Coast Guard Sikorsky HH-3F Pelican
North to Alaska The Coast Guard has flown in Alaska for many years, and it was never easy with the PBY, PB-1G (LCDR Fred Merritt and LT Bob Branham flew the C&GS PB-1G CGNR 77254 for a summer at Dutch Harbor in 1959, probably the last of its type on active duty) or the HU-16E. With the advent of the HC-130Bs and H3s, life became more tolerable, and eventually, four HH-52As were outfitted with radar - what a blessing. But when the HH-3F was deployed, a new dimension was added. With its superior flight management system, doppler radar, moving map display, and a good radar, the always hazardous flying became less of a challenge. A large cabin with a rear-loading ramp, a 600 lb hoist, 7,000 lb sling load capability, hoist operator beeper trim control, fuel capacity of over 7300 lbs, and an amphibious hull, versatility was a given. |
USAF Convair C-131A
What is that doing here?. Bob Wehr and I were assigned to the USAF AFIT at WPAFB, he for his Masters in Computer Engineering, and I in the Masters for Aero Engineering (structures)
We managed to avoid the C-47, missed the T-33, but were able to fly the Convair, leading to much night and weekend flying as we were in class.When they eliminated proficiency flying, 400+ AF pilots were grounded, yet Bob and I remained on flight status - who else would do their weekend flying? They also "lent" us an aircraft to fly a "training" flight to Elizabeth City to house hunt. |
USAF Lockheed T-33A
Not one to miss Happy Hour, I always tried to be present on Fridays at the NAS New Orleans BOQ as it filled with Marine, Navy and ANG fighter pilots in for their weekend drills. Tired of hearing bemoan the fact that I had never had the chance to fly a jet, the LA ANG threw me in the front seat of one of their T-33s. What a difference from the 95 knot HH52A! They even arranged for me to fly a bird up to WPAFB to hunt for housing in advance of my transfer to AFIT. They also put me in the TF-102A "Tub" - it was another quantum jump up in performance.
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USAF Convair TF-102A
Talk about quantum jumps in performance! LCOL Bustetter of the LA ANG fulfilled his promise to me and place me on their flight schedule for a Saturday afternoon GCI intercepts out in the Gulf operating areas. It was a three-ship mission, with the "Tub" (so called because of its side-by-side seating giving the nose a bulbous look.) acting as the intruder. On take off they gave me a ride by leveling off, gaining speed, then doing a burner climb to altitude. Coming back, we all joined up and executed a 360 degree break over the numbers. Neat!
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