MY FATHER, MARK E. BRADLEY, WAS A FOUR STAR GENERAL IN THE AIR FORCE.  BUT DURING WWII, HE WAS A TEST PILOT IN THE ARMY AIR CORPS.  AT THAT TIME THE BOMBERS WERE FLYING FROM ENGLAND TO GERMANY AND THEY WERE BEING ESCORTED BY P-51s.  THE P-51 HAD JUST ENOUGH FUEL TO ESCORT THE BOMBERS 3/4 OF THE WAY.  THEN THE BOMBERS WERE BEING SHOT DOWN.  SO, MY DAD DECIDED TO TEST SOME IDEAS OF HOW TO ADD EXTRA FUEL TO THE P-51.  HE ADDED A FUEL TANK UNDER THE PILOT’S SEAT AND ONE BEHIND IT.  THE PLANE LUGGED WHEN TAKING OFF, BUT THEN COULD GO THE DISTANCE.  HE WAS INDUCTED INTO THE AVIATION HALL OF FAME FOR HELPING END THE SECOND WORLD WAR!!!

You can leave a comment or trackback from your own site.