Forum: Military Aircraft of the Cold War

Folks,

I need to find a copy of an F-4 pic that I've had for years, but unfortunately is not in an area where I can easily access it.

Specifically, this pic is more of the pilot than the plane itself, and was featured in the old Time-Life aviation series book "Fighting Jets". The pic is of then-Capt. Harry J. Eckes, flying from Da Nang, and preparing for another combat mission.

The look in this man's eyes in the picture pretty much sums up flying in combat. Anyone who has flown repeated combat missions, and understands the "Groundhog Day" mentality of a flying deployment will understand the look in this guy's eyes. Just a Captain in the picture, the man looks like he's in his late 40s!

Does anyone know the pic that I'm talking about? I recently saw a copy of it on a t-shirt, and wanted to get the picture again. Thanks in advance to anyone who can pull through on this one!

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I know exactly the picture you're talking about, and I can get a scan/close photograph this weekend if somebody doesn't beat me to it.

Thanks amigo! Cool

Here ya go. That's just about as good as I can do with my scanner. Let me know if you need anything else.

I found a copy at my library:

Fighting jets /
by Walker, Bryce S., Time-Life Books
Alexandria, Va. : Time-Life Books, c1983.
Description: 176 p. : ill. (some col.) ; 29 cm.
Series: The Epic of flight

fisk

That's the one Squirl! Perfectamundo! Thanks very much.

115th mission after being deployed for 100? Yeah, that sounds about right. Flying deployments are "Groundhog Day" for the entire time you're there. If you're not flying, you're getting ready to fly. As I stated before, this man was a Captain at the time. In the picture, he could've passed for a Colonel or a 1 Star.

I wish we could still decorate our helmets like that...

Thanks again!

.Oh Yea...Go Baby, damn great photo (my old stomping grounds - Danang 1971), I hope he lived well after retirement (he earned it big time)

Definitely! Here's to him and everyone else who did their time in "The Suck". Beer

<EDIT> Folks, I've gone back and cropped/resized the picture and the picture's description, so they would have a good presentation. A pic that good needs to look good on the web's best aviation source!

I have that. Great book, great shot.