The Great, Constantly Changing Picture Gallery

[OUSOONER]

^ Or they have the same paint job....even higher odds...

True, I'd have to track down the BuNo of both Phantoms..I'm sure someone on here knows the answer.

 

[jmcquate]

I thought that "Showtime 100" was shot down on that mission.

 

[OUSOONER]

I thought that "Showtime 100" was shot down on that mission.

Just looked it up..you're right, he was shot down on the egress. SO mystery solved: it was a paint job.

 

[A4sForever]

^ Or they have the same paint job....even higher odds...

Skill, cunning, age & experience triumphs once again.

 

[Alpha_Echo_606]

091218-N-8421M-054 NORTH ARABIAN SEA (Dec. 18, 2009) Sailors assigned to the Tophatters of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 14 wash an F/A-18E Super Hornet aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group is on a routine deployment to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class David Mercil/Released)

091220-N-3327M-004 NORTH ARABIAN SEA (Dec. 20, 2009) Airman Josh Deresner assigned to the Sidewinders of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 86, removes a rudder from an F/A-18C Hornet for maintenance aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). Nimitz Carrier Strike Group is on a routine deployment to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class James Mitchell/Released)

 

[Alpha_Echo_606]

091206-F-8155K-149 AFGHANISTAN (Dec. 6, 2009) An F/A-18F Super Hornet assigned to the Black Aces of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 41 refuels from an Air Force KC-10 Extender. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Michael Keller/Released)

091206-F-8155K-642 AFGHANISTAN (Dec. 6, 2009) An F/A-18F Super Hornet assigned to the Black Aces of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 41 refuels from an Air Force KC-10 Extender. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Michael Keller/Released)

 

[Catmando]

Phlight of Phour Phantoms....what looks like the Coronado bridge. Not sure the time frame. Nice view of the city.

EDIT: Found it, it says flight of 4 from VF-96 circa 1969 getting ready for USS Constellation's 1972 SEA tour. LT Randy Cunningham and LTjg Willy Driscoll became aces while flying the a/c that's in the lead position. Wow.

Nice shot. But I'm not sure about the timing. VF-96 and CAG-9 were attached to the Enterprise in '69, returning from their WestPac cruise in July. They then cross-deck to the America for another cruise, and finally to the Connie for that eventful '72 cruise.

I can't make out the boat of theirs at the time from the photo, but the lettering is too short to be "USS Constellation"... as correctly seen in the below photo.

As far as the Showtime aircraft in the museum, it could be an aircraft they flew on their early shoot-downs, rather than obviously not the one they lost. I will have to check on that.

 

[OUSOONER]

When I REALLLLLLY squint my eyes, the lettering looks like it could fit America. So those birds could possibly be part of her airwing.

 

[A4sForever]

Nice shot. But I'm not sure about the timing. VF-96 and CAG-9 were attached to the Enterprise in '69, returning from their WestPac cruise in July. They then cross-deck to the America for another cruise, and finally to the Connie for that eventful '72 cruise.

I can't make out the boat of theirs at the time from the photo...

It's gotta' be USS AMERICA, as they cruised on her from April-Dec 1970 ... and the Coronado Bridge is 'up' ... construction having started in 1967 and the bridge opened in 1969.

So we know they looked like this pre-'69 (what a GREAT year !! ) on the BIG E :

<< And they looked like this while on the CONNIE

So it's gotta' be the time they spent w/ AirWing 9 on the America in the mid/late '69-'70 time frame (?) -- I had an Amigo in VA-165 on this cruise, during which the A-7E made its first combat cruise and 'WOW'ed everyone w/her 'new digital' visual dive accuracy ... the AirWing also suffered NO COMBAT LOSSES in 5 line periods.

 

[bunk22]

The one chasing the Mig-17? Not sure, I believe it's from the same squadron..so odds are extremely high that it is. If so, good recce.

It's my understanding that Cunnigham used 2 different F-4's to shoot down his 5 Migs and the one on the stick in San Diego was the one used to shoot down his first two Migs, a Mig-21 and later a Mig-17 on 8 May 72. Showtime 100 was, like said above, shot down on his egress from the big 10 May battle.

BTW, anyone every read through this little gem of a website. Looks like a forum with a lot of old Phantom drivers, history buffs and Cunnigham haters debating his supposed lies...like whether he was shot down by a SAM, a Mig or ran out of fuel, his skill as a pilot, his morals etc. Interesting reading no doubt.

http://dukecunningham.org/forum/read.php?f=1&i=550&t=353

 

[positiveg89]

I like "my" helo.

I got to fly over Pebble Beach, up and down the coast, about thirty times, at 100', the day after I took these shots:


27





u8 Hawks (34)

I took this one back when I used to work line at an FBO (South FL):
(Crappy cell photo)

 

[HeyJoe]

I took this one back when I used to work line at an FBO (South FL):
(Crappy cell photo)

Check your links, the second two have "issues"

 

[HeyJoe]

091225-N-8421M-103 NORTH ARABIAN SEA (December 25, 2009) Lt. Jon Sunderland dresses in a Santa suite [sic] while directing aircraft operations aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) Christmas Day. Nimitz Carrier Strike Group is on a routine deployment to the region. Operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations are focused on reassuring regional partners of the United Statesí commitment to security, which promotes stability and global prosperity. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class David Mercil/Released)

 

[markkyle66]

The mighty Tomcat...what a cool jet!

 

[gordon fraser]

Hi there everyone.

I am a R/C model aircraft builder from the U.K. I urgently need your help.

I am building a 1/5 scale T-34C Turbo Mentor model of the above aircraft and I really need some help with photos of this colour scheme.

Click on the file below. (I don't know how to load the photo in a "open" state).

If anyone has any info on the paint scheme and the F.S. paint numbers used I would again be very greatful.

My email address is :-

mrgordonfraser@yahoo.co.uk

If anyone has any good links to this aircraft please let me know.

Yours,

Gordon Fraser.

U.K.

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