Initially part of the United States Army, the United States Air Force was formed as a
separate branch of the military on 18 September 1947 under the National Security
Act of 1947. It is the most recent branch of the U.S. military to be formed,
Colonel Horace A. Hanes with his F-100C, Super Saber, at Edwards
AFB, California after setting a supersonic speed record.
U.S. Air Force pilot Colonel Hanes, flew to Mach 1.25 at an altitude of
40,000 feet and broke the flight airspeed record at 822.135 mph at the
National Air Show. This was the first supersonic world speed record. It
was also the first speed record set at high altitude. All speed records
in the past were set close to the ground for measurement purposes,
The Mackay Trophy is awarded yearly by the U.S. Air Force
for the "most meritorious flight of the year".
James Travis "Jim" Reeves (August 20, 1923 – July 31, 1964)
Reeves songs continued to chart for years after his death. Reeves died
at age 40 in the crash of a private airplane. He is a member of both the
Country Music and Texas Country Music Halls of Fame.
The crash site
The Ford Thunderbird is back, but they just made one.
(Fox News) – The Ford today unveiled a custom Mustang GT to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds precision flying team.
The coupe carries VIN 0001 as the first 2014 Mustang off the line, and features a
glass roof and red, white and blue paint scheme festooned with insignia inspired
from the Thunderbird’s F-16 Falcon fighter jets.
A unique wide body kit with appropriately large wing by TS Designs, enormous 22-
inch Forgiato wheels and puddle lamps that project a beam in the shape of an
airplane round out the exterior modifications.
Recaro seats and a Ford Racing package including a supercharger for the 5.0-liter
V8, suspension and Brembo brakes bring the performance of the two-seat ‘Stang
closer to Air Force spec.
The car will be auctioned off at the annual EAA AirVenture Oshkosh air show on
August 1st with all proceeds going toward the EAA Young Eagles organization,
which provides free first flights in small aircraft to children interested in aviation.
The Thunderbirds Mustang is the latest in a series Ford has built to support the program,
Robert Lansing
Paul Burke
12 O’Clock High is a drama series set in World War II. The series
was originally broadcast on ABC-TV for two-and-one-half seasons
from September 18, 1964, through January 13, 1967. It was based
on the 1949 motion picture Twelve O’Clock High starring Gregory
Peck.
The TV series, a QM Production, follows the missions of the fictitious
918th Bomb Group of the U.S. Army Air Forces (USAAF), equipped
with B-17 Flying Fortress heavy bombers.
Robert Lansing starred as Brigadier General Savage, leader of the
fictitious 918th Bomb Group of the U.S. Army Air Forces. He was
killed off at the start of season two in 1965 when Paul Burke moved
up to lead actor.
