Marine EF-10B

[Pags]

But for MacNamara, we'd have had airwings full of W2F-3s, F13Fs, F5H-3s, F9B-1 and-2s, A2F-5s, A2F-2Qs, and F9B-2Qs. Bonus geek points for those who can match the designations to what they are/were.

F=Grumman, B=Boeing, H=McDonnell.
So, I'm gonna guess Hawkeye, Tomcat, Hornet, Intruder, Prowler, and Growler. I'm guessing F5H is also a hornet, since the F4H was the Phantom.

 

[Old R.O.]

But for MacNamara, we'd have had airwings full of W2F-3s, F13Fs, F5H-3s, F9B-1 and-2s, A2F-5s, A2F-2Qs, and F9B-2Qs. Bonus geek points for those who can match the designations to what they are/were.

F9B would be Boeing-built Hornets. -1 (Legacy... but would the "C" model be the -2? and what about the tactical "D"?... let's say the A is the -1, B would be the -1T, C would be the -2 and tactical D would be the -3)
That would make the Super Hornets the -4 and -5
F9B-2Q would be the Growler, but might have been the -5Q if the above logic was followed

 

[Alan Carey]

I'm actually writing two books on the subject. One on the F3D and the other on first generation USN/USMC night fighters.

 

[MIDNJAC]

Weirdest jet ever......they pulled one out of the outdoor museum for the airshow statics, and I scratched my head at it

 

[flaps]

origin of nickname "DRUT"

derived from the shape of the fuselage.

just spell it backwards.

this ain't no shit.

 

[BusyBee604]

View attachment 9390View attachment 9391

Anyone here have time in on of these? Any good stories?

Finally found my Logbooks. Knew I had 1 flight in the Skynight way back in the day. Following applies:

07/10/59 F3D-2T2 124639 1A2 1.0 NTD - NTD

Good story? Well, LT Dick Stratton (noted ex-POW) & brand-new LTJG Busy Bee, were sent in 2 A4D-2s from VA-94 @ Alameda to NAS Pt. Mugu for TAD 5 days. The mission, to test fire 10 AGM-12B 'Bullpup-B Missiles each from 5 new lots of 100 each...over the 5 days. On the 2nd day, I had a PM Bullpup firing hop at the Edwards AFB range, so in the free time AM, accepted the offer of a short right seat gig in the strange looking "DRUT"! Don't remember much more than the flight was routine, but the bird felt under-powered.

The live missile experience really came in handy some 7 years later, when I deployed on my first combat cruise as head of the "Bullpup Team" in VA-146. Had outstanding success over the two cruises with the little B Model (250# w/h) & on the 2nd crruise with the NEW C Model (1,000# w/h}. As an aside, had direct hits on the infamous Thanh Hoa bridge with both B & C Models. Neither one did more than slightly scar that monster structure. It was never worth the many birds, both USN & USAF, we lost there.
BzB----->