EYEWITNESS TO HISTORY @ MUROC

and other stuff up in the air
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Joe Gopan
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EYEWITNESS TO HISTORY @ MUROC

Post by Joe Gopan » Sun Nov 04, 2018 1:11 am

Two of my longtime old friends were stationed at MUROC, Henry Miller was an MP and guarded the P-59, America's first Jet, Walter Wyman was an AP and guarded the super Secret U-2. Both got to witness the first flights, the P-59 in 1942, and the U-2 in 1946. I have been real lucky when it comes to 40's-50-s warbird history. Our Mechanic Andy, was in 14th Fighter Group and attended P-84 ground school at MUROC in 1947, he got to see flights of the X-1. Col Nathan Rosengarten,spent hours on the phone with me, He was a Flight test Engineer at MUROC and was assigned to XP-80 testing.
This, plus MV History and Restoration make a very exciting hobby.
Last edited by Joe Gopan on Tue Oct 08, 2019 1:19 pm, edited 1 time in total.
2011 MVPA PIONEER AWARD - MVPA #1064
HONOR GRAD-WHEELED VEHICLE MECHANIC SCHOOL 1960 - US ARMY ORDNANCE SCHOOL(MACHINIST) ABERDEEN PG 1962 - O-1 BIRD DOG CREWCHIEF - 300,000+TROUBLE FREE M-38A1 MILES
LIFE MEMBER AM LEGION-40/8-DAV
7 MIL SPEC MAINTAINED MV'S
COL. BRUNO BROOKS (ARMY MOTORS) IS MY HERO


wc56daveyboy
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Re: EYEWITNESS TO HISTORY @ MUROC

Post by wc56daveyboy » Sun Nov 04, 2018 11:08 am

Muroc.. as in muroc army air field, now named
Edwards Air Force base?


https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edwards_Air_Force_Base

wc56daveyboy
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Re: EYEWITNESS TO HISTORY @ MUROC

Post by wc56daveyboy » Sun Nov 04, 2018 11:22 am

My 1941 dodge wc12 was stationed at muroc army airfield until
It was surplused off to a fire department well after the war.

I found strata blue paint on portions of the bottom side when I stripped it down.

Red paint on top of that for its post war fire department service.

Joe Gopan
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Re: EYEWITNESS TO HISTORY @ MUROC

Post by Joe Gopan » Sun Nov 04, 2018 2:59 pm

If only your Dodge could talk.
2011 MVPA PIONEER AWARD - MVPA #1064
HONOR GRAD-WHEELED VEHICLE MECHANIC SCHOOL 1960 - US ARMY ORDNANCE SCHOOL(MACHINIST) ABERDEEN PG 1962 - O-1 BIRD DOG CREWCHIEF - 300,000+TROUBLE FREE M-38A1 MILES
LIFE MEMBER AM LEGION-40/8-DAV
7 MIL SPEC MAINTAINED MV'S
COL. BRUNO BROOKS (ARMY MOTORS) IS MY HERO

Joe Gopan
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Re: EYEWITNESS TO HISTORY @ MUROC

Post by Joe Gopan » Wed Oct 14, 2020 10:06 pm

I spent a few hours in my MB with General Chuck Yeager who made history at Muroc. Merle Olmstead, USAF Retired, and a member of General Yeager's WWII unit, made sure that the MB had correct markings.
Yesterday was the 73rd anniversary of when General Yeager, a young 23 year old Captain, broke the sound barrier. I spent a few quiet moments in the MB in honor of that event.
2011 MVPA PIONEER AWARD - MVPA #1064
HONOR GRAD-WHEELED VEHICLE MECHANIC SCHOOL 1960 - US ARMY ORDNANCE SCHOOL(MACHINIST) ABERDEEN PG 1962 - O-1 BIRD DOG CREWCHIEF - 300,000+TROUBLE FREE M-38A1 MILES
LIFE MEMBER AM LEGION-40/8-DAV
7 MIL SPEC MAINTAINED MV'S
COL. BRUNO BROOKS (ARMY MOTORS) IS MY HERO

Sierra Padre
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Re: EYEWITNESS TO HISTORY @ MUROC

Post by Sierra Padre » Thu Nov 12, 2020 5:51 pm

My dad was at Muroc when the first flying wings were there. Mentioned the wreckage of a P59 along side the runway.
Adversity is not an adequate deterrent.
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Joe Gopan
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Re: EYEWITNESS TO HISTORY @ MUROC

Post by Joe Gopan » Sun Apr 02, 2023 12:23 pm

Just think, it will not be many more years that the living wwii/ Korean WAR veterans our MV's represenT will not be available to give first hand actual experience.
2011 MVPA PIONEER AWARD - MVPA #1064
HONOR GRAD-WHEELED VEHICLE MECHANIC SCHOOL 1960 - US ARMY ORDNANCE SCHOOL(MACHINIST) ABERDEEN PG 1962 - O-1 BIRD DOG CREWCHIEF - 300,000+TROUBLE FREE M-38A1 MILES
LIFE MEMBER AM LEGION-40/8-DAV
7 MIL SPEC MAINTAINED MV'S
COL. BRUNO BROOKS (ARMY MOTORS) IS MY HERO

HankII
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Re: EYEWITNESS TO HISTORY @ MUROC

Post by HankII » Mon Apr 03, 2023 4:41 am

Yea - Sadly, The Youngest WWII vets are 96 yrs old - so that war's Heroes are indeed getting Extremely Thin.

And Great to see Joe back on The G!
Only 2 things in life make it worth livin'
Is old Jeeps tuned good & Firm Feelin women


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