F-4D’s of the 62nd Tactical Fighter Squadron, Macdill AFB 1978-80

Took these myself way back when. Only had a cheap camera, but I took it in to work almost every day. Looking at the first photo of 65-0707 and 674, I am struck by the amount of stenciling they carried. The last Phantom (65-0794) is from the 13th TFTS. Their squadron tail stripe was white, but they changed that to black when the Wing added the white borders on the fin.

F-94 crews of the 449th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, Ladd AFB

Dressed for the Alaskan cold, the pilots and radar observers of the 449th say “cheese” in front of F-94 49-2526. Photo is undated, but given that 49-2526 (in the background) crashed in 1954, it is safe to assume it was taken sometime before.

RF-80 over the Alps

The aircraft (44-85161) began life as a P-80 but was later modified as a reconnaissance platform. This is the cover of a book of bound photos put together by the squadron when they were based at Spangdahlem, Germany, 1953-57.

146th Fighter Interceptor Wing, Van Nuys, Calif.

Story goes that in the late 50’s the new sport of scuba diving was so popular in the 146th that they formed a club and took to calling themselves the “Flying Frogmen.”

Winter’s day at the Thule Air Base Greenland alert barn, and one very frozen F-89 Scorpion

The F-89D (53-2606) is from Thule’s 74th Fighter Interceptor Squadron. This aircraft went to the boneyard in 1960.

432nd Tactical Reconnaissance Wing

The title “Ftr/Recon” refers to the fact the 432nd had more fighter squadrons than they did reconnaissance. Udorn Air Base, Thailand.

F-4E, 469th Tactical Fighter Squadron

The most obvious difference between the F-4E and its predecessors was the gun in the nose that radically altered the front end of the Phantom. It is only fitting that when the 469th TFS got the E model they designed a patch that illustrated that they were now armed to the teeth.

514th Fighter Bomber Squadron

Early 1950’s patch when the 514th flew the F-84 Thunderjet & F-86 Sabre at RAF Manston.

RB-26 Invader of the 363rd Tactical Reconnaissance Wing

s-l1600s

B-26 Invader and crew, 3rd Bomb Group

s-l1600 (83)

147th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, Pennsylvania Air Guard

With its ray gun-toting martian/spaceman receiving earthly transmissions via his magical emerald helmet all while zooming through the heavens on his zippy jet, this patch is total 1950’s. The 147th flew F-84 Thunderstreaks when this patch was worn. The unit lost their air defense role in 1961, and with it, this fantastic patch.

The “Martian” is a character known as “Ovacron”, the creation of a Pittsburgh disc jockey in the 1950’s. Given that the 147th was based at Pittsburgh AP, the pieces start falling in place. This info also dovetails with my thoughts: it looks like a cartoon character, and not just something thrown together in the squadron.

336th Fighter Interceptor Squadron…with an interesting tale

Jim Van Scyoc (pronounced “sock”) was to achieve unsought notoriety when, in 1961, while flying F-100’s in the New Mexico Air Guard, he accidentally shot down a B-52 while on a practice intercept. That tragic story is all over the internet, and Van Scyoc was not to blame; an electronic glitch was the culprit. Given the circumstances, it is unfortunate that this aerial “victory” represents the only air-to-air “kill” for an F-100. Suchlike, that has been the only B-52 air-to-air shootdown. In Vietnam, it was all SAM’s.

The 336th patch dates from earlier days when Van Scyoc flew F-86’s in Korea.

Patches of the 331st Fighter Interceptor Squadron, Webb AFB

These patches represent the era when the 331st flew the F-102, and then the F-104.

431st Fighter Interceptor Squadron, Wheelus Air Base, late 1950’s

Stationed in the less than salubrious clime of Libya, the 431st buzzed the North African skies in the mighty F-86 Sabre. 51-13168 was an F model in this squadron. Humorous anecdote: A day or so after I got this patch, I came home to find it in the mouth of my dog who was busily gnawing away. Luckily, he had only succeeded in getting it soaking wet with dog slobber – no holes or damage. Nonetheless, I aged ten years on the spot.

405th Fighter Wing, Clark Air Base, circa 1962

Massive patch; belonged to an F-102 pilot of the 509th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, 405th Fighter Wing.

In 1962, the term “Fighter Wing” was rather unusual; that was the age of “Fighter Interceptor” and “Tactical Fighter” Wings (squadrons, groups, etc.) that oversaw a particular fighter with a particular mission. However, the 405th at Clark Air Base was somewhat different in that it oversaw both interceptor and tactical fighters (along with a host of other aircraft) and the generic name of the Wing reflected that fact.

F-4 Phantom Phixer patch, Kadena Air Base, 1970’s

We usually see the ubiquitous “Spook” figure on such a Phantom patch. When this patch was worn, the Phixers were phixing the F-4D.

F-100 pilots of the 4514th Combat Crew Training Squadron, Luke AFB, 1961

RB-45 Maintenance men of the 91st Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron

Colonel William F. Barns brings the first F-100 to Itazuke.

The arrival of the Mach busting Super Sabre was obviously big news. Interesting in that Barns is wearing a USN vest.

F-86’s of the 68th Fighter Interceptor Squadron.

No idea what the occasion is, but it was a pleasant enough one.

Colonel William F. Barns with a new F-100

Barns has just arrived at Itazuke Air Base with a shiny new F-100 and, of course, has everybody’s attention. Barns was used to that – he already held a few speed records and was recognized as one of the great pilots of the era. The other men are Colonel Orville Rehmann, 8th FBW commander, and Colonel Ladson Eskridge, 43rd Air Division commander.

F-100D Super Sabres, 8th Fighter Bomber Wing

New kids on the block. Shiny F-100’s arrive in Japan, 1956. Represented are 54-2290 and 2287. Happily enough, 2290 survives as a display at Aviano Air Base.

F-86 Sabres, Kunsan Air Base, 1955

The F-86’s dotting the rather sparse landscape are from the 8th Fighter Bomber Wing. Visible tail numbers are all 1952 prefix: 4400, 4417, 4473, 4516, 4604, 4620, 4776.

General Smith suits up for a flight in a L-20

General Smith (left) concentrates on his life before heading out for a short jaunt. Though we can’t see much of the aircraft, it is the in fact the illustrious De Havilland Beaver. In 1962, the L-20 was renamed the U-6. Different name, same job.

General Frederic H. Smith arrives at Itazuke Air Base, 1956

The general (and the Missus) are warmly greeted on the Itazuke ramp. T-33’s stowed in revetments are in in the background. General Smith was commander of the 5th Air Force at this time. An old-time pilot from the open cockpit days of the Air Corps, Smith eventually retired as a 4-star after serving as Vice-Chief of Staff, USAF.

Indicative of aviation’s quantum leap – from biplanes to B-58 Hustlers in one man’s career – Smith had seen it all.