My dad flew the F-100. He ended up having a heart attack while flying it and was able to fly it back to base and land. Hearing these guys talk about how hard it was to fly the F-100 makes me realize how much of a miracle it was my dad was able to fly it and land while having a heart attack. He survived and lived another 42 years. He really missed flying after that incident though.
I was honored to be a "midnight" crew chief on F-100s for the 416th TFS at Tuy Hoa from Oct 69 through Oct 70. I was never connected to any specific aircraft but I tried to treat each one as if it were mine. We performed the preflight inspections, performed any required maintenance, serviced them with LOX and fuel and oversaw the arming of the birds for the next day. Sometimes I manned the "Alert Shack" waiting for calls to SCRAMBLE; about five (5) minutes of intense excitement, from call to launch.
I was at PhanRang working the F100 J57 engines. Perhaps the very worst job you could have was cutting out the burnt flame holder ring in the A.B. You would crawl up in the tail pipe w a diamond hacksaw blade w tape raped around each end. Because there was no room for the hacksaw frame to get between the flame holder rings. 100 degrees out and you are up in the tail pipe working your butt off. When I look back at it today I am very proud that I can say I went to war for America, and I would do it again.
I have to assume many of the aircraft I worked on wound up in Nam. 1960 - 62 at Itazuke (witnessed a sabre dance) and 64 - 66 at Misawa (witnessed the fire) keeping their radios talking. While TDY at TSN spent a little time spilling my brain cells with a few jockeys attempting to lend moral support. Still, a hell of waste of lives!!
My dad flew the F-100. He ended up having a heart attack while flying it and was able to fly it back to base and land. Hearing these guys talk about how hard it was to fly the F-100 makes me realize how much of a miracle it was my dad was able to fly it and land while having a heart attack. He survived and lived another 42 years. He really missed flying after that incident though.
I was honored to be a "midnight" crew chief on F-100s for the 416th TFS at Tuy Hoa from Oct 69 through Oct 70. I was never connected to any specific aircraft but I tried to treat each one as if it were mine. We performed the preflight inspections, performed any required maintenance, serviced them with LOX and fuel and oversaw the arming of the birds for the next day.
Sometimes I manned the "Alert Shack" waiting for calls to SCRAMBLE; about five (5) minutes of intense excitement, from call to launch.
What a group of Men, thank you guys.
I was at PhanRang working the F100 J57 engines. Perhaps the very worst job you could have was cutting out the burnt flame holder ring in the A.B. You would crawl up in the tail pipe w a diamond hacksaw blade w tape raped around each end. Because there was no room for the hacksaw frame to get between the flame holder rings. 100 degrees out and you are up in the tail pipe working your butt off.
When I look back at it today I am very proud that I can say I went to war for America, and I would do it again.
Thank you for your Service Sir.
Beyond reproach and above the salt.
Flew in the back seat once, wow what ride,
THAT WAS OUTSTANDING, YOU F100 vets ROCK !
Well said, Guys!
I have to assume many of the aircraft I worked on wound up in Nam. 1960 - 62 at Itazuke (witnessed a sabre dance) and 64 - 66 at Misawa (witnessed the fire) keeping their radios talking. While TDY at TSN spent a little time spilling my brain cells with a few jockeys attempting to lend moral support. Still, a hell of waste of lives!!
To men like these we all owe a debt we can never repay.
5:36 F-100 flight stability sounds almost like a helicopter