I worked in a windowless mobile maintenance facility of NAS Bermuda for 3 years, next to the runway. Naval Air Station Bermuda was also an international airport and I heard every aircraft engine roar all day every day from L1011s to the Hercules VQ-4 flew and the P-3 Orions of our patrol squadrons. In those 3 years, there was only one bird with an engine scream that got me to open the fire exit door to investigate. I stepped out onto the tarmac and beheld the distinct silhouette of a Phantom rolling towards me. He was in town for the 1986 airshow and I will never forget his engine roar. It was unique. The Phantom was a very special bird.
CO of the Switches at the beginning. I controlled the Switchboxes and Rocks while an AIC onboard the Midway 1983-1985. He even took me on a Det to Poro Point to control during Cope Thunder. OSC(SW) Retired.
Cdr Taylor, CO of VF-151. Great guy who took me on two dets so I could control their aircraft from Poro Point during exercises out of Clark. Kinsfather was the JO LCPO who let me and another OS do morning radio shows. OSC(SW) Retired.
Oh yeah, I remember them LT A.E Colegrove and LT Greg Blankenship . I even have his signature on my sign off on tool control PO October 15 1984. Blankenship was the branch division officer.
Last time the A-7s launched from Midway also. Both the VF and VA squadrons on Midway were supposed to transition to the F/A-18. The A-7 squadrons (VA-56 and VA-93) were instead decommissioned.
This very aircraft is currently being restored by the extremely conscientious volunteers of the USS hornet air and space Museum. You can see her in progress at the museum in Alameda California. Currently in need of of the tail hook raising piston assembly, if anybody out there happens to have one!
I worked in a windowless mobile maintenance facility of NAS Bermuda for 3 years, next to the runway. Naval Air Station Bermuda was also an international airport and I heard every aircraft engine roar all day every day from L1011s to the Hercules VQ-4 flew and the P-3 Orions of our patrol squadrons. In those 3 years, there was only one bird with an engine scream that got me to open the fire exit door to investigate. I stepped out onto the tarmac and beheld the distinct silhouette of a Phantom rolling towards me. He was in town for the 1986 airshow and I will never forget his engine roar. It was unique. The Phantom was a very special bird.
End of an era. What an amazing aircraft !
The Phantom is the reason why younger jets wanted to be fighter jets
Great video. I was a AT-1/ATC in VF-151 from 4/75 to 4/78. The Midway was my most memorable command.
CO of the Switches at the beginning. I controlled the Switchboxes and Rocks while an AIC onboard the Midway 1983-1985. He even took me on a Det to Poro Point to control during Cope Thunder. OSC(SW) Retired.
And...I hosted a radio show after Chief Kinsfather asked me and another OS to do the morning show.
The end of an era!!
Cdr Taylor, CO of VF-151. Great guy who took me on two dets so I could control their aircraft from Poro Point during exercises out of Clark. Kinsfather was the JO LCPO who let me and another OS do morning radio shows. OSC(SW) Retired.
Wow I haven't seen Bud Taylor since 1972. He was an Lt. then and I was n AMH-3. Nice some old timers were there at the end.
The last Phantom trap on the Midway was a bolter. I watched from the LSO platform.
Oh yeah, I remember them LT A.E Colegrove and LT Greg Blankenship . I even have his signature on my sign off on tool control PO October 15 1984. Blankenship was the branch division officer.
My dad, he's 62 now he was the shooter at 0:18. Still think thats the coolest thing he ever did 😲
I believe the actual last cat shot of a Phantom was from the USS America, also in 1986 when the ship was conducting CQs.
Thanks 👍
Phantoms Forever!
The flying 🧱.
Last time the A-7s launched from Midway also. Both the VF and VA squadrons on Midway were supposed to transition to the F/A-18. The A-7 squadrons (VA-56 and VA-93) were instead decommissioned.
This very aircraft is currently being restored by the extremely conscientious volunteers of the USS hornet air and space Museum. You can see her in progress at the museum in Alameda California. Currently in need of of the tail hook raising piston assembly, if anybody out there happens to have one!
I was there 😁
Me too . MM1 at the time , over #1 Engineroom.
F-4S the largely forgotten old dog from even the Navy Reserves.