Martin RB-57F

Tom Hawkins, e-mail, 07.09.2012 22:51 Remember the bar races at the O'club? Frank McCabe seemed to have it figured out. Ken Wetzel walked into the head and thought I was in one of the stalls. He said, boy does it stink in here. As he was washing his hands, Good ole' Colonel Click Smith walked out of the stall and said, "yeah, even mine stinks." reply

CMSgt ret John R. Penz, e-mail, 13.08.2012 05:00 Hey troops just checking in to see wassup and pass along a little info. Last year I took it upon myself to have the 58th RB57F book reprinted.It was done in a soft cover with all pages done in their original B&W or color. Had a hard time trying to scrape together 40 buyers to get a price of $21.92 + S&H.It was definitely a NOT-FOR- PROFIT undertaing but wound up I think quite successful. I included with the book a cd of the whole book, a cd given to me by NASA JSC with the history of the Longwing at NASA and the 1965 /66 Cristmas Card with the F&C inflight together all for only $27.60 which included Priority USPS Mail. I only made the quota with the good graces of several individuals purchasing several copies and donating them to various USAF Museums,Max Schuerebrenn donated a copy to the Air Force Academy Library in memory of Capt Tom Walker, KIA Laos, John Snelson and John Penz copy to Pima Air Musuesm, Richard Wojick to the National Museum of the USAF at WPAFB, George Tash donated his hard cover copy to the Kirtland AFB Museum, Mel Burns donated a copy to the Air Force Historical Center at Maxwell AFB,AL, and a copy was donated to the Warner Robins Air Force Museum by Rich Wojick, and I sent a copy to the fols at NASA JSC Houston thaning them for hosting me last year to watch a suit-up and launch of prior # 503. Yes Bubba, NASA is presently flying (2) two "F"s and 295 is undergoing a wheels up complete rebuild in Colorado to go along with her two sisters. 293 is also in Colorado undergoing some sprucing up but doubtful if she will take to the air again, more likely will be a parts donor. Last month 2 people came outm of the woodwork and snatched the last two books I had. Stange part is I now have two more people wanting books so I stepped in the cow patty and ordered 10 more books at the original price, and another 50 Christmas cards, however unless I get a generous soul that will copy my master CDs for me, they will ot be part of the package this time. Office Max burned me last year when I ran out and needed a few more. I am also having some RB57F "Black Ball" patches made but the will only be availabe to book purchasers. The lady doing the embroidery is the granddaughter of one of my former Life Support troops, and she is doing it for me at her cost, so I will definitely not be trying to even break even on these. Anyone interested in a reunion, a former member of the 58WRS at Eielson and also at Kirtland has been hosting a get to gether ay BRANSON for the past 12 years. We had about a dozen there last year. If you're intersted at:Email CR Layton at: Conradlay@aol.com Great time, great friends, good shows and chow. email me if you or anyone you know want a book. jrp aka FTroopChief reply

Garry Martin, e-mail, 06.06.2012 23:40 Tom Cerny, This is Garry Martin, do you remember me? Everything you said was true as I was with the 58th from 1964-67 and worked on 288,289,290,291,292,293, 294&295.I was on a TDY at Eilson AFB in Fairbanks Alaska Dec.Mar.1964-65 My home E-Mail is: garmart@camelliacom.com reply

Garry Martin, e-mail, 06.06.2012 22:27 Other E-Mail: garmart@camelliacom.com. I forgot to state in my narratice that I was with the 58th WRS, 4300 field, Kirtland AFB from 1964-1967. reply

Garry Martin, e-mail, 06.06.2012 22:22 Other E-Mail: garmart@camelliacom.com I noticed that at the top of this page it sayes: Strategic high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft based on B-57 bomber. The first prototype flew in 1966. I was station at Kirtland AFB, N.M. from Jan. 1964 thru 1967. During that time I was on the maintance crew on the RB-57B & F models. From 1964-67 I was on tail # 289,290,291,292,293,294. If you are interested;I have photos. reply

M. L. Shettle, e-mail, 30.05.2012 16:33 When Martin built this aircraft it was Top Secret. All flight testing was done at night. reply

Steve Patterson, e-mail, 05.03.2012 02:28 Gentleman, I was wondering if any of you had any stories about my father Bob Patterson. I believe he may have flown with Captains Laffon and Lackey out of Kirtland. There are many great memories spending time with the Laffon family on their ranch. My father passed away January 20th, 2009. reply

GEORGE SUTTON, e-mail, 02.02.2012 20:27 Was a captain /flight medical officer in F-troop 8 /66-8 /68, the went to UPT at Williams class 70-01 as Major then the Macdill,Takhli, Kunsan, in F-4E'S until leavinf for civvies as MD as an 0-5. Working on a book, more to follow. reply

Wes Janeway, e-mail, 09.01.2012 09:42 My Grandfather was Tsgt Jimmie Janeway. I have heard many stories about this plane and have lots of pictures of it. He passed away and never got to really talk to people about the missions and things he did or met the people he talked about. If any of you have anythings you would like to share or stories of him please try to contact me. My email is wesjaneway@yahoo.com reply

Craig Schneider, e-mail, 13.12.2011 19:35 My dad, Maj. Frank Schneider was pilot /maint. officer for the 58th WRS from July '69 to July '70. Lt. Col. Durden was one of his bosses. Loved it there. Wish we could have stayed there longer. Attended Cleveland Jr. High - 8th grade. Where can I get a RB-57F patch? Thanks. reply

Kyle Laffoon, e-mail, 15.10.2011 03:00 I've seen many comments about the 'F' first being used in '66. I don't think so. Lester Lackey, of Stepenville Texas, Texas A&M, flew out of Rhine Main in December of 1965. Him and back-seater were taken POW by Soviet Warships after the shot down RB-57 'F' hit the water a distance from Odessa, Ukraine. And, Yes, the 'F' was mostly made in Ft. Worth. As those in Marietta GA. were lucky to assemble a tail correctly. reply

phil putnam, e-mail, 26.08.2011 01:27 My father was Lt. Col. Joseph W. Putnam and was in the 1211th and the 58th. He flew out of Avalon AFB in Australia during those years 1962-66. Wonder if you knew him and any stories about those times? I've been in contact with quite a few AF buddies that knew and flew with him and am always interested in hearing more. Thanks Phil reply

Will Sutton, e-mail, 23.08.2011 03:37 Spent short period at Holloman AFB NM in '74-'75 on F-4D sims and saw some of these, or some modified, long-winged -57's, flying out of there. reply

Bill Basile, e-mail, 05.08.2011 00:13 I sure remember Roger Snider---He was my room-mate at Kirtland AFB. I never spent much time in the barracks since I was from Albuquerque. I really lived in downtown Albuquerque with my fiance (now my wife of 42 years). I left the 58th when my enlistment ended (I never thought I was going to live through my military enlistment). I can remember Sgt. Penz telling me that I would probably starve in civilian life (LOL). I guess he was wrong about starving, but I sure didn't end up to be President either. Oh, well, I can honestly say that the one incident I remember most was being so sick one day I did not come to work. I then had to report to Colonel Durden (maybe it was Major Durden)--in any event, he was so nice! However, his Chief Master Sargeant, I forget his name but he told me after meeting the Durden (spelling?) that I did not report to Colonel Durden properly--as if that would have made any difference! That incident taught me that there are those in the military who really care about the troops, and then there are those whose main concern is proper military etiquette (they are, IHMO totally out of it!). I will never forget doing my part in barracks clean ups! The other thing I will never forget was Friday, clean-up days--always using floor wax to both strip and wax the floors--I always thought that was pretty crazy! Roger, if you are still out there--I seemed to always get the Eilson TDY (just as you did) when it was 50 or more below zero! I can also remember how that TDY that Roger got to Mendoza, Argentina went on and on--I think it was for over 100 days--when that crew got back, the word was put out that TDYs would never again last 100 days, even though the Mendoza TDY was a very profitable one--probably the only one where people got paid more than $1 per day---I still wonder what lunatic in the Pentagon dreamed up the idea of sending troops for TDY at a $1 a day per diem! The Pentagon had to be run (probably as is true now of absolutely crazy MBA-type bean counters!) In any event, I went back to school--got my Master's at UNM--the University of New Mexico. My wife and I left Albquerque and went north to Denver. I got hired at the Auraria Higher Education Center. I retired from higher education, however, I am a life-long learner! I play recreational softball and enjoy life!! bill basile reply

Bill Basile, e-mail, 05.08.2011 00:10 I sure remember Roger Snider---He was my room-mate at Kirtland AFB. I never spent much time in the barracks since I was from Albuquerque. I really lived in downtown Albuquerque with my fiance (now my wife of 42 years). I left the 58th when my enlistment ended (I never thought I was going to live through my military enlistment). I can remember Sgt. Penz telling me that I would probably starve in civilian life (LOL). I guess he was wrong about starving, but I sure didn't end up to be President either. Oh, well, I can honestly say that the one incident I remember most was being so sick one day I did not come to work. I then had to report to Colonel Durden (maybe it was Major Durden)--in any event, he was so nice! However, his Chief Master Sargeant, I forget his name but he told me after meeting the Durden (spelling?) that I did not report to Colonel Durden properly--as if that would have made any difference! That incident taught me that there are those in the military who really care about the troops, and then there are those whose main concern is proper military etiquette (they are, IHMO totally out of it!). I will never forget doing my part in barracks clean ups! The other thing I will never forget was Friday, clean-up days--always using floor wax to both strip and wax the floors--I always thought that was pretty crazy! Roger, if you are still out there--I seemed to always get the Eilson TDY (just as you did) when it was 50 or more below zero! I can also remember how that TDY that Roger got to Mendoza, Argentina went on and on--I think it was for over 100 days--when that crew got back, the word was put out that TDYs would never again last 100 days, even though the Mendoza TDY was a very profitable one--probably the only one where people got paid more than $1 per day---I still wonder what lunatic in the Pentagon dreamed up the idea of sending troops for TDY at a $1 a day per diem! The Pentagon had to be run (probably as is true now of absolutely crazy MBA-type bean counters!) In any event, I went back to school--got my Master's at UNM--the University of New Mexico. My wife and I left Albquerque and went north to Denver. I got hired at the Auraria Higher Education Center. I retired from higher education, however, I am a life-long learner! I play recreational softball and enjoy life!! bill basile reply

Glenn Wilder, e-mail, 13.05.2011 10:17 I was stationed at Yokota AB Japan 1960 – 1961 serving as engine mechanic. My unit was the 3rd Field Maintenance Squadron. We supported the 8th, 13th and 90th Bomb Squadrons, 6091 Recon Squadron. Aircraft were RB57A, and B57B and C models. After Japan I went to 1211 Test Squadron (Sampling), later 58th WRS at Kirtland AFB, Albuquerque, NM from 1961 - 1963. We had RB /WB57B, C and D. Visited Christmas Island and Barber's Point NAS Hawaii. The squadron received the F models after I was discharged. I will never forget the first time I saw a J65 start –up. reply

CMSgt John R. Penz ret, e-mail, 24.04.2011 07:06 I arrived at 58WRS from Iceland, 21 Oct,1964 and assumed Superintendent of Life Support duties. The A /P22s-2 Full Pressure Suits were all over-age hand me downs from ADC and immediately became my biggest challenge. Took some time, a lot of cooperation from MAAMA and 31 damn good troops. I was there until my retirement 1 Sep 1973. I was assigned additional duty of First Term Retention NCO and I'm sure a lot of the younger guys wished I would leave them alone, however I gave them the facts and let them make up their own minds. Called other bases so they could get their base of choice, and the highest bonus allowed. The 58th constantly had the highest reenlistment rate in 9th Weather Wing. Glad to see all the names here, hope everyone reads this: I AM NEGOTIATING A REPRINT OF THE SQUADRON HISTORY BOOK, and prices are dependent on the number of copies ordered. This will be a soft cover edition unless I can get a decent price on a hard cover. Please email me jpenz@stx.rr.com with any questions and be sure to indicate your desires. I will answer all emails received. Example: 20 books will cost $31+ /- each, 75 books are $16+ /- each and 100 books are $14.02 each. + S&H. More are cheaper. Please reply ASAP. This is a non-profit venture. :) John P reply

deaftom, e-mail, 05.04.2011 19:53 This really should be listed under "General Dynamics" rather than Martin. GD took a B-57 and replaced everything on it except the fuselage, cockpit, horizontal tail, and landing gear. Everything else was totally redesigned, much enlarged, and built from scratch by GD, excepting the engines which were also totally different from the originals. So, both in parts count and in size, the W /RB-57Fs were more General Dynamics than Martin. reply

Joe Smith, e-mail, 18.03.2011 00:05 My first assignment was to 58WRS, from sometime in 1969 to sometime in the '70s. I left for Southeast Asia from Kirtland. I enjoyed the outfit and remember Lt Col Rothlisberger, Lt Col Durden, Capt. Powers, CMSgt Woods, SSgt Joe Dino, Col Oliver and many others. God bless you all, Joe Smith reply

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