Hal (Read 2,737 times)

Freddy, welcome to the web site. I have to comment on the subject of "HAL".

I was at Minot where I crewed a B model 57-2545. It was affectionately known as HAL. I didn't name it but it was sort of a legend in the squadron. I felt honored to be selected to crew it.

I know that HAL is a reference to the computer in "2001 A Space Odessy". What I don't know is if naming a B model HAL was a common thing or if there is a common thread between our two airplanes.

I have a picture of my airplane but it didn't have the name painted on it anywhere so it looks like any other B model.

I was at Minot from April '70-August '71. What was the time frame of your HAL service?

In the eraly 80's we referred to 57-2545 as "the bus". :thumbsup

545 was always reffered to as the "bus". After we got 59-0159 from Tyndall, we just called it 159.

The 15 B and D models were all referred to as "tubs".

The two seat TR-1 was called the whale.

Any generic names for the two seat deuce?

Here's the second one.

I just ran across this picture of Hal with me. The crew chief was at Minot before me and crewed 57-2545 before me. Then I followed him to Korat and he painted Hal on his F-4E. This was one of the more reliable airplanes in the squadron.

The 87th in Duluth had 160 and 155 B mod. 155 was known as nickle-nickle when I was there.

We had two B Models at Minot, 545 & 901.

I crewed 901 when I first got to Minot.

The picture of 545 has the old tail markings, without the large black border.

The F4E is indeed carrying "Daisy Cutter" fuses on the 500 pounders on the wing stations.

Jim Too

:god_bless_usa

Bullhunter, Sorry it took so long to reply but Jim and falconkeeper are correct. Those are daisy-cutters with the fuse on the end. Word was those extensions were equal to three sticks of dynamite and they were supposed to explode above ground. I have to think they were effective because they used them the whole time I was there and never heard any complaints about them. Glad I wasn't on the receiving end.

Just noticed the un answered question about the TF-102 (two seater). They were called tubs.