His Bi-Plane
OK,
How does a LTjg afford that?
He could come from a wealthy family. His father died at an early age and might have left him a trust. If he died in an accident an insurance funded trust could have been set up for him. He could have also recieved a settlement from being shot at the party. I doubt the Marine would have much money but the people who owned the house where the party was being held could have been held liable. I imagine the company that held the homewoner's policy would want to settle that quickly and not let the media have a field day about the "perfect" teenager and the terrible insurance company.
I wonder what happened to the Marine that shot him? The USMC pride themselves on their dicipline and their ability to handle small arms. To have some Ahole, probably fresh out of boot, go to a party, play with 2 pistols at a table, point them at someone, and then shoot him in the face. Would that fall under the UCMJ or civilian law enforcement?
I do have a question about the stearman, why would you go out and buy a stearman and use that crappy sigtronic's headset? I am not saying that he should have a bose stereo noise cancelling headset but atleast get a set of David Clark 13.4's. (I am joking about the headset but David Clark green would look better the baby blue with that leather.)
Not sure why he has that headset unless it came with the plane. Its actually for sale now back east and Jay now out west as an IP with a USMC/USN squadron. Great guy, as I have met him a few times. He progressed thru the SNJ/T-6 and now flys F4U-4 Corsair and uses his flight helmet now. Better that that headset in the bi-plane.
Recent photo:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/phantomphan1974photography/4574097901/
In regards to the original subject of this post, the Stearman is much more affordable compared to a Corsair. I am assuming that he owns it (you said he flies it) and is not a muesum volunteer pilot. If he does own one, at least he doesn't have to worry about money for paying back student loans. I can think of worse jobs in he Navy to pay you time back for going to Annapolis.
You gotta love those bent wing birds. Europeans hated the aerodynamics of radial engines but 2000 H.P. is 2000 H.P. Not to mention the fact they were tough as nails. I know the Royal Navy used them off of their carriers but I wonder if a Corsair (from a land base or carrier) ever went up against a ME 109 or FW 190. They were big, heavy, and fast like a P-47 but weren't they more manueverable? Seems like they would have been well suited for shooting down buzz bombs. I have often wondered why they didn't have a couple of squadrons of USMC Corsairs at Normandy. In every film about the PTO, they show Corsairs flying dirty (flaps and gear down so they can fly slower) and dropping Napalm. They basically created the concept of close air support. From what I have read, they really needed them on Omaha beach.
Jay does seem like a nice guy. He seemed to have a natural confidence and much more down to Earth than Megan. I am not going to talk ill of her so I will say this, she came off as someone who needs their ego stroked to perform. I imagine getting shot in the face and almost losing your dream puts things into perspective. I hope he will go far.
I am not going to talk ill of her so I will say this, she came off as someone who needs their ego stroked to perform.
Agreed. "Just fly the plane, ma'am. It's not all about you." share