EAA Fly-In_Longmont

Ft. Worth, Texas, flies Navy and Marine T-28's, built by North American's Columbus Division. This model was designed as a U.S. Navy transition, formation, aerobatic and instrument trainer. It was then reconfigured to be a counter-insurgency light bomber, during the Vietnam years. The U.S. lost twenty-three T-28's to enemy action in Vietnam .

Frank Adams above center was the demonstration team's Flight Leader. John Sledge above right was his Wingman. Jan Schott left was also a member of team .

Their history dates back to 1960, when they were were in Navy Flight School. They flew fighters in the Marine Corps - F-8 Crusaders and F-4 Phantoms. Frank also flew the A-4 Skyhawk and John flew the FJ Fury.

Both are Vietnam War veterans. John flew combat missions in an F-8 Crusader over North Vietnam from three different aircraft carriers on Yankee Station. Frank flew 105 missions from Chu Lai in South Vietnam over South Vietnam, North Vietnam and Laos.

Frank was shot down on his 26th mission, ejected and was rescued by helicopter.

John and Frank are both retired from the Marine Reserves, where they flew together for many years.

They are also retired airline Captains. Frank is retired from Delta, but still works in the Delta pilot training department as a simulator instructor for the 767 aircraft, instructing international procedures. John flew with Braniff Airways, Piedmont Airlines and USA Air, from which he retired.