US Military aircraft and picture stories

[STREMN]

Westfield, MA August 2005 Airshow - Happy Veteran's Day to all those who've served!

We've already looked at a couple AF "Trainers" (Stearman, Talons) in our virtual walk around the Westfield AirShow. Navy "Training" brought in a nice group of a/c for static display. Here's a North American T-2C 159710 "Buckeye" assigned to Carrier Training Wing 6 out of Pensacola, FL. North American built all the T-2's in Columbus, OH and that's where the "Buckeye" naming originated. Someone in the show placed a sign calling it a T-2 "Buccaneer". Our a/c is looking a little UV faded and stained on the exterior. Probably lot's of hours on that airframe, but there may have been another reason...

Our show was in August 2005 and Navy announced the retirement of the Buckeye in September 2005. Buckeye's were used for Navy Aviator training and carrier quals. I can't imagine how exciting and nerve racking those first approaches to a carrier landing are. I know training starts by using a designated section of a land based runway. Training progresses to touch and go's on a carrier and then finally making arrested landings. Lot's of repetition builds muscle memory.

Next up - More Navy Training!

Tom - S/OS #025

[skyguyscott]

Originally Posted by dbj216

Here is a photo of early Mig jet fighters at Pima Museum in Tucson. I can't identify them all, but I do know the F-86.

David

I’m no expert, but unless I am mistaken, the aircraft in the lower picture from the back working forward are: a Mig 29, a Mig 21, and a couple of Mig 15’s, All remarkable aircraft in their day, considering.

[STREMN]

Westfield, MA August 2005 Airshow

Continuing to stroll along the static Navy "Trainers". Here's a McDonnell Douglas T-45C 165618 "Goshawk" assigned to Training Squadron 9 out of NAS Meridian, MS. Goshawks' replaced the T-2 Buckeye. T-45's represent the mid level or intermediate aviator education program. They are fully carrier capable with a rugged airframe designed to withstand the high stresses of catapult launches and arrested landings. Aviator's graduating the Goshawk programs move into advanced training.

Next up - A Navy "Basic" Trainer!

Tom - S/OS #025

[STREMN]

Westfield, MA August 2005 Airshow

Here's our final piece in the Navy "Trainers" stroll. Beechcraft T-6A 165994 "Texan II" turboprop assigned to Training Air Wing 6 out of NAS Pensacola, FL. Texan's are used in the basic or primary aviator program for the Navy, Marines and AF. Here are a few photo's of the a/c on display including a Lieutenant ready to answer questions.

Next Up - More Navy Aviation

Tom - S/OS #025

[STREMN]

Westfield, MA August 2005 Airshow

Another eye catching Navy visitor among the static a/c. Here's a Lockheed P-3C "Orion" 161333 that was assigned to Patrol Squadron 92 (VP-92) from NAS Brunswick, ME. Primary usage of the Orion was maritime reconnaissance and anti-sub warfare. The distinctive long tail boom houses a magnetic anomaly detector (MAD) which is used to pin point a sub's location under water.

The Orion's were fully featured with a bomb bay, wing hard-points and a variety of sensors. They were noted to be rugged a/c with good service and durability. In use for over 50 years the majority of our Orion Fleet has now been mothballed at AMARC in Tuscon, AZ. 161333 retired from service with VP-62 at NAS Jacksonville on 12 Dec 2018. The Orion's were replaced by the new Boeing P-8 "Poseidon".

Only a month after this Airshow, a Sept 2005 decision was made by BRAC to close NAS Brunswick. VP-92 was disestablished in October 2007. It's a/c were reassigned to other patrol squadrons. NAS Brunswick was officially closed May 2011. In the early 80's, I spent a luxurious 2 weeks at Brunswick safe guarding FB-111's that were forward deployed in an exercise. Many years later I was able to see a few Airshow's the redevelopment authority hosted...have some photo's of those too.

Tom - S/OS #025

[STREMN]

NAS Brunswick, ME Sep 2005 Airshow

Following up to the P-3C "Orion" post yesterday. Here's a few photos from NAS Brunswick, Maine September 2005.

Here we can see a variety of hard points and payload the Orion is capable of putting in play. From conventional gravity bombs under the center fuselage to missile's on the wings and torpedo's in the bomb bay. Surface ships and sub's are well within reach of "Orion".

Tom - S/OS #025

[Mr._D]

US Navy 1976 - 2008
ADJAR - LCDR

Too many type aircraft to post pictures but here is a pic from my C-2A COD days.

Squadrons
VA-122, VA-146, VF-124, VF-154, Blue Angels, TOPGUN, VRC-40, HSL-40, HS-3, HSL-48 and NAVSTA Key West.

[STREMN]

Originally Posted by Mr._D

US Navy 1976 - 2008
ADJAR - LCDR

Too many type aircraft to post pictures but here is a pic from my C-2A COD days.

Squadrons
VA-122, VA-146, VF-124, VF-154, Blue Angels, TOPGUN, VRC-40, HSL-40, HS-3, HSL-48 and NAVSTA Key West.

Mr._D,

Welcome aboard and to the forums! Thanks for posting your "ride"! It's another one of those work horses that doesn't get the center of attention, but without it things would be a lot tougher to do.

BlackAces got this thread started and motivated me to dig into my archives of Airshow's and Museum's to share. I've been posting essentially a virtual tour of a 2005 airshow in Westfield, MA. I've got ton's more, but don't want to overwhelm things.

Everyone would probably be interested to see some of your other stuff and hear some stories to go with them.

Best!

Tom - S/OS #025

[BlackAces]

My A-7 Corsair II story – very short version

As my sea tour with VF-41 (Black Aces), F-4 aircraft, was coming to an end, I got orders to shore duty. They were a surprise. As a very junior Aviation Structural Mechanic (hydraulics) second class I was selected to attend factory training on the Navy’s newest acquisition, The Corsair II.

I reported to the LTV factory in Texas for training then on to VA-174 which would be the east coast A-7 training squadron and model manager. It was the beginning of 12 years – spanning 22 years - with all Navy models and never back to back assignments until at the near end of my naval career when I went from VA-46 to CLAW-1 at NAS Cecil Field, FL.

A lot of my A-7 pictures are “boot-legged” as we were not allowed cameras in aircraft operating areas.

These pictures will be well received by those pilots that did their carrier qualification training on the USS Lexington (CVT-16) in the Gulf of Mexico; and the enlisted maintenance personnel that worked the flight deck.

[21Airstream]

When I was a Navy-brat kid I used to go to NAS Dallas regularly (adjacent to the LTV factory. In addition to A-7’s and F-8’s they had P-2 Neptunes.

I also used to go to Carswell AFB, lots of B-52’s. Saw my first SR71 there too (about 1970).

[gaylejoe]

I grew up just a few miles from the Dallas Naval Airbase. Yes, it was also Hensley Field AFB and next to LTV (Chance Vault Aircraft). Spent many hours parked Jefferson Blvd. watching the planes landing and taking off. Those were the good ole days.

[BlackAces]

On December 5th 1945. What was supposed to be a routine navigation exercise turned to tragedy when five US Navy Avenger torpedo bombers somehow got lost in the Bermuda Triangle and went missing. No trace of the aircraft or the 14 airmen were ever found.

[BlackAces]

At the Ellsworth AFB aviation museum most of the aircraft on display inside the buildings are older restored aircraft. This one, the BT-13, was a WWII trainer called Valiant.

[Bob662]

...also known as the "Vultee Vibrator" by those who flew it.

[azflycaster]

An American Hero. RIP Chuck Yeager

[dbj216]

I second that. Chuck Yeager: A great American hero. Incredible courage.

David

[BlackAces]

I was serving on the USS Nimitz when the movie "The Final Countdown" was being filmed. Aircraft from VF-84 were the iconic aircraft depicted in most of the Movie's air warfare shots. In this picture two of them have intercepted a Zero. Most of the aviation scenes were shot in the Key West, FL costal waters area.

This picture was part of the USS Nimitz cruise book.

[mefly2]

Originally Posted by azflycaster

an american hero. Rip chuck yeager

+99

[BlackAces]

I spent 12 years in support of the A7 aircraft. I've got some pictures.

I was at the factory in 1969 when the A7-D & A7-E birds were coming off the line. Here is a nice formation of USAF A7-D aircraft.

[Landshark]

Originally Posted by dbj216

I second that. Chuck Yeager: A great American hero. Incredible courage.

David

X3

Vivian