Forum: Military Aircraft of the Cold War

Last edited by Meathook on Feb 01, 2008 - 03:08 AM; edited 2 times in total

Here is one of my favorite photos.

It was given to me by my friend (then) Captain Dave Hill of the Happy Hooligans of Fargo, North Dakota.

The photo was taken just before they converted to the F16

Phantoms Forever baby....

I met Dave at the Woman of Wings Airshow back in 1986, the show was in San Diego. I was the NCOIC of the 12th AF, F-16 Demo Team back then (but had crewed Phantoms too).

His aircraft needed a Left Main Tire changed, the shows "Transit folks could not handle it". I just happen to be there and heard the conversation and I volunteered to R2 the tire for him (faxing the tech data to me from Fargo).

I changed it in time for their show take off, they rolled for the show on time, and we have been friends ever since - Once Phantoms. Always Phantoms.

Retired, USAF (Major) Dave Hill now flys for Fed-Ex - fly save buddy

The Meathook

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Anybody else here ever "crewed" Phantoms during their hitch with the USAF?

Enjoy the old photos, a few I have sitting around the house.

The lower photo was taken during my assignment with the 1st Test Sqaudron, Combat Sage - I was a very young Crew Dog at 18 years old, I was the youngest guy in our squadron for about a year...man, time flies

How about this one Meathook.
Yep that's me with my crew.

Outstanding...Man I sure remember those old uniforms with the blue stripes, pressed pants (sometimes) and those boots...you don't see them like that anymore - great photo, thanks for posting it, I think its great.

Good job by the way...Load Crew of the Quarter..you know, there is something about those days that was not all that bad at times huh - it seemed a friendlier, happier Air Force - least I thought so. Smile

If any of you folks have old photos like the ones above from the USAF back in the 1970,s (F4 related)...how about posting some of them, looking at the old uniforms and aircraft, it's kind of fun I think...makes me want to get a copy of "Laugh-In" when Goldie Hawn was a young woman...good stuff - you folks got any more old photos?

Meat, That pic of the Rhino (REAL Rhino) A-A refueling looks like it's packing AIM-9P. Did they have/fly/use those in 'Nam or was that pic post-Saigon? I couldn't imagine flying 150 miles south of Hanoi is a fully armed F-4 after the war.

I'm not a crewchief, but I cut my teeth on RF-4Cs back in 79 and F-4Ds in 83. F-4s were a solid workhorse of an aircraft that would take an amazing amount of punishment and get the crew home. One of the Ds had the T wheel explode sending blades through the number 4 and 5 cell which luckily are self sealing. The T wheel duct and burner were just laying on the 96 door. The crew limped it home on 1 engine no worse for wear.....

Lightndattic wrote:

Meat, That pic of the Rhino (REAL Rhino) A-A refueling looks like it's packing AIM-9P. Did they have/fly/use those in 'Nam or was that pic post-Saigon? I couldn't imagine flying 150 miles south of Hanoi is a fully armed F-4 after the war.

Those are AIM-9J's, we got those after the AIM-4D's early 73.

Meathook wrote:

Outstanding...Man I sure remember those old uniforms with the blue stripes, pressed pants (sometimes) and those boots...you don't see them like that anymore - great photo, thanks for posting it, I think its great.

Good job by the way...Load Crew of the Quarter..you know, there is something about those days that was not all that bad at times huh - it seemed a friendlier, happier Air Force - least I thought so. Smile

Did you notice the fine haircuts too Very Happy

I agree much happier times Wink

Last edited by Meathook on Feb 01, 2008 - 11:03 PM; edited 1 time in total

I cant speak as to when the missiles in question or there "type" were released to the USAF but I can tell you the photo was taken in June 1971 aboard the KC-135 over Vietnam (I took the photo).

The 135 boom operator mentioned to me where we were when the refueling began - that's all I know about it and yes, I felt like a target after hearing that, but we were fine.

There were F-4's all around us (above and below) waiting to be refueled and some were there for "cover" too.

I just know I was one excited kid to have even been given the chance for that ride and look at the aircraft as they were being refueled, I had never seen that before (at that period in my life).

It was a hell,va day, I was "hyped" for sure..

Here is a few more old photos of that era, notice how different the Class A was too (material used), it seemed much heavier.

Notice the Yellow Ladder used in the 70's too...amazing how it all changed

Here are a few more for you

Meathook wrote:

I cant speak as to when the missiles in question or there "type" were released to the USAF but I can tell you the photo was taken in June 1971 aboard the KC-135 over Vietnam (I took the photo).

The 135 boom operator mentioned to me where we were when the refueling began - that's all I know about it and yes, I felt like a target after hearing that, but we were fine.

There were F-4's all around us (above and below) waiting to be refueled and some were there for "cover" too.

I just know I was one excited kid to have even been given the chance for that ride and look at the aircraft as they were being refueled, I had never seen that before (at that period in my life).

It was a hell,va day, I was "hyped" for sure..

My bad in 71 it had to be AIM-9E not a J. The J made it to SEA in July 72 and to USAFE in early 73.
Ford made the seeker for the J model missile. I still remember FORD stamped on the seeker. The seeker and fins look the same on the E,J and N versions. Tail rollerrons were locked in place by a cable stretched across the blast cone in the rear. When fired the cable would break freeing the stabilizing rollers to uncage.
It was a vast improvement over the AIM 4D which had a nasty habit of locking its guidance fins to one side or the other and go ballistic or spin in circles around the A/C.
The E/J models also didn't need to use a flashlight to test for tone like the older B. The B model was tested by moving a flashlight back and forth in front of the seeker while the Load Crew Chief listened in the head set for tone or growl.
Man this brings back some great memories.
Thanks for starting this one.

You bet, as you posted, even the building were made with different material, remember the PSP, I saw it used for instant runways and used on the side of revetments for protection. Great photos you shared, were those the early AGM65;s, I remember that large clear glass or Plexiglas dome...your right, good old memories for sure.

I hope other folks can and will post some of their old photos too

Here is one from LOLA (Live Ordnance Loading Area back at Nellis in early 1980) with fellow Crew Chiefs, I was an Expediter then (me far right side)

Here is one I got from a friend when TDY to Korat

Man, that's some haircut above! Smile

I worked Es and Gs (Wild Weasels 561TFS) at George AFB from 86-90 and Es (IN ANG 122TFW) from 90-93. Very Happy

Forum: Military Aircraft of the Cold War

Intercepting Russian Bears with the F4