Beech Tree News Network

Sometimes communications go wonky.  But you knew that.

I’m an old man now at 85.  Having read not a few accident reports in the Air Force some sixty-odd years ago, poor communications can cause serious accidents, and no doubt still do. 

Once a C-124 cargo pilot was making an instrument approach to the runway.  The pilot also had a bad habit of speaking in incomplete sentences.  When he broke out of the cloud cover he saw he was too low and yelled at his co-pilot, “Take-off power.”  The new co-pilot did.  He grabbed both throttles and pulled them all the way back, and off.  Instead, the pilot should have said, “Give me take-off power!”

They landed short of the runway; it washed-out the landing gear and bent both props.  Being the tough ole bird it was, the C-124 saved the crew from any serious injuries.  It flew again after repairs.  

There is an old tale about a guy who painted portraits.  One day this beautiful woman came into his studio and asked him to paint her, “in the nude.”   He flatly refused.  “I can’t do that,” he told her.  “It’s against my principles.”  She told him she’d give him five-hundred dollars if he would paint her in the nude.  This did the trick. “Ok,” he said, “but I have one stipulation.  You’ll need to let me keep my socks on.  I’ll need a place to hold my brushes.”  

Years ago there was a country singer and entertainer--a member of the Grand Ole Opry, by the name of Bobby Lord...hang on to that name.

Bobby also had a weekly live TV show on WSM, TV, Nashville, Tennessee.  In addition, Bobby Lord went on the road doing live shows.  

Once he did a show somewhere up north (where, the name escapes me). Anyway the local newspaper there did a big spread announcing: “Come and see big Grand Ole Star, Baby Lard.” 

Kindest regards…