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Post by Mark O on Jan 24, 2011 13:05:39 GMT 9
On a different note, I just found this site with some cool photos of unit insignia. I was not looking for F-106 stuff, but found some photos of Six tails, and a few ADC tails, just the same! I thought you all would enjoy it! www.vermontel.com/~tomh/USAF_Insignia.htmlMark |
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MOW
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Post by MOW on Jan 24, 2011 21:04:30 GMT 9
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Post by Mark O on Jan 11, 2012 13:07:09 GMT 9
Started as a general purpose post on markings, so I thought I'd throw this shot of a couple 539th FIS Sixes here. Notice the difference between the stars on the lower rudder. Was this to identify aircraft assigned to a specific flight within the squadron? Any insight from you 539th guys on those stars (or any other details in the photo) would be great! :thanks :salute  |
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Post by MOW on Jan 11, 2012 17:44:57 GMT 9
Started as a general purpose post on markings, so I thought I'd throw this shot of a couple 539th FIS Sixes here. Notice the difference between the stars on the lower rudder. Was this to identify aircraft assigned to a specific flight within the squadron? Any insight from you 539th guys on those stars (or any other details in the photo) would be great!   Very nice find Mark. Good clear photo's. |
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Post by LBer1568 on Jan 11, 2012 23:54:08 GMT 9
I was with 539th from early 1964 to Jun 1967. I don't remember the "Star" while I was there. They are also both without wing tanks. Thats something else we seldom had.
But I do recognize "Blue 2" our MA-1 P/U. It was an old Ford P/U with a V-8 that was so full of carbon it wouldn't accelerate beyond about 35mph.
It had about 500 pounds of MA-1 "Quick-fix" spare parts. The MA-1 broke so frequently back in those days that we had two trucks, a metro and P/U to run between birds trying to take off, or trying to repair them after landing on A/C power. The main faults were UHF, TACAN, Computer, Radar range gate drift and steering circle erratic.
We MA-1 types carried our 3/8" spin-tights, a phillips speed-handle, a common screw driver and a set of Grounding cables to perform a steering loop alignment . We could fix about 50% of problems while pilot was still running them.
Damn, that brings back some good/bad memories.
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Post by LBer1568 on Jan 12, 2012 1:55:41 GMT 9
I found this view of another 539th bird. I guess my memory is failing me. They were this paintscheme in early 1960's.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 12, 2012 3:21:56 GMT 9
I dont remember the stars at all, and it seems that we always had wing tanks on. I was there the same time as Lorin, just an instruments hack and weapons loader, most of the time I was looking down not up, but I dont ever remember stars or ANY color.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 12, 2012 3:26:26 GMT 9
Looked at the pix again, a bit more closely. First dont ever remember seeing the tail pipe covered. Second, dont ever remember seeing the vest on the front end.
Most important, it looks like the new LORAN antenna is just forward of the hook, with a red cover on it. That come out probably late 66, or 67. When it was new, one of our weapons loaders, the guy who steered the lump under the belly, didnt see it, and gave himself a permanent part down the middle of his head. DURING AN ORI.
If I remember correctly that was the fastest weapons turnaround in the squadron's history, and might have been the fasted for an F106 at ADC.
They sure look nice, dont they??
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Post by Mark O on Jan 12, 2012 13:19:42 GMT 9
Thanks for the info guys! Like I said, any info is GREAT!! Here's another question. Does anyone remember when the 539th changed their tails from the original markings...  to these tail markings? By the way, notice the original main wheels in the first photo compared to the late-style wheels in the second. Edit: I have to admit that my favorite 539th tail art is the original. That's just me! Sure wish someone would make those decals for a model. |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 13, 2012 2:22:24 GMT 9
I got there in Jan. 64 and they were all changed already, If memory serves correctly. It's nice seeing some of the flight line pix.
Thanks
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Post by Deleted on Jan 13, 2012 2:41:54 GMT 9
Just looked at Lorin's pic more closely. That must have been an Armed Forces Day event. The four shacks in the background were the alert sheds. And there are a lot of different A/C around.
I was at McGuire about a year ago, the alert sheds are gone, but the rest of the buildings from the 539th are still there.
I'll see if I can get a buddy who lives in Wrightstown to get some more pix, and find out if there's any kind of a museum that will show the activities of the 539th. I know they've added Major Tom McGuire's P 38, the real one, as a display near the front of the base, so they might have added some more goodies in the little building that used to be a library.
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