Rental Car
by This is my review of the essay Rental Car. Rental Car came from a culmination of essays from a book called Set Phasers on Stun. The back drop of this essay is an aviator from WWII in Pearl Harbor with an incredible message on punctuality and equipment training.
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Rental Car is based on an Army Air Corp pilot Dan Bowman. The backdrop for this essay appears to be Pearl Harbor. Dan describes the setting for an unforeseen 11:00am attack on Pearl Harbor by the Japanese.
Dan Bowman states that most pilot hang out in the ready room when on duty. The ready room is a centralized meeting place located within the squadron where pilot are briefed on the mission at hand. The squadron’s ready room is typically located closest to the aircraft. This unforeseen incident caught Dan Bowman unprepared as he was visiting several hundred yards away with friends from another unit.
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Dan received a warning while visiting friends that incoming Japanese aircraft fighters are swarming to the base and will be within range in just a few minutes. By the time Dan reached his usual aircraft, another pilot already claimed the aircraft with the prerequisite preflight inspection. He had to use the brand new P-47 with no advanced training in the modern instrument panel. It took him entirely too long to get his plane started. He came under attack and had no choice but evades bombs and cannon shells with full power taxi using left and right rudder pedals. He lived to tell his story but he should have used this experience to teach other pilots to become familiar with all available squadron aircraft in case of emergencies.
See: Unresolved Grief and The Family Gamble and History of The Pacific Northwest and Land Rights
Pearl Harbor Attack on Pearl Harbor The Attack on Pearl Harbor Assault on Pearl Harbor (Wwii) See my friends at Chris Stonecipher and Friends
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Post Commentken bultman
On October 28, 2009 at 8:11 pm
Good review. I had a similar experience in a private aircraft in which I was not checked out. Dicey.
Chris Stonecipher
On October 28, 2009 at 8:26 pm
Thanks Ken! These reviews were fun to write after reading Stun Set on Phasers. An excellent collection of essays if you ever get a chance to check out the book.
Ruby Hawk
On October 29, 2009 at 8:57 pm
That’s interesting, my dad was in the Navy during that time. He had some stories to tell, also.
Jane Jane
On October 30, 2009 at 9:55 am
interesting. nice reviews.