But what I did like were the aircraft on display on the flight deck, including but not limited to the F-4 Phantoms there. (They have two.) And here, dear readers, is where blogger OldAFSarge got me in trouble.
Now me being the curious sort, and afflicted with a terminal case of Touchus da Forbidinous, I just had to investigate these Phantoms more closely based on what he'd said. So when no one was looking...
Geez, that was loud. An entire docent-led tour nearby stopped and turned to stare at me as the docent stated the obvious: "Sounds like someone is playing with things that they're not supposed to touch!"
But I'm at my best when under pressure, and I thought quickly. Very quickly.
"Yeah," I replied, pointing across the flight deck. "He went that-a-way!"
At least the tour group laughed.
I did put it back in it's stowed position though.
And of course I had to go check the other Phantom of the flight deck.
After that though, it seemed like everywhere I went, there was a docent or two close by. But I'm sure that was just a coincidence. And if it wasn't, I blame Old AF Sarge.
Snerk... People like you are reason all the stuff that goes BOOM is disconnected...
ReplyDeleteYeah, I know. They didn't really appreciate my inquisitiveness at the Kennedy Space Center tour of Mission Control, either. Heck, I said I was sorry.
DeleteHold out your hand - while we swat it with an arresting gear.
ReplyDeleteI was a docent/ attack dog at a Long Beach airshow. One yahoo kept trying to get into the DC-2. I kept telling him no. Was that you?
Nope, but only because I've never been to Long Beach. A DC-2 would be neat to see, though.
Deletehttp://www.smugmug.com/photos/i-cCz4GMf/0/L/i-cCz4GMf-L.jpg
DeleteOh, that's nice!
DeleteFrom the same AOPA Fly-In at Long Belch.
DeleteStandouts were the B-29 and F7F.
http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/14643052_mgQvF3
Obviously, since you would've mentioned it if you didn't, you were standing off to the side when you pushed the button. So, Sarge provided you with a little knowledge, and as we all know, a little knowledge is dangerous. Clearly Sarge was at fault.
ReplyDeleteDamn Skippy! I was just wearing a pair of light shorts, not a flight suit. I chose to skip the ritual greeting that the F-4 apparently gives to the unwary, thanks to Sarge, of course.
DeleteHeh! Well done! Lets try the 1MC on BB-55 sometime!
ReplyDeleteWe finally got the 1MC working on the Iowa.....
DeleteAfter all you did say I am sorry.
ReplyDeleteWhat more did they want a pint of blood?
And remember Cdr. George Chamberlain Duncan and his landing on the Midway. One LUCKY jetjocky!
ReplyDeleteHe became Captain of the Ranger and he well deserved it.
Yikes! That was one horrendous crash indeed.
DeleteWhen did "tour guide" become "Docent"
ReplyDeleteHey, man...I just read the name tags.
DeleteTo be fair though, it did appear that all of them had prior experience as serving sailors or airmen aboard that ship, so I'm willing to respect that and let them call themselves whatever they like.
Showed my son how to do that and other tricks during his scout trip to USS Yorktown earlier this year. Didn't get busted though.
ReplyDeleteA couple of years ago, I was with a few friends as we toured the USS Requin in Pittburgh. It was a self-guided tour, and as I had served in submarines, I was pointing out and explaining a lot of the details as we made our way through the boat. When we arrived in the control room, I spied the bank of alarm handles on one of the bulkheads. I pointed out the green-handled diving alarm. I explained what it was and what it was used for and then said: "You know, sometimes they leave the diving alarm hooked up and operational."
ReplyDeleteI looked around and saw no one from the museum nearby. So I reached up and pulled the handle.
"AAAAHHHOOOOOOOGAAAAAAA!"
Yep, it still worked!
I didn't get thrown off, but later in the tour, one of the docents - a young woman who had never been in the Navy, much less served on submarines - came by and told me I was moving too slow and holding up the tour. It seemed that my tour guidance and detailed explanations had drawn quite a crowd.
Ahem. Teach a man to fish, er, drop boarding steps, er, whatever.
ReplyDeleteI went back and reread that post and I recall mentioning where NOT to stand when dropping the steps. As you didn't complain, and didn't mention writhing about on the Midway's flight deck, that you positioned your, ahem, "jewels" out of harm's way.
I am so proud of you Murph, even if the docents don't understand!
If nothing else, I do learn from other people's misfortunes.. Thanks for the warning..
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