Simviation Forum - Gary Powers

Feb 10^th, 2006 at 4:16am

ozzy72 Offline
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Well 44 years ago today he walked across a bridge and into West Berlin in exchange for Rudolph Abel!

There are two types of aeroplane, Spitfires and everything else that wishes it was a Spitfire!

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Reply #1 - Feb 10^th, 2006 at 5:15am

Flt.Lt.Andrew Ex Member

I feel sorry for him.

His life was ruined due to a couple of disgusting commies.

A.

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Reply #2 - Feb 10^th, 2006 at 6:25am

ozzy72 Offline
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I would disagree Andrew, his service dishonoured him and shunned him. The only finally honoured him 13 years after his death by awarding him the medals he rightly earned in the service of his country.

There are two types of aeroplane, Spitfires and everything else that wishes it was a Spitfire!

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Reply #3 - Feb 10^th, 2006 at 2:34pm

dcunning30 Offline
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Gary Powers, the U2 pilot?

He was supposed to take that cianide tablet when he got shot down. Got shot down, he chose to not commit suicide, he was the subject of a show trial that embarrassed Eisenhower. That was a career ruining incident just as a captain of a navy ship running the ship aground during peacetime.

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Reply #4 - Feb 10^th, 2006 at 9:11pm

RichieB16 Offline
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That was a career ruining incident

I would imagine that taking his cynaide capsule would have been just as much of a career ruining event as not taking it was (if not more). Wink

Plus, he was buried at Arlington National Cemetery which is reserved for only a select few. So, he must have done something right.

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Reply #5 - Feb 10^th, 2006 at 10:09pm

Webb Ex Member
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How would the suicide of the pilot have destroyed the evidence of the aircraft, which the Soviets proudly displayed?

dcunning30, you are pretty much on the mark in other posts but you are way off here.

The U-2 was thought to be beyond the range of Soviet AA missiles. You can't blame the pilot for that.

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Reply #6 - Feb 10^th, 2006 at 10:34pm

RichieB16 Offline
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How would the suicide of the pilot have destroyed the evidence of the aircraft, which the Soviets proudly displayed?

What I have read is that the biggest critism of Powers was that he failed to destory certain things before he ejected. He did not arm the charge on the aircraft that destroys the camaras, film, and certain classified items. Thats what the problem was.

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Reply #7 - Feb 10^th, 2006 at 10:49pm

Webb Ex Member
I Like Flight Simulation!

Maybe he didn't have time - the aircraft being "unhittable" in the first place.

Give me a choice between my life and any other option and I'll take my life almost every time.

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Reply #8 - Feb 11^th, 2006 at 7:25pm

Flt.Lt.Andrew Ex Member

Ok ok maybe my comment was a little harsh. I'm sorry, but one question, why did the US Gvt shun him after? I mean, wouldnt they milk him for what (although somewhat limited) intelligence he would have gathered while in captivity? What did he do after his repatriation to the US?

A.

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Reply #9 - Feb 11^th, 2006 at 8:17pm

Craig. Offline
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Andrew I dont know what some people have told you, but you dont gain any information in captivity thats worth being grilled over.

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Reply #10 - Feb 11^th, 2006 at 9:15pm

RichieB16 Offline
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Andrew I dont know what some people have told you, but you dont gain any information in captivity thats worth being grilled over.

Craigs probably right. Plus, I can't believe that he wasn't debriefed after his return. I'm sure he was.

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Reply #11 - Feb 12^th, 2006 at 6:09am

Craig. Offline
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Craigs probably right. Plus, I can't believe that he wasn't debriefed after his return. I'm sure he was.

Of course.

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Reply #12 - Feb 13^th, 2006 at 10:23am

dcunning30 Offline
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How would the suicide of the pilot have destroyed the evidence of the aircraft, which the Soviets proudly displayed?

dcunning30, you are pretty much on the mark in other posts but you are way off here.

The U-2 was thought to be beyond the range of Soviet AA missiles. You can't blame the pilot for that.

I don't blame Powers for anything. I'm just describing what I believe to have happened. Anyway, Powers was working for the CIA, and operatives are given cyanide tablets as standard issue. Obviously, the wreckage could be inspected but there are two things. There are mechanisms that are designed to destroy secret equipment should such an unfortunate event occur, and the Soviets would just LOVE to get inside Powers head to learn what he knew, hence the cyanide tablets.

During WWII, a US sub captain chose to go down with his boat when the rest of the crew was able to escape. He made that decision because he knew secrets about a large upcoming operation and he didn't want the Japanese totorture the info out of him.

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Reply #13 - Feb 13^th, 2006 at 10:25am

dcunning30 Offline
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What I have read is that the biggest critism of Powers was that he failed to destory certain things before he ejected. He did not arm the charge on the aircraft that destroys the camaras, film, and certain classified items. Thats what the problem was.

That makes more sense than what I previously thought. What I read was that he was captured and didn't take the cyanide pill and I drew my own conclusion.

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Reply #14 - Feb 23^rd, 2006 at 5:45am

Stratosaurus Offline
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Quote:

Gary Powers, the U2 pilot?

He was supposed to take that cianide tablet when he got shot down. Got shot down, he chose to not commit suicide, he was the subject of a show trial that embarrassed Eisenhower. That was a career ruining incident just as a captain of a navy ship running the ship aground during peacetime.

I think that Eisenhower embarrased himself, autorising the U-2 flights over Soviet Union. The incident ruined an international conference or reunion between USA / URRS. Sorry I dont remember exactly.

Back to USA, Powers worked as helicopter pilot for a local TV, and died in a helicopter crash.

Regards from Spain.

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