(…and no, it’s not .50 cals we’re talking about) The period from the end of the Korean War through the commissioning of the USS Enterprise (CVAN 65) was witness to an incredible period of growth in knowledge and experience with all things in naval aviation. From straight-decks and props to nuclear power and supersonic fighters,…
The following is an extract of a larger work I am preparing on fifty years of ASCM combat use and hopefully will be available in the coming year. – SJS Forces – Israel. The INS EILAT (K40) was originally commissioned in 1944 as the HMS ZEALOUS, a Z-class destroyer that saw extensive action as convoy…
Ed: Well, they’re back again folks. Out on good behavior but still on probation, we bring you the Apprentices… -SJS Apprentices: So, Pops– has the VALOUR-IT Challenge started yet? SJS: No – and remember, you’re still on probation…don’t call me Pops… Apprentices: We know that Pops – but why the VALOUR-IT reference if the Challenge hasn’t…
Standby; standby; mark” In the relative cool of the early dawn, remote recording equipment began timing the grey and orange streak that thundered by at 125 ft above the desert floor. The date is 28 August 1961 and a second attempt at the world’s low altitude speed record is underway. Flying a 3km closed…
Over at Tailhook’s site, Flightdeck Friday is about a little known hybrid fighter, the FR Fireball. ‘Round these parts Southern Air Pirate has graciously offered to host Flightdeck Friday this week while we continue with the remembrances of shipmates lost on this, the 6th anniversary of 9/11. His topic? Spurred by last week’s story of…
OK, so we’ve seen C-130’s, U-2’s and P-51’s launch and recover aboard CV’s with varying degrees of success. We also are well versed in the story of Colonel Jimmy Doolittle and his group launching off Hornet for a strike of the Japanese homeland – and the challenges they faced being unable to come back tot…
