“Senator, there isn’t enough power in all of Christendom to make that airplane what we want” VADM Tom Connolly testifying before the Senate Armed Services Committee (1968) In Part I we explored some of the politics (and politicking) behind the TFX – the program to provide the Air Force and Navy with a common…
1959. Changes are afoot in the tactical aircraft programs for Air Force and Navy’s specific requirements. The Air Force sought to replace the F-105 with a new fighter-bomber that would address the shortcomings of the Thunderchief — it was to land in half the distance of the F-105, be able to fly unrefueled to Europe or Southeast…
At the start of the ’07 Valour-IT Challenge fundraiser, we exhanged an offline challenge (and yes, a few snarks too…) with Mike over at team Air Force, the gist of which was whomever showed up Rocket Last (aka Tail-end Charlie) would host an article on the plane of the other team’s choosing – here as…
‘kay gang – final hours coming up here and we are rocket last (again) this year. Take a good look at the video and note the theme, ’cause if something doesn’t happen wth that total over there to starboard, next week’s issue of Flightdeck Friday will have a decidedly light (dare we say – dainty?)…
(5 Nov Update): Read this for some perspective on the competiton. Check current status here. And don’t forget the auctions — there’s some really great stuff over there, including signed original artwork and books, rare memorabilia and other great things. So it’s not Friday – but as promised here, presented for your viewing pleasure, a…
In keeping with the memory of the Cuban Missile Crisis which was 45 years ago this past week, a couple of video reminders, the first from Hollywood’s take (See last week for the real story. ): And what was risked…
(Consider it an early weekend present — enjoy! Now, get to reading that new Maritime Strategy – lots of discussions next week and some surprises in the offering on this site…stay tuned. -SJS) 15 Oct 1962. Imagery from U-2 flights begun on the 14th continue to roll in for imagery analysts at NPIC (National Photographic…
OK everyone, put your books and notes up and take out a pencil and paper – quiz time. The video below has a wide variety of subjects some of whom have graced these pages as subjects of Flightdeck Friday (sorry about the soundtrack – if you like C&W, great – if not, turn your…
(ed.: Early edition for Flightdeck Friday today as we want to devote tomorrow’s space to one particular memorial. – SJS) Recall that at the end of WW2 that Project CADILLAC was reaching IOC with the first AEW detachment of TBM-3W Avengers conducting workups on the USS Ranger off the West Coast. This was the…
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…
