MORE NOSTALGIA

July 17, 1993

AN OLD SQUID'S NOSTALGIA

Some shots of Airwing Eight aircraft on the flights deck of USS NIMITZ (CVN-68) during her maiden cruise in the Mediterranean (1976-77).








The classic 1970s airwing: two squadrons each of F-4Js and A-7Es, one each of A-6Es, EA-6Bs, E-2Cs, RA-5Cs, SH-3Gs, and of course the beloved COD, first an E-1 and later an E-2. We also got an occasional visit by the monstrous Whale (EA-3), which was a sight to see, landing and taking off.

NIMITZ had just gotten reclassified as a CVN from CVAN so we still had primarily a strike airwing: no ASW capability worth a damn.

I always thought that the "Vigi" (RA-5C Vigilante) was about the most beautiful aircraft on deck: sleek, super-supersonic, with the first rectangular air intakes ever, that I know off.

Ah, a young man's first sea duty...

TILLY'S VISIT WAS PRETTY COOL!

And clean, of course.

LISA SCORES!

The first fruits of Lisa's labors, on display.

PECKING ORDER

Cheyenne had some very definite ideas about who belonged on the sofa and who on the floor...

SENTIMENTALITY

Had a 1969 Sunbeam Alpine GT from 1969 until 1977. It was comfortable, reliable, and got good gas mileage. Unfortunately, British workmanship at the time was not the best - the engine leaked oil from day one and I never could stop it.

Wonderful memories.

A HAPPY VISIT

Tilly, who will be one year old next weekend is here, visiting. (Oh, and her parents, too.)