I live in Mission Hills in San Diego and its surreal. Still not as bad as the fires four years ago. At least you can see the sun this time.

It is horrible to look at the ashfall swirling down out of the sky and realize it is the remains of a photo album, or a christmas ornament, or cherished heirloom. The tendrils of smoke drift over the sprawled and helpless city. Our building is hosting about twenty refugees and for the most part, everyone is keeping a noble chin.

Its a mess here in paradise.

Before I return to anonymity, I want to tell you I love this website. It is one of the few that my son and I can enjoy together.

Erik Shilling, the "Flying Tiger" in the photo, was a friend of mine, along with Tex Hill. We lost Erik just a couple years ago - I miss his easy-going smile and good nature. It sucks that we are losing these guys but its something I need to get used to. :\

Gordon

No, not Japanese - I am former Navy; we used to fly in the Sea of Ohkotsk and between Vladivostok & Sakhalin Island, which was within range of shore-based Hinds. Lots of Hinds, Badgers, Su-15s, and the occasional MiG 23 would come out to play with us. Do a search on Seasnake and Gordon and it will take you to a page where I have ~60 photos posted of our encounters with Soviet warplanes. Fun times, fun times...

That's a Soviet-era Mi 24 Hind gunship, if anyone is interested. I spent my youth getting chased around by those ugly buggers off Simushir Island in the Kuriles.

BTW, its not called an "autogyro" (which is a combination of aircraft / rotorcraft), its an autorotation, defined as "a method of keeping a pilot's hands and feet occupied as he plunges to his death."

v/r Gordon