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"Night Hunters"
Top: An RA-3B of VAP-61 taxis out for another hunt of the roads and
byways of North Vietnam. Mission: Using low level infra red reconnaissance,
target Charlie's night convoy movement with parachute flares and let
the A-4s, A-7s, A-6s and F4s kill them.
Middle: DaNang RVN 1968, Navy flight line.
Bottom: Low level flight hazard. AK-47 "marksman" round
entered just below the refuel probe on a trajectory toward the pilot
but deflected and came out just above the probe.
Due to combat loses by VAP-61, VAP-62 crews were deployed form
Jacksonville to assist in reconn missions.
Submitted by Fred Adams, VAP-62, 1968
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"Spanish Castle"
VAP-62 cartography operations took this RA-3B over a
beautiful Spanish castle during a Europe det. It was relaxing duty
after a tour in Vietnam. Circa 1969.
Submitted by Fred Adams |
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"It's Hard to Believe"
Look at the wrinkles as this whale begins down the catapult.
The J-57s are at MRT, the nosewheel strut us fully compressed,
and the holdback has popped as the shuttle has just started its
travel. What a ride! Taken aboard USS Hancock during VAH-4s Det Delta
with CAG-15 on the 59-60 cruise.
Submitted by Fred Adams |
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"Yikes !"
A sudden heavy gust from starboard on a close in approach with no
time to correct left this whale in a bad position. Luckily the hook
didn't engage a wire and even though the port wing tip smacked the
deck, a quick thinking Pilot, LCDR John Priest, got it airborne again.
They limped to Iwakuni with no hydrualics, gear and flaps down, port
wing bent up 10 degrees and no doubt sweat pouring down their faces.
VAH-4 Det Delta with CAG-15 on the 59-60 cruise aboard USS Hancock,
CVA-19.
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"Place of Honor"
The refurbished wind tunnel model that made its way to Whidbey
hangs in the O-Club (?) right where it should. Front and Center! This
was taken at the VAH-10 reunion there in 2001.
Photo submitted by A. J. Mutchler |
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"Current Operations"
We might get to see, touch, smell and reminisce over one of these
Raytheon whales at the reunion in Oct. 2002. Can't wait!
Photos for Ken Ballard
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"VAH-2 Takes Delivery"
This page from the 1990 spring edition of "Hook"
documents CDR Art Irish, first CO of VAH-2 taking delivery of 135440
from El Segundo to start the west coast whales. Also pictured are
officials from Douglas with the flight crew. That VAH-2 crew consisted
of CDR Art Irish, LCDR Tom Bolton, and ADC G.L. Thornhill.
Submitted by SFC Bradly Irish, Platoon Sargent, 2nd Platoon
(grandson of Art). The Skipper resides in Indiana these days. |
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"Scooter fill-up" A VAQ-208
KA-3B passes gas to a couple of CAG-20 A-4s. Submitted by Nick
Nickerson. |
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"142630"
Undated official U.S.N. photo of a VX-5 A3D-2.
Submitted by Gary Verver. |
