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~ One dwarf, two giants ~

B

boxcar

Charter Member
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'Twas a fine day yesterday...
visiting with a true FS giant, sitting in a giant (wholly understated), visiting with a long-time friend...

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First stop: spending a quality hour chewing the fat with Bill @ a fine Portland coffee house.

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FSDwarfGiant.jpg


One FS dwarf & one FS giant. *hint*- dwarf is on the left .:)

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Next, driving a friend of mine to McMinnville southwest of Portland to the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum.
She & I go back almost 2 decades now. Great to have a life-long friend accompany me to this special place. :)
Used my sister's old, failing camera, as mine was left at home in the Outback, but here are a few pics to share...

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Youth.jpg


Am calling this, "The way of the future". .:)

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H-42.jpg


Wow!
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H-41.jpg


Most impressive. Must investigate closer...

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Herculesflightdeck2.jpg


No words needed, except to say that were I any happier in that moment then I'd have had to been twins.

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Note to self: Never, never leave your Olympus at home again. Never know when you may need it.
You can bet that it'll be with me next time though, which hopefully won't be all that long.

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A wonderful afternoon, it was.

Hoping you enjoyed the pics.

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I admit I put on a little weight over the holidays, but I wouldn't say I'm a giant. :icon_lol: It was great getting to meet you, David. That McMinnville museum is not to be missed. I'm glad you had a chance not only to stand in the belly of the enormous beast, but get behind the controls, too. In fact, I might be a little jealous!
 
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Well then, am needing to redeem myself. Must invite you to go next time & we'll share the chairs. Will take the FO's seat & you take Howard's. :)

The pleasure was mine, Bill. Let's do it again sometime.

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WELCOME BACK, Boxcar!

Man, Looked liked you two had a wonderful time.
Both you and Bill looked great.
And who would not be,
(My jaw will fall on the floor, tears in my eyes, drums on my chest)

Great shots, David!
Thanks for sharing your GREAT experience, man!

And... good to see you back, my friend!
 
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Hello, Eli. Thanks so much for your remarks as well as for your fine welcome back this morning. Makes my heart soar like a hawk, as grandfather would say in Little Big Man. :) You've inspired me to make an attempt to wordsmith the experience of sitting in Howard's seat, as it is much as you've imagined...
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 First off, the day was not planned, really. Plans of meeting Bill & visiting the flight museum had come about in the moment the day before. While enjoying coffee & conversation the next morning it was Bill who had made me aware of the chance of being able to sit in that seat. An extra few bucks, yes, though oh to be blessed with visiting the flight deck of that colossus... an opportunity to take advantage of, if possible that day.

My lady friend & I had made it straight-a-way to the H-4, first known as the HK-1, upon arrival, checking with the volunteers manning the Hercules' posts inside & out. Was advised that my desire must first be cleared through the admissions desk. The young lady there indicated that there was one VIP tour presently ongoing with another right behind it, the last scheduled for that day, sorry. After relaying what I was told at NX37602, that a quick photo could be squeezed in between the tours, I pressed onward with my heart's desire. A long story shortened: it all came about with persistence as well as determination, everything falling into place.

It was almost dreamlike, walking through the locking glass doors of the Hercules' bay & climbing the narrow, spiraling staircase to get to that magnificent one-of-a-kind flight deck & then suddenly there it was... where Howard had sat with Dave Grant on that memorable day. Like a piece of raw iron to a lodestone, the pilot's seat was approached & sat in, turning with a smile to motion my friend to come & take Dave's seat. After the photo was captured I'd faced forward, slowly & gently taking hold of the flight yoke that Howard had obsessed over for so long & stretched out my other hand to rest it on the engine control levers, far too wide in their array for one mitt. Then I raised my head & looked ahead, taking a moment to reflect on this giant of an aircraft whose only flight was merely a mile in distance & had never departed ground effect.

We thanked all who had granted us the opportunity & then, while descending the stairwell, my eyes begin to mist. Heading down the aircraft's exit stairs I began to increasingly choke up as the enormity of what had just transpired began to sink in &, making it to the bottom & looking into the understanding face of my friend, I began to *** a bit as we embraced one another in friendship that had just shared a priceless moment: a decades-long dream had just come true.
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Will not forget those moments for as long as long gets.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dL7_2LRafdE
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