the jet, he saw a Jeep headed his way. He knew it was the base CO. Shabby thought, great, I'm in for it now. Shabby expected a royal ass chewing. As I understand it, Shabby wasn't suppose to be flying missions at that time. Not 100% sure of this though. So the CO pulled up, champagne and cigars in-hand, yelled at Shabby to "get in". They drove off to have drinks with the rest of the wing. As it turned out, Shabby was the first jet that had been hit by enemy fire, and the CO seen that was a reason to celebrate, especially considering that Shabby made it home. I have a great picture of Shabby on top of his F-84 kneeling next to the hole in his left wing. Joel, if you'd like a digital copy of it, DM me and I'll email it to you.
Thanks for sharing this.
Thank you and your dad for your service. You're awesome!
Thanks for sharing. My grandfather worked on the assembly line for the straight wing F-84 Thunderjet at Republic on Long Island, NY. He left when they converted over to making the Thunderstreak.
A lot of issues your dad spoke of, my grandfather mentioned, regarding to the Thunderjets performance.
With Thunderstreaks and Sabers symbolizing the air war in Korea, I’m glad to see some Thunderjet content out there finally.
Wow. That is awesome your grandfather built Thunderjets! After the war, my dad had another F-84 assignment at Luke AFB, AZ. I remember him telling me that he used to go up to the Republic factory to pick up brand new F-84s and fly them back to Luke. The straight winged Thunderjet may not have been sexy, and like most early jets was underpowered, by my dad loved flying the -84. He had a soft spot for Republic since he later flew the F-105 in Vietnam.
Nice that you got your Dad to give a talk to the squadron! My Dad had a similar career. F84 to Korea (474th I think), back home to Luke as an Air Gunnery IP, ATO at USAFA, B47s at Hunter! (then fighter TPS, space program, O-2s in VN, etc. Out in 1980 as an O-6!) Is your Dad still living?
No sadly he passed away in 2016. This week I hope to upload part 2 of this presentation about his F-105 time.
Did your dad ever write a book? He should have if he did not.
Thanks.
Yes, he did publish a memoir later in life in 2015 entitled "The Thunder in Me" (a reference to the fact he flew Thunderjets, Thunderstreaks, and Thunderchiefs). Only a few hundred copies were published via a small company and it's no longer in print.
@@JoelWright2-ir6el Whoa that's a great title and fitting a great man! I hope more copies get to see the light of day, I sure would love to get my hands on one!