|
|
Post by shadowgunner on Jan 8, 2013 11:24:11 GMT 9
|
|
Jim Scanlon (deceased)
Senior Staff 
FORUM CHAPLAIN
Commander South Texas outpost of the County Sligo Squadron
Currently: Offline
Posts: 5,075 
Location:
Joined: July 2007
Retired: USAF
NBA: Spurs
NFL: Niners
MLB: Giants
NHL: Penguins
|
Post by Jim Scanlon (deceased) on Jan 8, 2013 14:04:19 GMT 9
Well I remember the Firebee. We would go to Yuma Air Force Base/Vincent Air Force Base/MCAS Yuma, for rocket firing of our Saber Dogs and Ls. The first couple of years, the targets were rags towed by T-Birds or B-45s. In about 1956 they began to shoot at Firebees launched from B-26s. One Firebee was hung under each wing of the B-26. We would watch the 26s taxi out, then launch our birds. It was a rare event when one of the unguided rockets from the belly of the Sabre, nose of a F-94C or wing pods of a Scorpion would knock the Firebee out of the sky. Whenever that happened, there was lots of celebrating. Seeing the FFAR rockets had no guidance system, they were prone to go off in all directions as the fins opened, or failed to open. The Firebee was a mighty nice target, but hard to hit. Jim Too :  |
|
|
|
Post by LBer1568 on Jan 9, 2013 0:35:15 GMT 9
Down at Tyndall, the schoolhouse for Air to Air combat years before Top Gun and Red Flag, they had ground launch facilities between Rt 98 and gulf. They were on Mexico Beach side of base, away from normal aircraft activities. But they were exciting to watch being launched. They had a JATO bottle attached to underbelly. The JATO would blast them into air and drop off within first hundred feet or so. They reused the bottles. But it was unbelievable how fast they left the pad.
We also had a USAF Navy at Tyndall. The primary recovery vehicle was helocopters. The drone would release a chute and helo would snatch it and bring drone back for reuse. But the chute system failed about halt the time. So the ships would go out and divers would attach cable and use a crane device to bring them aboard.
The area they used for recovery was restricted water, so private boats couldn't enter. The fishing was great there. So we would go down with our fishing gear and bait and Captain would allow us to sign on as volunteer crews and go out with them. Well many times we did mostly fishing and little recovering.
The Tyndall Navy also had a fleet of boats provided by Drug enforcement agency. To keep Captains and crews current, GI's could rent the boats for fishing trips. The AF provided the crews, boat and fuel, they rented fishing gear, and sold bait. So for about $10 person you could get 4-6 hours of fishing. That was about 10% of cost in Panama City.
I was at Tyndall for one Willy Tell and they were using so many drones that the entire Navy was stationed near the recovery area.
|
|
|
|
Post by Mark O on Jan 9, 2013 3:41:13 GMT 9
|
|
|
|
Post by LBer1568 on Jan 9, 2013 3:45:51 GMT 9
robdebie.home.xs4all.nl/aqm34/dc130.htmMark, Thats the supersonic Firebee. Tyndall moved to these after supply of older fat one's diminished. These newer ones could also pull several G's in turns which older one couldn't. PS, they also used C-130's in PACAF to launch both types of Firebee's.
|
|
|
|
Post by Mark O on Jan 9, 2013 12:59:19 GMT 9
Mark, Thats the supersonic Firebee. Tyndall moved to these after supply of older fat one's diminished. These newer ones could also pull several G's in turns which older one couldn't. PS, they also used C-130's in PACAF to launch both types of Firebee's. Highly modified to a Mach .06 version!  I've seen 1/72, and 1/48 scale models of the DC-130 that came with four Firebees, and could be built in USAF, or USN versions. Italeri made the kits, and I think they were discontinued in the mid-80s. When they do show up on the market they sell pretty quickly, and are very difficult to find these days. Definitely on my want list! Here's an example that sold so you can see the box art. www.oldmodelkits.com/index.php?detail=6131&page=232A well-done build of the kit... www.aircraftresourcecenter.com/Gal5/4101-4200/gal4134_DC-130_Hevesi/00.shtm |
|
|
|
Firebee
Jan 13, 2013 18:25:32 GMT 9
Post by Diamondback on Jan 13, 2013 18:25:32 GMT 9
Mark, which scale? I have a buddy who runs a shop (Emil Minerich at Skyway Model Shop in Seattle, skywaymodel.com) and seem to recall having seen one on his shelf a while back. Being across state lines, maybe if he has it and would do business by phone, you could save the 10% sales tax that'd be added if I picked it up for you...
|
|
|
|
Post by LBer1568 on Jan 14, 2013 1:05:38 GMT 9
Firebee launch site at Tyndall, 4756 Drone Sq. They had several launch pads and a couple small lifting devices to place then on launcher rails. Notice the JATO Bottle under it. Swish and they were gone from view.
|
|
|
|
Post by Diamondback on Feb 5, 2013 12:12:21 GMT 9
|
|
resistor1
F-106 Qualified
Currently: Offline
Posts: 17
Location:
Joined: June 2011
|
Post by resistor1 on Feb 6, 2013 4:13:33 GMT 9
While at the 95th FIS Dover I remember the Dover Demon used at the open house displays. The kids would line up and get a ride up front in the Demon. Our Sq. also would put on a flying display with our F-106s. I think this was around 1966. Resistor1
|
|
