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The Great, Constantly Changing Picture Gallery...part DEUX
- Thread starter Gatordev
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Family Day cruise for USS Ranger/CAG-9. BusyBee in VA-94 A4D-2 "Hoboken 410", upon landing after CAG Airshow. Hobo 410 functioned as tanker in the air-refueling demo. off the coast of San Francisco. Note the D-704 Tanker Refueling Package on centerline station, and the international orange flight suit in vogue in 1959-'60 throughout the fleet.
Of interest during this cruise, I was surprised that dependents/guests were allowed in designated areas of the flight deck, to observe launch & recovery operations (of course restricted to the 'safe' side of the foul line). This dangerous practice was discontinued a year or two later, luckily without having suffered a flight deck disaster.
Early in 1961, during a CAG-21 Family Day cruise (USS Lexington, I believe), the CO of VA-216 an FJ-4B Squadron, went in off the cat (ditched), with his wife & kids observing alongside the Captain on the bridge. Just imagine the angst on that bridge during the SAR.
Fortunately, the Fury CO survived, after ejecting UNDERWATER when he couldn't get his canopy open. He suffered fairly severe shoulder and leg injuries, but after recuperation, was returned to flight status. After that, Squadron Pilots were not allowed to fly in these demos if they had guests aboard.
The Ranger event on November 6, 1959, fifty-four years, and 33 days ago today.
BzB
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Apparently it was the Connie during Fleet Week 2000: Launch1 @ 0:53 & Launch 2 @ 1:35
Of interest, and to expand on the unusual accident above, the VA-216 CO involved, was the late CAPT T.M. "Ted" Smyer. I became friends with him at NAS Lemoore, when his Squadron moved there just after Lemoore opened in July '61. He was still recovering from the accident injuries at that time. Further research indicates that CAPT Smyer flew fighters in WWII, Korea, and commanded a Fighter Squadron in Vietnam. His awards include a DFC, PH x 2, and AM x 10.Early in 1961, during a CAG-21 Family Day cruise (USS Lexington, I believe), the CO of VA-216 an FJ-4B Squadron, went in off the cat (ditched), with his wife & kids observing alongside the Captain on the bridge. Just imagine the angst on that bridge during the SAR.
BzB
For the ol' farts brigade, CAPT Smyer later served as CO NAS Kingsville TX 1970-'72, so one or more of you might have undergone flight training, or instructed at KRock, and remember him from that period.
*VA-216 FJ-4B Attack "Fury"
BzB
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Call sign "Pap" by any chance?
R1, don't know his C/S, but not too many Smyers running around... so it probably is.Call sign "Pap" by any chance?
BTW, how did Homer J get on your cite (above), of my previous post?
That would be cool; but even super cool would be a launch a few miles short of the 'Gate' and while accelerating, keep it on the deck right under the bridge, never heard of that. I recall several instances of A-4s launching from Alameda's Rwy 31, accel'ing straight out under the Bay Bridge. It was usually done on a hot summer day @ takeoff max gross, so they could claim poor acceleration if reported. To my knowledge, no one ever complained. Today, that would most likely cost wings, along with CAG & CO firings.
BzB
Flying into NYC for fleet week we overflow the Verrazano narrows bridge and talked about how it'd be cool to fly under it. As the ship left the harbor a few days later, we had numerous NYPD helos pass the LHD while transiting under the bridge.R1, don't know his C/S, but not too many Smyers running around... so it probably is.
BTW, how did Homer J get on your cite (above), of my previous post?
That would be cool; but even super cool would be a launch a few miles short of the 'Gate' and while accelerating, keep it on the deck right under the bridge, never heard of that. I recall several instances of A-4s launching from Alameda's Rwy 31, accel'ing straight out under the Bay Bridge. It was usually done on a hot summer day @ takeoff max gross, so they could claim poor acceleration if reported. To my knowledge, no one ever complained. Today, that would most likely cost wings, along with CAG & CO firings.
BzB
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I had a buddy eject from a Harrier that was upside down underwater. He got out fine, but his lower leg restraint didn't let go. SAR swimmer had to cut him free as he clung to the extended nose gear of the floating plane (drop tanks were empty). When you're upside down underwater with an auto inflate LPU, your options are pretty limited.
No one fired LtCol Doolittle for his "arriving" B-25Bs flying under the bridge en route to their last "runway landings" at [then] NAS Alameda…for immediate on-load to USS HORNET (CV-8) for their last "takeoff"…ever.….but even super cool would be a launch a few miles short of the 'Gate' and while accelerating, keep it on the deck right under the bridge, never heard of that. ...Today, that would most likely cost wings, along with CAG & CO firings.
BzB
A Schneider cup and a Thompson Trophy help with command issues (well, maybe not now)...........and it being 1942 helped.
Aye Keptin, and a different era 'twas. They didn't sweat the little things when our country's survival was at stake! I truly hope we haven't PC'd away their brand of courage?
BzB
Get out of the plane before it hits the water.
^^^ This! Worked for me and my pilot…13 September, 1978.
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