Hello. Rick stepped out for a moment and while he’s gone, I’m hijacking his blog. Unfortunately, I know nothing about the types of machinery he discusses here—I do know a thing or two about vintage aircraft.

Well, they are vintage now. They were just elderly when I crawled around beneath, atop, and inside them. I’ve found there’s no better shelter from the rain on the flight line than a big plane’s wheel well.

In 1974-5, I was stationed in the Philippines, where I was assigned to the ground crews working on C-141 and C-5 transport as part of the Military Airlift Command (MAC). Our job was ferrying cargo in and out of Southeast Asia. We had just completed Operation Babylift, and the evacuation of Saigon and I was returning stateside.

I was being assigned to SAC (Strategic Air Command), not to the B-52s that I trained on but to a squadron flying the Boeing KC-135Q Stratotanker, the Air Force’s first jet powered refueling tanker—the command’s flying gas station. It was equipped with four Pratt and Whitney J57 turbojets that used water injection for take-off. Besides the usual fuel tanks in the wings, this plane carried a belly full of jet fuel.

On the underside of the body just below the tail was the “boom pod”, a small bubble at the base of a winged refueling boom attached below the tail of the aircraft. This boom would be lowered when an aircraft needing fuel approached and was then “flown” into the approaching plane’s refuel port by the boom operator called the Boomer. He had a single “stick” (like you see on helicopters) that allowed him to control the boom and reportedly the ideal job for any man—to lay on his belly and pass gas.

The “Q” designation was given because these models were equipped with two refueling ports, one in each wheel well. One port allowed fueling of tanks within the body of the aircraft, the other the wing tanks so it could carry two different types of fuel. This modification was needed to allow the aircraft to carry out its special mission of refueling the SR-71 Blackbird which burned a unique fuel not burned by any other aircraft as far as I know.

I was given my own plane and crew and the 1958 model tanker I was assigned to was older than all of my assistants and as old as many of the men flying it. Tanker ground crews, back then, flew along with their plane when it left its home base. The old plane, 0084, took me and my crew over the pole, south of the equator, to Europe and to Asia. One day we flew circles around an island just off the Florida Keys before returning home.

On one particular trip home after months in England, we were dragging F-4s back to the States. In a Fighter Drag, our big plane was followed by fighter aircraft whose fuel tanks were not large enough to cross the Atlantic without refueling. Like a swarm of hungry mosquitoes, they followed us along drinking as we went. The pilot stepped out of the cockpit, went into the toilet, came off, got coffee and returned to the cockpit. Nothing unusual until the flight crew broke into laughter.

It seems a fighter jockey impressed them with some rolls and loops and radioed, “Let’s see you do that!” Following the pilot’s visit aft, he radioed back, “I just got up, went to take a pee, got a cup of coffee, and walked back to my seat. Let’s see you do that!”

I watched over the boomer’s shoulder once while refueling the SR71. He said there they are and pointed to a microscopic black spec that I could barely see. I could tell from the sound of our engines; we were going as fast as we could. Seconds later that dot was a big black plane right beneath us. The boomer unlatched the boom, flew it back and forth until it looked like he was going to put it through the SRs windshield. Then with a neat little flip of his wrist it slid miraculously into the receptacle just above the other pilot’s head.

The KC-135s were still flying for Operation Desert Storm. Like most aging machinery, the cost of repairs sent the Air Force looking for a replacement aircraft.

It was great talking to you. It was fun for me because I don’t usually get the chance to talk about aircraft, my blogs are about writing, politics, and Christianity. I’m out of here before Rick gets back. If I don’t get in serious trouble for this one, maybe I’ll try and sneak in again and tell you about another plane.

Editor’s note~ Jack, feel free to share about another airplane anytime you would like. Aircraft can easily be included as on topic ~ Rick

I gave hint to a new writing adventure, I’m undertaking, in the article 2022?. I wrote a book. The manuscript submission earned my first contract. Sometime, in the next year, New Perspectives will be available for purchase.

It’s amazing to reach the goal of being a published novelist. This wasn’t an actual goal I set for myself though. When I was an 18 year old high school graduate, I was just glad to be done with school. I should have paid closer attention to what my pretty English teacher was teaching, instead of admiring her.

I still plan to pursue being a journalist. There will still be articles, here, describing tractor adventures, such as shows and pulls. This blog will still celebrate the passion of country life and antique tractors.

Since my horizons are expanding, I want to give this readership the opportunity to enjoy the adventure too. My advancement in writing happened because of the supportive following. Thank you for that support!

I will be introducing new people in this blog. They won’t necessarily be interested in tractors, but our tractor friends may be interested in learning more about them. Our readers can look forward to meeting fellow authors, publishing with House of Honor Publishing.

One of the first people I’ll be introducing is Jack LaFountain. He is not only one of the authors in the House of Honor family, He is the publisher. I’m honored to be working with him.

Jack has several books available. I have listened to two so far using Audible. I plan to share a review in a future article here.

Anyway, that’s what will be happening in 2022. I hope you enjoy the new road I’ll be guiding down. Back to work, My next adventure is half way written! This manuscript isn’t going to take 8 years to complete!

There’s just something about going to auctions. The advertising leading up to the upcoming sale, can create an exciting spectacle. Auctions are a great strategy to buy or sell.

Auctions have been changing in the past few years though. In the recent past, a person could take part in the proceedings without actually being on site. This new method of bidding via a phone call and then later by personal computer started as a convenience to bidders. The recent pandemic made this the new normal due to social distancing.

Now in recent times, auction companies are conducting their sales more like the method Ebay uses. The bidding is taking place online for a certain amount of time, with a set closing date.

This new style opens up buyers in a much larger arena. The larger audience may have its pros and cons though.  If a buyer is the type with need to actually “kick the tires” this new method may not be to their particular liking. Auctioneers do have open houses displaying the for sale items.  The con is travel to the open house. This convenience helps insure the buyers confidence. Otherwise consideration in pictures and videos determine maximum bids. Further con is the travel may double.  Generally there is a date to pick up the items after the sale has closed. Shipping is more the buyer’s concern.

A few auction houses have started filming the prospective purchases. This helps demonstrate “real time” authenticity. This helps eliminate questions for distant prospective purchasers.

A buyer needs  confidence in the auctioneer. My personal recommendation is dealing with reputable known companies.  The good ones ease the sale burdens by helping arrangement of shipping, answer questions, and address concerns. Sales managers are only a phone call, text or email away.

A new method of extended bidding has been introduced in the online style of auction. The whole sale continues beyond the scheduled closing time. This gives bidders a last minute chance to place a winning bid. I’ve heard conflicting opinions towards this practice.

The times are changing, we all need to embrace this new reality. What will be sad is live on sight auctions becoming a thing of the past. Listening to an auctioneer chant may become a forgotten song in the wind.

I’m sure everyone has been hungry and have no idea what they want to eat. That would be a great analogy of my writing pursuit. Thanksgiving weekend brought me to, yet, another crossroad.

I completed my first manuscript. Where do I go from here in the novelist aspect? Well, I’ll tell you this much. I’ve ventured into uncharted waters and I’m having an interesting adventure. *Note the bold italics. I have already started to pen my next work. Hopefully it won’t take me 8 years to complete.

I haven’t given up on the video aspect of journalism. I’ve admitted, before, that my foremost focus is writing. Still photography holds my stronger interest. I discovered my camera skills lack writing my last article here in the blog. Thankfully, my smartphone saved me yet again. Practice, practice, practice

I’ve ventured off on different tracts throughout the past years. Partnerships formed only to be dissolved later. I won’t apologize that I look out for the best interest of my writing craft. Mistakes are tools to teach. Some pursuing threads have been left purposely for their rightful time in my pursuit.

I’m very thankful for the guidance I’ve received. I’m also very grateful to those that lend me their ears, listening to my ideas.

As 2021 closes, I want to thank everyone of my friends and followers. I wouldn’t be where I am now without all your support. Thank you for continued patience in my irregular content. I still maintain my integrity to produce quality and not flood the audience will quantity. My hope is that you follow my creativity for that reason.

My predictions for 2022….we all share a prosperous new year! As always….let’s enjoy the ride.

Saturday, December 4th was the inaugural Christmas light parade in New Berlin, IL. Although there wasn’t any snow for Santa’s sleigh, the weather was perfect. There was a slight chill, just enough to remind us of the season.

The parade was led off buy our community’s fire department. Sydney Geyston, this year’s Sangamon County Fair Queen presided over the festivities.

Golf carts, cars, trucks and tractors followed along decorated in lights and displayed the joyous holiday season.

Thanks go to Desi King for this novel idea and being our chairperson. She did a great job and the outstanding turn out was a great reward.

I discovered night photography isn’t all that easy. Please forgive me for the pictures

Happy Holidays!

I’ve learned you don’t always need to be in the parade, there’s need for a crowd to wave to. Digger Dave and I were just spectators for a show in Bushnell, IL.

Spoon River Valley Antique Tractor Club is a great organized group that is based in a historic old barn. Their clubhouse has a rich history. Housing their tractors, in the building, is a suitable continued use.

The two buildings and carriage house are all that’s left standing from the early 1900s the facilities original intent was for breeding draft horses. The clubhouse had a twin at one time standing just to the west of it.

Later times, the building became a Case tractor dealership. Some of the box stalls were removed and parts bins and a counter were installed.

I’m told the second story was packed with snowmobiles. I didn’t get the full story as to how that came about. If an individual is brave enough to venture up there they may still find one or two lurking in the dark.

The group holds monthly meetings and gets their tractors out to sun during fitting weather. There is a two day show held during Memorial Day weekend. I highly recommend visiting. You’re going to encounter a bunch of friendly people that love to talk “tractor”

I brought up a discussion topic in the Facebook group Antique Iron Mafia not long ago. We were debating smaller tractors. Are they deemed tractors or lawn and garden tractors? 

Many different ideas were presented. Row crop tractors can be used to mow, but lawn tractors can’t necessarily be used in a row crop application. That’s a good point, so where is the line drawn?

Many manufacturing brands have built lessor horse power tractors in a smaller stature since the 40s. Older farms didn’t till as many acres as modern operations do now. 160 acres would seem pretty daunting to cover with a two or three bottom plow though. So why a 12 to 18 horse power one bottom capability?

Simply, lawn & garden tractors are two different types of tractors! There is lawn tractors and then there are garden tractors. Sure there are more modern units classified as both all in one. The garden tractor has been a part of our heritage far longer though.

Garden tractors came in demand during and after WW2. They were built to work BIG gardens. Their popularity made working the bigger plots far easier. Garden tractors tend to have a row crop capable stature. Farmall may have built a Cub, but it was a bear of a worker. There were many tillage tools available for the handy machine. Allis Chalmers built a rear engine model that had the implements right at the operator’s feet

Lawn tractors came in to popularity in the early 60s. This type of machine had a more urban focus as the yards grew bigger. There were late 50s model lawn tractors built by companies like Bolens, Wheel Horse, and Simplicity, but these companies were building garden tractors before then. Making a mowing attachment available was easy.

IH starting building their Cub Cadet in 1961. John Deere wasn’t to far behind making a lawn tractor available. Colt Manufacturing built a lawn tractor in the early 60s until Case bought the company in 1965. Its interesting to note how all the major tractor brands had lawn tractors built branded in their names. Many of the L&G models imitate the larger tractors looks.

Just like in the Blues Brothers movie. We have both kinds here… lawn and garden!

Sunday was a fun day to have an inaugural tractor show. September 12th fall like weather was perfect! There was an occasional breeze to keep the temperature pleasant. The show location was situated in front of Williamsville’s old railroad depot and train museum.

The tractor show was held in companion with the town’s fall festival. Nick Menke organized the event, doing an outstanding job. 26 units were on display. There were some lawn and garden equipment and a vintage truck in the mix.

There was a nice assortment of Oliver, John Deere, Farmall, and Cub Cadet. A few notable pieces included a Farmall C demonstrator, a David Bradley tri trac, and a Shaw Du-all.

Nine of the participating tractors went on a short drive to get a little exercise.

All in all it was a great time to reconnect with old friends, make new friends, and most of all relax. Of course Carl Davis was able to relax more than others, the sure sign of a successful show.

Cody Vedder was the lucky winner of the raffle tractor. A Allis Chalmers WC. Congratulations to a first time tractor owner!

I promised the following of the Facebook group Antique Iron Mafia a little magic fun. I’m going to restore the subject tractor in the header picture in the blink of a camera’s eye!

Okay here we go! Prepare to be amazed. This is a Shaw Du-all R12T, I’ll go more into detail about Shaw manufacturing in another article, but right now let’s have some magical fun.

I found this interesting book tucked away on a dusty shelf not long ago. I can get distracted pretty easy when I research, that may be partly why I take so long. Of course, I try to be very thorough too!

So here goes….

“With incantation and wave,”

“Of a magical hand,”

“The beauty appearance shall save,”

“Grandeur restore this old brand!”

~{{ POOF }}~

And there you have it! Completely restored!