Jarrold cut in. He had the authoritative manner of a career officer. “We’ve got Abraham Lincoln steaming to intersect Bessie Blue’s course. She can send up aircraft to escort Bessie Blue ahead to Hawaii.”
Wilkerson said, “I don’t think Bessie Blue can make it. That range was based on maximum fuel load. I think they kept her light for those filming flights.”
Jarrold uttered a sailor’s oath.
Lindsey said, “Can Crump land that bomber on the Abraham Lincoln?”
Jarrold said, “Impossible.”
“Didn’t Jimmy Doolittle take off from an aircraft carrier to bomb Tokyo in 1942?” Eric Coffman would be proud of him for knowing that.
“He did. But those were B-25s, Mr. Lindsey. It’s a famous piece of carrier history. Crump is in a B-17. It’s twice the size of a 25. And landing is a different proposition
