| A letter from one of our viewers:
Hi.
While doing a Google search on the fabulous
A-7 Corsair, I came across your page. It's great! I am a former SLUF Fixer
too. My name is Chuck Barber and I served with VA-72, the Bluehawks
from 82 to 85. We also flew the A-7E and served aboard USS America, CV
66. Like all carriers of the time we had Tommies, Intruders, Vikings,
Prowlers, Choppers, Hummers and even a Whale that was older than most of
her squadron mates. But the Star of the show was the Sluf herself.
I was a plane captain for about a year
and got to know my plane, 160547, the famous 413 very well. Flying, she
was a beauty. On deck she lived up to her name as the short little
ugly feller. But, in a crazy at sea society, she was as important to me
as my Chevy Nova waiting for me at home. My hot rod, so to speak.
I only let the pilots borrow her once in a while to let her fly. They even
flew through some extra clouds to wash her off for me. I got
a lot of flight deck and Sluf stories. Gotta write them all down sometime
and make my own book. But that was a long time ago. I still
love planes and go to shows, but miss the old days a lot. As luck would
have it, I found a museum here in New Jersey called the Air Victory
Museum and became a member. We have a
Tomcat,
Skyhawk, Hummer,
Phantom,
Saber,
Star
fighter, and a Jolly Green. But as in the old days, the
star of the show is A-7B 154550, the fabulous 504. She's an old Viet Nam
vet, last serving with VA 305, the Lobos, a west coast squadron.
She's old, a bit banged up, missing some parts, but like 413 fifteen years
ago, she's my hot rod. Although she's never gonna fly again, I want to
make her look good for the airshow crowd. Go to www.airvictorymuseum.org
to see our toys.
Well, I've bent your ear enough. You
can contact me at Brightstar101495@hotmail.com.
I live in New Jersey near the shore if you're ever in the neighborhood.
We can swap sea stories and have a few beers. Take care and hope to hear
from you soon.
AQ-3 Chuck Barber
VA-72/ USS America
1981-85 |
Go
to the A-7 Recovery Exhibit Home Page
