Interesting tid bits about Naval Aviation

[nicka117]

Don't know if this is exactly appropriate for this board but thought it would be fun anyway.

On the one hand, the regs and practices of Navair are very strict and specific for safety reasons. On the other hand, especially in the Vietnam era, some crazy things were done....and I love the stories.

Yankee Station

One F-8 pilot, when going feet wet, would light up a cigarette on the way back to the boat.

One skipper of an A-4 squadron would spot the deck regularly but always snag a 2 wire, so the LSO's would let him get away with it. He did not tolerate Bolters from his nuggets even if they did it right with an on-power pass. If one of his nuggets followed his example and cleared the ramp, and cut power, the LSO's would pull him aside and give him a lecture: "Your skipper has been getting away with that for a long time, but if you try that, you will bust your @ss."

Russian spy boats would regularly move in front of carriers on Yankee Station to make them turn during flight ops. One frustrated A-3 pilot was waved off close in because of it, so as the carrier turned, he stayed 100 feet off the water and dumped a bunch of jet fuel on top of the Russian "trawler" as he went over. He was called the Red Barron because he had a big red handlebar moustache and would roll the A-3 regularly as he flew by the carrier. After the fuel dump, he was the hero of the air wing.

Anyone want to add?

[SpazSinbad]

Early on in the A4G Skyhawk era in the RAN FAA an old Sea Venom pilot (a time when LSOs were not used onboard HMAS Melbourne) made an approach to a successful arrest in his A4G. Immediately afterward the LSO realised that the mirror had not been uncovered during the approach. The Mirror Control Officer helper had not drawn back the metal shutter protecting it when not in use.

The old/bold pilot had called the ball (not being able to see it).   He likely had issues with his vision because he also wore glasses in flight; but not on deck/onboard to anyone's knowledge. Anyway the LSO jumped up and down during the debrief but being heavily outranked it was all a bit futile. This story was related by the chagrined MCO later.

ADDED: Mirro metal concertina shutter is open in this photo (dragged across to left to cover/protect mirror when not in use). Location now Fleet Air Arm Museum at NAS Nowra, NSW, Australia