Robin Olds: The Total Fighter Pilot Package 

Your lucky you got that F4 back in semi-working order with those two flying it.

@@danlangowski929 I'll never forget strapping Col. JAMES in the ejection seat he was a big man and he couldn't move around too much to reach the shoulder harneses and he said to me son I am probably the biggest black ass you have ever helped strap into this seat. He was such an easy person to speak too. When I found out he passed shortly after he retired I felt real bad.

@@rayritchotte7608 Thanks for sharing those stories Ray, highly appreciated.

Great stories gents. Thanks for sharinf

LUCKY A** CREW CHIEF!!! I’m Jealous now. Lol. ( I did my A-10 FTD at DM AFB in the 90’s after crewing a 135 for 4 years) … it’s nice to have a Wing King that is a BEEN THERE DONE THAT Officer. They know WHO the Crew Chiefs are

That would be an amazing movie

I'm pretty sure I suggested the same thing when I watched this video a year ago when it first came out. Such a good subject that I'm watching it again in May of 2024!

@@s.marcus3669there you go, Mooch! A huge project for you. Maverick’s got nothing on Olds! 😅

Nah, Hellywood's never got one right yet.

😂😂😂😂😂

Gold sir..gold.

Thank you; love you all!!!

I've been fascinated with the mystique of Robin Olds.

@@owensweetland342 Robin Olds: My Favorite Fighter Ace of WWII (Europe) and S. E. Asia (Vietnam), Steven L. Cassel (Reese Airport Selma, Indiana 🇺🇸)

Are you Brads’ twin sister? Friend of Brads’..

@@SeanCrowley1 no, cousin… I used to babysit Brad!!😌

And more intelligence than ALL of DC

​@@johnh1353in loving memory of. besides admiration for others similar

Amazing experience.

I figured that out pretty quick. I already knew "aviationese" from my Dad (ADC) so we could understand each other right away. Never flew with him, but did "ski formation" lots of times. Even on snow, the wingman is busy.

@@WardCarroll Great story as usual. Strange that he disparaged Cunningham in his bio. Was that before or after Cunningham's congressional scandal?

@@davidsmith8997 pretty sure that was tongue-in-cheek and more of an Air Force guy refusing to give a Navy guy a compliment.

I recognized the great man in a hotel bar in Steamboat twenty years ago, and always regret not taking the opportunity to shake his hand and tell him how much I admired him.

Great story. Reminds me of meeting a boyhood NHL hockey player a few years ago. Was just excited as I was to talk about old hockey stories

@@andrewpizzino2514 Do they drop bombs at NHL games now and use live ammo?

@@blueocean-me1ns ???

Being a warrior pilot is a form of athletics and in the example I gave they both perform at high-level. So I’m not gonna understand your statement

@@andrewpizzino2514 Form of athletics? LOL! I didn't realize in athletics you bombed people?

I can tell you are a good listener

Everything gov is up hill battle where the hell are you from?

Same reason they didn’t teach us about Col. John Boyd. His biography “Boyd” will make you proud and piss you off all at once.

@@damiangrouse4564 Hell yeah.

As American citizens we should be taught about this incredible man

@@damiangrouse4564 Let me guess. While he was a smart man. He wasn't exactly a combat experienced Pilot, with his only deployment being in Korea where he didn't have an Air-to-air kill. Also, I will say this John Boyd and his fighter Mafia Buddies don't strike me as mavericks, if anything they are deeply conservative people in the way how they see combat. Thinking that the next war will be fought like the previous war.

@@marseldagistani1989 read the book…the reason we have F-16 and F-15 back then and F-22, F35 now with most models carrying guns since is due to Col. Boyd. Ps. I was enlisted and have an educated low opinion of good portion of the officers I met…but everything I’ve read about this two gentlemen gives me hope that there will always be people like this to defend this country.

Two of the most damaging persons ever to hold power in our country were Lyndon Johnson and Robert Strange McNamara. We are still living with the problems those two created for our Country.

And until that day comes we'll take a Senile, Corrupt, Career Politician who falls of Bicycles.

He was a warrior king & some doddering old dementive pedo is no replacement a man

@@realMaverickBuckley - BUTT Mostly tells & Re-Tells Self-aggrandizing yarns that that have ZERO basis in FACT!! 👎🏾 Calm down there ‘Pres. Sleepy Sniffer’

Better than a RuSSian spy!

Awesome to have been there, Captain. Thx.

And I was in the class he flipped off as he left. He was the ultimate Commandant. In recognition of his time as Commandant, the Wing gave him a sabre in a presentation case during the noon meal. As he held the case, it became evident to us that he was holding it so that both hands were, yes, flipping the bird. His words were , "I guess I'll leave you guys the same way I came in." Ritchie came to the zoo once, and he and Olds held court in front of the F-4 on the quad. I was under the impression Ritchie had already made ace. I only saw Ella Raines once, during a parade march-off where I was a guidon bearer. She was wearing that same fur as you had in the picture, and was a knockout. There were a number of stories (one or two apocryphal, I'm sure) of his letting off cadets who had really screwed up, after they'd come clean, or had shown exemplary spirit. Most of the guys there would have followed Robin Olds to the ends of the earth, and over the edge.

@@studuerson2548 Great stuff, Stu. Thanks for sharing it here.

I was there too (in Arnold Hall). I will never forget that... one of the most impressive examples of leadership that I have ever witnessed. You were one year ahead of me. I later became a fighter pilot ( in F-4s also). I hope that if I am worthy of the hereafter, it will be as Robin Olds described it in his recurring dream.

The absolute peak of the >refuses to elaborate further >leaves level of Chad

See History channel dog fights episode for more on col.olds...

Hugh, Brit here too. You should buy a copy of 'Fighter Pilot'. The book is a fantastic read and is the autobiography written by Olds and his daughter shortly before he passed.

@@tommycoombs thanks. I will do that

Very well stated.

Yep. Robin Olds was quite the man

Did you not even watch the video? He's talking about Chappie James, his buddy who died in the 70s. @@Ash-iv7el

@@Ash-iv7el I am sorry to tell you this but Chappy died at the age of 58. You can look it up.

Somebody here is lysdexic.

Chappie did only live to be 58. Daniel James Jr.

What a privilege to hear from a master teaching his deadly craft. Would you share any air-to-air teachings?

That’s badass that you got to hear it straight from him!

Want to read about strafing in WWII? Look for MAD REBEL ... A YOUTH AT WAR John H. Oliphint From: 3559th Fighter Pilots. I bought a box of these from John and had them all Autographed. For All Who Read These Words “Freedom is NOT Free!” John Olinphint

Mooch mate. Robin Olds is a total LEGE! Respect from the UK. And that is hard to get mate ..

Unfortunately also civilian trains in occupied nations were strafed. My grandfather, a doctor, was traveling by passenger train here in Denmark. He survived.

Amazing 🍺

Cool story Bro

Jaeger bombs! 🥃 💣 💥

You lucky so and so!!

Spot on, easily right up there with 47 minutes of enthralling, gobsmacked respect mate

Your statement gave this old Air Force Nurse, (his era) a wave of chills,goosebumps & quick tears washing out my eyes. Honor, loyalty,etc. really are virtues to strive for. Thank you.

​@@carolecarr5210 Carole i hope people that are younger than us ( i'm 45 ) really get to understand that men like R. Olds in western nations defense forces across the world are the difference between tyranny and freedom, not lying MSM, BIG TECH etc Thanks for replying i really do feel the same

Great response, I couldn’t have said it better.

Yeah. Best ever!

I think Kim Kardashian's channel has better production values. Ward is a close second.

Agree!

Agree, mind blowing episode 🤯😂

Hi Bassin. Agreed. Best ever. Robin was one hell of a guy. But I somehow wish he had just hung it up and stayed with his wife to the end. But he could not have saved her of course. That's the way it is I guess.

No doubt. 🇺🇸

His daughter says he didn't, and she asked him.

Several pilots of the 8th claim that he gave them his kills, so that he wouldn't get called back.

He supposedly flew missions during his tour as the IG. I was saw an interview with Robin where he was asked about a 5th kill in Vietnam, all he said was “as the French say, probably” in a slight French accent

@@Th3Rambler Oh yea, I read his autobiography, I think he was sneaking around flying every ones but the 8th TFW's F-4's over North Vietnam, but I never saw that interview. I was only going by his actions, fighting to stay in combat and lead his troops and interviews of the men that flew with him, whenever his 4 official Mig kills were brought up, there always seemed to be a "wink" or asterisk. Dude were is that interview?

From what I've read/heard they were the two hands working together

My Dad was an F-94C guy. I don't believe he flew with either Gen. Olds or Gen. James but as a kid I knew about "Blackman and Robin". My dad had an issue of Air Combat that covered Operation Bolo and where the Article was Batman and Robin, my father corrected it with an ink pin.

I 2nd everything you said. I wish I had a poster of the man, so I could hang it in my house. Im in love with him.....hahaha

Well said mate

I'm pretty sure he was my dentist when I was a kid! Holy crap I had no idea he was an ace.

Good choice.

He would be great. Mine would be Pappy Boyington since I met him as a teen

@@lewiskemp5893 The original "Black Sheep" 😉🇬🇧

Robin Olds or Johnnie Johnson for me.

@@benlewis2475 Yes, another Hero!! My Mother met him during the war years, she worked for Irvin Air Chute and he paid a visit.

Lol

Not much left of 79SQN at Ubon these days, just some broken up concrete foundations next to a rusted water tank. The results of Agent Orange spraying on the perimeter can still be seen. Anytime you're there be sure to visit the RTAF museum and the memorial to PLTOFF Mark McGrath RAAF.

The epitome of a leader.

For the life of me I don’t understand why the other branches haven’t made a solid, quality movie/recruiting tool like Top Gun was for the Navy. The Air Force tried then backed out of Iron Eagles. Still one of my favorites even though it gets so much wrong. Heartbreak Ridge was pretty good for the Corps even though the real event was an Army Ranger battalion. There’s a few good ones set during WWII, with the closest to modern and pro-military to some point was Blackhawk Down. Frankly, the reason IMO is because Hollywood dislikes portraying the military, especially infantrymen, as the good guys. Anything the AF signs onto for technical assistance in an air power type movie is going to automatically be called a Top Gun ripoff, even if TG 2 is essentially Star Wars. I’m honestly not sure how to make a solid flick for the Air Force. The Army & Corps is a bit easier: special operations. And maybe even the AF could help get a script out for AFSOC. But, again, spec ops movies have been done over and over. Probably my idea for a modern era (last 30yrs) would be a modern tank movie. A film about 73 Easting would be good.

Hammy did you see the Peninsula Seniors talk by his daughter? YT video SwBK0a3n658

Stay in it youngster, it will provide a lifetime of amazement and enjoyment and learning!

So are you going to be a Fighter Pilot? Your generation and my sons could very well be the last.

@@Vladimirthetiny yes

I can almost imagin the thought - Well, I'm behind him I can still get him do that THEN recover this plane.

You're wrong in implying that Olds' influence on the Air Force has been a lasting one. With some relatively minor exceptions, the service has lapsed back into its bureaucratic, CYA rut. The promotion system rewards the technocrats and bland yes men/women for not rocking the boat. It's a recipe for disaster in the next war. The only good news is that our most likely adversary in the next shooting war is China. China's Communist Red Army, Navy, and Air Force are made up of automatons who are totally averse to innovating on their own. Otherwise we'd be toast. Wokeness and

Well done sir!

​​@@bearowen5480this could probably be explain maybe by complacency due to not having to face the same kind of airial threat since Vietnam. It's probably easy to become cocky when you've had total air dominance, virtually, since the end of the war in Vietnam. Also, the tech has finally (and also presumably) caught up to the point that it actually does what it's designed to (see: stealth and beyond visual range engagements).

You were likely at Ubon, the same time as my Dad, Al Homstead.

Where your wrong is he didnt have shit going for him but , attitude for success!

Another words, get out of my way and let me succeed!

MosT Aces

No such thing as "naturally" gifted

As I leave this world, and having been part of this so called, "greatest generation" I have what is the single most recurring question amongst my, mostly late contemporaries. "How the hell did we ever allow this cultural, nightmare of sexual this and that( please reader, don't act like you don't know what I'm talking about), heroes so deformed from multiple plastic surgeries, that they barely pass for human...and who would much prefer little boys to gorgeous young movie stars. That's enough, I'll try to stop. Wait, wait, Most of these modern day heroes would NEVER look up to Robin as a hero! To most of them he's just a knuckle scraping killer of innocent civilians. Yes, we did this!!! They are our grandkids, Great nephews and nieces, am I even allowed to mention that there's a difference without a fine, and jail time? Please wake up my precious AMERICA!!!! I love you and all of your Robin Olds so much! If there was ever a case of be careful what you ask for. Well, we wanted our kids and our grandkids to go to college right? Now you can thank, Satre, Marx, Lenin (both of them, spelling not withstanding), We did it!!! Our kids, (The greatest generation Jr.) Please help us Lord before it's legal for a man to marry a salad bowl. Thank you, and God Bless You Robin.👍

True.. Very True

You're in for a treat!

Hi Nicholas, were you at Vassar College when I was there 1970 to 1974? I'm very curious how you flew an F-4 in 1972 during college years. My sister went to Wheaton College in Mass, but that was all girls. Vassar went co-ed my first year there but we didn't have an ROTC program, or any Air Force guys old enough to be pilots. Were you there on a graduate program?

@@christinaolds7501 I was at University of Colorado graduating in 1971. I do not remember the name of the young lady I was speaking about but her last name was Olds and when the General came to visit our ROTC Det she sat with him at our Dining In so I assumed she was his daughter. I knew her a little but she was way to classy for me to approach so I did not know her well. Perhaps she was a niece? The General came to our Dining In in my sophomore year in the Spring of 1969. I went to flight school in 1971 and then on to F-4's in 1972 and went to George AFB which is where I flew that jet. I would love to find out how I am so confused.

@@1roanstephen - This will be fun to figure out! Do you remember the month of your dining in? I have no memory of being at UC in 1971 but it's possible my sister and I were home from school in the East Coast at the same time. Let's track this down!

@@christinaolds7501 I dropped off this thread because I was afraid I had stuck my foot in my mouth but as more of the videos featuring your Dad appeared on RU-vid, I googled on your sister and that was the girl I was introduced to. I may have just assumed she went to school there, but I am thinking I was mistaken. The dining in was in the Spring of 69 and you both hadn't started College yet. Perhaps Susan went with your Dad up to Greeley. She may have just been staying or just visiting with the girls who lived in that large apartment. They were all Angel Flight and Sorority and I did not know them well and I was not exactly comfortable being there as they were way above my pay grade. I am sorry to hear that Susan passed. Please accept my condolences. By the way, I graduated from UNC in May 1971 and went to Navigator school and then to George in 1972 for training in the F-4.

Maybe it was just meant as a humorous jab at a Navy Fighter pilot. That's just an uneducated guess on my part though.

Good catch, Mooch. I did a double take when you said it, but you obviously did your homework on both airplanes and got it right again

They found that the P-38 was a better gun platform with the props rotating upward next to the fuselage instead of downward which would have reduced the effect of P-factor.

@@txkflier thanks! Very interesting. I love finding out why things are engineered the way they are.

You're right!

I agree but don't forget Jimmy Doolittle. Of course there are many more.

I've always admired Olds and the guys you mentioned but have often wondered why no one (I'm talking to you Tom Hanks) has ever done any movie or miniseries on the Gulf of Samar and Taffy 3. More especially the crews of the USS Johnston, Hoel, and Samuel B. Roberts.

@@briggsquantum Without question. I wish more people under 30 knew about people like these men.

@@randyduncan795 For sure. I'm late sixties and I grew up hearing about them. My uncle flew Hurricanes in the Battle of Britain. I'm re-reading "The Big Show" by Pierre Clostermann right now. And I saw Bob Hoover for the last time at the Reno Air Races in 2016. A still-living legend at that time.

Robin Olds didn't think too much of Curtis LeMay and the way he ran SAC according to his book Fighter Pilot. The Base Commanders were so afraid of him that they would lie, cheat, to cover their asses so they wouldn't get fired.