Jump to content

Art Vandelay

Certifiably Surly
  • Posts

    1478
  • Joined

  • Last visited

Everything posted by Art Vandelay

  1. Now THAT is a perfect response.
  2. Two CSBs about Top Gun... 1) My Dad is a retired airline pilot (and former Air Force). When he was still flying for the airline, he would occasionally have overnight layovers in Austin, and I would always go meet him at his hotel for a few beers. One time while I'm still at UT, I go to meet him at the Holiday Inn bar and he's got his co-pilot with him. Turns out this guy had flown F-14s in the Navy and did a lot of the stunt flying for Top Gun. I asked him if it was fun and he gave me a big grin and said, "Oh yeah. We got to do all kinds of shit we're normally not allowed to do." Nice guy, and looked like he could've played a part in the movie. This was probably 1992 or 93, so only 6 or 7 years after the movie came out. 2) My brother-in-law is also a pilot. A little background about him: He flew F-18s in the Navy. He just missed the cut for Top Gun school, but did become a Navy test pilot, which is even more exclusive. He was also voted Naval Aviator of the year once. Then he retired from the Navy and ended up flying F-15s with the Air Force Reserve. So, a pretty serious pilot. Anyway, I've known him for more than 25 years but a couple of years ago we're having drinks in Austin with my sister, and the movie comes on the TV in the bar. So we start talking about it. He tells me the Kelly McGillis character (which I always assumed was pure Hollywood B.S.) was based on a civilian woman that consulted with his squadron. Wow. I had no idea. Then he casually tells me that he's about 99% sure that a couple of lines about Maverick's character were based on him. I think he's bullshitting me, but he goes on to explain that some guys he had flown with early in his Naval career were consultants on the script. During that time, my brother-in-law was known for some pretty crazy stunts, including high speed fly-bys, buzzing towers and such -- a couple of which almost cost him his wings. And he was famously "dating" an admiral's daughter at the time. He said he saw the movie when it came out and hasn't sat through the whole thing since. Oh, and to stay on topic: As cheesy as it is in parts, I still love me some Top Gun.
  3. Reckless is a damn good album. There, I said it.
  4. Agreed. Fortunately he'll spend the rest of his life in the penal system.
  5. YES!!! Home for the Supers, boys!
  6. One more out
  7. Don't blow this TTU. Come on.
  8. Dammit. Hit for Ole Miss.
  9. Here we go. Hold on TTech!!
  10. Banhammer would make a good metal band name.
  11. Yeah I probably should've put that in the thread title. You'd think his FBI firearms training would've included something about not grabbing a gun by the trigger. He did a bang up job.
  12. "There's a lot to unpack here" -- and you're not talking about luggage. I don't know when this started but I'm seeing it more and more. Annoying as hell.
  13. I'm guessing this guy will soon be looking for a new career. Great job just walking away like nothing happened. What an asshole. https://www.denverpost.com/2018/06/03/denver-fbi-agent-mile-high-spirits-dance-shooting/
  14. Millions of Muslims and fundamentalist Christians (I am neither) would disagree with you.
  15. Wooooo!!!!!!
  16. YAAAAAAASSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  17. Lol, but I'll take it
  18. Fuck yeah
  19. What the fuck is going on right now??
  20. This is some bullshit.
  21. WTF ump??????!
  22. Great game, Blair!
  23. I fucking hate that ad.
  24. This guy...this guy fucks.
×
×
  • Create New...