Bruce, Those "cool" memories are really what keeps us moving! In 1967, as 1 of 16 new hires of North American Aviation's engineering department, we were "transported" to Palmdale and Edwards Air Force Base (not exactly "Beam me up, Scotty" because we were on the company's DC-3 shuttle run from LAX) to get a look at the B-70. Our personnel guide called her the "Savior" rather than Valkyrie (which I found rather strange) as he guided us through a maze leading to the high bay where she was kept.
When we entered the bay, there was the most spectacular sight imaginable: a 190 ft long, 100+ ft wingspan bomber with her nose over 20 ft above the runway, capable of over 2000 mph and weighting over 1/2 million lbs (with fuel) all painted white.
My reaction was to laugh!
Strange as that seems, the personnel guide looked at me and smiled. He later told me that I might have been the only one to "appreciate" the name "change" to Savior. It had nothing to do with saving the company, but instead it was the first thing that ran through my head when I saw her (apologies to anyone who is offended): Jes-- Chr---!
After allowing each of us a brief sitting in the cockpit, and a "pilot briefing", it was time to leave the hangar. As we headed for the waiting bus, we were suddenly directed to "stay clear of the door, do NOT go outside"! Of course, we all looked and saw an SR-71 (it was a YF-12 in those days) taxi past.
How much better could this day get?! Actually, it was going to do so! Our bus ride down the flight line took us past another 3-4 "Blackbirds" before we got to the reviewing stand. We were going to get to "watch" an X-15 flight. It is really hard to watch a flight where a B-52 takes the flight vehicle to 45,000 feet altitude before it begins to fly on its own and when the top speed of the flight is over 6 times the speed of sound (over 4000 mph) while climbing to more than 50 MILES altitude before gliding back down (out of fuel). You do get to hear some good sonic booms however. X-15 pilots have received Astronauts Wings for some of their flights! You have probably heard of one them: Neil Armstrong. That day ranks as one of the best of my life and reliving the memory of it today is making today another good day! -- Doug
I told my wife I feel like our house is the "servants quarters" for some of the other houses.