An American Hero

By Col. R.W. Cooper

I roamed North America for approximately 30 years without a permanent play mate and then at age 94 I met & married a widow named Betty J. Morgan 22 Nov. 2016. This is without a doubt the best thing that has ever happened to me & has helped extend my life span. She really takes good care of me & I am the happiest I have ever been.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lettra Press LLC
• Release date: Oct 21, 2019
• ISBN: 9781645521556

Col. R.W. Cooper

I roamed North America for approx 30 years without a permanent playmate and then at age 94 I met & married a widow named Betty J. Morgan 22 Nov. This is without a doubt the best thing that has ever happened to me & has helped extend my life span. She really takes good care of me & I am the happiest I have ever been.

Book preview

AN AMERICAN HERO

This book is written to provide information and motivation to readers. Its purpose is not to render any type of psychological, legal, or professional advice of any kind. The content is the sole opinion and expression of the author, and not necessarily that of the publisher.

Copyright © 2019 by Col. R.W. Cooper

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, transmitted, or distributed in any form by any means, including, but not limited to, recording, photocopying, or taking screenshots of parts of the book, without prior written permission from the author or the publisher. Brief quotations for noncommercial purposes, such as book reviews, permitted by Fair Use of the U.S. Copyright Law, are allowed without written permissions, as long as such quotations do not cause damage to the book’s commercial value. For permissions, write to the publisher, whose address is stated below.

Printed in the United States of America.

ISBN 978-1-951559-18-2 (Hardback)

ISBN 978-1-64552-154-9 (Paperback)

ISBN 978-1-64552-155-6 (Digital)

Lettra Press books may be ordered through booksellers or by contacting:

Lettra Press LLC

30 N Gould St. Ste N

Sheridan, WY 82801, USA

3035861431 | [e-mail]

www.lettrapress.com

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Caribou

The majority of Caribou production was destined for military operators, but the type’s ruggedness and excellent STOL capabilities requiring runway lengths of only 1200 feet (365 metres)[1] also appealed to some commercial users. U.S. certification was awarded on 23 December 1960. Ansett-MAL, which operated a single example in the New Guinea highlands, and AMOCO Ecuador were early customers, as was Air America (a CIA front in South East Asia during the Vietnam War era for covert operations). Other civil Caribou aircraft entered commercial service after being retired from their military users.

Today only a handful are in civil use.

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B-52

The B-52 has been in active service with the USAF since 1955. As of December 2015, 58 were in active service with 18 in reserve.[11] The bombers flew under the Strategic Air Command (SAC) until it was disestablished in 1992 and its aircraft absorbed into the Air Combat Command (ACC); in 2010, all B-52 Stratofortresses were transferred from the ACC to the newly created Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC). Superior performance at high subsonic speeds and relatively low operating costs have kept the B-52 in service despite the advent of later, more advanced aircraft, including the Mach 2+ B-58 Hustler, the canceled Mach 3 B-70 Valkyrie, the variable-geometry B-1 Lancer, and the stealth B-2 Spirit. The B-52 completed sixty years of continuous service with its original operator in 2015. After being upgraded between 2013 and 2015, it is expected to serve into the 2050s.[Note 2]

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B-24

The B-24 was used extensively in World War II. It served in every branch of the American armed forces as well as several Allied air forces and navies. It saw use in every theater of operations. Along with the B-17, the B-24 was the mainstay of the US strategic bombing campaign in the Western European theater. Due to its range, it proved useful in bombing operations in the Pacific, including the bombing of Japan. Long-range anti-submarine Liberators played an instrumental role in closing the Mid-Atlantic gap in the Battle of the Atlantic. The C-87 transport derivative served as a longer range, higher capacity counterpart to the Douglas C-47 Skytrain.

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B-29

The B-29 was the progenitor of a series of Boeing-built bombers, transports, tankers, reconnaissance aircraft and trainers. The re-engined B-50 Superfortress became the first aircraft to fly around the world non-stop, during a 94-hour flight in 1949. The Boeing C-97 Stratofreighter airlifter, first flown in 1944, was followed in 1947 by its commercial airliner variant, the Boeing Model 377 Stratocruiser. This bomber-to-airliner derivation was similar to the B-17/Model 307 evolution. In 1948, Boeing introduced the KB-29 tanker, followed in 1950 by the Model 377-derivative KC-97. A line of outsized-cargo variants of the Stratocruiser is the Guppy / Mini Guppy / Super Guppy, which remain in service with NASA and other operators.