WT Forums

I know there are a few Brits here, drop by your local W.H. Smith or whatever and pic up the March issue of <i>Air Forces Monthly</i> before it goes off the shelf, if it hasn't already (we are kinda behind the times here at SHAPE). There is a nice A-10 pic on the cover, and although I haven't read it too closely, there is also a nice article on CAS inside, focusing on OIF, and some more decent pics. Unfortuantely there is a lot of verbage on the "other" CAS platforms, but it mostly centers on our beloved Warthog. If nobody can find an issue I will scan it in and try to email it to whoever might be interested. Post your desires here--for the article, that is!

By the way, the mag wasn't cheap, €7.50 here (or almost $9.50! The cover price was £3.50, or $6.65, but we pay more being we have the unparalled joy of being in Belgium!), but the cover shot was too tempting! <img src=icon_smile_tongue.gif border=0 align=middle>

Cheers! M2

By the way, the cover show was a nose-in pic of 90162 from the 75 FS. You can read the pilot's name (Capt Michael Travis) and Dedicated Crew Chief (SSgt Keith Jones).

<img src="https://shop.keymags.co.uk/acatalog/afm_fc_mar_04_HOME.jpg" border=0>

You can back order the issue off their web site, http://www.airforcesmonthly.com Go to the Aviation Shop at top, and there is a section for back issues.

Cheers! M2

I agree, a nice article. Liked the bit about Hill turning out a record number of refurbished Hog's to the war-zone in time for the start of OIF.

One mistake thats worthy of a mention is that the A-10 picture that was captioned as the Hog that 'KC' had brought back all shot-up was not correct, it showed a Battle Creek A-10 instead of a Pope jet.

Don't know how that got through the proof read! Rip-off price as well, I have trouble forking out £3.50 for a magazine that is often pretty poor.

Cheers,
GS

Count me in, M2!<img src=newicons/bounce.gif border=0 align=middle>

I am a nobody, and nobody is perfect, therefore, I am perfect.

_________________
\"Those who hammer their guns into plows
will plow for those who do not.\"
- Thomas Jefferson

G-smoke

Well, I have never looked at an issue of it before, I was just cruising through the small bookstore on base here and noticed the A-10 cover. It was wrapped as there was a video that came with it (should I have mentioned that before?), a 30 min job (STS) titled <i>The Display Aircraft Series - Showcase Video!</i> (whatever in the hell <b>THAT</b> means!). I have yet to watch it, I am not even sure if my multi-system VCR will play it; but what the heck. I hadn't noticed the shot-up hawg, but you are right, it clearly has a 'BC' tailcode and the 'Creek' portion remaining on the engine cowling. Tsk tsk!

By the way, the mention of LG Bruce "Orville" Wright tickled me...I worked for then-MG Wright when he was the AIA/CC.

Cheers! M2

I had a flick through that last week......funny enough in WHSmith!, noticed the BC Hog caption error.
Trouble is, I buy the monthly general aviation mags being a PPL, so the AFMonthly had to regrettably remain on the shelf.

Boy do I have have a story to tell about these two jets, the damaged BC and KC's jets, that landed my name in Washington DC... this is a "there I was story" FOR SURE and one I will be telling for years to come!!!

I can't post the story here now but, if you ever meet me face to face ask and I will tell you the story...as long as you sign a document stating it will never be printed...until I do it!

HMFIC

Chapter 17 of the upcoming book, dice?

I am a nobody, and nobody is perfect, therefore, I am perfect.

_________________
\"Those who hammer their guns into plows
will plow for those who do not.\"
- Thomas Jefferson

/me gets in car and zooms off into town

thanx for the headsup <img src=icon_smile.gif border=0 align=middle>

M2, Sorry, what I meant was rip-off price for you in Europe. It was definately worth getting for the CAS article but most months there's not a lot to attract attention and I think its one of the poorer quality mags, compared to 'Combat Aircraft' or 'Aircraft Illustrated'. Just my personal opinion, and I've had articles published in it!

It wouldn't need gimmicky videos to help sell it if the quality of the contents were better.

Dice, how much alcohol will it take next month to get that story out of you and get you to agree to let me publish it

G-smoke

No biggie, your comment didn't offend me as I not only have a thick skull, but even thicker skin covering it! The CAS article was good, but the rest of the magazine was unimpressive. I wouldn't ahve bought it if it weren't for the whopping great A-10 on the cover!

Cheers! M2

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Dice, how much alcohol will it take next month to get that story out of you and get you to agree to let me publish it


<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size=2 id=quote>

Not much to get the story out of me but, more than they sell in LA to get me to let you print it! Maybe in a year or so after the smoke clears! <img src=newicons/anim_shock.gif border=0 align=middle>

HMFIC

M2, cheers. Yep, a A-10 on a mag cover always gets my attention as well!

Dice, I've heard a few unprintable stories, in the Bold Tigers bar at Mountain Home I got some great stuff from the guys who flew OEF missions over Afganistan that I would never dream of printing. I look forward to hearing yours and keeping it under my hat, beers are on me!

Cheers,
GS

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote><font size=1 face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
M2, cheers. Yep, a A-10 on a mag cover always gets my attention as well!

Dice, I've heard a few unprintable stories, in the Bold Tigers bar at Mountain Home I got some great stuff from the guys who flew OEF missions over Afganistan that I would never dream of printing. I look forward to hearing yours and keeping it under my hat, beers are on me!

Cheers,
GS


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Gunsmoke, you can always count on me being around if there is free beer to be had. Mine may not be an exciting as an OEF mission but I think you will find it interesting....

HMFIC

G-smoke

What were you doing up at The Home? I was there 20 years ago, back in the days of the -111's. I worked for the 390 ECS (as they were known then), flying the mighty EF-111 'Spark Vark' (a lotta guys hated that name, I for one kinda liked it!).

MHAFB was a cool assignment, but you had to like to do some road time to get anywhere. Boise was great to hang out, plus the drive home ensured you were wide awake once you hit the main gate. The mountains were spectacular, Sun Valley was heaven (but expensive), and the folks all over were very friendly. The winters were a bit harsh for my tastes, but for the most part I would go back without a problem. Had some good times there...good times!

Cheers! M2

does anyone know of a magazine similar to Air Forces Monthly but for the U.S.?

M2,

I went there in May 2002 to gather info for a magazine article. I know what you mean about the distances up there, I drove up from Vegas the day before, with a detour to Bryce Canyon in Utah then drove back to Vegas after I left the base at about 5pm.

Talked to pilots from the 391st, including 'Slokes' who I knew from a Tiger Meet the previous year and who subsequently flew on the longest fighter combat mission to date, over fifteen hours strapped into the F-15E and five AARs mostly at night with lights out. I am totally in awe of these guys because they were so cool about it like it was no big deal. Also got to chat to the 366th OG boss who flew 398th FS F-16s in OEF (dropping the F-16s first JDAM in combat)and had his knee-board map of Afghanistan with him, complete with notes written on it during missions, that was a cool thing to see. I also got to talk to the 34th BS commander who led the first nights OEF mission from Diego G.

It was a good day and well worth the long drive!

I would have loved to have gone there when there had Varks, they've got one on a pole in town.

Funk-O-P: I don't think there is an equivilant mag to AFM in the States, there is a US distribution address in the mag for subscribing or go to the website, I think its www.airforcesmonthly.com. Combat Aircraft has a bigger US presence and that is the nearest in style.

Cheers,
GS