A more recent Tomcat picture:
A real shame such a beautiful machine is now just another target...
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The Great, Constantly Changing Picture Gallery...part DEUX
- Thread starter Gatordev
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A real shame such a beautiful machine is now just another target...
RadicalDude
Social Justice Warlord
Can't wait to see the awesome patch whichever squadron splashes their first Tomcat has made.
RadicalDude
Social Justice Warlord
Phrasing.
Boom.
Homer J
I'm with NAVAIR. I'm here to help you.
From what I have found, they initially removed the probe doors because they were concerned it would snag on the drogue. Did a quick Google image search and it looks now like they just leave the probe extended all the time.
Could be they don't have the spare parts to keep the retract mechs operational.
It simply means that Scooter designer Heinemann decided against a retractable refueling probe, 'cause he knew A-4 drivers would be horny studs!Does this mean A4s were always "sportin' wood"?? Perhaps BZB knows...
*The A-4s look like gnats 'porkin' elephants!
BzB
What kind of plane is refueling the Scooter in the top pic?
It simply means that Scooter designer Heinemann decided against a retractable refueling probe, 'cause he knew A-4 drivers would be horny studs!
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*The A-4s look like gnats 'porkin' elephants!
BzB
I have never seen a 4 engined Navy tanker before. My first guess was a KC-135 but the nose looks different and the fuselage looks to thick to be one. Anybody know?
The top photo title lists it as a KC-135. Perhaps the USN version is called UC-880? I've never heard of a Navy KC-135, but I've been out for a looong time. I've plugged KA-4s, KA-6s, KC-97s, KC-130s, KC-135s (USMC & USAF), but never a USN KC-135.
BzB
For the ferry flights from the Grumman factory to Iran, the IFR probe doors were removed prior, because of the 'iron maiden' stiff hoses of the KC-135s were very mean and damaged some F-14s on the ferry. Since we tanked 14 times - 7 times on each leg - the risk of probe door damage was great. Even without a probe door, one of our three F-14s got banged up pretty good by the whipping iron maiden drogue. Nevertheless we did retract and extend the probe each time we tanked.
Why the IAF apparently leaves them extended, I have no idea.
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How about a KF-4?The top photo title lists it as a KC-135. Perhaps the USN version is called UC-880? I've never heard of a Navy KC-135, but I've been out for a looong time. I've plugged KA-4s, KA-6s, KC-97s, KC-130s, KC-135s (USMC & USAF), but never a USN KC-135.
BzB
Our OPs O once gave a brief on shipboard TV about the many capabilities of the F-4... including tanking. But the Boat's Captain (a former attack driver) raised the BS flag!
Later our OPs O brought the Captain a copy of our F-4 NATOPS containing the section on how the F-4 was equipped and capable of carrying a refueling Buddy Store.... not that they ever did. The F-4 would run out of their own gas before they could give any.
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