I was the crew chief of 318 in Korat. I was reassigned stateside but I transferred 318 to the 354th TFS in Takhli before I left. Eight years later I am enlisted maintenance advisor to the 113th TFW DC ANG at Andrews AFB and we received some replacement aircraft from Maconnell AFB, among them were...yep, you guessed it, 62-4318!! In 1982 I transferred it again, this time to the 421st TFW AFRES Hill AFB, Utah. A few years later I came across an article about 318 being put on display in Centralia Illinois. During this search I became acquainted with Betty Pachura, widow of Lt Col. Bill Pachura whose assigned aircraft was 62-4318 at Takhli!!! Now I find Mr. Morgan's adventure with the aircraft in 1964, Holy Cow!!! Mr. Morgan, thanks for your service, thanks for taking as good care of 318 as she would let you. Nice to know she isn't awaiting the boneyard. Funny thing, we had nose art on our airplanes (can't do it today, Me got in heap big trouble in Iraq war 2003) the guy next to me named his -105 "Thunder Axe" because his had flown through some trees, if I'd only known!!!

Okay, Thud fixers, what 3 jobs were the biggest pain in the --- on the -105? How's about #3; installing the "Iron Maiden". #2; closing the drag chute door (I weighed 130 lbs, after 20 attempts, my pilot suggested that I hold my toolbox in my hand and try it again!! And #1; the raising and lowering of the bomb bay tank.

Mike, Thank you for your service. Great memories, thanks for sharing. Take care, Jack