Every once in awhile I get a cool story from one of my customers. This one was from a conversation with a fellow Air Force Pilot and Delta Captain, who flew the F-104 Starfighter! These stories are a big reason I keep pilotballcaps.com open for business!
Hey Spud,
Thanks for your reply. I checked out in the F-104 Starfighter July 1958 stationed at Hamilton AFB, Ignacio (San Rafael) California. As the the youngest Officer in the Squadron I had the distinction of being the youngest if not the youngest pilot in the free world to fly a single engine jet twice the speed of sound. As part of our training I also flew my aircraft to over 90,000 ft. In March of that same year 2 members of the 83 rd, FIS set the world speed record of 1404 mph and altitude record of 91,249 ft. As the junior officer I was in charge of stocking the fighter room and PR officer. Said duties came with the name Mr. Vice which of course I had painted on my aircraft ship 769. If you google F104 Bay Bridge, you will see me flying formation over the San Francisco bay area. This same picture is on an issue of Jane's World some consider the bible of the aviation world. I was fortunate also to be the Air Force advisor for a TV special moderated by Walter Cronkite. That's another story too long to tell here. lol Was drafted in the Army in 1954 2 months before my 19th. Birthday. Joined the AF instead and was commissioned Sept. 1955. Transferred to the Louisiana Air National Guard in 1960 and flew the F-102 for 6 years. Hired by Delta 4/17/61 and retired 6/1/1995 flying the L-1011 to Europe. Hope I have not bored you with my rambling and bragging. lol Looking forward the new addition to my cap collection.
Regards Ralph(Spike)
