On page 37 of the Spring 2018 Journal, there is a photo of USAF Ace Robin Olds standing on the ladder by his F-4 Phantom II at Ubon. He is carrying a 4" Combat Masterpiece in his regulation holster.
I was glad to see this picture for lots of reasons - not least that Col. Olds was a huge inspiration to many of us who served over there. He was gone from Thailand by the time I arrived on my first trip, but his legend was with us all the time.
But I also appreciated having photographic evidence of something that has bothered me for a while, something I know by personal experience but lacked photo proof. This is the often stated, but erroneous, assertion that USAF pilots in the Vietnam Theater of Operations carried 2" Model 15s (generally if not exclusively). It simply isn't true. I saw far more 4" guns than 2" examples in my two years over there. I never once so much as held a 2" Combat Masterpiece while in the theater.
This isn't a rant. It is just intended to be clarification.
Also, my thanks to Kevin Williams and John Brunner for the excellent Journal article. Well done.
For those of you reading this who are not SWCA Members, let me urge you to join. Among other benefits, you are missing a great publication by not becoming members and receiving the Journal. Pony up - you won't be disappointed!
I was glad to see this picture for lots of reasons - not least that Col. Olds was a huge inspiration to many of us who served over there. He was gone from Thailand by the time I arrived on my first trip, but his legend was with us all the time.
But I also appreciated having photographic evidence of something that has bothered me for a while, something I know by personal experience but lacked photo proof. This is the often stated, but erroneous, assertion that USAF pilots in the Vietnam Theater of Operations carried 2" Model 15s (generally if not exclusively). It simply isn't true. I saw far more 4" guns than 2" examples in my two years over there. I never once so much as held a 2" Combat Masterpiece while in the theater.
This isn't a rant. It is just intended to be clarification.
Also, my thanks to Kevin Williams and John Brunner for the excellent Journal article. Well done.
For those of you reading this who are not SWCA Members, let me urge you to join. Among other benefits, you are missing a great publication by not becoming members and receiving the Journal. Pony up - you won't be disappointed!