"Alconburian" Doug Gordon douglin@breathemail.net is in the process of writing a book, and he may need YOUR help!
He says:
I need input from the RB guys.
When I asked him why he is doing this project, he said:
I am determined to do the book (very brief synopsis below) because:
1. It interests me.
2. It is a story that hasn't been told properly yet.
3. If it's not done in the next few years then a lot of the people involved are not going to be around. I would like to complete it for them if for no one else!
4. It will be a tribute to the many unsung heroes of Tac Recce in hot war and cold.
I hope that doesn't sound too corny. I also do get paid for it but not enough to make a huge difference to our life style! ....mostly just covering expenses such as annual trips to Tac Recce reunions in the USA.
After the Christmas break I'll scan some photos and e mail them to go with the 10th article. In the meantime could I prevail on you, Bob to spread the word a bit about the work I'm doing. I need personal stories and also photos, not only of the '66s but also of the previous RBs: 26 and 57.
... and so this is what I am doing (Bob Green)...
A (very) brief synopsis of the book will be:
1. The immediate post war period in Europe and the East. This would inevitably include reference to the rundown in capability in the euphoria of the peace. The work of the tac.recce. units in the period 1946 through to the beginning of the Korean War. The development of new aircraft and the rejuvenation of the old in the light of the rising threat from the Soviet Union and Red China. There would need to be some reference here to the very early ECM missions flown clandestinely in Europe by the 10th TRGp before their deactivation.
2. The Korean Conflict and the role of the 67th TRW from 1950 to 1954.
3. Haymakers, Hearthrobs and Slick Chicks. The role of the highly secret RF-86 missions over Red China and the Soviet Far East in the early to Mid '50s. Also the RB-57A missions out of Bitburg and Yokota flying clandestinely over the Soviet Union and the RF-100A missions that were flown over the Soviet Union from Turkey, Rhine Maine and Yokota. This will be difficult! (I’m aware that a lot of this is ‘strategic’ but it warrants inclusion in so far as it provides continuity for the pilots’ stories; many of whom flew tac recce before and after tdy to the clandestine units which flew tactical aircraft.)
4. The build up in Europe from 1952 when the 117th TRW arrived in the theatre and was redesignated the 10th TRW. The arrival of the 66th TRW in 1953 at Sembach AFB. The story of these units and the role they played in Cold War Europe. Hopefully a closer look at the secret missions of the 19th TRS’ RB-45s and the 19th and 42nd TRS' RB-66Cs.
5. The Stateside Story. The role of Shaw AFB as the home of Tac Recce training. What training was specific to the Recce pilot both in the single seat jets and the RB-26, RB57 and RB-66. The Cuban Missile Crisis and the role of the RF-101 Voodoos. Operation Sun Run.
6. SE Asia the early days. 'Operation Field Goal' out of Laos. RF-101C 'Able Mabel' missions. the beginnings of US overt involvement in the area. The missions over the North by the RF-101 pilots.
Various appendices on aircraft, biographies, photographic techniques etc. + a lot of photos!
So, if you can assist Doug, please contact him at: douglin@breathemail.net"
Thanks for your help! Bob Green