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Bad to the Bone
Capt. Gil
Delgado
Wichita, Kansas
These photos are of my 356B and "my" B-1 Bomber (85-0081). The 356 and the B-1 "Bone" are both my daily drivers. I fly the supersonic "Bone" as a WSO (Weapon Systems Officer or Backseater). The "Bone" can carry 42,000 lbs. of bombs at speeds exceeding 1000 MPH! This B-1 was built in 1985 as a result of the Reagan Administration and has earned the distinction of helping to win the Cold War. Since then, B-1's have seen action in Iraq and in the Former Republic of Yugoslavia.
My love for the 356 first started when as a little kid my dad would tell me stories of his 54 Pre-A Speedster, chassis number 80083. Dad sold his speedster before I was born, so I never had the experience of driving it, riding in it, or for that matter ever seeing an actual 356 in person. When I was 14 years old my dad bought me a book on Porsches and on the cover he wrote the inscription," I hope you get as lucky as I and get your Porsche when you are young". The stage was set and in 1985, at the age of 26 I bought a silver 61 356 B T-5 Super Coupe, chassis number 114262.
Unfortunately, my love affair with this 356 had a rough start. A week after I purchased her my wife and I drove the tub from Dallas Texas to NAS Pensacola where I was to attend flight school. Unfortunately, the trip was cut short when outside of Baton Rouge she gave up the fight and the crankshaft broke. Not Good! We had her towed to Pensacola where Harry Williams Imports put her back together again. Since then we have made two more cross country trips with no problems. What a great car! I drive it everyday to work in the snow, ice...you name it.
Unfortunately, this is starting to take its toll with the rust slowly taking over. I plan on taking action in the near future. If anyone knows a good body shop in the Wichita Kansas area, let me know! I am currently stationed at McConnell AFB in Kansas.
The F-117 Stealth Fighter also has a impressive war record, and looks great next to my 356! By the way, my Dad is making up for lost time and now drives a 94 Speedster in absolute flawless condition.
Capt
Gil Delgado
1961 356B T-5 Super Coupe
#114262
1995 B-1 Bomber
#85-0081
Registry Member #11075
PS> Here is a shot of the B1-B at an airshow flyover
just breaking the sonic barrier. A rare shot!
