So, a little "war story" here.
1970 in Danang, the squadron receives an F-4B right out of NARF. New paint and nothing hanging on the wings.
Well it needs a test flight before it can be put into combat service. Of course I get to go on this one.
Pilot and I take off and head north toward the DMZ doing all the required maintenance test flight items, including running up to 1.3 mach to test ramp programming.
When the tests are complete we are somewhere close to the DMZ. As we turn around the old pilot asks "I wonder how fast this thing will really go, want to find out"? My response - does a bear sh*t in the woods.
Up to 40K, unload and light the burners, call Danang radar and ask them to monitor out speed run.
At the end of the run the inside gauges registered about 2.2 mach, Danang radar said 1500+ mph.
Arrived overhead Danang with low fuel light, spiral approach to touch down. Fun was had by all, after all who would know what we did?
Exit the aircraft thinking we had pulled a fast one and then notice that the fresh paint on the leading edges of the wings and the nose of the radar dome was "burnt off". Explain that one to the Maint Officer, who by the way writes your fitness report.
