In 1943 my parents met on the P-38 assembly line. My dad worked on the front landing gear and my mother worked on the gun compartment above him. She would drop things on or near him so that he would have to hand them back up to her. That was how she started flirting with him. They would get married after the war.
Growing up in Burbank, in the 50’s, I can remember my parents and their friends occasionally talking about the war, rationing, working at Lockheed, and the Lightning.
Back then; ‘war’ was our one of our favorite games. We would take our allowances and go to the Army-Navy store and buy web gear, helmet liners, first aid kits, insignia, etc. And then with our toy guns we’d fight the kids from the other blocks.
When I was 9, I told my parents that when I grew up I wanted to fly a P-38 like the ones they made at Lockheed. But I was told I wouldn’t be able to. They didn’t make them anymore.
Now, 55 years later, thanks to Hitech and all his crew, I get to live that childhood dream.
I fly the L with rockets. Never know when a little jabo work might be necessary, I enjoy blowing things up. The J & G strictly air-to-air.
I know the toy box has a lot of choices. But didn’t all of us have that one favorite toy? I know I did.
Mine is the Lightnings.
Thanks for all the replies. See you out there.
LtngRydr
Knights
Butch Ryder
