Pictures or it didn't happen.

Back to the headline:



Was this the Chuck you were talking about?

Yeager has balls of steel...too bad he never got a chance to go into space, he earned it

m0llusk: Link goes to "Jesus is my friend" by Sonseed. Is that supposed to be funny? You're just going to make YouTube drop another lame video. There doesn't seem to be any meaningful connection to Chuck Yeager's flying stunt.

You're so right. Has fark got any decency yet? I'm going to talk to the Internet Manners Society (which I've just now created) to see if we might be able to fine this scalawag.

what federal law are you talking about subby?

Are you really sure flying under a bridge was a federal crime in 1948? I'm not sure it is now.

That was a dangerous, even reckless thing to do and is properly a crime. The statute of limitations, however, is .003 seconds. If you can get him before then, by all means, write him a ticket for hauling ass and illegal transport of huge testicles across county lines.

The federal crime was the Rick roll at the start of this thread.

// Hey Ridley. Got any Beemans? Loan me a stick will ya? I'll pay you back later.

/my grandfather
//Always speak with conviction
///it makes your lies believable

Bush has been doing it for years.

SomeCallMeTim: Bush has been doing it for years.

That took much longer than it should have...

B-b-b-b-but Bush!!!!
B-b-b-b-but Clinton!!!

Impressive, but still doesn't beat this.

/not a rick roll
//or a sonseed
///or any other BS joke youtube link. It's topical, because it's got an air stunt in it

SomeCallMeTim: Bush has been doing it for years.

That's more like 7 Billion witnesses.

/GI Joe/Eskimo Barbie 2008! They've got what fascists crave!

Tower, this is Ghost rider requesting a flyby.

That's a negative Ghost rider, the pattern is full.

CAPTAIN: Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh...
Who can commit a federal crime in front of 10,000 witnesses and get away with it?
CHORUS: Ole Chuck Yeager!
CAPTAIN: Who's gnarled and a hero and don't give a shiat?
CHORUS: Ole Chuck Yeager!
CAPTAIN: If reckless jet flyin' be something ye dig --
CHORUS: Ole Chuck Yeager!
CAPTAIN: Then buzzbomb some yokels -- zoom under their bridge!
CHORUS: Ole Chuck Yeager!
EVERYONE: Ole Chuck Yeager! Ole Chuck Yeager! Ole Chuck Yeager!
CAPTAIN: Ole Chuck Yay-grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!
(sonic boom)

Author: Lea MacDonald

It was noon on a Sunday as I recall, the day a Mustang P-51 was to take to the air. They said it had flown in during the night from some US airport, the pilot had been tired. I marveled at the size of the plane dwarfing the Pipers and Canucks tied down by her. It was much larger than in the movies. She glistened in the sun like a bulwark of security from days gone by.

The pilot arrived by cab, paid the driver, and then stepped into the flight lounge. He was an older man; his wavy hair was gray and tossed. Looked like it might have been combed, say, around the turn of the century.

His flight jacket was checked, creased and worn - it smelled old and genuine. Old Glory was prominently sewn to its shoulders. He projected a quiet air of proficiency and pride devoid of arrogance. He filed a quick flight plan to Montreal (Expo-67, Air Show) then walked across the tarmac.

After taking several minutes to perform his walk-around check the pilot returned to the flight lounge to ask if anyone would be available to stand by with fire extinguishers while he "flashed the old bird up. Just to be safe."

Though only 12 at the time I was allowed to stand by with an extinguisher after brief instruction on its use -- "If you see a fire, point, then pull this lever!" I later became a firefighter, but that's another story.

The air around the exhaust manifolds shimmered like a mirror from fuel fumes as the huge prop started to rotate. One manifold, then another, and yet another barked -- I stepped back with the others. In moments the Packard-built Merlin engine came to life with a thunderous roar, blue flames knifed from her manifolds. I looked at the others' faces, there was no concern. I lowered the bell of my extinguisher. One of the guys signaled to walk back to the lounge. We did.

Several minutes later we could hear the pilot doing his pre flight run-up. He'd taxied to the end of runway 19, out of sight. All went quiet for several seconds; we raced from the lounge to the second story deck to see if we could catch a glimpse of the P-51 as she started down the runway. We could not.

There we stood, eyes fixed to a spot half way down 19. Then a roar ripped across the field, much louder than before, like a furious hell spawn set loose---something mighty this way was coming. "Listen to that thing!" Said the controller. In seconds the Mustang burst into our line of sight.

Its tail was already off and it was moving faster than anything I'd ever seen by that point on 19. Two-thirds the way down 19 the Mustang was airborne with her gear going up. The prop tips were supersonic; we clasped our ears as the Mustang climbed hellish fast into the circuit to be eaten up by the dog-day haze.

We stood for a few moments in stunned silence trying to digest what we'd just seen. The radio controller rushed by me to the radio. " Kingston tower calling Mustang?" He looked back to us as he waited for an acknowledgment. The radio crackled, "Go ahead Kingston ." "Roger Mustang. Kingston tower would like to advise the circuit is clear for a low level pass." I stood in shock because the controller had, more or less, just asked the pilot to return for an impromptu air show!

The controller looked at us. "What?" He asked. "I can't let that guy go without asking. I couldn't forgive myself!" The radio crackled once again, " Kingston, do I have permission for a low level pass, east to west, across the field?" "Roger Mustang, the circuit is clear for an east to west pass." "Roger, Kingston, I'm coming out of 3000 feet, stand by." We rushed back onto the second-story deck, eyes fixed toward the eastern haze.

The sound was subtle at first, a high-pitched whine, a muffled screech, a distant scream. Moments later the P-51 burst through the haze. Her airframe straining against positive Gs and gravity, wing tips spilling contrails of condensed air, prop-tips again supersonic as the burnished bird blasted across the eastern margin of the field shredding and tearing the air.

At about 400 mph and 150 yards from where we stood she passed with the old American pilot saluting. Imagine. A salute! I felt like laughing, I felt like crying, she glistened, she screamed, the building shook, my heart pounded.

Then the old pilot pulled her up. and rolled, and rolled, and rolled out of sight into the broken clouds and indelibly into my memory.

I've never wanted to be an American more than on that day. It was a time when many nations in the world looked to Americas their big brother, a steady and even-handed beacon of security who navigated difficult political water with grace and style; not unlike the pilot who'd just flown into my memory. He was proud, not arrogant, humble, not a braggart, old and honest, projecting an aura of America at its best. That America will return one day, I know it will.

Until that time, I'll just send off this story; call it a reciprocal salute, to the old American pilot who wove a memory for a young Canadian that's lasted a lifetime.

?

Rezinball: I've never wanted to be an American more than on that day. It was a time when many nations in the world looked to Americas their big brother, a steady and even-handed beacon of security who navigated difficult political water with grace and style; not unlike the pilot who'd just flown into my memory. He was proud, not arrogant, humble, not a braggart, old and honest, projecting an aura of America at its best. That America will return one day, I know it will.

I miss my country.

Tr0mBoNe: /my grandfather
//Always speak with conviction
///it makes your lies believable

Awesome story! And the best part? "We...left the rest of his punishment to his wife."

/Cool cops, cooler grandfather!
//Sounds like your grandmother was the real "spitfire", though.

Not as impressive as the Chuck Jager I know.

baked beans: what federal law are you talking about subby?

Are you really sure flying under a bridge was a federal crime in 1948? I'm not sure it is now.

Well, TFA does say the Air Force told the reporter that it was an FAA violation, that F just might stand for Federal.

Hero? He nearly killed hundreds of people. What if he had hit that bridge? Would he be a hero then? People who callously put hundreds of lives at risk should be executed.

lost cause: Hero? He nearly killed hundreds of people. What if he had hit that bridge? Would he be a hero then? People who callously put hundreds of lives at risk should be executed.

1.5/10

/.5 because your name mirrors the tone

lost cause: Hero? He nearly killed hundreds of people. What if he had hit that bridge? Would he be a hero then? People who callously put hundreds of lives at risk should be executed.


That's what makes it SO MUCH FUN. Chuck Yeager is one crazy awesome pilot anyways dude, seriously. It's not you trying it, it's CHUCK EFFIN YEAGER.

lost cause: Hero? He nearly killed hundreds of people. What if he had hit that bridge? Would he be a hero then? People who callously put hundreds of lives at risk should be executed.

Callous? Bah. Fully intentional. Risk of life to us is casual to him.

And that's why we know his name and not the reverse.

lost cause: Hero? He nearly killed hundreds of people. What if he had hit that bridge? Would he be a hero then? People who callously put hundreds of lives at risk should be executed.

Just out curiosity what part of France are you from?

lost cause: Hero? He nearly killed hundreds of people. What if he had hit that bridge? Would he be a hero then? People who callously put hundreds of lives at risk should be executed.

What's the opposite of a Chuck Yeager? A lost cause. Lighten up, asshat.

Lamune_Baba

Sorry, but
Chuck Norris = Hollywood brass balls
Chuck Yeager = Real brass balls

lost cause
Hero? He nearly killed hundreds of people. What if he had hit that bridge? Would he be a hero then? People who callously put hundreds of lives at risk should be executed.

Would he have been a hero? - No.
The real question is, would it have been funnier?

Bad troll. Bad! Bad! No cookie for you.

lost cause: Hero? He nearly killed hundreds of people. What if he had hit that bridge? Would he be a hero then? People who callously put hundreds of lives at risk should be executed.

Do you know what is a good stunt? Putting yourself at risk.

Do you know what is a farking awesome stunt? Putting everyone in the audience at risk.

Grow some balls.

I don't like you maverick, you're dangerous.

The other chuck?
There is only one CHUCK.

I demand proof that he talked in a laid-back southern twang throughout this stunt before I declare it any kind of awesome.

lost cause: Hero? He nearly killed hundreds of people. What if he had hit that bridge? Would he be a hero then? People who callously put hundreds of lives at risk should be executed.

Too bad there isn't a fail tag for comments!

Malinki: lost cause: Hero? He nearly killed hundreds of people. What if he had hit that bridge? Would he be a hero then? People who callously put hundreds of lives at risk should be executed.

Callous? Bah. Fully intentional. Risk of life to us is casual to him.

And that's why we know his name and not the reverse.

That last line is well put.

Way to go, Charlie Brown...

YouPeopleAreCrazy: lost cause: Hero? He nearly killed hundreds of people. What if he had hit that bridge? Would he be a hero then? People who callously put hundreds of lives at risk should be executed.

1.5/10

/.5 because your name mirrors the tone

It's at least 6/10 now. Easy fishing today.

You know, there was a time when the country wasn't overrun with cowards who always hyped "what if something went wrong?!". When lots of people would and could keep a secret just because it was cool too.

Now... ah, the age of self-aggrandizement and whining.

/I'm going to go drink now...

Stompn_Tom: Yeager has balls of steel...too bad he never got a chance to go into space, he earned it

Doesn't matter. He's more well known than all the astronauts, except for maybe Neil Armstrong.

The Mercury Seven astronauts hated the book and movie "The Right Stuff," because it made them look like frat boys, and glorified Chuck.

Suck it, astronauts. Chuck rocks!!

(Chuck's cameo in "The Right Stuff.")

lost cause: Hero? He nearly killed hundreds of people. What if he had hit that bridge? Would he be a hero then? People who callously put hundreds of lives at risk should be executed.

I think executing him would be a little overboard. Chuck is dead right??

A more reasonable response would be for the Air Force to dig up his corpse and throw his rotting ass in front of the court marshal he so justly deserves.

Charles Schwab?

lost cause: Hero? He nearly killed hundreds of people. What if he had hit that bridge? Would he be a hero then? People who callously put hundreds of lives at risk should be executed.

YouTube called. They want their comments back

I wish shiat like this could still happen without 10 lawsuits, 7 weeks of media coverage, 3 book deals, and a constitutional amendment passed to outlaw it even further.

skankalicious
lost cause: Hero? He nearly killed hundreds of people. What if he had hit that bridge? Would he be a hero then? People who callously put hundreds of lives at risk should be executed.


That's what makes it SO MUCH FUN. Chuck Yeager is one crazy awesome pilot anyways dude, seriously. It's not you trying it, it's CHUCK EFFIN YEAGER.

Malinki
lost cause: Hero? He nearly killed hundreds of people. What if he had hit that bridge? Would he be a hero then? People who callously put hundreds of lives at risk should be executed.

Callous? Bah. Fully intentional. Risk of life to us is casual to him.

And that's why we know his name and not the reverse.

Oh so if someone cool risks our lives it's OK. I get it now. And what if he had flown his plane into a building? Would it still be OK then? Funny how it's not OK when the muzzies do it.

Best game ever. Evar.

Remember folks - there was a time when a man stood in front of congress and said "You can all go to hell - I'm going to Texas!"

Backbone. Brass balls. Integrity. Call it what you want, it's a rare thing these days.

lost cause: skankalicious
lost cause: Hero? He nearly killed hundreds of people. What if he had hit that bridge? Would he be a hero then? People who callously put hundreds of lives at risk should be executed.


That's what makes it SO MUCH FUN. Chuck Yeager is one crazy awesome pilot anyways dude, seriously. It's not you trying it, it's CHUCK EFFIN YEAGER.

Malinki
lost cause: Hero? He nearly killed hundreds of people. What if he had hit that bridge? Would he be a hero then? People who callously put hundreds of lives at risk should be executed.

Callous? Bah. Fully intentional. Risk of life to us is casual to him.

And that's why we know his name and not the reverse.

Oh so if someone cool risks our lives it's OK. I get it now. And what if he had flown his plane into a building? Would it still be OK then? Funny how it's not OK when the muzzies do it.

you're certifiably retarded

Bridges are easy to fly under. I don't know what the BFD is.

/used to fly under power wires all the time...

Tackboard: I think executing him would be a little overboard. Chuck is dead right??

A more reasonable response would be for the Air Force to dig up his corpse and throw his rotting ass in front of the court marshal he so justly deserves.

Hell no, he's not dead! He's moved out west and is boinking a chick half his age.

Tackboard

I think executing him would be a little overboard. Chuck is dead right??

Nope, still alive.

A more reasonable response would be for the Air Force to dig up his corpse and throw his rotting ass in front of the court marshal he so justly deserves.

You fail on both counts (and on three, if we count your inability to spell "court-martial").


/ Grew up near Charleston.
// Can't help knowing about Chuck.
/// Everything around there is either named after him or Robert C. Byrd.