Speaking as a Thud Drivers daughter, I have to agree with you. Thud Drivers, single seat and the Wild Weasel teams, have not received the recognition they deserve. Their story needs to be told before they are all gone. There is also absolutely no excuse for denying the Collins Foundation the opportunity to get a Thud flying again. My dad has taken his final flight west, but I have many dear friends associated with the Thud. Only those in the Thud Family truly understand how exceptional these men are/were. God bless them all.
You are right! It has been an emotional roller coaster for me since I started this project. I knew nothing about F-105s...and when I met G.I. Basel’s daughters asked me to write a script based on their father’s book, Pak Six, I never expected to become so involved. I love all of those who served and hope I can get something done to honor both the pilots and their incredible ground crews.