And what country can preserve its liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms. The remedy is to set them right as to facts, pardon and pacify them. What signify a few lives lost in a century or two? The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.
Thursday, November 21, 2019
F-104G Starfighter aircraft parked on the flight line at sunset. The aircraft are being used by the 69th Tactical Fighter Training Squadron to train German pilots. Luke AFB, AZ. November 1982.
Between 15 and 20 German F-104s crashed every year between 1968 and 1972 and continued at a rate of about 10 F-104s per year until it was replaced. The final tally was the loss of 292 of the 916 Starfighters and the death of 115 pilots.
Well, that was in part due to the mission being changed from fighter/interceptor to low-level ground attack. All the fighters of that generation had high accident rates. The RCAF used theirs for low-level delivery of nukes. While flying very low and fast in typical German weather was hazardous, the very small and thin wing made for an exceptionally smooth ride through turbulent air. But you had to stay ahead of the curve or it would eat you.
A true "widowmaker"....but in the hands of a great pilot....funny, the ANG Puerto Rico flew them without much incident....the locals called them "Los Bandidos"....truly a site to see when they came in with their hair on fire over San Juan Airport to peel off and land....
Flying lawn darts
ReplyDeleteThey shoulda stuck with the ME-262
ReplyDeleteBetween 15 and 20 German F-104s crashed every year between 1968 and 1972 and continued at a rate of about 10 F-104s per year until it was replaced. The final tally was the loss of 292 of the 916 Starfighters and the death of 115 pilots.
Well, that was in part due to the mission being changed from fighter/interceptor to low-level ground attack. All the fighters of that generation had high accident rates. The RCAF used theirs for low-level delivery of nukes. While flying very low and fast in typical German weather was hazardous, the very small and thin wing made for an exceptionally smooth ride through turbulent air. But you had to stay ahead of the curve or it would eat you.
DeleteA true "widowmaker"....but in the hands of a great pilot....funny, the ANG Puerto Rico flew them without much incident....the locals called them "Los Bandidos"....truly a site to see when they came in with their hair on fire over San Juan Airport to peel off and land....
ReplyDelete