2Nd Quarter Review - April, May, June 2016

The Official Newsletter of the Valiant Air Command Warbird Museum 6600 Tico Road, Titusville, FL 32780 - (321) 268-1941 website: http://www.valiantaircommand.com email: [email protected]

2nd Quarter Review - April, May, June 2016

The newest addition to our pedal plane squadron 6/25 F-100 Super Sabre in restoration

6/11 Bud Evans, Former VAC Executive Officer, 6/11 Enjoying all the goodies at the visits the VAC and enjoys our new Fly-in Buffet Fly-in breakfast

MUSEUM AND GIFT SHOP - OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK - 9AM TO 5PM Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day Adults $20.00 - Senior or Military $18.00 - Students 13 to 18 years old $10.00 Children 5 to 12 years old $5.00 - Children under 5 years old $Free - Special Tour Rates Available Statement of Purpose The Valiant Air Command was formed to perpetuate the history of aviation, to encourage gathering of men and women in camaraderie, research and Warbird restoration, to serve as an educational tool for young and old alike; and to assure that the memory of those who gave their lives in service to their country shall not perish.

501 (c) (3) Non-Profit Organization Museum Recognized by the Internal Revenue Service Future Events • 3rd Quarter • 2016 July 4 Independence Day - Please be careful! August 13 Fly-in Breakfast & C-47 rides R.S.V.P. July 9 Fly-in Breakfast & C-47 rides - make your August 18 Full moon. reservations now. Sept 5 Labor Day July 16 RIP Hunters - Paranormal team investigates Sept 16 Fly-in Breakfast & C-47 rides R.S.V.P. the VAC - You need tickets. Sept 22 First day of Autumn August 6 Anniversary of Enola Gay dropping the first Check the VAC website for late, breaking dates Atomic Bomb on Hiroshima, Japan - 1945 http://www.valiantaircommand.com

Commander’s Report Restoration Hangar Norm Daniels, Commander Email: [email protected] (321) 268-1941 The past six months have of business. been exciting. We were notified Restoration of the Canberra that the Warbird Museum has and the B-52 cockpit continues. been Top Rated in TripAdvisor. Our Within a week painting of the flying aircraft have been requested Canberra will begin, it will look 6/18 - Canberra is primed and to support other venues and have as good as new. Prepping of the ready for painting (above & below) traveled to MacDill AF Base, Sun B-52 for primer and paint inside and Fun, Stuart and Vero Beach. and out is continuing including the These requests are in recognition of ejection seats and instruments. The our continuing efforts to showcase Restoration team has just finished the Valiant Air Command and refurbishing one of our jet engines Museum. The efforts of Karl Holly, now on display in the main hangar. Director of Operations and Charles Next in line for restoration is Hammer, Director of Maintenance F-100 Super Saber. This aircraft has and their respective teams make been moved into the restoration this possible. Those of you who hangar and work has begun. Some are pilots know how much effort new metal skin has already been and skill is required to keep aircraft fabricated and installed where flying. Thanks to the efforts of Jim corrosion had eaten away the Owens, Executive Officer and a original metal. Members interested grateful thanks to VAC Member, in restoration should see this 6/18 - The crew is making prog- Richard Jones we have modern aircraft now and see it again ress on the B-52 Cockpit hi-speed internet communication when completed to view the system that will shortly allow the transformation the restoration VAC to timely inform members of volunteers will have created. upcoming events and happenings. Plans are continuing for the We have initiated an aggressive 2017 AirShow lineup. As noted in marketing plan with Bob Boswell, the last Unscramble, we have the Public Relations Director in charge USAF Thunderbirds headlining the of the effort. Our Procurement show. Director, Bob Frazier has developed Our Museum Gift Shop Jet engine all cleaned and painted and is now on display in the main a strong source network and due is continuing to bring in new hangar; looks fantastic to his efforts, we will receive first merchandise. When you visit, Anita, dibs on some special aircraft as Lorraine, and Louise will make sure Would you like to be part of the they become available. Tom Etter you do not miss anything or leave restoration crew? Fill out an has been elected as Facilities empty-handed. Remember your application on our website or stop at Director and is already taking care 10% member discount. the Gift Shop and get an application. Pg 2 Executive Officer’s Report Jim Owens, Executive Officer Gone West Email: [email protected] (321) 268-1941 In my new responsibility, I have been tasked with updating our infrastructure, both computer network and telephone system. Our computer net- Retired Staff Sgt. David Jonathan work has grown out of necessity incrementally over the years and is seri- Thatcher, 84, one of the last ously inadequate. Our telephone system is old technology many years old two surviving members of the to the point that new replacement cards are not available only used from Doolittle Raiders died 23 June eBay. 2016 in Missoula, Montana. INFRASTRUCTURE Join the Paranormal Our updated internal network is almost complete. We were extremely R.I.P. Hunters at the lucky to have the majority of the hardware donated thru: Brevard Coun- Valiant Air Command ty’s Asset Management, Brocade Inc., and Florida Institute of Technology. Warbird Museum Our new software was deeply discounted thru “Techsoup” an organization that makes current software and hardware available to non-profit Saturday, July 16, 2016, at 8:00 organizations like ours. Currently, we have a network that would cost any PM a group will meet at the Mu- organization in excess of $30,000. We have updated our internet connec- seum and explore the paranormal tion to a much faster bandwidth and reliability with Florida High-Speed activities that are taking place Internet. The majority of this cost saving effort was due to efforts of our in the museum. It will be led by new tech support person and VAC Member Richard Jones. We are now in Paranormal/R.I.P. Hunters. If the final stages of completing the functionality of our network and need you are interested go to http:// everyone’s cooperation to complete this process. The intent was to have a www.meetup.com/riphunters/ network that is more current in technology and is equivalent to any other events/231570679/ and get your business today. ticket. The primary goals were as follows: • Establish a network server that belongs to and is maintained by VAC per- sonnel. We have two Physical Servers and two Virtual servers - completed. • Establish fiber-optic links to switches in our outlying buildings - completed. • Hard-wire all computers directly to the network switches to minimize the use of wireless connectivity - completed. The only remaining wireless connections are those who choose to do so. L-R Norm, Barb, Lynn and Bob • Establish wireless access points in the hangers for those with portable May 30, 2016 - Norm and wireless devices - almost complete. Barb Rathborne & Lynn and • Establish security controls on user access to the network, access by login Bob Foraker presented a and password only, monitored and administered by Richard Jones - almost wreath on behalf of the VAC complete. at the Titusville Memorial Day • Establish network monitoring and trouble analysis on a routine basis. ceremony Remote access to accomplish this task is thru TeamViewer which allows user-initiated remote access to the PCs on the network to assist the staff The Official Newsletter of the Valiant Air Command with computer problems - completed. The Un-Scramble Team • Establish a centralized network and computer trouble reporting process Ron Davis - Lorraine Juhl - Louise Kleba - Phyllis Lilienthal - Genie Owens 1st Quarter - Jan, Feb & Mar “Richard Jones: [email protected] ” - completed. Submission deadline - Mar 27th NL Published - April 1st 2nd Quarter - April, May & June • Establish centralized drive storage for files commonly used and accessed Submission deadline - June 25th NL Published - June 30th 3rd Quarter - July, Aug & Sept by all VAC staff, we refer to it as your “G” drive - completed. Submission deadline - Sept 25th NL Published - Sept 30th 4th Quarter - Oct, Nov & Dec • Establish private drive storage for files and information accessible only Submission deadline Dec 24th NL Published - Dec 31st by you, we refer to it as your “H” drive - completed. Please note: Items submitted after the submission deadline will not be published or will be published the next month if applicable. Continued - Page 4 Pg 3 Executive Officer’s Report May 14, 2016 - Fly-in Continued - From Page 3 Breakfast catered by Chef Matt, owner of DIYM Catering • Establish a common email sys- assigned VAC email address for VAC tem, provided by Microsoft and business. This email address can managed by VAC Technical Staff - be accessed from anywhere. If you complete. haven’t already set up your VAC Every Officer now has their own in- email account or if you need a com- dividual email address: firstname. puter, see or email Richards Jones. lastname@valiantaircommand. There are only a few not yet set up. com , you can also use distribution We need to make the maximum of our investment. group email addresses as well and It all begins here at the be- it will point to your email box i.e., TELEPHONE SYSTEM ginning of the buffet line. “financedirector@valiantaircom- We currently are taking bids on re- Lorraine Juhl (right) will mand.com ”. placing our old phone system with take your money and Chef One of the driving reasons for this more current technology which Matt (center) will make you email system update was to elimi- would include new VOIP telephone a delicious omelette nate multiple email addresses sets. The new system would in- where multiple individuals were clude voice mail, a menu tree with answering the same email creat- options available to the caller. Dur- ing confusion. There is now a single ing special events such as our air- point email address for the VAC, show, we could have a menu for [email protected], directions or tickets, limited only by it is checked several times a day and one’s imagination. if an email comes in for a particular As soon as our budget allows we Officer it will be forwarded to that will replace our current telephone (L-R) Barb Rathborne, Officer for resolution. For this rea- system. Sandy Boswell, Sous Chef son, each Officer (if you haven’t al- Jim Owens, Lynda Evans and Chef Matt ready) should start using their own Executive Officer stand behind the pastries, Facilities Officer’s Report cookies and fruit Tom Etter, Facilities Officer Email: [email protected] (321) 268-1941 I am too new to have a doing. Don Leathers, Dutch, report. I am excited to be on Charlie, and Bob Boswell have the Board of Directors where also pointed out needs or I can perhaps help the VAC repairs as have many of our more than as a Volunteer. fellow Volunteers. So far, our Jim Owens asked Volunteers have been giving (L-R) Barb Rathborne, me to do a ‘walkabout’ noting me great and enthusiastic Sandy Boswell serving the things that would make the support and I look forward hot items on the buffet line VAC better for our Visitors, to working with everyone Safety items, and places to keeping the VAC great. help our Volunteers work with My hobby all my life is less effort. Norm Daniels to visit museums, forts, and gave me a list he had been ships. I feel we are unique working on. The resulting two- in the way we operate and page list of items gives me present ourselves. This, I will direction as to what I will be continue. Pg 4 Maintenance Officer’s Report line is on order and hopefully Charlie Hammer, Maintenance Officer this great airplane will be Email: [email protected] (321) 268-1941 back in the sky soon. There has sadly been The 2nd quarter of flying with other aircraft. In no change to the status of 2016 has been fairly quiet an effort to make the C-47 the TBM. She is still in the for the “Tico Belle”, with more appealing to the public, hangar waiting for the repairs the exception of an exciting she so desperately needs. We 3-day visit to the Sun-n-Fun have acquired some new test Airshow in Lakeland on April equipment that may help 5th. Each day, hundreds of us determine the root of her folks lined up to tour the plane problems and we will soon be and truly enjoyed hearing back to work on the plane to about her history. Many resolve these issues. people had stories of their I would be remiss if own about their experiences I didn’t mention the guys with DC-3’s and C-47’s. Our we have added tables to the and gals on the hangar floor next excursion was the Vero plane and adopted a “club that help maintain and keep Beach Air Show on the 25th seating” arrangement so the these planes ready. It is their of June. The Belle flew down passengers can enjoy the support that makes us look on the 24th and remained flight while facing each other, so good when we visit the static while individuals and creating a more comfortable Central Florida events that families enjoyed the Warbird social environment. we attend. The Volunteer experience. The T-28 Trojan The A-4C Skyhawk spirit is alive and well at the also went to the airshow has had a quiet 2nd quarter, Valiant Air Command Warbird and owner and pilot Karl currently down for a broken Museum. Holly did some formation hydraulic line. A replacement Charlie Hammer, Maintenance Officer

Col. Hugh Maxwell, USAF Ret., 99 year old WWII B-25 pilot visited the VAC and Tom Reilly gave him a ride in his B-25 “Killer B”. Col. Maxwell was thrilled to get to fly in a B-25 once again; notice the great big smile on his face in the photo on the right. Col. Maxwell, now 100 years old, is sent a big VAC Birthday wish.

Joe Reus, Author of Kriegsgefangener (War Prisoner), will be at the july 9th Fly-in Breakfast to autograph books. Come, meet the Author and get your autographed copy!

Pg 5 Operations Officer’s Report is now in a club-seating style, with Karl Holly, Operations Officer two seats facing another two, and Email: [email protected] (321) 268-1941 custom tables between them. This is in preparation for our upcoming Welcome to the Dog Days of financially or through volunteerism. “Champagne Flights.” Our goal summer. Yes, it’s been a scorcher, We hear the phrase “I never knew is to have the crew in uniforms especially for those working in the that was there” way too often, even circa WWII and have them serving hangars and on the ramp. At least in Titusville. That needs to change champagne and snacks to our now we can slow down and take a if we want to make our operation paying customers for a bit longer breather. stronger. flight. We’ll try several formats, to We have started tapering Our planned static display see what resonates with customers, off on events after a very hectic first at Patrick AFB fell through, which and stimulates additional demand quarter. Of course, you are aware disappointed all involved. We for flights. Stay tuned for the that our own Tico Warbird AirShow wrapped up May with a Memorial upcoming schedule on that. We will wrapped up back in March, but we Day flyover at Cocoa Riverfront publish more news on our website. kept our flight crews and all of those Park, which was well received by Besides the C-47 flights, needed to support them busy with their organizers and attendees. there will be an airshow in Punta follow-on events. The week after We just returned from the Gorda, the Florida International our own show, we sent two aircraft, Vero Beach Air Show. With the tragic Airshow, on 21-23 October. Our Tico Belle and the A-4, to MacDill loss of Blue Angel #6, the Blues had big finale in 2016 will be the Stuart AFB for their Tampa Bay Airfest. to cancel their appearance in Vero. Airshow on 4-6 November. Please It was a well-attended event, and They had a couple of other birds come and see their shows and our we had many visitors eager to see cancel on them, so the organizers crews at work. our C-47. Unfortunately, we had a approached us about additional After listening to your mechanical with the A-4 canopy, feedback, we have reinstated our that required a lot of work from Breakfast Fly-in on the second various groups to get it back home. Saturday of each month. We have Thank you to all of those who a new vendor with a new menu, pitched in. which, while a bit more costly Our next event was the (around $12/person), has been well-regarded Sun ‘n Fun show in Karl’s T-28 very well received. We will have Lakeland. We got our C-47, SNJ, added attractions in conjunction and T-28 there. Thanks to some support. We put two members T-28s with the breakfast which should great help with the organizers and in the show, which gave them some stimulate more interest. Our own the Warbirds of America group, much-needed noise and smoke, VAC member, Major Joseph H. we were given the opportunity to and wrapped up by flying formation Reus, will be signing copies of bring a rental motor coach to the with the FM-2 Wildcat. What a his book “Kriesgefangener: War Warbird line, giving our volunteers privilege and thrill. While their Prisoner.” We are also hoping to a great place to recover from the air show was not well attended, have a couple of our other authors heat and noise. We got strong the organizers and volunteers signing their books as well. More support from those attending the performed well, and were always details will be published in our Fly- show, with lots of donations and PX upbeat and supportive. I’m so glad in Breakfast flyers and emails. If sales. Our goal is to build on this, that we were able to help. you would like to receive notices of with a better presentation of who Our upcoming events are events like this, please let us know and what we are. It’s paramount few, but very exciting. Many of you via email, and we’ll get you on our that we educate our communities haven’t seen some of the interior mailing list. about our organization, to generate changes to Tico Belle. Thanks to our Thank you for your support more interest and support, whether own Charlie Hammer, the seating Karl Holly, OPS Officer

Pg 6 Procurement Officer’s Report Other items having to do Robert Frazier, Procurement Officer with the history of Florida (like a Email: [email protected] (321) 268-1941 1915 Flare Pistol) as well as aeronautical equipment, aircraft L-13 AIRCRAFT - We recently sold the museum’s partially restored L-13 aircraft and the remaining used parts. The buyer in- tends to procure or make the miss- ing assemblies and complete the restoration to flying status. FIGHTER AIRCRAFT - The possibility of obtaining the loan of a USAF stored F-89 or an F-84F for the VAC Museum is being evaluated. The disassembly and relocation costs for a large fighter is a major consideration. DONATIONS - There has been a significant increase in donations in the past several months, one example being the jacket with Lynn Foraker (Secretary from the office) is accessories, military clothing, and patches (shown on the right). The modeling the jacket. Thanks Lynn books have been received. Items are jacket is an enlarged Army field Airline unit patches sewed on all being evaluated for the museum. jacket that has a collection of over inner and outer surfaces. It was a Thank you. 100 US Army, Navy, Air Force and hobby of a past member. Robert Frazier The Book Corner Japanese Camps In The Dutch Kriegsgefangener War Prisoner by Letters Home by Bernice “Bee” Falk East Indies by F. J. Erik Kramer Major Joseph H. Reus, USAF, Ret. Haydu

An overview by a survivor of a A very interesting read of Joe’s Stories interspersed with letters Japanese Concentration Camp for experiences beginning at the start sent home while serving in the women and children. of WWII. “Women Airforce Service Pilots”.

Editor’s note: These books were written by VAC Members or by VAC Volunteers and are for sale in the VAC Gift Shop. Kriegsgefangener and Letters Home are autographed. Pg 7 Public Relations Officer’s Report program asking for sponsors for Bob Boswell, Public Relations Officer each one. The sponsors name, Email: [email protected] etc. would be displayed on the (321) 268-1941 bench. We would only need a First off I would like to Looking forward, the RIP limited number of benches. More thank the entire membership in Paranormal Ghost Hunters Team details in the next letter. advance for support that will will be at the Warbird Museum Our next Warbird AirShow truly be needed as I welcome on Saturday Night July 16 from is March 10-12, 2017 with the the challenge of being the new 8-Midnight to investigate the Thunderbirds as we celebrate Marketing and Public Relations Ghosts of past Military Heroes. the 70 anniversary of the U.S. Air Officer. This event will be open to the Force. It is not too early to think As I have traveled public and reservations and ticket about volunteering to help during throughout Brevard promoting information can be found at this event. the museum at various events the Meetup.com/riphunters. Bob Boswell, PR Officer comment heard most is something Due to popular demand like this; “I did not know there we have gone back to our was a military aviation museum monthly fly-in breakfast on the in (select one or others) Brevard, second Saturday of each month Titusville or around here”. In an from 8-10:30. You can fly-in or attempt to spread the word and drive-in for this event. Members attract new visitors to our museum always get into the Museum for we are planning a major media free so you only have to pay for the campaign. Local awareness will breakfast. Come out for a great be one area of emphasis with meal, meet with other aviators our “out of county” visitors the and see the latest improvements. other. The media program will Our next major event is include local publications as well the Veterans Day Weekend Open as domestic and foreign travel House Saturday and Sunday, Since my last "Aviating With Ev- advertisements to let folks know November 12th & 13th. Admission ans" article I have been recovering what a great entertainment and is free for VAC Members, all from a broken hip and have also educational experience we offer. Florida Residents and all Military, published the book that so many Our Museum Rack Cards have active, retired, reserve and guard. of you readers have asked me to been updated and are being This annual event provides the do for the past 10 years. The book distributed. Our Museum Visitors VAC an opportunity to showcase "Aviating With Evans" is now on Guide has also been updated and our Warbird Museum and to sale at the V.A.C. P. X.. This first the gift shop is designing a map thank the local residents for their book is the stories from my en- for use as a Visitors Self-Tour community support. We will have try into to the USAAF in WWII Guide. Hosting multiple events many different displays to see through my retiring from the at the museum is another avenue (planes, trains, cars) and good USAF. My next book will consist we will strive to improve on. food. Bring a family member or of stories from my next 27 years of In June we hosted Honor friend and enjoy your museum. civilian flight testing; if you enjoy Flights’ very successful fund raising It has been suggested reading the first book I can assure dinner of around 300 attendees that we should have some park you that you will enjoy the second in the main hangar. We recently benches inside the hangar display book.. hosted the Brevard Emergency areas for our visitors, especially N. C. "Bud" Evans Amateur Radio Service (BEARS) some of the seniors, to be able to Editor’s Note: team who staged at the museum take a short rest break during their Bud has been a contributing writer for the Un- scramble and the Scramble (AirShow Program) over the weekend for Disaster tour. I am looking into the cost for many years. If you enjoyed his articles, you Response training. of the benches and am starting a will love his book. Pg 8 Gift Shop News quarter is our own Bud Evans “AVIATING WITH EVANS”. You Anita, Louise, Lorraine, Rich Email: [email protected] can buy his autographed book (321) 268-1941 in our Gift Shop for only You can tell summer is are 35% off (Only from July $24.99. upon us...hot, humid and af- 1st to September 30th with We are looking forward ternoon showers. WHOOPEE. a valid VAC Member ID card). to all that our new Command- We have many new We have Gift Certifi- er, Norm Daniels, has planned items in the Gift Shop; great cates available for birthdays, for the Gift Shop. new toys for the kids and a Christmas, etc.; you can give Be careful out there lot of new T-shirts. one to your favorite aviation and have a safe, happy sum- Our 2016 Air Show person. How about a certifi- mer. T-shirts are 50% off, and our cate for a ride in Tico Belle? Anita, Louise, one of a kind Bomber Jackets Our featured book this Lorraine, Rich Trending @ The Gift Shop Unique one of a kind leather bomber jackets are reduced by 35% for the months of July, August & September with a valid VAC Member ID. John Wayne Flying Tiger Jacket shown on the right. The famous Blood Chit Jacket Get your shown on the left. autographed book while 35% OFF they last All Bomber Jackets with Member ID

Top Rated On Line investigate the valiant air command warbird air museum by with the R.I.P. Hunters - Paranormal Investigation Team TripAdvisor Saturday, July 16, 2016 8:00 PM - Till ??? Warbird Air Museum 6600 Tico Road Titusville, FL 32780 This is a very unique museum, there are 3 hangars filled with aircraft flown in all the wars by our military war heroes throughout time. The RIP Hunters Team has already spent an evening there and we are very excited to be able to share this with the public. Come join us on this amazing walk through aircraft history and experience it for yourself. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity so take advantage of it and RSVP soon to insure your spot for this awesome event. For Tickets and more info - http://www.meetup.com/riphunters/events/231570679/

Pg 9 F-14 radar. That combination was F-14A Tomcat lethal up to 115-miles range. After a missile was launched, it would Dr. F. J. E. Kramer, Warbird Historian turn on its own internal radar that When Grumman F-14 and a long-range naval supersonic provided targeting instructions. The Tomcat flew its last mission in interceptor. The Tomcat had a long F-14 could launch six missiles and February 2006, it was the end of an career; it was introduced on 22 track more than 24 targets, all at era; one that naval aviation is not September 1974 and retired from the same time; it was a fighter pilot’s likely to see again. active service on 22 September 2006. dream for any intercept mission. The The F-14 was the heaviest and The Tomcat’s design succeeded in radar was key to the operation; one perhaps the most famous fighter ever improving on the F-4 Phantom’s of the explanations of the size of the catapulted from a carrier. Nothing air combat performance in most Tomcat is the need to accommodate in the fleet today can match the long aspects. During its 32 years of this huge radar system. reach of its radar or the devastation fleet service, the F-14 Tomcat was The Tomcat features of the six Phoenix Missiles it could transformed from an analog fighter variable geometry wings that rotate carry. The airplane was capable of to a digital precision attack platform. automatically during flight. Wing six-hour long endurance missions. It was originally designed to keep positions could be set to different Grumman made every effort to Russian bombers away from the angles depending on the “need for make the cockpit as comfortable as carrier battle groups by employing speed”. For high-speed intercept, possible. The canopy would have very long-range Phoenix Missiles. wings are swept fully back and they to be made of one piece, but at the By the time the F-14 had retired in swing forward to accommodate time (the early seventies) there was 2006, it was capable of missions as lower speeds. The entire process not a factory that could shape a far ranging as forward air control is executed automatically and big enough piece of Plexiglas. The and deep-strike operations. This fully controlled by computers. F-14 was given a flat Navy spec’s called windshield as opposed for a speed of Mach to F-15’s single curved 2.34. However, during shield. The Tomcat’s test flights, the F-14 front windshield is actually reached Mach a multifunction 2.5 repeatedly. With device. It provides an afterburners ignited, undistorted vision engines produced for the pilot, acts as a about 42,000 lbs of bullet (and bird) resistant thrust. Navy pilots shield, while it displays are trained to fly at vital flight control 1,500 miles per hour, and weapon system subsequently, they had information to the to slow down to what pilot. The HUD (Head- has to feel like a dead Up-Display) windshield stop before landing on a F-14 Tomcat on display at the VAC Warbird Museum projection is an F-14 first giant moving building, and has proven very effective. It capability made it CENTCOM’s otherwise known as an aircraft gives the Tomcat a better ballistic (USA Central Command) platform carrier. protection, and this design was of choice for missions over Iraq Engines made the F-14 a more bulletproof than the shield on and Afghanistan. Experts agreed hot-rod that could go from Mach the F-15. that the Tomcat’s air-to-air weapon 0.8 to Mach 1.8 in 90 seconds; that This famous twin engine mix was just unmatched. The is basically going from 600 mph to two-seat fighter jet was designed AIM-54 Phoenix Missile was used 1,400 mph. as both an air-superiority fighter exclusively in conjunction with the According to combat pilot Pg 10 Charlie Brown, who was part of speeds, the physics of slowing down OPS “Allied Force”, OPS “Enduring the F-14 design team and as well an the speed of high-velocity air upon Freedom”, and OPS “Iraqi Freedom”. experimental test pilot said “Flying entering the engine requires a T o m c a t ’ s successor, an F-14 is in all aspects like sitting system with rectangular air-inlets the FA-18 Hornet, has only 36% in a Cadillac”. Another well-known and movable ramp doors to slow the of the F-14/D’s payload-range achievement of the Tomcat was the air down. This computer controlled capability. Sure, FA-18E/F’s famous 4-G inverted dive with a design features hydraulic pistons improved, but has at best 50% of the fictitious MIG Soviet fighter. moving in such a fashion to slow F-14/D’s capability; consequently, Unfortunately, the first F-14 the air down before it reaches the carrier radius drops to 50% of what crashed on its second flight due to compressor section of the engine. it would have been operating with a hydraulic failure. However, both The automatic guided ramp- the same number of F-14/D’s. No crew members ejected safely. door system required a lot of attention wonder the Navy is working on a One of the great weaknesses by highly skilled mechanics. It is “buddy-tanker” version of the Super of the first versions of theone of the reasons why after each Hornet. Tomcat was its engine. The F-14A mission, 55 maintenance-man- The F-14 pilot credited with version was equipped with an hours were required to dispatch the most kills is not a US Navy pilot, underpowered TF30-P-412 Pratt & Tomcat for the next mission. Also, but is the Iranian fighter pilot Jalil Whitney axial flow turbofan. The throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Zandi. Flying his F-14 he shot down engine’s output with afterburners the F-14 was subjected to numerous eleven soviet-built Iraqi fighter jets engaged was 20,900 lbs of thrust. upgrades, especially in computer during the Iranian-Iraqi War. Total engine thrust of 41,800 lbs and weapon systems. All additional After retirement, almost all of was merely enough to lift a 71,000 hardware had to be accommodated the American F-14’s were shredded. lb fully loaded F-14A from the in existing spaces, which were Once Iran became an enemy, there flight deck. Common problems that already crowded with previously was a concern the Iranians would occurred with the engine involves installed equipment. Mechanics had somehow source parts, needed threaded fan blades and low-speed a difficult job to distinguish between for their aging F-14 fleet, via US compressor stall, especially flying the different integrated systems and “boneyards” in Arizona. To prevent at low speed and at high altitude. much time was needed to complete this action, all F-14’s were destroyed To overcome these issues the more their task correctly. with the exception of those donated powerful P-414 engine was fitted to On 3 October 1997 an F-14 to War-Bird museums. the Tomcat; it was an improvement on a routine training mission Our F-14 Tomcat was flown over the P-412, but engines still crashed in the Atlantic Ocean. Both into the VAC Museum by a Navy suffered from problems at high crew members ejected successfully. pilot and still has all its components, altitude. It was the seventh military plane including the two engines! The In order to reduce the speed crash in one week. These crashes led Navy does not allow flying donated of incoming air to the inlets of the to a one-day break in training flights planes: doing so would have been engines, the supersonic F-14 features for a safety review by all services. prohibitive considering the a complex air inlet system. It was US Navy suffered its only loss of a astronomical maintenance cost, a challenge to the inlet designers tomcat on 21 January 1991 when an but assuming the VAC was to have to get airflow’s speed down in high F-14 was shot down by an SA-2 SAM maintained the fighter according Mach and maneuvering situations. missile when on an escort mission. to Navy’s maintenance manuals, The engine only accepts subsonic F-14’s participated in the our museum would be the only air or the compressor will be stalled. following operations: “Desert place outside Iran that would have a Once the Tomcat flies at supersonic Storm”, OPS “Deliberate Force”, Tomcat in flying condition. Don't Forget The Fly-In Pancake Breakfast 2nd Saturday Every Month • 8 am to 10:30 am drive-ins can get a free breakfast with each paid full admission between 8 am & 10:30 am members just pay for breakfast Pg 11 thought about the wonders of leav- Aviating with Evans ing the solid ground and being a A new approach to flying and working as a test pilot part of that glorious freedom of soaring above the earth and join- When I was studying at the ally, you are all alone and most of ing the clouds. When the dreams USAF Test Pilot School I expected the time during the first years of my became a reality and I achieved that I would have a desk and file cabinet test piloting the only way that the goal of winning the silver wings of with which I could study and file my results relied on my qualitative re- an Army Air Force pilot in WWII, I research and test reports. It turned port which was made after the flight knew there was no other life for me. out that I had a desk assigned but and then several days later when the Flying was not a job it was a privi- my reports, books, calculator and instrumentation data was reduced lege and always remained that way aircraft manuals were kept in class- it was compared to my assessment. in my mind and heart. After finding room cabinets and book shelves. My This soon establishes the reputation myself in the position of being in knee clipboard on which I attached of a Test Pilot among the Engineer- one of the first jet fighter squadrons the data card I had to prepare prior ing and Program Managers. in the USAF and breaking into new to each flight carried the maneuvers When assigned a project, speeds and altitudes almost every I had to fly hand record and were whether it was a new system or a day, it increased my desire to ex- my main tools of the trade. After I new aircraft you became the pri- pand the experience into the newest arrived at my first Test Pilot assign- mary source of data collecting while and fastest aircraft that were avail- ment I was surprised to find that I flying the airborne tests. When in able. During my two combat tours had my own assigned desk, engi- the process of completing a flight in Korea, I became one of the first neers to prepare test cards and sec- test program if time allowed, you Americans to fly combat in a jet air- retaries to type my reports. At all of had other test pilots fly the system craft and had been selected many my prior assignments in Operation- or aircraft and used their qualita- times during those early missions to al units, only the Commander, Ex- tive comments and data as part of perform something that had never ecutive Officer and the Operations your final evaluation report. There been done in a jet. On returning to Officer had desks. The rest of the pi- usually was a flight test engineer the United States in March of 1951 lots had only the Ready Room, their assigned to the program who pre- was assigned to an F-86 Saber-Jet locker and the cockpit from which pared the test plans, made up the equipped squadron and made my to do their job. It wasn’t long before test data cards, reduced the quan- I realized the tremendous responsi- titative data and wrote up the re- bility the job of “Experimental Test sults of the technical data. The final Pilot” carried with it in the overall evaluation of the aircraft or system mission of the Air Force. that carried the most weight was Another big change in the the “Test Pilots Report”. I became job was that as a fighter pilot my a manager, engineer and pilot with F-89 Scorpion flying was always performed in for- all of the authority and responsibili- mation, either as a leader or a wing- ties that accompanied those jobs. It first trip beyond the speed of sound. man but very seldom did I fly alone was the ultimate position of a pilots After a couple of years we were except when flying functional test dream and I suddenly found myself equipped with the first All-Weather flights following major maintenance faced with the wonderful reality that Jet Interceptor F-89C “Scorpion” on an aircraft. From the day I en- I was THERE! That might sound a which required carrying a Radar tered the prestigious world of Ex- little egotistical but the reality was Officer in the rear seat. perimental Testing my flights were that the responsibilities that accom- I had become dedicated almost always alone and almost al- panied the job were tremendous! I to trying to become an Experimen- ways searching for aircraft respons- had not just stepped into the job. It tal Test Pilot in the Air Force but es to a pre-selected maneuver such had been a long rough road! was stymied by the requirement of as placing the aircraft in a position From the first day I dreamed having to have an Aeronautical En- it has never been in before. Gener- of becoming a pilot at age 5, I only gineering Degree; which I did not Pg 12 Aviating with Evans - continued tems had to be installed on the two have. My next assignment was to fly ment to my chosen role in life! F-84F’s, F-101 A, B-57 and B-66 air- and instruct qualified fighter pilots During the first few months craft that were being instrumented in the U.S.A.F.’s newest fighter, the F- with flight test at Wright-Patterson for measuring shock and heat). 86D. It was the U.S.A.F.’s first single after being assigned to the Fighter The Bombers which were cockpit All-weather jet fighter and Test Operation, I was relegated to participating departed Wright- had a complicated radar and air-to- flying test flights on programs that Patterson and flew to Hawaii while air rocket launching system. This were assigned programs of other Capt. Kitchens and I (The 2 F-84F was the final motivating factor in test pilots. It was the reason I was pilots) left Dayton by airliner to my deciding to apply for the USAF so receptive to the blind offer to California where we flew to Hawaii Experimental Test Pilot School at take on an ultra secret test pro- Edwards AFB, California. It was a gram when it was offered to me af- long shot but with the strong rec- ter being on the job for only three ommendation from my Command- months. Once I had made that de- ing Officer who was also one of my cision I relinquished any opportu- Group Commanders in Korea, I was nity to take on anything other than accepted. I was convinced that, if the short-term projects such as Light Test Pilots at Edwards could allow Weight Fighter Radars, Mig-15 vs F-84 Thunderstreak an aircraft with the poor flight han- F-86F Combat Comparative Capa- on Air Force contracted airline. (An dling qualities of the first model F- bilities, Fighter aircraft rain removal interesting story I will relate in the systems, “Wingtip Buddy Tow” sys- “Eniwetok” story). Our F-101A test tems just to name a few. I flew to pilot had picked up the test aircraft Patrick AFB, Florida to fly an F-84F at the factory and managed to dam- numerous times to flight test a flight age it severely on landing back at director system that was designed to Wright-Patterson. He injured his place me over “Ground Zero” within back so Major John Apple brought l/10th of a second in the upcoming the replacement F-101 A to Eniwe- nuclear bomb tests in the South Pa- tok three months later. cific. After many trips flying the test My five and a half months F-86 Sabre flights on this system, I never had flying from Eniwetok resulting in 86D to go into operational service, a flight where I had a completely my flying closer to five (5) hydrogen they really could use some help. successful operation of the system. and two (2) atomic test bomb ex- During my first ground Time constraints on the test air- plosions measuring heat and shock school class at the school the instruc- craft with which I was going to fly wave effects on the U.S.’s strongest tor, noting my lack of an Aeronauti- this “Radist” system cut short the built aircraft. Kitchen’s F-84F was cal Engineering Degree, told me not required testing. The system had to measuring sideload effects on air- to unpack my bags. That was a real be delivered to the facility that was craft in flight and was not positioned blow to my ego but gave me more installing test data recording equip- quite as close as I was thus providing determination to succeed. I ended ment to measure heat and structural me with the position of having been up graduating with high marks. I impact loads on the aircraft I was to closer to nuclear explosions than was then a fledgling pilot once again fly in the tests. All test aircraft had any living person. Unfortunately, except I had more jet experience to be in place on Eniwetok Atoll by the high security placed on the pro- and jet combat experience than any May of 1956. (Five were using the gram prevented me talking about it of the test pilots I met. The road to Radist system). As primary Officer for 22 years. By then my “Record” what has always been my “Impossi- from Fighter Test Operations, I had was no longer of interest although it ble Dream” had come true and I rev- to make the decision on the dead- still stands to this day! eled during the following 38 years in lines for delivery dates. (The Hy- the thrills, spills and knowledge that drogen Bomb Test had dictated the N. C. “Bud” Evans I was fulfilling my internal commit- “Drop-Dead” dates at which the sys- © 2016 copyrighted Pg 13 2nd Quarter Review - April, May, June 2016

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