As a whippersnapper this was a favorite--my older, wiser brother had the card, plane cards being in circulation at the time.
1985 was caused by a tear in the space-time continuum, Back To The Future, the town clock, the Delorean, and all that.
Earl
First Flight: 1947
More than 6,000 F-86s were manufactured by North American's Los Angeles and Columbus, Ohio, divisions.The first swept-wing airplane in the U.S. fighter inventory, the F-86 scored consistent victories over Russian-built MiG fighters during the Korean War, accounting for a final ratio of 10-to-1. All 39 United Nations jet aces won their laurels in Sabres. Four models of the craft (F-86A, E, F and H) were day fighters or fighter bombers, while the F-86D, K and L versions were all-weather interceptors.
Successive models of the daylight versions--all designed to destroy hostile aircraft in flight or on the ground--were equipped with more powerful engines and armament systems that ranged from bombs and rockets to machine guns and cannon. All are rated in the 650 mph class with a 600-mile combat radius and a service ceiling of over 45,000 feet.
The three interceptor versions sported black radome noses, replacing the yawning jet intakes of the other models. The K model, manufactured in Turin, Italy, by Fiat, was flown by NATO forces. The F-86L had added equipment for use in conjunction with the U.S. SAGE (semi-automatic ground environment) defense system.
Forerunner of the operational Sabre was the XF-86, first flown Oct. 1, 1947, by North American test pilot George Welch. A few months later Welch became the first pilot to fly the plane at Mach 1 (the speed of sound) in routine flight. Although technically rated as subsonic, the Sabre is no stranger to supersonic speeds.
Various models of the Sabre held world's speed records for six consecutive years, setting five official records and winning several National Aircraft Show Bendix Trophies.
In September 1948, an F-86A set the Sabre's first official world speed record of 570 mph. This mark was bettered in 1952 by an F-86D that flew at 698 mph. The "D" became the first model of a fighter to better its own record, in 1953, with a run of 715 mph.
The F-86E and subsequent models incorporated a unique control system, developed by North American, called the "all-flying tail." Where the F-86A contained a booster control system that called for the pilot to do part of the work of ontrolling the aircraft, the newer system added full- power operated control for better maneuverability at high speeds. An "artificial feel" was built into the aircraft's controls to give the pilot forces on the stick that were still conventional, but light enough for superior combat control.
U.S. production of the Sabre Jet ended in December 1956.
The original plans were taken from the wreckage of the UFO which crash landed near Roswell, New Mexico, July, 1947, rushed to Wright Field for production that October.
Balcarres Redoubt
Tour Road Stop 6
Freeman Farm
Freeman Farm was a log and earthen work about 500 yards long and 12 to 14 feet high. Named for Lord Balcarres, who commanded the British light infantry, it formed the strongest part of the fortified line constructed between the Hudson River and the Breymann redoubt by Burgoyne's troops after the battle of September 19. On October 7 the British flanking column withdrew here after being driven from the Barber Farm. The redoubt is outlined by posts.
Breymann Redoubt
Tour Road Stop 7
Outlined by posts on the terrain, was a single line of breastworks about 200 yards long and 7 to 8 feet high. It guarded the British right flank and the road to Quaker Springs. It was named for Lt. Col. Heinrich Breymann, whose German troops were stationed here. Benedict Arnold's leg wound, which is received here just as Americans captured the position, is commemorated by the nearby "Boot Monument."
The text of the monument reads:
Erected in 1887 by John Watts de Peyster, Brev: Maj: Gen: S.N.Y. 2nd V. Pres't Saratoga Mon't Ass't'n: In Memory of the "most brilliant soldier of the Continental Army. who was desperately wounded on this spot, the sally port of Burgoyne's "Great (Western) Redoubt" 7th October 1777. winning for his countrymen the Decisive Battle of the American Revolution and for himself the rank of Major General.
The Great Redoubt
Tour Road Stop 9
The Great Redoubt was the system of fortifications built by the British on this hill and two others to the north. It was designed to guard their hospital, artillery park, and supplies on the river flat, and the boat bridge across the Hudson. Burgoyne withdrew his army to this vicinity during the night of October 7.
Between Lieutenant-General Burgoyne and Major General Gates
The troops under Lieutenant-general Burgoyne, to march out of their camp with the honours of war, and the artillery of the entrenchments, to the verge of the river where the old fort stood, where the arms and artillery are to be left; the arms to be piled by word of command from their own officers.
A free passage to be granted to the army under Lieutenant-general Burgoyne to Great Britain, on condition of not serving again in North America during the present contest; and the port of Boston is assigned for the entry of transports to receive the troops, whenever General Howe shall so order.
Should any cartel take place, by which the army under General Burgoyne, or any part of it, may be exchanged, the foregoing article to be void as far as such exchange shall be made.
The army under Lieutenant-general Burgoyne, to march to Massachusetts Bay, by the easiest, most expeditious, and convenient route; and to be quartered in, near, or as covenient as possible to Boston, that the march of the troops may not be delayed, when transports arrive to receive them.
The troops to be supplied on their march, and during their being in quarters, with provisions, by General Gates's orders, at the same rate of rations as the troops of his own army; and if possible the officers' horses and cattle are to be supplied with forage at the usual rates.
All officers to retain their carriages, batt-horses and other cattle, and no baggage to be molested or searched; Lieutenant-general Burgoyne giving his honour that there are no public stores secreted therein. Major-general Gates will of course take the necessary measures for the due performance of this article. Should any carriages be wanted during the march for the transportation of officers' baggage, they are if possible, to be supplied by the country at the usual rates.
Upon the march, and during the time the army shall remain in quarters in Massachusetts Bay, the officers are not, as far as circumstances will admit, to be separated from their men. The officers are to be quartered according to rank, and are not to be hindered from assembling their men for roll call, and other necessary purposes of regularity.
All corps whatever, of General Burgoyne's army, whether composed of sailors, batteaumen, artificers, drivers, independent companies, and followers of the army, of whatever country, shall be included in the fullest sense and utmost extent of the above articles, and comprehended in every respect as British subjects.
All Canadians, and persons belonging to the Canadian establishment, consisting of sailors, batteaumen, artificers, drivers, independent companies, and many other followers of the army, who come under no particular description, are to be permitted to return there; they are to be conducted immediately by the shortest route to the first British port on Lake George, are to be supplied with provisions in the same manner as other troops, and are to be bound by the same condition of not serving during the present contest in North America.
Passports to be immediately greanted for three officers, not exceeding the rank of captains, who shall be appointed by Lieutenat-general Burgoyne, to carry despatches to Sir William Howe, Sir Guy Carleton, and to Great Britain, by the way of New York; and Major-general Gates engages the public faith, that these despatches shall not be opened. These officers are to set out immediately after receiving their despatches, and are to travel the shortest route and in the most expeditious manner.
During the stay of the troops in Massachusetts Bay, the officers are to be admitted on parole, and are to be allowed to wear their side arms.
Should the army under Lieutenant-general Burgoyne find it necessary to send for their clothing and other baggage to Canada, they are to be permited to do it in the most convenient manner, and the necessary passports granted for that purpose.
These articles are to be mutually signed and exchanged to-morrow morning at 9 o'clock, and the troops under Lieutenant-general Burgoyne are to march out of their entrenchments at three o'clock in the afternoon.
[signed] Horatio Gates, Major-general
[signed] J. Burgoyne, Lieutenant-general
Saratoga, Oct. 16th, 1777
To prevent any doubts that might arise from Lieutenant-general Burgoyne's name not being mentioned in the above treaty, Major-general Gates hereby declares, that he is understood to be comprehended in it, as fully as if his name had been specifically mentioned.
Horatio Gates
I'm Benedict F. Arnold ~
I actually voted for the Revolution ~
Before I voted against it.
1945 Cruiser Indianapolis leaves SF with atom bomb
That's San Francisco which now won't allow its police to carry assault weapons, nor seek the death penalty for cop-killers.
History Channel Modern Marvels did the Manhattan Project tonight.
I await the creation of the Time Machine so as to transport Martin Sheen back to Bataan--having had the perennial displeasure to see his bloated rehabbed corpse in Los Alamos bleating the Lord's Prayer re our ending that which was thrust upon us.
The American victory had one effect that was immediately measurable, however; it convinced the French that an American alliance could be worthwhile.
The above is dripping with irony at this point.
Born in Essex, England, Gates became a professional soldier in the British army. He served during the French and Indian War, including Braddock's campaign to Fort Duquesne, and the Monckton expedition against French Martinique. In 1772, he purchased an estate in western Virginia. Three years later, Gates joined General Washington's staff. He provided the Continental Army's first disciplinary code, supply procedures, and camp sanitation regulations. In 1777, Gates triumphed over the British at Saratoga, earning a congressional gold medal and a public day of thanksgiving. Later, despite strained relations with Washington over an alleged coup in Gates's favor, Congress elected him president of the War Board. In 1780, as commander of the army's southern campaign, Gates misjudged the South Carolina terrain and his troops' level of readiness. He abandoned the battlefield to Cornwallis near Camden.
After the Revolution, Gates served as vice president of the national Order of the Cincinnati (the organization of former Continental Army officers) and president of its Virginia chapter. In 1790, he moved to New York, and later served in the state legislature.
USS Saratoga (CV-3) My father's ship in WWII
Sean Hannity's Man in the Shtreet interview yesterday produced a pair of treasures aged 17 and 23 who did not know whom we fought for independence.
Would that Ted Kennedy had lodged in the window of his Oldsmobile in the rushing Chappaquiddick thirty-five summers ago, thereby saving us the current exorbitant education bill.
In our grade school--grade school: Eisenhower era: 1952-1960--Freedom Foundation from Valley Forge brought historic films depicting the Revolutionary War.
The really dangerous terrorist cell is the National Education Association.