The Big Ass Bird

She's not so sleek and handsome

She's clumsy on the ground,

She makes an awful racket,

You've heard for miles around.

When you hear the roar of the engines,

You'll know that you have heard.

The gallant fight for airspeed,

Of the clumsy Big Ass Bird.

----------------------------

We saved the day at San Jose,

We saved MacArthur's ass.

The boys up there were thirsty,

So we flew 'em up some gas.

The Japs were there at daybreak,

That's when we barged in too.

They took one look at the Big Ass Bird,

And then those Jap's were through.

-----------------------------

We taxi out to takeoff

We get in number one.

You hear the tower shouting

"Big Rhubarb, cut your gun."

They bawl us out, they cuss us,

They yell to beat the band.

"You Big Ass Bird, you'll have to wait,

these L-5's have to land."

--------------------------------

Although our deeds are many,

Our battles far acclaimed.

There's one we won the hard way

And it's our claim to fame.

We won the Battle of Syracuse,

When things were mighty fine.

The Big Ass Bird was in there,

And we weren't far behind.

-------------------------------

And when this war is over,

And we go home again,

They'll ask us what we want to fly?

We answer with a grin,

"You can take your fighters

And jam 'em up your ass,

But as for me, I'11 fly the bird,

I'11 fly it to the last."

-----------------------------------

Now flying days are over,

Our trophies put away.

No longer can we fly around,

As we did in our hey-day.

However, we can belly-up

To bars from east to west

And bore the folks with details

Of when we flew the best.

--------------------------------------

The Big Ass Bird is gone now.

Her working days are thru.

She served us well at Biak,

The Philippines she knew

Her memory still lingers,

As time goes flying by.

She's grounded now forever

And we must say "Goodbye."

---------------------------------------------------

To the tune of"Wabash Cannonball." The composer of the above lyrics (1st five verses) is Otho Watford. The last two verses written by Curt Krogh, March, 1984.

The song is written in honor of the C-46 Curtiss-Commando, first introduced in the Pacific Theater by the 2nd Combat Cargo Group in World War II, 1944-1945.

Lt. Curtis H. Krogh, 7^th Combat Cargo Squadron, 2nd Combat Cargo Group. From his manuscript '7th Combat Cargo Squadron History, 2nd Combat Cargo Group, 54th Troop Carrier Wing, 5th Air Force, World War II.

I am looking for former members of the 3rd Combat Cargo Group, 1st, Combat Cargo Group, 2nd Combat Cargo Group and the 4th Combat Cargo Group. In fact I would like to hear from anyone who flew over the Hump during WW II, or flew any Combat Cargo Missions at any time (Berlin Air-Lift, Korea, etc)

Please e-mail comment, suggestions, corrections,etc to: bill@comcar.org

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