As this COVID-19 pandemic drags on because of a multitude of causes and rationales, we are still hunkered down in our new house in a new community not being able to get to know our new neighbors when we would be normally visiting, having friends over for dinner or watching that marvelous Broadway show “Hamilton” on Disney Plus. I’m finding it difficult at times to remain positive as the national medical and political ramifications seem to bombard our country on a daily basis.
But let’s continue to plunge on ahead. As I wait for the future, I periodically remember Eric Idle’s brilliant song from Monty Python’s The Life of Brian, “Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life”, or FDR’s theme song from his successful 1932 presidential campaign “Happy Days Are Here Again.”
In this edition of The Shut-In Gazette I’ve included some airplane stuff, one instructional piece that, hopefully, will help you to look on the sunny side of life and a heat-warming video.
Our friend Larry Haglund sent me this great video clip in May about a true World War II incident. I had, in fact, read a book entitled A Higher Call about it. I wrote Larry “Thanks my friend! I've read Mr. Brown's accounting Adam Makos' book "A Higher Call". I reviewed it on [this] blog in April 2013 (http://225observer.blogspot.com/2013/04/messerschmitt-109-escorts-b-17.html). The two pilots and crew of the B-17 met at the Museum of Flight in Seattle several years ago. The German then lived in Vancouver BC. I'll rerun the review I did so others can see it too. Thanks again, and I hope all is well with you and your family! Stay safe!”
Click on this link to see what Larry sent me.
As you might have seen, British Airways has announced that it is retiring its entire fleet of 747s, and Airbus will also cease to build new A-380s. For those who have ridden on a Jumbo Jet, this seems like a great re-use of one of these giants. Large aircraft have been used in the past for fire fighting; there was an episode on the Smithsonian channel episode on Mighty Planes about the Martin Mars firefighting flying boat some months ago. Here’s a link to Wikipedia about this remarkable 1942 airplane. Click on the link below that my neighbor sent me about a repurposed 747.
Our friend Roger Kent sent me this educational video that might be of some help to many of us.
My neighbor sent me this and I’m share this with you. For me remembering this provides a little bit help in my keeping the proper perspective as we slog through the next few months…
And now, also from Roger Kent, for something a little different…and inspiring.
