WWII & Vietnam combat pilot Col. Richard “Dick” Bushong takes us from 155-knot B-17 climbs to Mach 2.1 in the F-4, describing 28 hairy missions, dead-reckoning nav, and sheet-metal patch art. He’s 102, still volunteers every Thursday at Tucson’s 390th Memorial Museum, and wrote My Wars to capture the stories. Grab a coffee, tighten your formation, and hear a masterclass in staying alive—plus the morale-crushing day HQ “prorated” his tour. Four engines, two out, no brakes? No problem.

Learn more about the 390th Memorial Museum in Tucson, AZ

Check out Col. Bushong's book My Wars

Show Notes

0:00 Intro

6:00 Getting Into Aviation

16:50 390th Bomb Group

28:53 Missions and Formations

39:10 Logistics

44:33 Closest Call

 

Be sure to subscribe to 21Five's Youtube Channel to see our luggage review videos!

Connect with us on LinkedIn

Our sponsors:

Move your airplane without breaking your back or the bank! Max said the Amigo AeroTow's affordable T1 tug has 'changed his hangar life'. Learn more about AeroTow's family of aviation tugs and see why its earning rave reviews from top 40 aviation podcast hosts around the globe. Use code "21five" at checkout for $100 off any AeroTow product!

--

Harvey Watt, offers the only true Loss of Medical License Insurance available to individuals and small groups. Because Harvey Watt manages most airlines' plans, they can assist you in identifying the right coverage to supplement your airline’s plan. Many buy coverage to supplement the loss of retirement benefits while grounded. Visit harveywatt.com to learn more!

--

Advanced Aircrew Academy enables flight operations to fulfill their training needs in the most efficient and affordable way—anywhere, at any time. We do this by providing high-quality professional pilot, flight attendant, flight coordinator, maintenance, and line service training modules delivered via the web using a world-class online aviation training system. Visit aircrewacademy.com to learn more!

--

Tim Pope is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and a pilot. His financial planning practice provides services to aviation professionals and aviation 401k plans. Tim helps clients pursue their financial goals by defining them, organizing & optimizing resources, planning, implementing, and monitoring their financial plan. Visit https://link.21fivepodcast.com/timothy-pope to learn more. Check out Tim's podcast: The Pilot's Portfolio podcast

--

VAERUS MEANS RIGHT, TRUE, AND REAL.Buy or sell an aircraft the right way, using a true partner, to make your dream of flight real. Connect with Brooks at Vaerus Jet Sales | Learn more about the DC-3 Referral Program

--

The 21.5 Podcast is supported by our friends at ProPilotWorld.com - The Premier Information & Networking Resource for Professional Pilots

--

Do you have feedback, suggestions, or a great aviation story to share? Email us [email protected] Check out our Instagram feed @21FivePodcast for more great content and to see our collection of aviation license plates.

The statements made in this show are our own opinions and do not reflect, nor were they under any direction of any of our employers.