https://united-states-air-force.org Mon, 20 Apr 2026 04:57:47 +0000 en-CA hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=4.1.1 https://united-states-air-force.org/2026/03/coffee-tower-a-history-of-the-459th-bomb-group-by-lyle-mccarty-1997-hc-rare/ https://united-states-air-force.org/2026/03/coffee-tower-a-history-of-the-459th-bomb-group-by-lyle-mccarty-1997-hc-rare/#comments Thu, 05 Mar 2026 04:15:49 +0000 https://united-states-air-force.org/2026/03/coffee-tower-a-history-of-the-459th-bomb-group-by-lyle-mccarty-1997-hc-rare/












Good / very good condition – see photos / some corner scuffs / writing inside first page – GOOD READER COPY – presents well.

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Straight from the cockpit of a Cold War C-130 Hercules – this complete pilot’s checklist binder belonged to decorated USAF Col. Shipp, loaded with rare radar guides, formation flying notes, and his own handwritten annotations. This is an original U. Air Force C-130 Hercules pilot’s flight crew checklist binder from the 1980s, personally used by Colonel George F. Shipp, a decorated C-130 / AC-130 Spectre gunship pilot and former commander of the 16th Special Operations Squadron. Shipp served 28 years in the USAF and passed away in 2014. This binder is complete and loaded with content – not just the standard checklist pages, but multiple specialized quick-reference inserts used in actual cockpit operations. Normal Procedures section. Emergency Procedures section. Passenger Briefing section. APN-59 Radar Checklist Guide. APQ-122 Radar X-Band Checklist (4 pages) – Rare multi-mode radar reference. SKE (Station Keeping Equipment) Turn Guide – For formation flying in poor visibility. Before Taxi / Before Takeoff / Before Landing / After Landing / Engine Shutdown quick-reference cards (12 items + flows). Extensive handwritten notes by Col. Shipp on the inside front page. Binder: Fair condition from authentic cockpit use – wear consistent with active duty service. Pages: Missing page 1 and 2 at the very beginning. Binder starts at page 3. All supplemental guides intact and in good shape. Why This Is Special. Direct provenance to a named USAF C-130/AC-130 pilot. Contains multiple rare radar and formation flying guides not found in standard issue. Offers a detailed look at Cold War-era tactical airlift and special operations procedures. This is a must-have piece of Air Force history for C-130 veterans, military aviation collectors, and Cold War historians. Plus recently found medals, insignia and patches. Keywords: USAF pilot checklist, C-130 Hercules manual, AC-130 Spectre, APN-59 radar, APQ-122 radar, SKE guide, military aviation memorabilia, Cold War Air Force, Col George F Shipp, 16th SOS, special operations, cockpit checklist, Hercules flight manual, Air Force collectibles.

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Unused but has some glue and scrapbook paper on back. Measures 5 1/4″ x 5 1/4″.

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Unused condition, has some glue and scrap book paper on back. Measures 4″ x 4″.

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Vintage Boy Scout Memorabilia.

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Unused condition, has some glue and scrap book paper on back. Measures 3 1/4″ x 4 1/8″.

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One group of U. AIR FORCE items from the estate of the late Captain Paul E. Our stock number # 105389-C3. Includes the Commendation Medal with original box and original certificate from 1960s, One 8X10 copy of a photo of Capt Gauntz, one original Citation to accompany award of commendation medal, one dog tag, one sterling pinback wings, one Bible from Nana, one copy of a clipping from the FL newspaper, and all of the items pictured. Captain Gauntz also served during the Vietnam era.

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Unused condition, has some glue and scrap book paper on back. Measures 5″ x 5 1/4″.

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Unused condition, has some glue and scrap book paper on back. Measures 5 1/4″ x 5 1/4″.

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Unused condition, has some glue and scrap book paper on back. Measures 4″ x 4 5/8″.

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