Jimi the 'Bladecutter" and his magnificent works of Art...F-22 CTF presentation

[super-bee_ski]

Right on Ski. Does this mean Jimi gets to be on station to accept something? I'm sure he would dig that! Having been to Edwards even when I had a Top Secret clearance and being damn near fitted with blinders while being escorted to where they took us, I know what a limited possibility this might be.

I'd love to get him on the base.
In order to get him "on-base" he has to ride in with me, being a retired USAF member
with my CAC card (Civilian Access Card) I can not escort.

Reason being, Jimi has some Identification issues he is trying to clear up.
To get on base you need an official ID, State License or similar.

Now, to get in the F-22 CTF (Combined Test Facility) is different.
2 forms of ID
Minor background clearance with Federal Investigative agency and 30 days prior notice.

 

[super-bee_ski]

I was admiring Bladecutter's work while a lurker. And the TIME/EFFORT/DEDICATION to get that quality of finish is amazing.
Patiently awaiting the pics.

This one is "particularly special" as he has finished it with a Midnight Black finish
It appears 20 ft deep!

 

[Richard Cranium]

Reason being, Jimi has some Identification issues he is trying to clear up.
To get on base you need an official ID, State License or similar.

You work for the government, can't you just print him up a new ID?

 

[khryslerkid]

Put him in handcuffs, blindfold him and have the MPs escort him in!

 

[Bladecutter]

Hi Team!
Back in October 2017, I hooked up with Jimi Stevens (Bladecutter) at Gene Winfield's annual get together in the Mojave desert. Mojave CA
Jimi presented to me a magnificent work of Art.
It is a midnight Black Gloss Prop with intricate mounting structure sitting on top of a polished wooden platform
Because "We" (F-22 test team) flew the American Flag for Jimi on a F-22 test bird, Special test mission last year, Jim's thoughtfulness and gratitude drove him to pursue completion of a "Work of Art Blade".
Not to forget, this is when Jimi was feeling "down" with his White Blood Count LOW "light' in flashing mode.
Yeah, when Jimi barely had enough energy to get up in the morning due to his Cancer treatments wreaking HAVOC on his body, he was in his shop creating this truly One of a Kind masterpiece.

The good news?
My F-22 CTF team has given the OK to have a presentation for Jimi's Prop.
Our Commander will have his picture taken with the "Art work" and I will be posting this for our forum members to see.

So, stay tuned for the pics!

Right On Homie!! I almost missed this today. I hope the finish hasn't shrunken from post cure too badly.
Thanks for putting some spotlight on me,,,, yes, I'm afraid I don't have the credential to be allowed on base, so I will revel in the presentation remotely. Thanks Mark......Life is Best on a two way street eh?
To all others Who have & will comment here, Thanks Guys! I love being a part of this club!
I won't post pix of piece which Ski speaks of, but here(sans base) is a couple shots of the blade I ground & polished for Ski.

 

[Bladecutter]

You work for the government, can't you just print him up a new ID?

HLMFAO!!!

 

[Bladecutter]

Jimi, it is our pleasure to invite you to our facility for the presentation of your prop. Please find the enclosed invitation with all of the required information date, time and location of said event. We look forward to seeing you then, sincerely the DOD.
View attachment 557846

 

[Bladecutter]

This is the Flag that Ski & His Constituents flew on September Twentieth, Two Thousand Sixteen for me on Raptor "01", & presented me with, along with a Certificate of Mission, signed by the pilot, Lt. Col. "Laz" & a letter composed by Ski on the official letterhead.
Thanks Mark!! I always keep them near the sculpture.
This is in mental/emotional space of memory of moments like the Mangusta,,,, the night I blistered a CHP Mopar interceptor on Shoreline Hwy 1 with a 69 Coronet 500 w/318 "used car"......my flight over a cliff with my albino Ferret "Toots" after "getting off" a 'Zuk "Water Buffalo" & such! Things I will flash on when the Reaper cometh.

 

[69a100]

I'd love to get him on the base.
In order to get him "on-base" he has to ride in with me, being a retired USAF member
with my CAC card (Civilian Access Card) I can not escort.

Reason being, Jimi has some Identification issues he is trying to clear up.
To get on base you need an official ID, State License or similar.

Now, to get in the F-22 CTF (Combined Test Facility) is different.
2 forms of ID
Minor background clearance with Federal Investigative agency and 30 days prior notice.

This is a joke right? If he's in the right seat strapped in and you drive to the gate and flash your ID, you should be good to get him on base because your his escort. They have always only looked at the drivers unless during heightened security, then it's everybody's ID. This must be a Edward's thing I guess?? I'm to far removed it all now being retired.

 

[Cranky]

This is a joke right? If he's in the right seat strapped in and you drive to the gate and flash your ID, you should be good to get him on base because your his escort. They have always only looked at the drivers unless during heightened security, then it's everybody's ID. This must be a Edward's thing I guess?? I'm to far removed it all now being retired.

When I was a 'white hat' in the AF in Germany, I checked the ID of everyone in a vehicle when I had gate duty. Thing is, even though I also pulled ammo dump duty, I never had a security clearance of any kind the whole time I was in the AF. The question came up more than a couple of times why I didn't have one. ElifIknow......so quit asking me and ask someone that's higher up the ladder of incompetence was my normal reply.

 

[snakeyes]

when your good you do not need an I D card Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

 

[oldbee]

Love it, my oldest is at Wright-Pat doing de-icer's on the Memphis Belle and he says they're not allowed pics(?) WTH, it's in the restoration section and I don't think there's any classified stuff in there. Course, one time I got stopped at main gate in Calif because they thought the rear bumper was too high off the pavement.

 

[snakeyes]

 

[oldbee]

I'd love to get him on the base.
In order to get him "on-base" he has to ride in with me, being a retired USAF member
with my CAC card (Civilian Access Card) I can not escort.

Reason being, Jimi has some Identification issues he is trying to clear up.
To get on base you need an official ID, State License or similar.

Now, to get in the F-22 CTF (Combined Test Facility) is different.
2 forms of ID
Minor background clearance with Federal Investigative agency and 30 days prior notice.

Kinda like trying to get in to the White House on a tour!

 

[Darius]

Hell! I once got laid out by the Skycops on the flight line at Altus AFB OK. I had a top secret clearance, was in my flight suit with said badge showing. My "mistake" was I walked over the Red Line to get to my aircraft instead of going another 100 yards down the road to the "entry point".....a 12' wide spot where there was NO red paint!! ( and NO guard posted to check ID either). Sorry to say, ain't no way Jimi is getting on Edwards.

 

[super-bee_ski]

 

[super-bee_ski]

Hell! I once got laid out by the Skycops on the flight line at Altus AFB OK. I had a top secret clearance, was in my flight suit with said badge showing. My "mistake" was I walked over the Red Line to get to my aircraft instead of going another 100 yards down the road to the "entry point".....a 12' wide spot where there was NO red paint!! ( and NO guard posted to check ID either). Sorry to say, ain't no way Jimi is getting on Edwards.

Darius,
Alas, those were the good ol days...
when the "force" was for real, people took their job seriously
Yup, been on the ground a few times
Worst?
"Our Plane" Hickam field, rain, taking off for Guam, SPs made us lay in the rain/wet tarmac ....

 

[super-bee_ski]

Love it, my oldest is at Wright-Pat doing de-icer's on the Memphis Belle and he says they're not allowed pics(?) WTH, it's in the restoration section and I don't think there's any classified stuff in there. Course, one time I got stopped at main gate in Calif because they thought the rear bumper was too high off the pavement.

I loved my 12 years at WPAFB!

 

[Dennis H]

Hope to see ya in Van Nuys Jim.

 

[Bladecutter]

View attachment 563606
Hope to see ya in Van Nuys Jim.

Thanks Dennis! Susan is up for it so we should make Sat or Sun. Hopefully GetX'd again too.