Touristy Stuff, Part Deux

This would be touristy stuff not available to the general public... or at least not "on-demand."  We were out at Shaw Airplane Patch earlier today and took a few snaps that might be of interest, Gentle Reader (as always... click to embiggen).  First off... the "plane on a stick" outside of Ninth Air Force headquarters... a nicely-done recreation of the Jug flown by Major Frank H. Peppers... one of Ninth Air Force's most storied fighter pilots during the Big One.

The whole aircraft

A close up of the nose art

I give maximum credit to the folks at Ninth Air Force for the serious hat-tip to their illustrious history.  Well done.

And now it's on to stuff of a more personal nature.  We were out at Shaw Airplane Patch today to do a little light shopping at the Base Exchange and Military Clothing Sales, there being a few things left to acquire in order to make our appearance at the change of command ceremony a few days hence... umm... presentable.  So, that done we rang up SN1 at his place o' bidniz and inquired if he would be available to like, show us around?  He replied in the affirmative and we were off like a shot to one of the 20th Fighter Wing's maintenance facilities, where SN1 is employed.  Herewith a few pics...

The Tiger in his lair (1).  SN1's "I Love Me" wall is of impressive proportions.  Therein lies the difference... or PART of the difference... between O's and E's.  You're only seeing about a third of his awards, trophies, and the like.  I was impressed.  Srsly.

The Tiger in his lair (2).  And yes, that floor is MOST clean.  You could eat off that floor, no problema.

A shot of an engine change in progress on a Lawn Dart. 

The fin-flash of the 77th Fighter Squadron.  SN1 will go flying with these guys when he gets back from Pittsburgh.

One of the several murals depicting the heritage of the 20th Fighter Wing.

Here's a semi-interesting aside.  You'll note Big Ben in the mural above and that's a hat-tip to the 20th's history.  Back in the 1980s the 20th Tac Fighter Wing flew F-111s and were based at RAF Upper Heyford in England.  I know this because my squadron... the 2119th Communications Squadron, RAF Uxbridge... was attached to the 20th TFW for logistics and administrative purposes.  I made weekly trips up to Heyford from Uxbridge back in the day, so I'm well acquainted with the 20th TFW.  I find it interesting that SN1 and I share a small bit of USAF history.

Another heritage mural.

So... our afternoon in pictures.  One of the things I dearly love about having sons in service are the opportunities I have to reconnect with my past.  That's a great good thing, Gentle Reader, and it does this ol' geezer a world of good.

(BTW... you're reading tomorrow's post today, as we shall post-date this lil piece at 0001 hrs, Thursday.  We be cheatin'... and we also be on vacation, so we're allowed.)