T-Birds and Blue Angels F-4's

Hi Gene;

In shows, AFAIK both teams had just the pilot in the A/C, and I'm sure the rest of aerobatic display teams do the same.

Be well.

Kitt

Gene DiGennaro Baltimore, Md.

I was at Nellis AFB, NV in 1972-1973 and know for a fact the Thunderbirds flew their practices without a backseater. Before JP-4 got so expensive, the 57th Fighter Weapons Wing used to do re-enlistments from the backseat of an F-4. This proved so popular the F-4 FW Squadron was overwhelmed and then the CO of the Thunderbirds offered his F-4s. Nellis Base legend had it the offer was declined because too many customers were returning from these flights requiring hospitalization while their stomachs walked back from Thunderbird Lake which was their practice area! Our hospital's motto was reportedly "don't bother us with sprains, come back when it's a compound fracture!"

One day at work a friend came in and said the Blue Angels were coming in to do an impromptu show in the middle of the week. So we took the fuels lab pick-up out on the flight line and parked across from the F-4 FWS. Their building opened to let out a flood of people in flight suits just as another horde was arriving from the parking lot. As about the lowest ranking person there I was impressed to notice I was in a "no saluting zone" because everybody was intent on seeing the Blue Angels All of a sudden a nice lt colonel ws offering to explain the fine points of their demonstration to me. Unfortunately they didn't show, but their audience that day would have been very impressive as well as knowledgable.

regards Jim

i used to love to swim at ash meadow. >

a-10's used it for low level passes and the pilots would always wave back. one day they did a very low pass and ruffled the water. it was an awesome sight.

Where is Ash Meadow?

it's the on the road from pahrump to death valley junction. i can't remember the hiway #, but it isn't 178. it is a wildlife refuge of several small lakes and some spring fed crevices. one of them has a variety of snail darter that exists only in one pool. when it 120f, the water is wonderfull. dive down 6 feet to cool, cool water. no one is ever there so you can skinny dip with a nice babe.