Tango01 | 18 Nov 2015 10:20 p.m. PST |
… A Damaged Phantom By Its Tail Hook Out Of North Vietnam. "Of the 132 missions Bob Pardo flew in Vietnam with the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing, the most significant is that of March 10, 1967, when he and his with rear pilot 1st Lt Steve Wayne, were on a mission to attack the steel mills close to the North Vietnamese capitol of Hanoi. Flying as his wingman was Capt. Earl Aman and his "Guy in Back" Lt. Bob Houghton. The area around Hanoi was the best protected in military aviation history, and on that day enemy anti aircraft fire was the heaviest Captain Pardo had experienced in his many missions there. Before they arrived at the objective, the F-4 Phantom of Captain Aman's was hit, but he managed to stay in formation. As they were closing in on the steel mill Aman's F-4 was hit by ack-ack once more and his plane started to leak fuel. Then Pardo's plane was hit as well yet he could proceed with the strike, however his F-4 was now leaking fuel too. When they were over 20,000 feet on their way out, it became evident that Aman did not have enough fuel make it to nearby Laos, where he and Houghton would be able to eject with a fair chance of being rescued by friendly troops. If they were to eject over North Vietnam, the chances of evading escape were slim and capture and, if they were lucky, a lengthy stay in a POW camp would await them…"
Full article here link Amicalement Armand |
Whatisitgood4atwork | 18 Nov 2015 11:06 p.m. PST |
I had never heard that story before. What flying. What nerve. Wow. |
infman | 19 Nov 2015 12:43 a.m. PST |
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Darkest Star Games | 19 Nov 2015 7:52 a.m. PST |
Ya, wow! The closest I could think of would be in Korea when an f-86 pilot pushed his wingman for a good distance by putting his nose in the other's (flamed out) exhaust. But pushing on a tailhook…. wow! |
John Treadaway | 19 Nov 2015 8:48 a.m. PST |
Astonishing. Thanks for the link! John T |
Tango01 | 19 Nov 2015 9:41 a.m. PST |
Happy you enjoyed it boys!. (smile) Amicalement Armand |
darthfozzywig | 19 Nov 2015 11:42 a.m. PST |
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hocklermp5 | 19 Nov 2015 12:44 p.m. PST |
Pardo's actions years later when hearing of the pilot he saved grave health issues are very worthy to note as well. Be sure and read the article to the end. |
Mako11 | 19 Nov 2015 12:52 p.m. PST |
Yep, I'd heard of the F-86 event, but not this one. Thanks for sharing. Desperate times call for desperate measures. |
Lion in the Stars | 19 Nov 2015 1:22 p.m. PST |
Daaaayuuuuuuuuuuuum… Refresh my memory: Does a Silver Star trump a Distinguished Flying Cross? |
Tango01 | 19 Nov 2015 10:54 p.m. PST |
A votre service mon ami!. (smile) Amicalement Armand |
GeoffQRF | 20 Nov 2015 3:54 a.m. PST |
The buffeting caused by the jet wash of the lead Phantom must have been immense |
Dynaman8789 | 20 Nov 2015 7:56 a.m. PST |
Great story but it REALLY needed some proofreading and editing. The bravery and ingenuity shown by troops in Vietnam is inspiring. This story reminds me of the Huey pilots that used their rotor blades to clear a landing area. |