RIP Major Del Bagno. From 1992 - about 1996 we followed the Thunderbird
shows over 4 States. #1 Pilot was local, my sons and Crazy Guy knew his family. Stayed in same hotels, took them out to dinner, In Knoxville, they let us drive to the airport in their State Police escorted motorcade at a 'classified' speed. In Myrtle Beach, we were the last ones to leave a restaurant. Told the owner about hanging around with the pilots. He went back in the kitchen and wrapped up all the leftover King crab & melted butter. The pilots were sleeping so we went on the beach with their crews to eat the crab.
At another show, one of the pilots was also a Stealth instructor. He and older son who was around 10 years old sat at the table with their heads together. Later he told us that older son mentioned the Microsoft F-117 computer game so the pilot was grilling older son about the aircraft, weapons, range, etc. He told us he thought all that was still classified but the program was 100% accurate.
I had a little contest with their photographer who used burst mode to film. I would point and shoot once and by sheer luck get a better photo of a few maneuvers and sent him copies.
Great times with the most excellent folks.
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In response to this post by F4EHokie)
Posted: 04/05/2018 at 9:35PM