SuperB60ce

 

CBTalon13:

 

Dad was knowlegable on the F-4, while most 10 year olds are outside playing I was learning how to tell the difference between the different models, learning what a MER or TER was, and how to tell the difference between the different models of missles....

 

Mike

 

 

Sounds like my life!  My Dad is a retired Phantom WSO, and was TDY with your Dad at Udorn in '72.  I learned more about flight ops and the Nuclear Triad theory, then joined as an Aircraft Weapons Spec, before transferring to the Army as a Helo Mech....22 years and going.  I jumped into the Phantom GB and learned of all of this (Berny) when I decided to build one of his planes from the 58th TFS.  Our thoughts and prayers go out to your family, and know that his knowledge is preserved here.

Hey SuperB:

I gotta tell ya', B-60 was a favourite of mine. Oh...no bias for the '36 here...lol....

The best to you and your remembered father.

All the best to Mike and the Bernhardt family for their first set of holidays without Dad.

Best as well to Son Of Medicine Man.....two years without Dad.

Their Generation will not be forgotten by my generation.

Yeah, SuperB.....memories....

CBTalon13

Dad was knowlegable on the F-4, while most 10 year olds are outside playing I was learning how to tell the difference between the different models, learning what a MER or TER was, and how to tell the difference between the different models of missles....

 

Mike

Sounds like my life!  My Dad is a retired Phantom WSO, and was TDY with your Dad at Udorn in '72.  I learned more about flight ops and the Nuclear Triad theory, then joined as an Aircraft Weapons Spec, before transferring to the Army as a Helo Mech....22 years and going.  I jumped into the Phantom GB and learned of all of this (Berny) when I decided to build one of his planes from the 58th TFS.  Our thoughts and prayers go out to your family, and know that his knowledge is preserved here.

Hi Mike,

Welcome to the forums. It was an honour to have known your dad, even if it was only by way of trading posts on the forum.

Dad spoke about that trip with a look in his eyes like that of a kid in a candy store. Y'all did him right with all that y'all did that week-end. It was a definite highlight of the year for him.

Mike

Dad was knowlegable on the F-4, while most 10 year olds are outside playing I was learning how to tell the difference between the different models, learning what a MER or TER was, and how to tell the difference between the different models of missles.

His biggest pet peeve was a model built looking like it came right off the show room floor. Telling me that an aircraft got dirty after one flight, and they always leaked regardless how well you thought it was sealed. In his words there was no such creature like that.

He had a passion that was only equaled by his knowledge. He entered some models in a contest while we were both stationed at George AFB California, he was asked to remove his entries. Seems after he entered everyone else pulled theirs, and no-one else would enter. He might not have won a trophy, but that request made him a winner in our eyes!.

Mike

Michael- thanks for posting about your dad, and yourself. I haven't been around here quite two years, so I missed a good bit of the time your father spent on the forums. Still, I read his posts and benefited from his knowledge. I hope you'll stick around and share your build.

Hi Michael.

It's very good to meet you.  I was one of the lucky group who had a chance to meet your Dad in person, when we went to the National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton last summer.   Bernie never ceased to amaze me with his limitless knowledge of the Phantom.  He will be sorely missed.

I was deeply honored when I found out that the Tshirt with my graphics on it was laid to rest with Bernie.  I am also the one who did up the 260 "too sick oh" F4 for him.  I would be very interested to know if he had the chance to complete the little bit of sub assembly I left for him to do.  I know he said he liked how it came out.

I have not been on much lately due to a move, but I am getting somewhat back to normal now, and I plan to be on more often.

Due to the move.  I don't have access to most of my kits or supplies since the cranially challenged movers packed them exactly where I told them not to pack them. lol  So for the time being, my available kits are limited to a handful.  I too plan on doing a B17G 1/48 Revell kit now.  It's one of the only kits I have with me.   And since most of my supplies and tools are in storage, it will be pretty much OOB as well.  I look forward to comparing notes with you on the build if you like.

Rich

CBTalon13

After reading through all these post on him, it reminded me on how passionate he was when it came to properly depicting models. Nearly brought me to tears, but did bring a big smile to my face!

I am Michael C. Bernhardt, his oldest son, and also retired AF. Dad and I built models together when I was a kid, and as most kids I outgrew doing things with Dad, my loss.

While Dad was a Crew Chief on F-4's most of his career, I was an Aircrew Life Support technician, always answering Dad's questions on G-suits, flightsuits, helmets, O2 masks, ejection systems etc. Now that I am retired with too much time on my hands, I have decided to build my first model since the 70's. Boy do I got a lot to learn. Having always had a love for Military History (Thanks to Dad), my first venture will be a basic Revell B-17G, we'll see how that goes.

Spent my career doing Life Support on OV-10A's, F-15A, B, C, D's, MC-130E's, C-130E's, C-130J's, C-130E's ABCCC, C-9A's, MC-130N, P's.

While Dad did not rate a Miltary Fly-By he did get his Full Military Honors. The Honor Guard team did an awesome job. Both myself and my Brother were there in full uniform (AF), along with my Son (Marines), a good familiy friend from the Navy, and another familiy member by marriage Army, so all 4 branches were represented, and in uniform. He would have been proud.

Michael C. Bernhardt                          

Welcome Michael!

Yes we all miss your Dad a lot.

I look forward to seeing you get modeling. Please jump in here with your projects. You don't have to worry about "filling anyones shoes". Berny was certainly his own character and we do miss him. So come and "do your thing".

My name is Bill as well, and I'd guess that your pop wasn't much older than I am, which is young.

CBTalon13

After reading through all these post on him, it reminded me on how passionate he was when it came to properly depicting models. Nearly brought me to tears, but did bring a big smile to my face!

I am Michael C. Bernhardt, his oldest son, and also retired AF. Dad and I built models together when I was a kid, and as most kids I outgrew doing things with Dad, my loss.

While Dad was a Crew Chief on F-4's most of his career, I was an Aircrew Life Support technician, always answering Dad's questions on G-suits, flightsuits, helmets, O2 masks, ejection systems etc. Now that I am retired with too much time on my hands, I have decided to build my first model since the 70's. Boy do I got a lot to learn. Having always had a love for Military History (Thanks to Dad), my first venture will be a basic Revell B-17G, we'll see how that goes.

Spent my career doing Life Support on OV-10A's, F-15A, B, C, D's, MC-130E's, C-130E's, C-130J's, C-130E's ABCCC, C-9A's, MC-130N, P's.

While Dad did not rate a Miltary Fly-By he did get his Full Military Honors. The Honor Guard team did an awesome job. Both myself and my Brother were there in full uniform (AF), along with my Son (Marines), a good familiy friend from the Navy, and another familiy member by marriage Army, so all 4 branches were represented, and in uniform. He would have been proud.

Michael C. Bernhardt                          

Michael:

It was an honor to have known your dad, even for such a brief time.

Thanks for briefing us in on the funeral.

I have to say, Bill had a lot to be proud of, and that's an understatement. He was always understated, and a truly humble guy.

I hope you'll join us building here in the forms, you are very welcome here.

Best Regards,

Dominic

CBTalon13 Michael my Dad and I had a similar thing going, he was a reliability engineer in aerospace and I was a machinist, he broke em and I made them years later. I also made parts for the F-4 Phantoms although I have never touched one.

I didn't talk with your Dad much but can say he will be sorely missed here as he was more than willing to help anyone with a model and did too. He was also quite a character, lots of fun to talk with and banter back and forth with. I do hope you will share your build with us here, I will sure be looking forward to seeing it.  

After reading through all these post on him, it reminded me on how passionate he was when it came to properly depicting models. Nearly brought me to tears, but did bring a big smile to my face!

I am Michael C. Bernhardt, his oldest son, and also retired AF. Dad and I built models together when I was a kid, and as most kids I outgrew doing things with Dad, my loss.

While Dad was a Crew Chief on F-4's most of his career, I was an Aircrew Life Support technician, always answering Dad's questions on G-suits, flightsuits, helmets, O2 masks, ejection systems etc. Now that I am retired with too much time on my hands, I have decided to build my first model since the 70's. Boy do I got a lot to learn. Having always had a love for Military History (Thanks to Dad), my first venture will be a basic Revell B-17G, we'll see how that goes.

Spent my career doing Life Support on OV-10A's, F-15A, B, C, D's, MC-130E's, C-130E's, C-130J's, C-130E's ABCCC, C-9A's, MC-130N, P's.

While Dad did not rate a Miltary Fly-By he did get his Full Military Honors. The Honor Guard team did an awesome job. Both myself and my Brother were there in full uniform (AF), along with my Son (Marines), a good familiy friend from the Navy, and another familiy member by marriage Army, so all 4 branches were represented, and in uniform. He would have been proud.

Michael C. Bernhardt                          

RIP Phatom Phixer, you will be missed.

Scott

I just found this thread and I am SO saddened to learn of Berny's passing.  He has answered many questions for me on this forum and I so respect his knowledge and willingness to share it with others.  May he rest in peace with the heavenly Father and may his family receive His blessings.

Darwin, O.F. 

Count me in on the memorial group build, probably with a Phantom of some type.

DURR

maybe a dumb idea but  how about a ' Berny memorial  group build  '        it would be nothing but phantoms of any scale or marking

There is a group of us that are already planning one.  We will be starting it on Berny's birthday which is February 22.  Berny actually liked building just about anything including cars, armour, and aircraft, even Migs.  So we have decided it would be a completely open group build.  Basically, you will just pick your very favorite model and have fun.

Ken

maybe a dumb idea but  how about a ' Berny memorial  group build  '        it would be nothing but phantoms of any scale or marking

Bockscar

Hans von Hammer:

 

HVH thanks for the sentiment......I know it meant a lot........

Hope his family got one for real, or at least a fly-over... The "Missing Man" is usually reserved for the funerals of flag-officers and/or pilots, but Berny's an exception, IMNSHO...    Retired SNCO to SNCO, and even though I only "knew" him here, he will be missed...

bondoman

 

Bockscar:

 

That's who he was...blown up once, shot twice, because he wanted to protect America.

That was Bill, William Bernhardt, and to us just 'Berny', GRHS!

 

I am sorry I missed the trip. I told Dad about bernys passing and he thinks we'll go out next year when his eyes are healed.

 

bondoman

 

Bockscar:

 

That's who he was...blown up once, shot twice, because he wanted to protect America.

That was Bill, William Bernhardt, and to us just 'Berny', GRHS!

 

I am sorry I missed the trip. I told Dad about bernys passing and he thinks we'll go out next year when his eyes are healed.

 

Hans von Hammer

But Sparrrowhyperion is already working on that......

HVH thanks for the sentiment......I know it meant a lot........

Sigh, I don't check these forums that often unless it comes up on the recently posted to list so I missed Berny's passing. He was and his family now are in my prayers.

The world is a better place thanks to good people like him.

Hammer,s pic say,s it all !!

Bockscar

That's who he was...blown up once, shot twice, because he wanted to protect America.

That was Bill, William Bernhardt, and to us just 'Berny', GRHS!

Bill told me about the thousands and thousands of spot welds needed to put the original turkey-feathers together.

I gotta tel yah, Matt- Neffer, Boy-Spot-Welder, worked a full day-shift making that lot!

Bill's immediate concern at Dayton was: are those actuators secured? Is that outlet panel gonna' fall and split a guy's head open? Oh yeah.....the arresting hook.....Billl wouldn't even go close......didn't want to become a statistic....

What struck me, and it went over the heads of the supervisory staff: were these aircraft safe to view to the public?

he would have said NO....USAF go ahead an' sue me.

He wanted photos of every 'actuator' in every bay.

Well, he arrives at work, he doesn't want one of those suckers taking out his help.........

That's who he was...blown up once, shot twice, because he wanted to protect America.

That was Bill, William Bernhardt, and to us just 'Berny', GRHS!

he was one of my favorites out here   i pray for his family

Just saw this... sorry to hear about Bernie's passing. I had the pleasure of exchanging messages with him a time or two and always enjoyed hearing from him. He'll certainly be missed.

...I didnt check into this thread last couple of days...I just read about Berny's passing....My condolences to his family... and may he rest in peace...I am glad to hear he was able to have his son at his side. Our loss is heaven's gain....

My prayers to him and his family.

Carlos

Thanks for the link to the obit Phil.

Hi Rich,

Berny didn't mention it.  It is possible he may have started.  I don't think his health was good enough to do much of anything.

Ken