Robin Olds, The Ultimate Fighter Pilot That Stood Up To A President
Ғылым және технология
Robin Olds first flew at the age of eight, in an open-cockpit biplane operated by his father.
In 1943, Lieutenant Olds completed fighter pilot training with the 329th Fighter Group, a training unit based at Glendale California. His initial twin-engine training at Williams Field in Arizona, in the AT-9, followed by transition fighter training to the Lockheed Forked Tail Devil P-38 Lightning.
In early 1944 he became part of the cadre assigned to build up the newly activated 434th FS, based at Lomita California. Olds logged 650 hours of flying time during training, and on May 3rd, 1944, Olds P-38 was loaded aboard the USS Argentina to set sail for Europe. The 479th arrived in Scotland on May 14, 1944.
On May 26, the 479th entered combat for the first time while flying bomber escort missions, and attacking transport targets in occupied France, in preparation for the invasion of Normandy.
Olds insisted that his aircraft be waxed to help reduce drag and increase its speed. Although slight, Olds demanded every bit of performance from his P-38. He nicknamed his waxed Lightning Scat II.
July 24th, 1944 Olds was promoted to Captain and became a flight and later squadron leader.
On August 14th following a low-level bridge-bombing mission in France, on August 14, Olds shot down his first German aircraft...a pair of FW-190s
On August 25th, 1944, during a mission to Wismar, Olds flight was in a position on the far left of the escorted group's line abreast formation, and encountered 40-50 BF-109s flying north at the same 28,000 ft altitude in a loose formation.
Olds turned his flight left and climbed high, and behind the German aircraft Undetected, Olds and his wingman jettisoned their tanks and commenced their attack.
Few American airmen have had the kind of dazzling talent and charisma possessed by Robin Olds. His persona loomed equally large whether from the cockpit, the lectern, or in face-to-face encounters. Olds was big, tough, smart, and swaggering, not to mention brave and highly skilled. Even Hollywood would have had a hard time portraying the genuine article on the big screen. He was a truly dynamic force, one who had a positive impact on the Air Force for more than 60 years. “His influence upon who we are as an Air Force today can hardly be overstated,” Gen. T. Michael Moseley, Chief of Staff, remarked on the death of the retired brigadier general last June. Olds was “a staunch advocate for better fighters, better pilot training,” and the innovative tactics that the Air Force still uses today, Moseley said. Olds’ effect on USAF varied both in content and in timing. His career can easily be divided into two eras. In general terms, the first era, which ran from West Point to his retirement, was a period in which his effect was chiefly localized. He was achieving notable combat successes, influencing his peers and subordinates, and often antagonizing his superiors. In the second, postretirement era his effect spread, and Olds became almost universally embraced, even by those who previously had taken exception to his views. Olds had great stories to tell, and he polished them over the years, weaving them into his presentations with the wit and the timing of a professional actor. He didn’t mind exaggerating the humorous aspects in some of his stories, but he never exaggerated what he accomplished.
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@marypapak5759
5 ай бұрын
Thank you for this incredible piece on Robin. Very, very well done, and accurate. He was my uncle, my fathers older brother, and in addition to all of his military accomplishments, he was a loving, great father and uncle and grandfather ❤❤❤❤
This man is what every officer should strive to be. To lead his men from the front and not to ask his men to do anything that he would not do first.
@BobbyBluBalls
11 ай бұрын
100% we need more men like Olds, and Hackworth today for sure.
@chrisknepper5153
11 ай бұрын
But then Robin Olds wouldn’t be special.
@ltmc99
10 ай бұрын
Amen.
@daviswall3319
10 ай бұрын
Indeed
@tonyfernandotreml7616
10 ай бұрын
Yes! It really is!
Robin Olds was the king of badassery in the USAF. I got to meet him when I was stationed at Seymor Johnson in 1985 during an airshow. The confidence he projected was amazing. And a super nice guy.
@Dronescapes
11 ай бұрын
👍👍
@marypapak5759
5 ай бұрын
He was my uncle, and everything you said is true❤
Brig. Gen. Olds Rest in Peace .. We need more people in the position of power like him. He was an icon!!
“You want to get something done in the service, go to the Sargents”. As a retired NCO I 100% agree.
@oldgrunt5806
10 ай бұрын
A rare officer, especially a West Point grad. Understanding and appreciating what the people who work for you do is the mark of a true leader.
@jimsharp5044
8 ай бұрын
NCOs run the military.
@beerdrinker6452
8 ай бұрын
Sergeants.
The George Patton of the sky!!! What a man!
Dude was a man's man and absolutely the right guy to straighten out top brass!
As a retired Jarhead the comment "He came home disgusted with the failure of his government, but inspired by the accomplishments of his men." Pretty well mirrors my feelings as well.
Every time I see a video or clip of Robin olds I have so much admiration for the man, not just for being a ace fighter pilot and legend of air combat, but because he was a man who would get the job done no matter what the odds were, and he'd do it with charisma and a way that made people take notice and follow his instructions and example, a true hero, rest in peace sir Robin olds and much honour to you always 🙏🌹
This what Heroes are made of. Our young boys should be reading about men such as this. Instead, they have no real heroes and are taught to hate this country. Brave men like Robin Olds are few and far between. He was a Man's Man. Bravo Robin Olds. I salute you.
Always the pilot,, he’s talking and some guys taking off,, he paused, said “ How come he gets to do that and I don’t ?” What a man!! 💜💜
This man is an American legend! Thank you so much for posting!🇺🇲
What a great presentation on a great U.S. fighter pilot!
@Dronescapes
11 ай бұрын
Thank you
Truly a first class soldier of the old school tradition. One of those rare type that commands respect and adoration setting the example to achieve success.
A true American aviation warrior and hero. I wish I could have attended one of his speaches. RIP Ace Robin Olds
That was awesome. I’ve admired Robin Olds since the first time I read anything about him back in the early 80’s when I was 14 or 15. He is the model all officers should attempt to emulate. Cares for his men, loves his country, isn’t political and probably anything else that’s good in a person with his responsibilities. This was a great video, thank you very much for posting it. I’ve seen the history channel show on him 10 times but this is the first time I’ve seen this talk at the air show. I bet he had a years worth of stories a couple hours at a time. Thanks again for posting this, you made this old guys day👍
It was a joy to hear this man's stories. Larger than life.
Robin Olds' mustache even has medals
R.Olds May he fly in the heavens forever 🕊️❤️🕊️
@Dronescapes
11 ай бұрын
👍
Wonderful presentation honoring one of Americas greatest fighter pilots. He established new standards in the field of battle in Vietnam. He put bombs on F-4 Phantoms so they could execute night interdiction missions against the North. By the time he left Vietnam and returned to the states, the wing in Thailand continued as a very well oiled machine due to Robin Olds organizational skills as a wing commander. A good friend of mine flew F-4E Phamtoms in that wing after Olds had left. On one night interdiction mission he forgot to switch off his NAV lights on his F-4E during a bombing run and it wasn't long when the North Vietmanese greeted him with anti-aircraft fire. Fortunately he wasn't hit, but he made sure he would never do that again. My friend flew 72 combat missions for that wing and they continued the tradition that was established by Robin Olds.
His Autobiography is well worth reading; he is unflinchingly honest about his own behavior impacting his private life, a great read that I reread from time to time.
I saw him a couple times at the UDON officers club. His mustache made him stand out - he was is serious shape, an athlete. the pilots there were devoted to him.
This man is an example of THE greatest generation that ever lived.
I have the highest respect for fighter pilots. That being said, they just don't make them like Robin Olds anymore. Salute to this hero.
I've read a couple of books about him. Absolutely outstanding man.
My dad was in Thailand with Col. Olds. He loved him and all the guys did too. Quite a leader, by example.
Sir Respect. No other Words.
What an unique and accomplished life! Thankyou for your service Sir, from Perth Western Australia
So we can say this was the real life Maverick
@vivek27789
11 ай бұрын
True... Very True
@DavidWolf-kf8rw
10 ай бұрын
Top Gun and Maverick are based on Cmdr. Randall “Duke” Cunningham, who flew the F-4 Phantom II in Vietnam and became the U.S. Navy’s only ace of the war!
And don’t forget the contribution of JB Stone to Operation Bolo. Never underestimate a boy from Mississippi!!! Robin Olds is truly the greatest and he had some great men beside him as well.
Brigadier General Robin Olds Was a ACE and a Leader 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Robin Olds has always been a personal hero. One of the finest officers in history, Regarding Vietnam - I have heard rumors that his air to air total in Asia was 7.
This man interview at very much extent inspired me. I did not anticipate so much humor, energy and experience blended in the single speech. God bless his soul, rest in peace. God bless America!
He was also half brother to Gore Vidal, an author, by his mother. RAF mustaches-against regs-but done to foster morale in his pilots. Operation BOLO decimated the NVAF in one day. Note: Gore Vidal, who leaned left, apologized to his brother posthumously in a Playboy article after Olds' death. He reconciled and declared his brother a hero. Pat Conroy, another author whose classmates from the Citadel went to Vietnam while he dodged the draft (fled to Italy), later reconciled his antiwar actions and regretted his actions. My favorite quote from Olds is when they're dogfighting once, somebody pipes up on the radio asking where this is going on? Olds replies, "Hey, get your own."
@Dronescapes
11 ай бұрын
I did not know about Vidal
@suecobandito8954
11 ай бұрын
@@Dronescapes look, Gore Vidal wrote some epic novels, Lincoln, Kalki. He famously debated William F. Buckley on TV calling him a “crypto nazi”. Couldn’t have been more opposite from his brother. To me Robin Olds was the consummate fighter pilot. Long live the legend.
@marypapak5759
5 ай бұрын
Step brother, his father married Gore Vidal’s mother, Nina
The number of missions he flew in Vietnam was extraordinary. He changed aviation warfare. RIP General Olds.
Robin Olds was the best fighter pilot ever....
Colonel Robin Olds Scat f-4 is on display at the USAF museum in dayton ohio , Think it was part of the wolfpack squadron and what a sight to see , Robin is revered as one of the best pilots and officers is the US Air Force rest easy sir !
They don't make them like this anymore, absolute legend, thank you Sir from the 🇬🇧
We definitely need more man like that now. More than ever Rest in peace
I said this on another yt channel and I'll repeat it here on this one . Robin Olds had balls of solid brass !
This guy was a national treasure and an absolute American badass!
Yeah two things about Korea I really wished had happened in regards to the USAF: 1. The P/F-47N Thunderbolt being deployed as a effective ground support strike aircraft racking up even more destruction. 2. Robin Olds as group commander of F-86 Sabres shooting down MiGs and becoming an Ace there. But such is the reality of life, we might have lost him in Korea, who knows? He was in my opinion like Jimmy Doolittle, Americas Airman.
olds is so right about the Vietnam War
I have a 1/72 scale P 38 which I obtained Robin's Scat III decals for and I have a Revell 1/32 scale Phantom which I obtained Col. Olds decals for!!
A TRUE LIFE SUPERHERO. Ive been amazed, AMAZED at Robin Olds my whole life. As my father is a flyer. Him, and Yeager are my lifelong heros
My man, Robin Olds!
My two heroes during the war, Joe Foss and Robin Olds. Had the pleasure of meeting Foss.
He was definitely one of a kind!!
One thing that is amazing, in ALL of those very old photos they don't put circles around Robin Olds. You can spot him instantly.
Legend and a true hero!!
A great unforgettable American hero, I only wish I could have flown and skied with Gen. Robin Olds
Our country and military need more leaders like Robin Olds!
When the F-4's got to 'nam, Colonel Olds baited North Vietnamese pilots into dog fights with the F-4's by making the strike packages look like the F-105's, which North Vietnam bit on. The F-4's tore 'em up. I heard stories about him in basic on '78. A real cowboy who I would have gone anywhere for.
A great man and pilot. 👍
his a great pilot an ace pilot...
That Stache tho ….💪🏽
When President Johnson asked him what can be done to end the war his answer was, you can allow us to win Mr President. Truly one Great fighter pilot. What he did with an F4 Phantom no one else could come close even to this day. A true American Hero a patriot thru and thru.
Robin Olds was one of my childhood heroes... I met several Pilots that flew with him. I built his MiG killer F-4 Phantom model.... yet never for an instant wanted to join the Air Force... I instead confounded my Grandfather Air Force Colonel/ WW2 B17 pilot by instead becoming an Air Cavalry Officer and Helo driver. I did however even as young E4 sport a prodigious Olds Mustasche back when we got away with that sort of thing! Gen. Olds...a US Military Aviation Legend!
Brilliant.
@Dronescapes
11 ай бұрын
👍
Met him in the F-4 flight simulator section at Luke AFB, AZ in 1972 or 73.
@Dronescapes
11 ай бұрын
Wow
We could sure use leadership like that right about now....
Excellent video, true American hero. General Olds is to be admired. Quite a funny man with a great sense of humor. They don't make them like him anymore. And he was right about johnson and mcnamara.
@Dronescapes
10 ай бұрын
👍👍
He was a true officer of men. Great fighter pilot and then some.
What a legend!
@Dronescapes
11 ай бұрын
👍🇺🇸
7:40 That is my key experience in service! Go to the sergeants, they know how to put it in the right way
A true fighter ace!
Not just a hero, a national treasure as far as I'm concerned.
@jamesburns2232
9 ай бұрын
General Robin Olds gave a speech at the Boeing Museum of Flight and said "Without a secure Southern Border, we have no idea of how many terrorists we are letting into the USA." His insight came from being where the rubber meets the road. 🤠
Greatest generation
This is what i wanted my USAF career to be...instead i was medically retired as a 2M052. Damn it.
@waynewilliams8554
11 ай бұрын
@tron.44 Thank you for serving our Country!!
An amazing human being and a man! God rest his sole.
@marypapak5759
5 ай бұрын
He was also a wonderful, loving father and uncle❤
@vanessacadaocadao1981
5 ай бұрын
I didn’t say that
@marypapak5759
5 ай бұрын
I’m saying that, as his neice
@marypapak5759
5 ай бұрын
PS. Sole is fish. “Soul” is what you meant
@vanessacadaocadao1981
5 ай бұрын
I think my dad said that
Mr. Olds = 🐐🐐🐐
Great and dedicated Amerian..hero! RIP Robin!
He looks like a real fighter pilot!
@Dronescapes
11 ай бұрын
He embodied the ultimate pilot
If only the top levels of the DOD and government had the courage and integrity of the men doing the fighting...We'd be in a lot better place as a country and human race
@mikelliteras397
11 ай бұрын
If they had the integrity of men like him, there would be a lot less wars and those would be over a lot quicker.
That was a real man
Black man and Robin. That gives me chills Power. Trust me kids there toning this down these two were the dynamic duo know joke.
I didn't know about Col. Olds when I was in the USAF, 70 - 72. I wish I had.
Curtis LeMay was Robert Olds' navigator in the early years
@joconnor3567
10 ай бұрын
Bombs away Lemay!
He grew up in my city Hampton VA. His dad was stationed at Langley Field (Langley AFB). He went to Hampton High School.
Mining the harbors is an act of war? What was their attack on the USS Maddox then? We should have declared war right after that or never sent advisors and stayed out of it. Loved the book "Fighter Pilot" and think General Olds was as bad as they come. Thanks to all now serving, those who have, and those who will in the future. FLY NAVY!!!
A true American legend and hero that is greatly missed. It’s men like this that is the reason why we still speak English.
@Dronescapes
10 ай бұрын
Well said
General Olds is a "larger than life hero". At a time when young people idolize rappers, thugs and Socialists, we need more men like Gen. Olds. The USAF Academy and the USAF itself need the leadership and guidance of men like him. General "Chappie" James was General Olds "Vice-Commander" with the "Wolfpack" and went on to become the first Black Officer to become a 4-Star General. Two very "great men" who loved this nation. Almighty GOD, please send us more! GOD Bless their families!
@donchristie420
10 ай бұрын
“Socialist”, where did that come from🤨
@user-rt9zq8rs9k
9 ай бұрын
@@donchristie420Morons believing in Fascist propaganda
@Peter-od7op
9 ай бұрын
@@donchristie420have you paying attention to whats going on in last few years in USA
Wow!
The Marlboro Man for real ! what little boy wanted to be a firefighter after seeing this dude climb into an F-4 Phantom....NONE !
I wish they would make a movie about this man. They still have some F- 4s thats flying and with a good director a good script and stories from crew members and archive footage could make this movie realistic
This man was my hero growing up and why I webt into AF and why I wanted ro fly. I was devastated when in AFROTC at thee Ohio State University, I was informed my eyesight would DQ me from UPT Undergraduate Pilot School. So I enlisted just so I could possibly work for a man and an officer of his caliber. The stache is epic and to this day is still worn in respect. May God please keep Colonel Olds watching over us in the skies. 🇺🇸🫡
Talk about ' The Right Stuff ' Robin Olds had it in bucket loads.
Colonel Robin Olds …… Modern day hero ! Was a crew chief on the F-4 E/G (Wild Weasels) at George, AFB in the late 70’s. We worked hard and played hard ! Peace/Cheers
He was Commandant at USAFA, when I was there. It was pretty simple. He was a Man, who was emulated by men. I'll quote Shakespeare. "He was a man, take him for all in all, I shall not look upon his like again." And he was right, about airplanes. You don't get into an airplane and fly it. Once it all clicks, you stap an airplane on your ass, and you FLY.
@Dronescapes
11 ай бұрын
👍👍
@12345directioner
5 ай бұрын
He brought my Dad, Al Homstead, to the USAFA in 1970 to run the airfield and coach the parachute team. My Dad flew under his command in Vietnam.
Olds was cut from the same cloth as Pappy Boyington. He would rather be in a fight than anywhere else.
Great video! True American hero!!!
Great fighter pilot.
Thank you
Legend !!
This officer should have been Air Force Chief of Staff
22:18 The man holding Olds here on the right is my wives uncle. Bill Kirk, USAF ret., he actually gave Olds his check out flight in the F-4 before both heading off to Vietnam to fly together. Kirk would retire a 4-star general in 1989 and be credited with founding Red Flag
Legendary!!
What an amazing man
The only thing Chuck Norris was afraid of was Robin Olds mustache....
Mio Dio! Che video! Grandissimo ACE!