Vietnam vet revisits the USAF C-141!!!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 6 ก.ย. 2024
- Lonnie Linton was one of the crew chiefs for the Golden Bear (8088) C-141 at Travis AFB back in 1971. This Vietnam vet recounts his experience by visiting a similar plane at Wright Patterson AFB!
To view the actual plane that he serviced click here:
• Travis AFB and its Fir...
Wow! I was a C141 crew chief during my time. In fact I sent the first one off to be converted to what you see here. This brought back a lot of memories. I worked graveyard Travis AFB. It cracks me up now that we were all children given these multi million dollar toys. I remember when the aft pressure doors began to fail. We had a Vandenburg airplane come in with half of the pressure door gone and 3/4 of the external petal doors gone. We used to save all of our full power runs till after 2 AM and wake the whole base up till the base commander got pissed off and said no more. Then there was the night that friend of mine fell asleep at the refueling panel and put a huge unbalanced fuel load. You could step up on the wingtip when we finally caught it. During an ORI another friend ordered to run on a spot that did not have a blast fence and threw so much dirt on the main taxiway and runway that it closed the main runway till we could clean it up. At Travis there were two things the wind and the fog. I was the only A1C that was certified to run engines in the 22nd AF. What a flood of memories thank you.
Thanks ole timer for the Video, I worked as an 514th M.A.W. Air Reserve Technician at McGuire from September 1979 to September 2005 on this Aircraft! Seen a lot, did a lot to maintain this Aircraft as an Aircraft Mechanic! Thanks for the Memories?
MY Late father was a Flight Engineer on these beauties out of Charleston in 70-71. He had moved over from props and just loved this aircraft. He was flying to Vietnam twice a week to bring back alot of the KIA's and equipment. Miss you alot Dad. My Hero!!
JOHN E BOB lol. I changed thar nose gear for ya? Ain't that something. I remember that fun . Lol.
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My grandpa was also a flight engineer on the c-141 from 1967-1988 but I can't name all of the bases he was at and he did lots of different types of cargos, sorry to hear that about your dad
My dad was a Flight Engineer with the 3rd MAS out of Charleston from 1966 - 71 when he transition to the C-5A as a Flight Engineer. What squadron was your dad with?
My uncle was stationed in Charleston too with my aunt right after they were married. A charcoal sketch of Charleston adorned the living room of my grandparents' home for decades. I didn't grasp the significance of it all when I was younger and that sketch was lost to time about fifteen years ago.
Ma be ff
Great plane worked on them in Japan 610 Mass changed windshield,tires,brakes,flight controls,landing gear,cargo ramp and put chain back on the rudder pedals! Still can’t believe there gone!
The most common attribute I see in the great men and women who have a connection with this aircraft is the profound respect and LOVE for this great aircraft. I still call her my first true love.....my wife is still jealous! As a C141B Loadmaster she took me all over the world for 10 wonderful years, and my first around the world trip when I was only 20 years old. She took care of me in war and peace and many historic humanitarian efforts throughout the world. Thanks to all who served and kept her flying. Truly a wonderful piece of history. I would do it all again and I can say that because of this GREAT aircraft and those who served with her!!
One day we had to change a main gear tire. Jack up the gear until the tires are up about 2 inches. There a limit of not jacking if the wind velocity was over the limit. A captain ordered "to hell with the wind" change the tire. Took off the bad tire and watched the wind raising the aircraft off the jack and drop it back down. Fastest tire change ever done.
At 15:47, I believe he's referring to the K-loaders. Motorized flatbeds specifically tasked to upload and download pallets. I'm a KC135 boom but I used to fly space A on 141s when I was growing up... my last flight on one was when I needed to be medevac'd from Kuwait to Germany back in 2004. I knew then that it would be my last ride in a 141 so it was a bittersweet experience.
Lonie. . . . .13 years as a Flight Engineer on the C-141 stationed at Norton AFB, in the 15MAS, California, I want to say thank you for your great service maintaining many of the aircraft that I probably flew. I survived and much to your great maintenance by you and all the other mechanics.
Instablaster...
Great video, I got to work 088 at Altus. Lon's memory is fantastic, he should be there to show people the plane! I was there in 2006 to see its final flight of 177 at Wright Patt, the retirement was very emotional to see the Vietnam Veterans, had my sunglasses on alot that day.
Hated climbing up in the tail, especially after hearing about a guy getting crushed.
Antenna's UHF, VHF, HF, ADF, Radar Altimeter, Marker Beacon, Tacan, INS, Color weather Radar in the front, we had early GPS at the navigators station, I remember that plane like it was yesterday, especially my specialty but lots of the usual stuff from inspections, refuels, tire servicing, checking the oil after landing, ect.
We had a C-141 on jacks and it came loose, wing jack through the wing, that was at Altus in the 90's, worked this bird Comm/Nav, plus certified mech 1991-1996. Sure liked to take a hit on the O2 100 percent when I had a headache, I was servicing the lox so no loss!
We had to hang buckets under the engines to collect the fuel on shutdown.
Thank you for your service.
Okay, so here we go.
I was assigned to Altus AFB, straight out of tech school at Keesler AFB as a navigation systems specialist in early 1981. The Friday night I arrived, the base had just kicked off an operational readiness exercise. My sponsor told me not to worry, just show up for work on Monday. Saturday morning I decided to go take a walking tour of the base and ended up on the perimeter road, next to the flightline. I was spotted by the tower strolling near the flightline and the security police decided I must be a security threat. Needless to say, I got to meet my commanding officer for the first time, standing between two SPs.
I was there in the spring of '82 when my barracks took a direct hit from a tornado and almost wrecked several C-5s and C-141s.
I was at Altus when they transitioned from C-141As to B models. I thought the B model was a beautiful thoroughbred compared to a draught horse in the A model.
You and I were in the same shop, just different times. 443rd AMS. 1981-83.
I ended up doing ten years on active duty as a comm/nav technician, and another three years in the reserves as a C-141B loadmaster. I managed to get my 1000 hour flying pin before I left.
My late father was a Loadmaster on the c-141 with the 18th out of McGuire from 1974-1979. Remember going on them as a kid at the air shows and he knew everything. Been on this plane a few years back at the museum.
C-141s were my ride from Clark in the Philippines to Thailand and back in 74-75. Nice ride.
Lived in relatively close proximity to McGuire AFB in New Jersey, just across the river; under twenty miles or so. The C-141 was a common sight in the '60s. My uncle was an Air Force Captain in that era and briefly did live on the base. As a kid going to visit we'd see the tails with their MATS designation lined-up as far as the eye could see. My uncle was a courier of some sort and he got his Air Force 'frequent flyer' miles going back and forth between DC, New Jersey and the Philippines. Very stoic fellow, my uncle, who proudly served our country very well.
I worked 141's at Robins AFB for 17 years as a civil service mechanic.I was in functional test and we flew airplanes everyday.This aircraft is probably the most simple and reliable heavy airlifter of all time,at one time the fleet had a 98% sortie rate throughout the services.She was a well designed airlifter from Lockheed and no one did it better back then.
@ 6:40....... boy, I can confirm it WAS air conditioned.........sitting on the tarmac in Saudi Arabia......the plane filled with fog as the air conditioner kicked in!
I was a 42152 hydraulic specialist working on C141’s at Dover AFB. Flits controls landing gear and also brakes. This was from 66 to 70. We also had C 124’s and C133’s we had to hold together as well any bird that came thru transient. A lot of the transients were C130 Herkybirds that had the same type of hydraulic systems as the C141’s. It was a dirty job but I enjoyed it still have a T shirt with pink stain from the 5606 hydraulic fluid. My wife hated having to get those pink stains out😂
My neighbor piloted a 141 out of Travis back in the day. The 141 has a very distinctive sound. It sounds like a grinding whine. It is a beautiful aircraft.
My father was a loadmaster on a 141. Many of his trips were to Vietnam to drop off soldiers and supplies and return soldiers and KIAs to the states. The return trips were always very eerie when there were caskets in the load.
Those pressure doors are not failproof. My father's plane experienced a rapid decompression over Greenland because the seal broke. He suffered hearing loss for a considerable amount of time. The Air force took him off active flight status for a number of months. Lockheed refused to accept any responsibility for the defect.
I was also a crew chief on 141's from 90-96 (66000175). I also did some expediting (so much fun, remember "Red Streaks") before I cross-trained over to HH60G Pavehawks and became a flight engineer (96-99) due to the 141's being phased out. One of my last TDY's was with my bird at Edwards supporting the C17 flight test project.
I flew a C141 out of Dover AFB to Vietnam in August 1969. We flew the 'northern' route from Dover to Elmendorf AFB Alaska to Yakota Japan and then down to Vietnam. We left Dover at around 1600 hours on Saturday and arrived in Vietnam at around 1000 hours Monday morning; actual flight time around 24 hours more or less. Those web troop seats were not comfortable for that long of a trip but I was able to visit the flight deck to stretch my legs. To this day, I still have not met another Vietnam vet who went over on a military airlift; they all went commercial. I guess I was just lucky.
Ray, I came home on a C141 on July 19, 1969. I could have waited a week & come home on a commercial flight or I could take the 141. I chose to get out of Vietnam & get home even though it certainly was not comfortable. I was in Vinh Long with the 175th Outlaws.
@@norrisblackledge9644 Sounds like a good chance that the 141 you took to get home might be the same one I took to get over there on August 9.
Former c130 maintainer here, I wanna poke this guys brain for everything he’s ever been through. I love his love for that bird. It’s weird how when I worked on them I hated them but now I have a bigger appreciation for them. Then again that’s easy to say after you don’t have to deal with doing some of the less desirable/enjoyable jobs.
Go C-141, I loved this plane , and I want to personally, thank you sir for your service , I also just happen to of been a Crew Chief as well on the C-141 way back in 1967, out of McGuire AFB, I few with the plane all over Europe , and would do it all again, if I had the chance. God Bless you and all of us Vets that served & fought for Freedom & peace.
Thanks, Ron! I will pass along your comment to my father! And I thank you for your service as well! Dad went into the Air Force in '68. Trained in Charleston, SC, he eventually went to Vietnam and served there and at Travis AFB in California (where I was born).
I went to school at Dover AFB for the C-141, and I was one of the very first to become a crew chief in 1967, on serial #7947, which is now on lifetime display at a memorial display at McGuire AFB Permanently.
I'am the small guy in the middle, with 2-of my men.
file:///C:/Users/ron4498/Pictures/IMG_20150703_0001.jpg
Ron C. I too worked the C-141 at McGuire AFB between 67 to 70 as a jet mech, flight line and in shop. Liked working on those engines.
Your dad sure have a good knowledge and memory of the C-141. I also enlisted in 68, came back from SEA in 72 to McGuire AFB where I spent 6 years on the C-141 flightline as a crew chief and expediter
Very much appreciate this video. It’s 2024 and now just getting around to watching these videos of my mighty 141. Don’t remember seeing Air Force Reserve prominently painted on the jet back then. Maybe it was done when entering the museum. I was in the 729th MAS, one of the 3 squadrons in the 445th. Col Eugene Fortson was the Wing Commander around ‘81….I vaguely recall!! Excellent job on this video.
Thank you for this C141 tour. I do believe that all who had the privilege to work on these amazing birds will never forget the good ole days. I was 438 FMS Structural Repair at McGire AFB from 1973 to 1976 and worked every amazing inch of the C141
I was in the 438th AMS from 1972 to 1977.
Flew back from Nam in one of these C-141's December 21st 1967. The plane was full of Helicopter Blades being sent for Repair in the States. 12 of us GI's hitched a ride back to the World and sat in Jump Seats for 3 days. Pretty cold in the cargo area flying at 40,000 feet. Left Tan Son Nhut to Nagoya to Fairbanks to Texas to Georgia to Dover. Took us 3 days I believe. Arrived December 24 in Dover. One of the guys said someone stole this Money Orders and they called the MP's we waited several hours for the MP's to arrive. One of the guys said to check this guys bags first. They found the money orders where he had hid them. The MP's detained him awhile and let the rest of us go. Me and 2 other guys took a taxi to Newark, NJ Airport. We all flew to different airports. I went to Detroit arrived there the next day. We all just had are tropical Short Sleeve Uniforms. Cold as Hell then. But we just wanted to get home. This had been my second tour. Finally went back to Nam in 2017., 50 years later. This time to Play Golf and sight see.
Thank you for your service Mr. Linton...I really enjoy stories of our armed forces vets and how they went about themselves....god bless..
Worked C141’s out of Hickam AFB with the 619th Massq from 1970-1974 and again with the 446th MAW at McChord AFB in reserves. Great aircraft and amazing memories working with dedicated crews.
I got my rides in a C141, Clark to Don Muang, we called them the Silver Samlar the Thai name for cheap taxi.
I had one ride on a 141...from Thule in 1968 to Mcguire in NJ...just an AF auto mechanic...it was a new plane at the time and impressive...
Thanks for your service! I did C141 eddy current inspections on the lower wing skins,at McGuire NJ. I worked for Lockheed Support Systems.
I can't get enough of the C-141 videos as I worked on those at Norton AFB, California and flew on them from Norton to bases like McGuire and Dover AFB's and sometimes to Dover AFB and usually slept most of the way there and that was a great airplane and performed perfectly at Norton. That airplane was assigned to the 445 MAW at Norton AFB, California where I was stationed at. When I got there the models being flown was the A models and then they changed them to the B model with the refueling attachment and the extended length.
Thank you for your service, my friend!
Lonnie talked about a couple radios that the C-141a had, the ADF and HF radios. We did the same thing, we listened to 630 AM out of San Francisco. I worked the Graveyard Shift, so less brass around, I turned on the loud speakers in the cargo bay, so we could work to music. I had to test the HF radio after replacement and I reached MacQuire AFB in New Jersey to complete the check. They came in as clear as a Summer's Day. Just to give you idea of the power of that radio. The HF antenna is that pointed sphere on the T-tail.
Worked on the TF-33 at McChord AFB between 1977 and 1980. Miss her to this day. Thanks for the stories!
Thank you for your service!
Great vid! I was crew chief on them at Charleston 437OMS, 77-81. Learned a LOT. And things have changed a lot since then. I'm an aircraft inspector now. Trimming the throttles on them TF33's was a chore. Now everybody runs FADECs. Piece a cake. I remember when they took the navigators out and replaced them with a little black box called the Inertial Navigation system. Hit the press to test button and it said, "glide slope glide slope pull up pull up".
Thanks for this vid. As a child I flew on a Starlifter to the Azores in 69 and back to McGuire AFB in 72. Brings back great memories.
I love hearing my dad tell me all of the stories of when he worked on this baby!
Was good to see my old venerable C-141. Worked the "A" and "B" models, off and on, for over 20 years. This gentlemen was a Crew Chief, 431X1 Air Force Specialty code (AFSC), I was an Avionics Systems maintenance guy. AFSC 325X1. We did all of the RADAR, Navigation, Radio Systems and also all of the engine and flight instruments. The crew chiefs had a hard job - refuel/defuel, towing, tire changes and brake changes, plus lubs. They had both inside and outside generic work to perform. Was a thankless job, IMHO.
The fuel capacity for the 141 was actually 154,550 lbs. ~ 24,000 gallons., at approximately 6.4 lbs per gallon. Worked the fuel systems so am aware of the fuel capacity.
I'm wondering if this crew chief told his supervisor that that guy broke the windshield. Doing that was an act of terrorism. I never worked that particular airplane. Was at the 438th MAW, McGuire AFB, NJ.
I sure miss the 141. Many hrs. as a flight engineer. When my enlistment was up, all I could think of is to go home. Fee years latter you really get to miss flying, action, you get restless.
Thanks for the tour. I also worked on 88. I am sure our paths crossed sometime while at Travis. Was there 70-73 worked out of 60th AMS Radar.
They should have never retired these aircraft. My experience with the C-141 was being on the load team during unit deployments at Mountain Home AFB, ID. I did save a a C-141 from hitting a lightning cart at Kunsan AFB in 1988. I saw the aircraft coming down the taxiway toward the EOR shack I was in and noticed that they had left the lighting cart on the side of the taxiway. The taxiways at the kun were narrow and the 141’s # 2 engine was heading straight for the cart. I ran down the taxiway toward the Acft and got them to stop. They first thought I had lost my mind by the looks they were giving me, but one of the crew members came out of the aircraft saw what I was pointing at and helped me push the cart out of the way, I had to run a good way toward the aircraft holding up the marshaling stop sign and thank god they stopped. I didn’t get a medal or anything for this, I was concerned for the crew and passengers and the aircraft. I was just doing what I was taught in the Air Force about Safety and protection of valuable assets both human and equipment. This was instilled in my by the crew chiefs who trained me on the F-111’s at Mountain Home. To all the veteran crew chiefs who helped get us young crew chiefs ready to maintain our aircraft, Thank You. Not just for your service but for making sure we were properly trained and ready to serve our country. I heard many stories about what it was like during Vietnam keeping these aircraft flying. With their experience and patience they help us become confident maintainers ready for any tasks and I will always appreciate that.
Thank you for your service!
Vets always have their stories concerning their time in service. I had my "sea stories"too. I know a man who also was a crew chief on a C - 141, I wonder if they knew each other? Thanks Lonnie for sharing your experience, it made my day. ;-)
Travis AFB alum crew chief here: 602 OMS, 60 MAW '74-'79. Thank you for this tour it brought back a lot of memories working on the C-141A's. The B model conversion was just beginning when I left Travis.
Thank you for your service!!!
I worked on this jet for 8 years. Some on flight line and time in Iso dock. It's truly a workhorse. I've flown maintenance flights, jacked, pressurized, bird strike, lightning strikes, hot breaks were all common,. We had so much fun working on this plane. Loading marines, equipment, all kinds of stuff, stuff I can't talk about.. The narrator talked about the AC system is partly right the ram air is cooled but this plane has two AC packs the further cool the air with high speed turbines. I knew this plane so well we use to troubleshoot it before it hit the ground and take bets. I've seen these things land nose landing gear first in high winds overseas....I wrote about the nose landing before he talked about it...lol..
He sounds like a Crew Chef, I was a electrical specialist. But overseas we all are Crew Chefs and we all share in getting it off the ground for its mission. The worst mission this plane had was bringing back our fallen soldiers...I had dreams for years of this plane filled with caskets during Vietnam and the Gulf War. We also set this plane up for medevac..soldiers or civilians hurt and needed ingredients to get back to the states for treatment. I never would have guessed I would be a medevac patient on my own AC. It wasn't pleasant. Since I worked in Iso Docks I had a chance to work on the NASA A model with a huge telescope in it. I don't think they even fly these anymore? I miss working on aircraft...now I fly RC planes. Yeah we use to listen to the radio overseas...we had a little of home. Nice to see this jet agian! Thanks for the memories...
Thanks for the video ... i was a jet engine mechanic in Charleston 1973-1974 ... worked on TF-33 in the shop and then later on the flight line ... first airplane i ever started engines on ... great thrill ... great aircraft
randall curtis I followed your jet engine mechanic footsteps from late 1994 to mid 1998. Charleston had the new C-17 and C-141 going. Started in an older round top building then moved into the new shop built right next door to the round top. Really enjoyed my time there. Great video huh?
There wouldn't be an Air Force without the crew chiefs. Thanks for posting this.
I enjoyed this video. I was also a flying crew chief that went with the first two C-141's that arrived at Travis. 8075 and 8088 had to fly almost non-stop to build up hours so they can see how far to push the aircraft's. This was way back in 1966, 67 and 68.
Made 4 trips around the world and about 40 trips in-country. Wonderful aircraft!!!
Thank you, sir for your service!
If you were thru Incirlik Turkey in 1968, there's a good chance I reviewed/sent your flight plan and dispatched your flight. I was Base Ops Chief Dispatcher in 68 and 69.
Did you know my Dad John Brownell
I also was a C-141a mechanic and crew chief at Travis AFB. Our organization was the 602 OMS. I do remember 8088 and 8084 being our LTF (lead the force) aircraft. They were in the air more than on the ground. I don't remember 8075, but we had a lot of aircraft. I crewchiefed 50231 and 50277. Tsgt Hamby was my supervisor and SMsgt Strunk was the line chief on the grave yard shift. I was a crew member on 64650 when I first arrived at Travis, and Ssgt Marrony was the crewchief. I may have worked with you, DW on the flight line. I was at Travis from July 1966 to January 1970. I agree with you, it was a great aircraft to work on and to watch takeoff. It seemed that we couldn't put enough cargo on them to supply Vietnam.
@@GaryLeeNo1 We may have worked together at the 602nd OMS. I arrived at Travis in Feb 66 and out in Jan 69. The Golden Bear was 8088 and the other "Lead The Force" was 8075. Did you know Ken Thomas, one of the other Flight Crew Chiefs on these two aircraft.
How many remembers the first time you experience the yaw damper check?.. It was almost a perfect bird in every phase of operation...The airframe coupled with more than reliable engines was a pleasure for all crew members..FE 41st MAS CAFB 66-70
Truly enjoyed watching a crew chief walk his plane. I was an Air Cargo Specialist and primarily worked on the 141s at Norton AFB 86-88.
K-Loader is the truck that loads and unloads pallets, loved driving them. We had the three pallet 25K and a five pallet 40k.
The K-Loader he found inside his plane is called a 25k Tac-Loader. It was designed for transport and global mobility operations. PIA to ready for shipment!
I would love to walk this plane with him. He could tell me about the maintenance, I could tell him about the operational side. I lived in the OMS dorm when I was active. Great people!
I started flying on the C-141 back in 78 and retired in 97 good plane but was pretty wore out by the 90s. Got 2200 hours on A models and 5500 on B's and 2300 on C-130s
Wow, Did this bring back some memories! I started working on the C141's at Dover AFB in Aug. of 1969 until Jan. of 1973. I only did 4 years, but it was a great time. Two of your stories really hit home with me. With only two days left to work on the flightline I had to change the copilots front windshield. What a damn mess. I had just been issued a new fatigue jacket and ended up with the rubber compound to seal the window all over the new jacket. We were working the grave yard shift and would crank up the radio from a radio station in Philadelphia. Not a lot of bosses or brass around at those hours. I was an assistant crew chief on 40613 my last two years. I was lucky. enough to fly with them on many TDY's. She was a beautiful bird.
That was the ADF for the Philly radio station.
Man! His knowledge is better than mine many years later! Flew these out of McGuire AFB from 93 to 98. 480 strokes for the apu. Do remember that.
My grandpa was a navigator on a c141 during Vietnam. I was looking for videos on it and I realized how much of an amazing plane it was. Sticking around even after the maximum flight hours allowed on the airframe. Thank you for your service.
I was also a Crew Chief on C141A's at Travis AFB from 1969-72. A great aircraft. I really enjoyed this video. It brought back many memories and incidents that happened while I was at Travis. Thank you very much for the memories Lonnie Linton. SSgt Mitchael Breese 43171E.
Thank you for the video. I did see 2 tours in Vietnam as a medic from 69 and was out in 11/73. I wanted to go in AF as mechanic or flight engineer, he recruiter told me those fields were career so no openings. But wanted me to PJ as I was a medic and had worked dust of flights. Came back went to A&P school and an airline but then to General aviation. If gotten in AF I would done at least 20 years. Earned a BA in aviation Maintenance and BS in physics.
Thank you for your service!
60177 WAS based at Mc Chord in Tacoma, Washington (62Maw) 63- 70 (?) On great aircraft.Any else remember 0177?
I remember that tail number. Was a Pilot and later an Instructor Pilot at McChord AFB from 1965 through 1969. Don Allen 4Th Sq.
I believe 177 moved to Norton in the 80's. We had a bunch of 60--- tail numbers as well as 62 and 63. Don't recall any others.
I was an Instructor Loadmaster (4th MAS (red hat)) at Mc Chord from the time the 141’s arrived (spring of ‘66) until the end of ‘67, when I got orders to Viet Nam. I’m sure I flew on that plane (1000 hours in the first 9 months). To boot, I have a copy of that Utah Rocks tee. What a comedown the C-123 was - like swapping a Mercedes for a Trabant. Did I mention that the 123 was designed as a glider? I have proof.
I just want to make a quick and put those blue seats or in the front or what they put on the plane when they're carrying a lot of troops a long distance because we're old in those seats coming back from the Sinai Peninsula back to Fort Bragg. And he is correct about the first palette that comes in with the meals and the latrine because we had one of those on the plane as well. That was back in the late 1980s. I really enjoyed this video I really enjoyed listening to this guy talk about the Nostalgia of this airplane it really took me back as well, thank you sir for your service. I also made my first night jump out of one of these aircraft in Fort Benning Georgia the summer of 1985.
In 1983 I Flew from Fort Hood TX. to Rhein-Main Air Base in Germany We stopped at Thule Air Base in Greenland to refuel. All the seats in the cargo area were facing the rear of the plane where we could see all our duffle bags on a big pallet. It was very noisy and kind of cold. It's just not natural to take off facing backward. Though it was a long flight. The seat weren't that uncomfortable. I'm glad I had the experience.
A thank you for your service sir! I too worked on the C-141 in Charleston A F B. 1966 - 1970. I worked in a maint. Dock. For two years all over the aircraft and the last two years in the dock office controlling the work done on those wonderful plains. Had many hours in the wheel wells, engine pylons and the "T" tail. Good memories.
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was associated with the C141 from 1966 thru 2002. first was because my dad was a flight engineer on them from '66 thru '72 and then from '75 thru 79 as a passenger and from 79 thru 2002 as a civilian ground loadmaster. thank you Lon for the very interesting ' walk around".. the crew chief was my best friend during the loadmaster days. he put power to the a/c, opened the petal doors and stood fire watch while i loaded and unloaded the a/c. if i ran into to any problems the crewchief was the 'go to guy' to get the problem resolved. thank you for your service!!!
Norton AFB California 71-73. AirCargo/Airdrop rigger. Memories.. Van Nuys airport in burbank California unloading Bob Hope and the girls. A friend driving a loaded Kloader after 12hr shift forgot the front stop and dropped a pallet when he hit the brakes at the stop sign scaring the hell out of a an officer in a volkswagon beetle. C141 on final approach to Norton AFB with outboard engine on fire. Sent TDY to Travis to help out on cargo, joking with the guys at night until we got to the plane and saw pallets of KIA metal coffins, it was a quiet night. I love the C130 but its a noisy as hell to ride, then a ride in a C141 and thought I was in a limo. Hard to hear they tore all these birds up in the boneyard. Glad to see they save one on display at Travis.
Just came across this video. A special thank you to Mr. Linton for that tour and his service to our country. I really enjoyed this. Thank you for posting and making it available.
I was stationed at Travis from 62-66, and will never forget the first one delivered there. I thought it was the best looking plane I had ever seen. It didn't take long before I had to go and see it up close. The guy's that worked on it gave me a good tour. It was awesome to a B-52 mechanic.
Travis got the 141 before McChord we lived there for a summer so my dad could transition from the C-124.
I'll never forget I was in the 3rd grade and the kids were talking about the C-141 that had burnt up at McChord. After school, my dad took me there to see it, it was brand spanking new! The only thing left was the wingtips and the tail section, I was shocked! Like you I thought it was the most beautiful plane I ever saw. Apparently, it was a fueling mishap.
Air Force 1983 - 1987. Most of the time spent at McGuire AFB, NJ. I spent many hours flying on C-141's; a lot of good memories, and funny ones that I won't share here.
Thank you, sir, for your service!
Lon Linton thank you for yours! Mine was a walk in the park compared to when you served. I was still playing with Tonka Toys in the sixties lol. Eighties were peacetime.
@Brian E. Scott
Hey Brian!
I was stationed down the road from you, at Dover AFB DE, from 1982-1989.
I was with the 436 OMS in aircraft maintenance. I worked in the support section, servicing liquid oxygen and liquid nitrogen. I went PCS to the Azores, then while there, I worked in transient maintenance. And then left the Azores via KC-10, back to the US. Then I was stationed at McGuire AFB NJ, and while I was there, I went TDY to Rhein Mein AB, in Frankfurt Germany for two months. I flew on the C-141 to Germany. I finished my last year of service at McGuire AFB NJ, in 1992. Kind of makes me cry looking at my past, on this plane. 😢
I enjoyed it!😎
Tony
59-year-old Black Air Force VET 🇺🇸✈
Thanks for your service and your time with the tour bless you Thanks
Thanks for caring!!
Listening to this veteran tell “stories” about the very airframe on display breathes life into that huge pile of aluminum. Just try to imagine everything this aircraft has “seen” in its service life. Think of the millions of miles this aircraft travelled over the years. Just try to imagine everything hauled in its cargo hold. From the supplies necessary to conduct the Vietnam war to the collective sorrow of returning fallen military personnel.
It would be quite a project but one full of amazing content if somehow just some of the aircrew who flew this aircraft could be found and contribute a couple of interesting stories. What a history to read! Americans could then gain a new appreciation for just how versatile the aircraft our tax dollars buy can be.
My late Father was career USAF. We spent quite a while at the USAF Pacific bases in the 60’s thru early 70’s. On Armed Forces Day I always enjoyed crawling around the C-141’s and KC-135’s. Listening to aircrews talk about flying over Vietnam was fascinating to my 6 year old self. I was in awe that something that huge could actually get off the ground and fly all the way across the Pacific Ocean.
The TF-33 was basically a J-57 with a fan hung on it,they were the first medium bypass ratio engines.
This guy was one of many responsible for the air worthiness of this airplane. My father was a pic of this aircraft during Vietnam. He used to tell me he flew ammunitions in and dead American heroes home. God bless this gentleman.
Thanks for your father's service too!
Great Vid! I flew to West Germany and back on a C-141 in '79 for Winter REFORGER. On our return flight I received permission to go up in to the cockpit. It was just after sunrise and I looked down and saw many Icebergs throwing their shadows on to the ocean, it was breath taking. The Navigator was nice and showed me his station and how it worked. He operated a Computer the size of a refrigerator, with the computing power less than today's automobiles. Anyway... :-)
Marke Ellison , thanks for the comment. I'm pretty blessed to have my dad after all the close calls in Vietnam. He suffers from ptsd but talking through things helps him. I love to hear his stories, for sure!
Thx Lon, I Thank your Father for his service and I hope someday he can find peace. Best Wishes to you and your Family...
I was a C-141 Flight Engineer in the 80s out of McChord AFB, Washington for the 8th MAS. I was an engineer on this exact C-141 tail number 60177, on one trip. I've always loved this paint scheme, not the "lizard" one.
I was a C-141 Crew Chief with 62nd OMS in the early 80's. Was first assigned an A model, then the A model was sent to GA and returned as a B model with the white and gray paint scheme. Then it was turned into a lizard. Loved working and flying TDY airdrop missions on that bird. I remember working a shift in full chemical warfare gear (a.k.a. portable sauna). Good thing it was during the Fall season. Miss the sound of those TF-33-P-7 engines.
Hanoi Taxi, this plane, is 66-0177 and was stationed at Norton AFB as 60-0177 in the 70's and the historical photos of the Hanoi Taxi clearly shows 60-0177. Yet here it is at WPAFB as 66-0177.
It was one of the birds I had the privilege to work on 86-88. It was at some time redesignated 66-0177, likely after the B upgrade in 1981. The link below only has 61-67 tail numbers so something changed.
www.c141heaven.info/dotcom/pic_66_0177.php
I was a jet engine mechanic on C-141s from June 1967-Dec1970. Spent 1 1/2 years at Norton then 2 years at Yokota Air Base Japan. Best 4 years of my youth. Loved California cause I stayed there when I got out and Japan was the best duty ever. I’ve been to Wright Patterson and saw this airplane. Bet my name is somewhere in the log books. I’ll bet I touched every 141 there was when I was in Japan. Glad they got this old girl inside. She has a lot of history behind her.
Flew on a 141 from Bentwaters, UK to Bittburg, Germany TDY n back. The seats faced towards the back of plane.......👍
Thank you sir for your service and for sharing your memories and experience with the C-141. It sounds like you really loved this airplane.
Loved flying on the 141 when I was in the AF.
The unmistakable song of the Starlifter. I remember it to this day.
Awesome walk-around. As a pilot, I flew the B models at McChord AFB in the '90's. I do believe you have the fuel totals wrong though. You mentioned 252,252# but I recall the total was much less, at 153,352#. Primarily our max wartime GW was 345,000#.
Confirmed on the fuel capacity.
No one left behind 👍
Refueled many of these beautiful birds during my stunt in the USAF, Especially while at Ramstein AB, Germany!! 31st. & 86th. TFW (POL) "73-78" 🇺🇸✈✈ #Memories
Holy Smokes!!! This guy could probably take the SKT and pass after all these years!!! I worked on this plane in the late 70s on the flightline and in ISO. I still get choked up seeing it!
Thanks you for preserving this history
I just found out my grandpa Gary flew one of these in Vietnam.
I was at Norton AFB, in San Bernardino, California from July 1969 thru March 5, 1973. I was a crew chief on the airplane, that was in this video. I enjoyed my time at Norton working on this and other C-141A aircraft. I am very proud to say that I knew that "Hanoi Taxi" before it was given that name. This video was a nice trip back down memory lane.
Danny Maring ,thanks for your service! My dad's plane was 8088 Gloden Bear. It's now on display out at Travis.
Lon Linton?
Probably talked to you many times at Norton. I was also there 69-73 as an Avionics tech. I live in Dayton, Ohio where the "Taxi" is on display. Great aircraft!!
I was at Norton June 67-Dec 68. Great duty plus we lived in a hotel for damn near a year.
Thanks for this video. I spent from Nov 1974 to Aug 1979 at 437 MAW AMS Electrical Shop Flight Line. Many TDYs and many hours working on these birds, I would also work on C5s from Dover when I was TDY in West Germany or Lajes Field Azores. In Nov 1978 the 437 MAW brought the 903 bodies from Jonestown Guyana to Dover AFB Delaware, I was sent TDY for 7 days and 8 nights to help move body bags with the remains of the people at Jonestown, used for Vietnam War, from Helicopters to coffins, used for Vietnam War also. We would then load coffins onto pallets to load on our C141s from Charleston AFB. Not a pleasant TDY!
Love listening to those who actually experienced it. Thanks for this.
All were built in Marietta Georgia by the Lockheed-Georgia Company in the 1960's.
This is my all-time favorite plane. My mom flew on these out of Norton AFB. I loved listening to the stories of her flights. My favs were jerry-rigging an incubator coming from Pago Pago and the moose damaging the clamshell in Alaska. I grew up sitting on the flight line watching these ladies practice touch and go, dumping cargo and just plain flying. Btw, you didn't talk about the different configurations this plane has or show where the coffee maker plugs in😉😂😂
I was flight nurse on this airplane and my husband was a 141 pilot
I think all us crew chiefs had one of the windows for a table. Dang thing was heavy to move around. You are rite never a dull day or night on the flightline for us crew chiefs. 20 years on these birds. A models all the way thru the B's.
Went from Fort Carson, Colorado to Yokota Japan then on to Da Nang South Viet Nam in 1968 with the 5th (Mechanized) Infantry in a Starlifter.
I must be the only one that HATED flying on the 141. Loved the C 130's, C-7 (Caribou) and of course the C-5, the Cadillac of the skies. Never got to fly the C-17, but I hear its a great ride from those that have.
Norton AFB 1986 to 1992. Crew Chief on 8085 "Pride of the Inland Empire". Loved that aircraft.
Hey Alan! Air Cargo ramp rat 86-88. I remember the Inland Empire. I joined a FB group for Norton some time ago and the planes are discussed a lot. Like to see you on the page.
Lonnie, that was one of the most interesting descriptions of an airplane I have ever heard! I hear the passion in your voice.
My dad flew the 141 from '65 to '69 at McChord then went to Viet Nam and flew the AC-119's. With one more year left in the AF we moved to Dover and dad flew the 141 once again.
We did spend a summer at Travis in '65 so dad could learn the "new" airplane, he loved flying it! While lot faster than the C-124.
I remember as a kid hearing they cost the tax payers 6 million dollars to build, wow!!
Yep, I love hearing my dad tell the stories about when he was in the service!
What was your Dad's name. I was at McChord as a pilot from 1965- 1969 4th Squadron.
Hello from a Bookie driver who was there on Charlie Row with you.
This is a great video !! The 141 is one of my favorite acft.
Thank you for this video! I was ( a 605 Air Transportation specialist) at Norton AFB 89-92. Oh the weird crap we put in those Starlifters. At 15:10, the loader is a "K-Loader." The shorter one is a 25k and the longer one is a 40k. Thanks again!
Thanks for watching and thank you for your service!
The K-Loader inside was likely the 25k Tac-Loader. I left NAFB August 88, also an Air Cargo Specialist and spent a lot of time loading these and many other birds.
According to my research, this is the *"Hanoi Taxi" ( Tail #60177 )* ...
You are correct! It is currently on display at Wright-Pat AFB.
What is cool besides it being a Starlifter of course, it has the signatures near and on the bulkhead of the returning POWS from Nam.
She was a Norton AFB bird when I was stationed there in 67-68. That was before they stretched them.
@@GaryLeeNo1One of the POWs eventually joined the 445th MAW, James Sehorn (shot down in a F-105).
Hi Lonnie, My roommate, Rich served in Da Nang for six months. We both worked as C-141A crew chiefs on the Travis flightline. He has PSTD. The most difficult days are around July 4th when many people are shooting off fireworks. He does get help from the local VA for this affliction. Thanks for sharing your stories. Many of your stories parallel my own servicing this aircraft. Thanks for your service in Vietnam and I hope that you can help from the VA for your PSTD. I only lost some of my hearing because as you may know that we did not have adequate hearing protection especially for engine run up. I feel blessed that is the only thing that I lost for my service. God Bless.
I should clarify that he was my former roommate at Travis, he is now my brother-in-law. He suggested that I write his sister back home in Ohio. We ended up dating and then getting married. He has fond memories working on this silver bird and the many friendships that you develop while serving our country.
Gary, my dad suffers from PTSD...he get treatment now, but when was a boy he would react terribly to almost any loud noise!
this aircraft was one of the aircraft i serviced as a crewchief at Norton AFB from 1982 to 1992.
Im a current maintainer on C-17s and C-5s. I've always been curious about how things use to be, thanks for the video!
Thanks for your service!
Fantastic interview! Very insightful!
I remember seeing these flying in & out of Christchurch intl airport in NewZealand as part of Operation Deepfreeze at the twilight of their career.
Hi, Lonnie, I was also a crew chief at Travis AFB, 602 OMS. I worked on most of the C-141s at Travis the 3 1/2 years (1966-70) that I was stationed there including the Golden Bear. 38088 was one of the LTF (Lead The Force) aircraft stationed there. It is now on display at Travis Air Force Base near Fairfield, CA. LTF aircraft were given the most flight time so that we could use the maintenance info that aircraft generated to anticipate future breakdowns of the rest of the fleet. We had 2 LTF aircraft, 8088 and 8084. I was a crew member on 40650, and later became crew chief of 50231 and 50277. I left the service in early January, 1970 probably before you got there. You were probably my replacement, but I remember on my last retainment/reenlistment meeting that they wanted me to stay and train on the new aircraft coming in, the C-5A. I decided to become a civilian instead. Listening to you on this video reminded me of those great days long ago. Take care, Lonnie. If you want to reminisce some more, email me at kleingl@gmail.com
My memory had a lapse when I said 8084 was one of the LTFs, it was 38075 instead. I had similar story about a broken cockpit window on a preflight, Lonnie! I only changed 2 cockpit windshields while my roommate changed a dozen or so because he had small hands and could reach those screws on the bottom. Like you I have dozen of stories about working on the flightline on that aircraft. I lost a roommate that was on a wing jack while jacking a Starlifter. They changed the jacking procedure after that tragic incident. Fortunately, all the others were just incidents that no one got hurt like yours,
I liked the two tone paint jobs better than all grey.