[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
.The fourth 3.5 rocket in the right-hand system on Greer'sBird had only one rivet, the most rearward one.The near perfect machine hadrun out of rivets.The single rivet had been sufficient to hold the stabilizing fin rigidly inplace during shipment and while passing through the bin into the chute whenCWO (W4) Dutch Cramer had loaded the ordnance.But the blast of firing the first three rockets in Greer's first firing runhad been sufficient to loosen the stabilizing fin.When it was fired, the finsnose came loose.The strength of the rivet fastening the fin to the cylinderwas strong enough to keep the fin from separating from the cylinder, however.What it did was hold the fin sideward against what had now become the rocket'sslipstream.Obeying the laws of aerodynamics, EdGreer's fourth rocket, instead of moving horizontally toward the T34, raisedits nose almost vertically.The odds were that in such an event the rocket would pass harmlessly throughthe rotor arc.There were only three rotor blades, each only sixteen incheswide.Page 281ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.htmlThe odds went against Ed Greer and the Bird.One of the rotor blades struck the impact fuse of the rocket0.75 second later, and the firing mechanism detonated the explosive charge.The force blew off three-quarters of the blade and a half second latershattered the windshield of the Bird.The Bird lost its aerodynamic lift and was simultaneously subjected toenormous out-of-balance dynamic pressures, as the engine whirled two intactrotor blades and the stump of the third.The Bird crashed to the ground nose-first, striking it at 105 miles per hourand with sufficient force to detonate the explosive heads of the forty-seven,forty-eight, or forty-nine rockets still in the system.The precise numberremaining at ground impact was never determined.There was not much left oftheBig Bad Bird, nor of First Lieutenant Edward C.Greer.Quarters No.1Fort Rucker, Alabama26 December 1958Master Sergeant Wesley, in his dress blues, knocked at the door of the guestroom (actually two rooms and a bath) ofQuarters No.1."Come," General E.Z.Black said."That PlO colonel's out here, General," Master SergeantWesley said."Get the sonofabitch in here, Wes," General Black said.The general was bending over the bed, fixing his ribbons to his tunic."Zeke!" Mrs.Black said."That's not going to change anything."Mrs.Black was adjusting her hat before a mirror.Sergeant Wesley stepped out in the hall."The general'll see you now, Colonel," he said.He held the door open for him,and then followed him into the room.When General Black straightened up, Master Sergeant Wesley busied himself withthe ribbons of the general's tunic."I sent for you an hour ago," General Black began."I am not in the custom ofbeing made to wait.""I was on the horn to Washington, sir," Colonel Brandon said."Talking to the Chief of Staff, were you?" General Black inquired.Page 282ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html"No, sir.To the Chief of Information, trying to salvage as much as we canfrom this.""The next time I send for you," General Black said, "you put everybody but theChief of Staff in second place.""Yes, sir," Colonel Brandon said."For your general information, Colonel," Black went on,"I have spoken with the Chief of Staff.Two items on our agenda affect you.""Yes, sir.""One, I have been charged by the Chief of Staff with handling this situation,"General Black said."Two, the Chief ofStaff has approval for the immediate posthumous award of theDistinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Greer.""That's very nice, sir," Colonel Brandon said."It fits right in with whatI've discussed with the Chief of Information."General Black looked as if he were going to say something, but then he wasdistracted by Master Sergeant Wesley, who was holding out the general's tunic.He slipped his arms into it."Mrs.Black, Sergeant Wesley, and myself are about to pay our respects to Mrs.Greer," General Black said."You can ride with us and tell me what you havediscussed with the Chief ofInformation."There were four Chevrolet sedans sitting half on the grass along the driveway,an MP patrol car in front.With his hand on her arm, General Black led hiswife to the car immediately behind the MP car
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]