73rd SAC -
PHOTO ALBUM - No. 1

• Waiting for the "A" models to return
  This is an image of George Briedis and I (I'm the one on the left) on the 73rd flight line (1968), waiting for the "A" models to return from their "day" visual missions. This was a daily event, right after we reported for work on the night shift. The picture was taken in late afternoon. The two dogs, Rocket & Snoopy, were the "Company Dogs" (they spent a lot of time on the flight line... the white one was Rocket and spotted one was Snoopy).
  

• "C" model already to go...
  Make note of this "C" model waiting for it's crew to arrive for an evening IR mission. Hatches are open and ready for inspection by the pilot, cockpit ladder is extended, harness is hanging from drop tank... start those engines!
  

• Here I am getting a "B" model ready...
  This was a daily affair... there was always something to do. We had to "check in" the "A" models when they returned from their day photo missions. If we weren't waiting for the A's to return, we would be getting the C's and B's ready for their evening runs. All the C and B maintenance was done during the day. All the night crew had to do was "open up" the C's and B's for the flight crews that were due soon.
  

• ...same "B" model
  Time to clean the windshield on the pilots side also. The flight crews would use "grease pencils" to write coordinates on the inside of the plexiglass hatches/windows. The OV-1 has plenty of plexiglass. Try keeping it all clean.
  

• 73rd SAC flight line and flight line hanger
  This is looking towards the flight line hanger with the 73rd SAC company area behind it and to the right. Most of it is hidden by the hanger. For those of you that know the area... we were still using the hanger at the other end of the field for heavier maintenance. The engine shop, seat shop, sheet metal shop, were all at the other hanger. Another pic... company area zoomed in.
  

• 73rd SAC Flight Line (my life for a year)
  This is looking from the far end back towards the hanger. This was a pretty busy place at night. Just imagine... Mohawks pulling in and out of this area all night long. The aircraft were guided in and out of the revetments with the aid of flashlight "wands." This is where I basically lived for a year, 12 hours a day, 7 days a week (and then some). The "A" models parked on the right, and "C" models on the left. The "B" models were parked at the far end on the left.
  

• Here's a pretty handy gadget... do you know what it is?
  I'm sure that some of you folks living in cold weather climates know what this gadget is. That's right... a jump start! This is a small gas turbine engine bolted on the front of this duce and a half. It was used to supply auxiliary power, usually for start up. The OV-1 has a lot of power requirements to run all the electronic equipment on board. The APU would plug in on the left side of the aircraft, while the engine on the right side of the aircraft was being started. The OV-1 is adequately equipped with an on board battery. More on OV-1 power requirements later.
  

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Last update: January 27, 2002