I got my gold wings in 1971 which means I flew the T2A, T2B and the T2C. I got a couple of hundred hours in the Buckeye. We were taught instruments, basic and radio instrument flying, formation flying, areal gunnery and care quals in the T2 then we transitioned into the TA-4J. Then I went to the FMF and flew the A4E, A4F and the T4M. Great flying! I still dream about it.
Cool !!! As an ADJ (jet engine mechanic) at Meridian in VT9 from 1971 to 1973, I'll guar-ron-tee we passed each other at some point. If you remember the T2A had a Westinghouse J34, T2B Pratt & Whitney J60s', and T2C General Electric J85s'. I still recall (I think) there were 19 things to disconnect before dropping an engine out of a T2B. Could do it by myself in only an hour. Great times for sure. The Navy was good to me. This Yankee is still married to a local gal from there. Take care brother. Go Navy!
Similar path Steve... just a dozen years later. T-28 (Pensacola) to T2 to Heinemann's HotRod and onto the Turkey. Still remember that first morning in Beeville starting Jet engines for the first time. Couldn't wait to call my dad (who was career Air Force). Hope you had a fine Veteran's Day yesterday, Sir.
Trained in these in the late 60’s, first the T-2A and T2-C at Meridian, Ms. then to Pensacola where we flew the T2-B for gunnery and to the boat for the first time. Fond memories of it all.
Thanks, in the”A”, single engine, we soloed and started aerobatics then to the “C”, new twin engine, where we started “under the bag”training and formation flying. On to Pensacola flying the “B” in gunnery and carrier quals. I then went to Beeville, Tex. for advanced training in the F-9 Cougar and after Naval Aviator designation off to Whidbey Island and the A6 Intruder. Like so many of us in those days, we were young college grads and had no flying experience but because of the greatest training in the world we were flying off the boat day and night in harms way and talking with our hands at the “club” when we pulled into port. As a matter of fact, I bet most of us in our 70’s still talk with our hands when talking about our experiences. Enough from an old man. Thanks again.
No worries, love hearing these stories! I didn't know the T-2 came in a single engine variant. I think all pilots talk with our hands, it's just what we do!!! I don't know how to tell flying stories without hands...lol. My old man was in pensacola around the same time as you, then to kingsville tx for F-9, then F-4J's in vf-114 off the Kitty Hawk for 2 tours with a stop at topgun in between. Ended up at vx-4 at pt. magu helping bring the f-14 into the fleet before getting out.
@@6ZeroAlpha Correct, I was referring to the flight school you flew with not flying them anymore. I looked at their website to try to book a flight for myself.
gotcha. yes - it never was a flight school for the T2 or any of the other warbirds he has. This is his private plane and he did a favor for me giving me the ride, the jet is "not for hire". The Navy takes care of their own - go check out our latest series "Mad Duck" to get more background on the "favor"
@@6ZeroAlpha Understood now. I was under the initial impression that it was a school offering type ratings for that plane and such, although that would be cool.
If I see another old guy in a flight suit wearing athletic shoes I’m going to puke! Do you not realize that you’re wearing a uniform of the armed services? Even if you didn’t earn the right to wear it at least wear it correctly and buy some freaking boots!
thanks for stopping by and watching scott, and your concern. As seen in the video, this was a complete surprise to me. Had I known what I was doing, I would have packed my logbook (to log the instruction time) and maybe my dad's flight suite, helmet, and boots from topgun, would that work for you? While I never served, many in family have, so needless to say sacrifice, honor, integrity, character and all "rights" that come with, including KIA are very well understood.
