Having been in VF-142 when Jerry was aboard, I would like to tell you what I remember about this guy. I was an aviation fire control technician (worked on the Phantom radar system) and saw Jerry on a daily basis, either in maintenance control, the ready room or on the flight deck. before or after flights. This man was one of the best officers in the squadron, one of the best pilots (as evidenced by hiss Mig kill) and he was a true professional.. As a radar tech, I was more closely associated with the RIOs (back seaters) than I was the pilots, but Jerry was one of those guys that appreciated all of the folks that made the F4 go. He is an amazing person, and I am proud to have served in VF-142 with him. A HUGE Bravo Zulu from me to him! (Footnote: No one is more deserving of an extended stay in Scotland than Jerry Beaulier...I say that as a Campbell with relatives still in Scotland.)
Charlie Moore I never saw any of our Phantoms configured with 8 Sidewinders. It's true that Sparrows were not reliable and went ballistic on many occasions. VF-142 had no black pilots or RIOs during my time as a Ghostrider , but other squadrons did...Phantom squadrons as well as other types of aircraft.
Charlie, the Sidewinder was the better weapon, as it would track on a heat signature, day or night. The Sparrow relied on too many intangibles to be effective, or at least the Sparrows we had during the '60s and early '70s. during Vietnam. I can't comment on later versions of the Sparrow which came after my time.
I do have one question as on the JFK I heard some pilots calling the Mig Flogger the Phantom Flogger. around 75-76. In you opinion what Mig would you say retired the Phantom? or were you gone by then?
I just wanted say that I really enjoyed this interview. I was once a young sailor onboard the USS Independence, CV-62 back in 1974 and worked as an ABH striker and I enjoyed watching the F4J Phantom take off and land. All of the pilots were amazing but I loved the F4's followed by the A7E's. It was a wonderful life and I retired from the Navy and still enjoy aviation as much today as I did back then.
Great interview, Jerry! I flew as VF-143 Pukin' Dogs (RIO) in 1967/68 with legendary fighter pilot Mel Holmes. The 'Dogs' will be attending a memorial for Mel at MCAS Miramar on 14 May 21. Thank you for sharing these 'fond memories.' Your skipper 'Billy Goat Franklin' became my XO in the F-4 RAG at VF-101 NAS Key West after our combat cruise; and CO Capt. Roger Boh sent me to Top Gun in June 1970. Fond memories are forever. Shalom!
Wow! What an amazing guy! He's got a resume as long as the Empire State Building is tall. So many stories. I could listen to him for hours on end. Thank you for interviewing him. A true Pilot!
Jerry, thank you for your Bravery. Love the Phantom. I was a 10 yr. old boy in 1970 who was in awe of these jets that over my house during the Vietnam War. Grew up a mile from the south runway of the Quonset Naval Air Station in Rhode Island. Fly Navy..!
I was a member of VF - 142 from Feb. 1972 till my discharge Sept. of 1974 . Stationed at NAS Miramar Fighter town USA. Made a final WEST - PAC cruise on the USS ENTERPRISE BEFORE SHE WAS TRANSFORMED to fit the F - 14 Tomcat. .On Dec.28, 1972 LTJG Scott Davis and LTJG Jeff Ulrich shot down a MIG fighter. ENTERPRISE's First of the Vietnam war. then went on a Med cruise Jan '74 to Aug '74 before VF - 142 was changed to the F - 14 Tomcat. I was a Turd shirt as we were called aboard ship. The friends i made and the places I've been to was amazing . Who else can say they saw the world before they turned 21.
Hello Shipmate, I was a Ghostrider from Dec 73-Dec 76. I was in AT/AE shop. Have many memories of the 74 cruise. As you might know we moved to the east coast and are having a reunion shortly.
@@mstallion98 yeah when we got back from the Med cruise was told that the squadron was being decommissioned and changing from F - 4J Phantoms to F - 14 Tomcats. some friends were transferred to other squadrons at NAS Miramar. Dont know if you remember me. BOATS
Fascinating interview. I had the good fortune of being an aircrew in the back seat of the F4 when I was stationed at NAS North Island from 1965 to 1968. Worked on the test line in the (at the time) Overhaul and Repair facility at North Island. We overhauled F4’s and F8’s and other aircraft types. They would test fly the planes before being sent back to their squadrons so lots exciting flights. Really liked night flights, especially when there was a full moon to light up the night.
I suppose so, only because by nature they have to communicate and remember every single bit of detail of every op for debrief & intelligence purposes with military precision, and so ... There U hv it, the Perfect Speaker
So humble, no macho bravado but just down to earth getting a job done, never stop learning how to get it done better and then helping others to get better at getting their jobs done. Thank you Sir and thanks to Aircrew for the interview
Wow. What a career. Hard to believe he was able to squeeze so much in. He's a good candidate for follow up, in depth interviews on some of his experiences such as test pilot school. Thank you for letting these guys tell their stories.
Very enjoyable interview. Jerry and I were concurrent in 892 NAS. I never knew he had been on a culture course! Jerry’s coaching greatly helped one of our pilots get into ETPS. Great squadron character. BZ.
Jerry you are a legend mate. So good to hear air crews stories of life in aviation. These guys are real characters, so glad to get the chance to listen to them 😁
What an interesting man, you can tell he'd be an excellent test pilot, calm, cool and confident. What a an example for young people, a distinguished career and now he helps with building special wheelchairs, hats off to you sir. I know this was done some time ago Mike, but just want to say that you're interviewing style does you credit, just letting the interviewee talk with no interruptions, others can learn from this. Thanks.
Fantastic interview. History personified. I love interviews like this and so appreciate it. Thank you to both of you. I’ve found another favorite channel. Cheers.
Beautiful work, Thank you, Gents for your service.. and the great story told here!! Phantoms Phorever!! Can't imagine what it felt like straight out of Top Gun school and be able to put what you were taught into practice... textbook stuff!! Love it!! Cheers for the vid!!!
Good stuff once again. I remember watching F-4J's and S's taking off and landing at Kaneohe MCAS in Hawaii and also the F-4C's of the Oregon ANG in Portland. What a neat airplane and so cool to get the perspective of flying one directly from one who did. Thanks for these interviews.
The funny thing is that as common as Phantoms used to be in the US, I only ever saw them fly overhead TWICE, and I've lived in the Midwest US most of my life. I know they crisscrossed the area ALL the time. There are installations, many ANG/reserve bases all over the place. In Ohio alone, there used to be AT LEAST 3 ANG bases (Toledo, Newark, Rickenbacker ANG Base in Columbus) that had fighter wings. One guy I knew in high school, a real character, had a flight in an F-4 he said when he was in Boy Scouts. An Air Force F-4 most likely. Then again, I knew a junior high school science teacher who had a ride in an F-15 trainer (B or D-model at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base) and another guy who had a buddy in the Italian Air Force who snuck him a ride (allegedly) in a Tornado so civilians HAVE gotten rides in these things in the past. Just like I've run across people who claimed their sibling got into the torch of the Statue of Liberty! (I'm NOT that naive guys, so yeah, I know there's a possibility my leg WAS being pulled by at least one of these guys but I can vouch for the honesty of at least two of these people -- the science teacher and the Tornado joyrider.) One time, a formation of F-4s (6-8?) flew overhead of my high school during graduation ceremonies in 1987. I'm thinking they were Air Force Reserves or ANG (Ohio fighter wing). They probably flew overhead because one of the guys in the graduating class that year had been accepted into the Air Force Academy. The second time I saw the F-4, I watched a pair of RF-4C's fly over during the Dayton Air Show in 1990. They were probably the noisiest pair of fighters that flew overhead. They basically made one pass and that was it. At the same show, I saw a solo F-16 demo, the Blue Angels (all F-18As at the time), and an F-14B solo demo. I can remember being really impressed by the F-14B (with the F110 engine) and its maneuverability, the total control its aircrew had close to the ground. The F-16 DID accelerate faster but it also disappeared into the sky more often and my general impression was that "air show" speed was not its forte. The Blue Angels also impressed me by how close they flew to the ground AND by how slow they appeared to fly at times. I saw the Angels two more times when I lived in Chicago. What we didn't know then was that next year was the combat finale (Gulf War I) for the F-4 Phantom in US service. By 1992 (was it?), the bulk of the non-Wild Weasel models of the F-4 would be retired in US service. We talk about the retirement of the American F-4 recently but that was the QF-4 drone version ( end of 2016). Active duty/frontline planes, F-4Gs, retired in USAF/ANG service in 1996. There are a very limited number of operational F-4s in service now. Probably less than 200 in 5 (6?) air forces around the world now as we approach the 60th anniversary of the flight of the very first F-4 Phantom II -- May 27, 1958.
Great Interview as always mate. You do an amazing job of finding great characters to interview and this guy seems to be a really humble genuine man. Was really interesting to hear about his time with US and British Navy's, you could probably do a whole podcast just on his carrier experiences! Excellent stuff thanks for all your efforts.
The brilliance of the F4 is in part due to the people who flew them, worked on them and pushed them to their limits not just in performance but in the roles they could operate. A classic aircraft and a testament to human ingenuity.
Awesome interview with a truly awesome gentleman. Could listen to him every day of the week and twice on Sunday! One question I would like to ask Mr. Beaulier is wasn't he ever interested in flying in the F14 Tomcat and the EE Lightning?
Now that we heard a first person account of air to air combat, think we need a first hand account of a SAM engagement. Wonder if you could interview any Wild Weasel pilots. Or maybe one of the guys from the insane Package Q strike during Gulf War I.
What an interview! He reminds me a lot of my dad who flew for the Marines, first A4’s off the Lexington and then OV10’s. My favorite story of his was about the time he scored a “kill” on a Navy F18 during an exercise while flying the OV10!
This is Jim Powell speaking. Just to add a note. From 1967-1969 I was in VF-154, the Black Knights. This officer was in VF-21 which was our sister squadron aboard USS Ranger. I was an AQ, which was a fire control technician, I worked on radar systems in the F4 Phantom. I was involved in the learning of the first AWG-10 radar system.
Why can't we get individuals like this man to serve as POTUS? Smart, sensible, a true leader. I don't care whether he ran as Rep or Dem, he would put the welfare of the country first. As a nation, we need to figure out how to do this.
You can tell he is a gentleman Thank you for your service Jerry 👍 Yet, so very interesting that he is also retired in U.K. like retired USAF Colonel F-4 and A-10 driver Steve Ladd, interviewed in this program which I watched yesterday.
The F-4 was the cutting edge, state of the art fighter aircraft then. They were still in service when I was stationed at NAS JAX FLA '73>'77. U.S. NAVY veteran PO3
I highly recommend the book "Scream of Eagles" which details the creation of top Gun. The problem was the Navy essentially forgot or rejected everything they learned about dog fighting the Zero in WW2. In Korea, the Navy did very little dog fighting due to its Air/Ground focus. After that, the so called engineer whiz kids decided that dog fighting was outmoded due to the introduction of air to air missiles. So no one was trained to dog fight except the few f-8 drivers. That is why the kill ratio dropped to actually 2:1 in Vietnam, before top gun.
The F8 pilot's dogfight training was unoffical and the guys who were good at BFM didn't exactly share the knowlege, so TG was a way of institutionalizing the knowledge. Also, the book states that maintainance and handling were the main reasons the Sparrow was so unreliable.
Mike, another sterling interview and a fantastic account of an amazing career!!! How many types in his log book - sixty-how many !!! All but 3 of the F4 types flown....and he's flown from Leuchars, even little ole me has done that :-)
Thanks once again, Ian! I know a crazy amount of types and some of my favourite aircraft. Well that’s one up from me as I haven’t done anything like that.
In the late 70's I spent lots of time on Torry Pines and one evening an F-4 was leaving Miramar, full afterburners, and immediately the pilot shut the jet down and turned around. Looking up I saw something falling as it came spinning and crashed about 200 yards from me. It was the cockpit enclosure. I wonder if Jerry remembers the incident.
Wow the F3 ! I would haver never guessed that lol I like the F3 too, saw it many of times at RAF Leeming as an air cadet, I used to love the reverser bucket sound as it landed lol
Aircrew Interview yeah me too, the likes of F-14 the F1-11 etc, I absolutely love the FGR2 and SR71 and the EE Lighting and F14 , they just amaze me. TSR2 is always an amazing aircraft too but sadly not to be.
My first flight was a Cesna 150 in 1968 at 11 years old.... My mom's friend took me up and showed me the controls, how they worked and what they did, and then he took his hands off the yoke and said fly it..... He neglected to tell me that he had it trimmed for straight & level, so I grabbed the yoke to hold it still like a cat in a room full of rocking chairs....😱 He talked me through a few turns and changes of altitude and heading changes.... The first turn was to the right, and I gave it right rudder and slid it around to the right to the new heading he gave..... Then he told me come left to xxx course but to bank it like he had shown me..... I thought to myself, ok this is where I get even for the stalls and stuff and his little joke on handing off the bird by surprise❗😜❗ So after checking my airspace I turned the yoke 90°left with about 2 or 3 inches back and a little left rudder and did a wing over to level out about 500 feet low on the heading he had given me 90° to the left and looked at him and said, like that❓😎❓ He laughed and said, "I was just waiting to see what you'd do if you put it into a spin. I told him, "easy, let go of the yoke, you said it was trimmed to come back to straight and level on it's own"....😜 The next 15 minutes were spent on spin recovery, because not all planes have that...😎 All an all it was quite a day for an 11 year old❗😜❗
The photo shown was of a T-34 Turno Mentor, Mr Beaulier was certainly referring to the piston engined powered version. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beechcraft_T-34_Mentor. Great video series, Thank you.
Love these vids I build mostly 1/48 scale jet aircraft and I try to build jets that have Had a air to air kill or something exciting in their career and these videos help me choose what I build. 👍🏼🤠🇨🇦 I seen another interview from a f4 Phantom pilot that use the topgun hit the brakes maneuver and it worked out for him.
Fantastic interview, another nice chap, im guessing ypur favourite aircraft is possibly the Phantom Mike ? It certainly is mine lol top stuff Mike, hugely appreciated these interviews, very unique ! :)
Fascinating gentleman, great interview again. And yes, how did he end up in St Andrews? Did he like it so much after being stationed at Leuchars with 892?
Having been in VF-142 when Jerry was aboard, I would like to tell you what I remember about this guy. I was an aviation fire control technician (worked on the Phantom radar system) and saw Jerry on a daily basis, either in maintenance control, the ready room or on the flight deck. before or after flights. This man was one of the best officers in the squadron, one of the best pilots (as evidenced by hiss Mig kill) and he was a true professional.. As a radar tech, I was more closely associated with the RIOs (back seaters) than I was the pilots, but Jerry was one of those guys that appreciated all of the folks that made the F4 go. He is an amazing person, and I am proud to have served in VF-142 with him. A HUGE Bravo Zulu from me to him! (Footnote: No one is more deserving of an extended stay in Scotland than Jerry Beaulier...I say that as a Campbell with relatives still in Scotland.)
Charlie Moore I never saw any of our Phantoms configured with 8 Sidewinders. It's true that Sparrows were not reliable and went ballistic on many occasions. VF-142 had no black pilots or RIOs during my time as a Ghostrider , but other squadrons did...Phantom squadrons as well as other types of aircraft.
Charlie, the Sidewinder was the better weapon, as it would track on a heat signature, day or night. The Sparrow relied on too many intangibles to be effective, or at least the Sparrows we had during the '60s and early '70s. during Vietnam. I can't comment on later versions of the Sparrow which came after my time.
I do have one question as on the JFK I heard some pilots calling the Mig Flogger the Phantom Flogger. around 75-76. In you opinion what Mig would you say retired the Phantom? or were you gone by then?
Nice words
Former enlisted make the best officers!
I just wanted say that I really enjoyed this interview. I was once a young sailor onboard the USS Independence, CV-62 back in 1974 and worked as an ABH striker and I enjoyed watching the F4J Phantom take off and land. All of the pilots were amazing but I loved the F4's followed by the A7E's. It was a wonderful life and I retired from the Navy and still enjoy aviation as much today as I did back then.
Great to hear you enjoyed and thanks for sharing.
Great interview, Jerry! I flew as VF-143 Pukin' Dogs (RIO) in 1967/68 with legendary fighter pilot Mel Holmes. The 'Dogs' will be attending a memorial for Mel at MCAS Miramar on 14 May 21. Thank you for sharing these 'fond memories.' Your skipper 'Billy Goat Franklin' became my XO in the F-4 RAG at VF-101 NAS Key West after our combat cruise; and CO Capt. Roger Boh sent me to Top Gun in June 1970. Fond memories are forever. Shalom!
Wow! What an amazing guy! He's got a resume as long as the Empire State Building is tall. So many stories. I could listen to him for hours on end.
Thank you for interviewing him. A true Pilot!
Jerry, thank you for your Bravery. Love the Phantom. I was a 10 yr. old boy in 1970 who was in awe of these jets that over my house during the Vietnam War. Grew up a mile from the south runway of the Quonset Naval Air Station in Rhode Island. Fly Navy..!
And Marines
I was a member of VF - 142 from Feb. 1972 till my discharge Sept. of 1974 . Stationed at NAS Miramar Fighter town USA. Made a final WEST - PAC cruise on the USS ENTERPRISE BEFORE SHE WAS TRANSFORMED to fit the F - 14 Tomcat. .On Dec.28, 1972 LTJG Scott Davis and LTJG Jeff Ulrich shot down a MIG fighter. ENTERPRISE's First of the Vietnam war. then went on a Med cruise Jan '74 to Aug '74 before VF - 142 was changed to the F - 14 Tomcat. I was a Turd shirt as we were called aboard ship. The friends i made and the places I've been to was amazing . Who else can say they saw the world before they turned 21.
Hello Shipmate, I was a Ghostrider from Dec 73-Dec 76. I was in AT/AE shop. Have many memories of the 74 cruise. As you might know we moved to the east coast and are having a reunion shortly.
@@mstallion98 yeah when we got back from the Med cruise was told that the squadron was being decommissioned and changing from F - 4J Phantoms to F - 14 Tomcats. some friends were transferred to other squadrons at NAS Miramar. Dont know if you remember me. BOATS
@@mstallion98 you are the first contact i've had with the squadron since i've been out
Fascinating interview. I had the good fortune of being an aircrew in the back seat of the F4 when I was stationed at NAS North Island from 1965 to 1968. Worked on the test line in the (at the time) Overhaul and Repair facility at North Island. We overhauled F4’s and F8’s and other aircraft types. They would test fly the planes before being sent back to their squadrons so lots exciting flights. Really liked night flights, especially when there was a full moon to light up the night.
Is every fighter pilot a perfect speaker and story teller. They are all so engaged and informative about everything
Swaglife 81 they don’t let idiots fly military fighter jets
I suppose so, only because by nature they have to communicate and remember every single bit of detail of every op for debrief & intelligence purposes with military precision, and so ... There U hv it, the Perfect Speaker
So humble, no macho bravado but just down to earth getting a job done, never stop learning how to get it done better and then helping others to get better at getting their jobs done. Thank you Sir and thanks to Aircrew for the interview
Men like that are what we are missing in leadership of our nation, been there done that and no bluster. Calm confidence.
Yes I agree his demeanor comes across that way
I agree
Great vid, great guy. You could be anywhere in America or anywhere on the planet and have a fab time having a beer with this guy.
He looks so much like Alec Guiness I heard an English accent for a sec.
Excellent interview with a very accomplished, yet humble, naval aviator. Bravo.
I would have loved to have heard more of his journey from an enlisted sailor to becoming a Naval Aviator.
What a nice story....
How about that trainer that couldn't take all the power and might slip...it reminds me of my homemade go-cart...
Perfect first hand info.
Could watch these all day.
Wow. What a career. Hard to believe he was able to squeeze so much in. He's a good candidate for follow up, in depth interviews on some of his experiences such as test pilot school. Thank you for letting these guys tell their stories.
Very enjoyable interview. Jerry and I were concurrent in 892 NAS. I never knew he had been on a culture course! Jerry’s coaching greatly helped one of our pilots get into ETPS. Great squadron character. BZ.
Wish I had more time with him as he had some great stories to share much like yourself. . Glad you enjoyed it, Chris.
Jerry you are a legend mate. So good to hear air crews stories of life in aviation. These guys are real characters, so glad to get the chance to listen to them 😁
How cool, the first kill in real life following the introduction of TopGun. Looking forward to seeing the F-4 in DCS.
What a wonderful conversation with an articulate and well informed raconteur.
Omg !!! Imagine what they have done, what they know and what they saw ... Enjoyed every second, thank you sir.
What a great bloke. loved seeing the excitement in his face talking about his beach wheelchair venture.
What an interesting man, you can tell he'd be an excellent test pilot, calm, cool and confident. What a an example for young people, a distinguished career and now he helps with building special wheelchairs, hats off to you sir.
I know this was done some time ago Mike, but just want to say that you're interviewing style does you credit, just letting the interviewee talk with no interruptions, others can learn from this. Thanks.
What an unassuming interesting man with fantastic stories about a great career
Fantastic interview. History personified. I love interviews like this and so appreciate it. Thank you to both of you. I’ve found another favorite channel. Cheers.
Beautiful work, Thank you, Gents for your service.. and the great story told here!! Phantoms Phorever!! Can't imagine what it felt like straight out of Top Gun school and be able to put what you were taught into practice... textbook stuff!! Love it!! Cheers for the vid!!!
Glad you enjoyed it, Steve :)
Good stuff once again. I remember watching F-4J's and S's taking off and landing at Kaneohe MCAS in Hawaii and also the F-4C's of the Oregon ANG in Portland. What a neat airplane and so cool to get the perspective of flying one directly from one who did. Thanks for these interviews.
The funny thing is that as common as Phantoms used to be in the US, I only ever saw them fly overhead TWICE, and I've lived in the Midwest US most of my life. I know they crisscrossed the area ALL the time. There are installations, many ANG/reserve bases all over the place. In Ohio alone, there used to be AT LEAST 3 ANG bases (Toledo, Newark, Rickenbacker ANG Base in Columbus) that had fighter wings. One guy I knew in high school, a real character, had a flight in an F-4 he said when he was in Boy Scouts. An Air Force F-4 most likely. Then again, I knew a junior high school science teacher who had a ride in an F-15 trainer (B or D-model at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base) and another guy who had a buddy in the Italian Air Force who snuck him a ride (allegedly) in a Tornado so civilians HAVE gotten rides in these things in the past. Just like I've run across people who claimed their sibling got into the torch of the Statue of Liberty!
(I'm NOT that naive guys, so yeah, I know there's a possibility my leg WAS being pulled by at least one of these guys but I can vouch for the honesty of at least two of these people -- the science teacher and the Tornado joyrider.)
One time, a formation of F-4s (6-8?) flew overhead of my high school during graduation ceremonies in 1987. I'm thinking they were Air Force Reserves or ANG (Ohio fighter wing). They probably flew overhead because one of the guys in the graduating class that year had been accepted into the Air Force Academy.
The second time I saw the F-4, I watched a pair of RF-4C's fly over during the Dayton Air Show in 1990. They were probably the noisiest pair of fighters that flew overhead. They basically made one pass and that was it. At the same show, I saw a solo F-16 demo, the Blue Angels (all F-18As at the time), and an F-14B solo demo. I can remember being really impressed by the F-14B (with the F110 engine) and its maneuverability, the total control its aircrew had close to the ground. The F-16 DID accelerate faster but it also disappeared into the sky more often and my general impression was that "air show" speed was not its forte. The Blue Angels also impressed me by how close they flew to the ground AND by how slow they appeared to fly at times. I saw the Angels two more times when I lived in Chicago.
What we didn't know then was that next year was the combat finale (Gulf War I) for the F-4 Phantom in US service. By 1992 (was it?), the bulk of the non-Wild Weasel models of the F-4 would be retired in US service. We talk about the retirement of the American F-4 recently but that was the QF-4 drone version ( end of 2016). Active duty/frontline planes, F-4Gs, retired in USAF/ANG service in 1996.
There are a very limited number of operational F-4s in service now. Probably less than 200 in 5 (6?) air forces around the world now as we approach the 60th anniversary of the flight of the very first F-4 Phantom II -- May 27, 1958.
Glad you enjoyed it, Dan.
This is the second time that I've watched this video. It's one of my favorites, perhaps my favorite.
Great Interview as always mate. You do an amazing job of finding great characters to interview and this guy seems to be a really humble genuine man. Was really interesting to hear about his time with US and British Navy's, you could probably do a whole podcast just on his carrier experiences! Excellent stuff thanks for all your efforts.
Heck of a good interview. Mr. Beaulier seems like a great guy - cool, calm, collected. Very enjoyable Thank you.
Beautifully conducted interview. Every bit of this was fascinating and marvelous. As the son-in-law of an F4 tailhooker, I thank you both.
The brilliance of the F4 is in part due to the people who flew them, worked on them and pushed them to their limits not just in performance but in the roles they could operate. A classic aircraft and a testament to human ingenuity.
Outstanding video and guest!
Great interview! Really interesting and informative. Thanks for sharing your stories Jerry!!!
Stephan Greenway Cheers.
Awesome interview with a truly awesome gentleman. Could listen to him every day of the week and twice on Sunday! One question I would like to ask Mr. Beaulier is wasn't he ever interested in flying in the F14 Tomcat and the EE Lightning?
VF-154 vet here, just a plane captain, but still proud to be a part of the Phantom's journey
Now that we heard a first person account of air to air combat, think we need a first hand account of a SAM engagement. Wonder if you could interview any Wild Weasel pilots. Or maybe one of the guys from the insane Package Q strike during Gulf War I.
I totally agree. I am currently looking into it.
Fantastic interview.
Thank you very much for this interview. Great person sharing great stories.
You’re very welcome.
Another fantastic interview! What a gent!
Thanks!
What an interview! He reminds me a lot of my dad who flew for the Marines, first A4’s off the Lexington and then OV10’s. My favorite story of his was about the time he scored a “kill” on a Navy F18 during an exercise while flying the OV10!
Wonderful interview. Absolutely fascinating 🌟
Great interview. Thanks to you both 👍👍
Thanks Gordon.
What a interesting life told by a one intelligent gentleman thankyou for posting...A phantom admirer..
This is Jim Powell speaking. Just to add a note. From 1967-1969 I was in VF-154, the Black Knights. This officer was in VF-21 which was our sister squadron aboard USS Ranger. I was an AQ, which was a fire control technician, I worked on radar systems in the F4 Phantom. I was involved in the learning of the first AWG-10 radar system.
Was looking forward to this one, already a good watch, good effort
Cheers
Incredible
Why can't we get individuals like this man to serve as POTUS? Smart, sensible, a true leader. I don't care whether he ran as Rep or Dem, he would put the welfare of the country first. As a nation, we need to figure out how to do this.
When you are smelting metals, the precious metal goes to the bottom and the shit floats to the top
Because honor has to be left at the gate when you enter DC government.
Nice work
Very interesting and extremely informative...
Thanks for sharing
What a fascinating story... amazing man.
You can tell he is a gentleman
Thank you for your service Jerry 👍 Yet, so very interesting that he is also retired in U.K. like retired USAF Colonel F-4 and A-10 driver Steve Ladd, interviewed in this program which I watched yesterday.
Fantastic interview, bright insight in flying. Well done!
Thanks very much.
Thank you for doing this interview. Amazing.
Bloody fantastic interview
Cheers Paul.
Excellent interview, many thanks!
Cheers.
Another great interview
Thanks Tim.
Two hundred and twenty one combat missions!
Amazing.
excellent
Absolutely brilliant interview, thank you so much for sharing this
Thank you, Eric.
Good interview. The old Nam jocks are the best to hear from.
Excellent interview!
Keith Stewart thanks :)
Thanks!!!
Very nice interview with a great man, should have ask how he ended up in Scotland
I believe he just stayed from his time at Leuchars. He now runs a B&B.
Tour at RAF Leuchars, Fife, Scotland then met his future wife - the rest is history
Thank You.
Thank you Sir. You are a cool man!!
Excellent, really great interview.
Thank you.
The F-4 was the cutting edge, state of the art fighter aircraft then. They were still in service when I was stationed at NAS JAX FLA '73>'77. U.S. NAVY veteran PO3
Nice interview. Pretty cool story!
Thanks.
I highly recommend the book "Scream of Eagles" which details the creation of top Gun. The problem was the Navy essentially forgot or rejected everything they learned about dog fighting the Zero in WW2. In Korea, the Navy did very little dog fighting due to its Air/Ground focus. After that, the so called engineer whiz kids decided that dog fighting was outmoded due to the introduction of air to air missiles. So no one was trained to dog fight except the few f-8 drivers. That is why the kill ratio dropped to actually 2:1 in Vietnam, before top gun.
The F8 pilot's dogfight training was unoffical and the guys who were good at BFM didn't exactly share the knowlege, so TG was a way of institutionalizing the knowledge. Also, the book states that maintainance and handling were the main reasons the Sparrow was so unreliable.
One lesson is you can never trust the whiz kids
17:34 he means the E-2. The C-2 was the carrier cargo plane
Mike, another sterling interview and a fantastic account of an amazing career!!! How many types in his log book - sixty-how many !!! All but 3 of the F4 types flown....and he's flown from Leuchars, even little ole me has done that :-)
Thanks once again, Ian! I know a crazy amount of types and some of my favourite aircraft. Well that’s one up from me as I haven’t done anything like that.
Love it nice work !!
Cheers
Great interview!
Thanks Mike.
Great video Mike with a super pilot,thanks
Thanks Simon.
These are fantastic. Keep it up!
Thanks Pete.
Fascinating
Another cracking interview Mike ! 👍
Thanks again.
In the late 70's I spent lots of time on Torry Pines and one evening an F-4 was leaving Miramar, full afterburners, and immediately the pilot shut the jet down and turned around. Looking up I saw something falling as it came spinning and crashed about 200 yards from me. It was the cockpit enclosure. I wonder if Jerry remembers the incident.
Wow the F3 ! I would haver never guessed that lol I like the F3 too, saw it many of times at RAF Leeming as an air cadet, I used to love the reverser bucket sound as it landed lol
I am a fan of variable geometry winged aircraft in general! That is a great noise.
Aircrew Interview yeah me too, the likes of F-14 the F1-11 etc, I absolutely love the FGR2 and SR71 and the EE Lighting and F14 , they just amaze me. TSR2 is always an amazing aircraft too but sadly not to be.
Very good one!
Interesting as usual....thanks Mike
Thanks David.
My first flight was a Cesna 150 in 1968 at 11 years old....
My mom's friend took me up and showed me the controls, how they worked and what they did, and then he took his hands off the yoke and said fly it.....
He neglected to tell me that he had it trimmed for straight & level, so I grabbed the yoke to hold it still like a cat in a room full of rocking chairs....😱
He talked me through a few turns and changes of altitude and heading changes....
The first turn was to the right, and I gave it right rudder and slid it around to the right to the new heading he gave.....
Then he told me come left to xxx course but to bank it like he had shown me.....
I thought to myself, ok this is where I get even for the stalls and stuff and his little joke on handing off the bird by surprise❗😜❗
So after checking my airspace I turned the yoke 90°left with about 2 or 3 inches back and a little left rudder and did a wing over to level out about 500 feet low on the heading he had given me 90° to the left and looked at him and said, like that❓😎❓
He laughed and said, "I was just waiting to see what you'd do if you put it into a spin.
I told him, "easy, let go of the yoke, you said it was trimmed to come back to straight and level on it's own"....😜
The next 15 minutes were spent on spin recovery, because not all planes have that...😎
All an all it was quite a day for an 11 year old❗😜❗
What a gent of a man👏🏻
Fantastic! It went by way too fast though. Very, very interesting stories! I loved every minute of it.
Awesome! Cheers Dustin.
Excellent
Thank you.
The photo shown was of a T-34 Turno Mentor, Mr Beaulier was certainly referring to the piston engined powered version. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beechcraft_T-34_Mentor. Great video series, Thank you.
Ah my mistake. I will now know for next time, thanks.
The C-1 LEX COD is now at the Champaign Aviation Museum in Urbana, Ohio. Wondering if the same aircraft he rode in.
Awesome Interview!! would love to see you get on an active duty F-15E or F-15C pilot from Lakenheath sometime if possible.
Thanks. I would love to but I believe it is very difficult to get on base. It won’t stop me trying tho!
How did you like the F106 and Crusader and how do you stack them up against the Phantom?
Yankee Station CV-64 Veteran here, SEMPER FIDELIS.
Love these vids I build mostly 1/48 scale jet aircraft and I try to build jets that have Had a air to air kill or something exciting in their career and these videos help me choose what I build. 👍🏼🤠🇨🇦 I seen another interview from a f4 Phantom pilot that use the topgun hit the brakes maneuver and it worked out for him.
I believe that was one of our interviews with Roy Macintyre;)
The OV10 and the Phantom F-4 always looked great.
OMG! Thank you so much for interviewing this legend. Any chance of getting your hands on the cockpit audio of that dogfight?😏
You’re very welcome. I wish, that would have been brilliant to have!
This is incredible!
Very interesting interview . Thanks to both for an enjoyable hour.
Cheers Brian.
What a nice guy very entertaining
Were there ever enlisted RIOs in the F4 or F14?
Great story. Well done'
Thanks Angel.
Fantastic interview, another nice chap, im guessing ypur favourite aircraft is possibly the Phantom Mike ? It certainly is mine lol top stuff Mike, hugely appreciated these interviews, very unique ! :)
Cheers Mike. Ha well it’s in my top ten but my favourite aircraft is the Tornado F3! I often get slated for that!
another great video.
Fascinating gentleman, great interview again. And yes, how did he end up in St Andrews? Did he like it so much after being stationed at Leuchars with 892?
Thanks Peter. Pretty much, he regally enjoys the area and also the people.