One fine afternoon flying some 50 miles northwest of Sembach Air Base, West Germany our OV-10 Bronco had company.
The pilot and I had finished the FCF work and the aircraft was in excellent flying condition despite a major inspection, two engine changes, and lots of maintenance repairs.
With the FCF finished and some extra fuel the pilot decided to fly around and do some sightseeing. I was all for that, as I had my camera with me.
As we flew around looking over the country side I observed two F-4 Phantom jets way below us at almost treetop level. I was very surprised that I saw them because their camoflage paint was blending in with the trees very well. But it was their black shadows on the trees and fields that caught my eye.
I advised the pilot of my sighting and that the jets passed out of sight behind us.
A few minutes passed and an F-4 Phantom Jet came from behind us and flew past us just below us, and out past our right wingtip. The F-4 then pulled up and made a arching turn to our left and passed us in the opposite direction out under the left wing area.
The F-4 Phantom pilot made a beautiful upward horseshoe pattern out in front of us. I wished I was alert enough to get a photo of it.
I was amaised and clicked my mic button and said, "WOW look at that F-4!"
My pilot made a comment, "That SOB F-4 is going to make gun runs on us for practice - I'll out manouver that SOB!"
My pilot then said, "He will come from behind, watch for his shadow!"
The sun was on our left so I knew his shadow would be on the right side of us. My blood was pumping, heart pounding, and I was all excited. We were practicing Air Combat Tactics (ACT) and I had forgotten all about my camera and taking pictures.
Then I saw a single shadow coming. I clicked the mic button and said, "Shadow incoming bogie!"
The pilot pulled our aircraft's nose up sharply then flipped the right wing over the top and quickly we were upside down then pointed toward the ground.
The first thought that entered my mind was, "Where the hell is that F-4 sure don't want to experance a midair collission!"
We quickly leveled off and were heading back in the opposite direction.
The pilot the said, "The F-4 can't turn and manouver with us, so I bet they will leave us alone now."
I was disapointed, I was looking forward to somemore action before our flight ended.
Damn, I wish I would have remembered this little story for my book.
