[Ashrunner]

In the summer of 1970, I was sent to the transient area of Elmendorf AFB, to refuel a B-57. I thought that was strange, as the two EB-57s we had assigned to the base were always at the end of T-bird Row. But as I turned the corner in my big, yellow fuel truck, I caught sight of the bird and my eyes bugged out.

It was one of the most beautiful aircraft I had ever seen. It was gleaming silver in its natural metal state, but had a dark band across the vertical stabilizer that said, "WEATHER." And those wings!!!

It was a WB-57F, the first and only one I ever saw up close and personal. After I completed the refuel, I did a walk-around of the aircraft marveling at everything about it. Moments later, the pilot came out to pre-flight the aircraft and I hit him with a bunch of questions. Most of them he answered with the standard classified, can't discuss answer, but he did say it was a blast to fly.

I fell in love with the long winged B-57s at that moment. They all are gorgeous birds.