Taking Fire During OV-10A Combat Sortie - Russ Rickard - Vietnam, 16 Nov 1969

Подписаться 96

Просмотров 61 тыс.

0% 0

From July 1969 to July 1970, my Dad, Lt. Col Russel H Rickard flew the OV-10A as a Forward Air Controller in the Vietnam War. During his time there, he flew 366 combat sorties and logged 529 total hours in combat, 510.2 in the OV-10A. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his efforts during a mission on September 5, 1969.
Fortunately, because of my Dad’s memory recall and the detailed documents, logs, and diaries he kept, I have been able to gather many details about events he participated in. This video is about one such event.
On November 16, 1969, my Dad was flying OV-10A aircraft # 68-03787 and had engaged the enemy on a combat sortie near the Cambodia - Vietnam border when his aircraft was hit in both wings by .30 cal ground fire. Despite the damage, he was able to safely return to his home base at Cu Chi, South Vietnam. While researching his personal records, I found additional details about the event and then searched the internet for information about the specific aircraft he was flying that day. I couldn’t believe it when my search revealed that same aircraft now resides in the National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton, Ohio!
This video features Russ Rickard telling the story of the events that day. When I filmed the interview, neither my Dad nor I had any idea that he had flown an OV-10A that currently resides in the museum. According to his flight records, he flew 30 of his 366 combat sorties in OV-10A aircraft # 68-03787.
Thank you Dad for your service, dedication, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment to keep us free and safe.
- Dave Rickard

Опубликовано:

5 сен 2024

Ссылка:

Скачать:

Готовим ссылку...

Добавить в:

Мой плейлист

Посмотреть позже

Комментарии : 125

@danhirtle7825 11 месяцев назад

I know a guy who was an SOF guy in Vietnam who did dozens of covert missions behind enemy lines. He said the most intense insertion by far involved the OV-10. Three special ops guys would stack themselves, chutes and gear in the rear compartment of the aircraft. They would take off at night, fly at treetop level, pitch black in the cramped compartment. A red light would signal they were near the drop zone and a few seconds later the pilot would pull up into a near vertical climb to about 600 ft then open the compartment at which point the soldiers would exit the plane and the trajectory would carry them another 150 ft or so where they popped their chutes, turned on night vision equipment and settled into the jungle. Meanwhile the pilot would dive back to treetop level and make his way back to base. Those guys have balls of steel.

@dlrick76 11 месяцев назад

Hi Dan. That is an awesome story. The OV-10 was an amazing aircraft and designed perfectly for the role it played. I completely agree that it took special kind of heroes to do what they did in the service of our country. We owe those folks so much!

@desertengineer1 2 месяца назад

I remember this bird fondly. We honored her with a fresh coat of paint, and got to sign one of the inside panels before she was flown from Shaw to Dayton on her last journey in 1991, maybe early 1992. The 507th TACW, 20th TASS would be her last mission.

@stingginner1012 2 года назад

I was in the 20th TASS, (1970/1971), Instrument/Radio shop, (Call Sign Parrot North), and remember OV-10 68-03787. It had a number of bullet hole patches. I had never heard how the holes in the wings were received. One fantastic story. The OV-10 holds a special place in my heart. It was the first aircraft I worked on after Tech School. It was at Danang, a "Red Ball" on the Squadron Commander's aircraft and he was responding to a "Prairie Fire" mission. It took a special type of man to fly the OV-10 on O-2 in the forward air control mission and the ground FACs with their M148 jeeps.

@dlrick76 2 года назад

Thank you for taking the time to comment. I will share what you wrote with my Dad. He really loves hearing comments like yours. What a small world that you worked on OV-10 68-03787! Thanks again and thank you for your service!!!

@clintcannon1902 2 года назад

Had a childhood neighbor that flew an OV-10 in Vietnam. I was too young to get a real war story out of him, but he gave me my first "physics of flight" lesson at the age of about ten. Thanks Mr Loyet!

@dlrick76 2 года назад

Thanks for your comment.

@clintcannon1902 2 года назад

@@dlrick76 My pleasure. That guy made me a lifelong plan buff. I'm glass to hear there's still a few Broncos in service.

@travisbraswell2871 2 года назад

I have the pleasure of Knowing and helping this wonderful man! He's full of knowledge and I soak it up! He's family is wonderful as well.

@dlrick76 2 года назад

Thank you Travis for watching the video, for taking the time to comment, and for your very kind words.

@travisbraswell2871 2 года назад

@@dlrick76 you're very welcome!

@michaelmarks8954 2 года назад

VAL-4 (DET Binh Thuy) was my first squadron and the OV-10 was my all time favorite airframe out of over a 1/2 dozen I worked on.

@dlrick76 2 года назад

Thanks for the comment and thank you for your service!

@roymills415 2 года назад

Absolute Bad Ass! Thanks to your father and your family for his dedicated service. He’s a Warrior. I can’t imagine the fear when a dedicated OV-10 pilot was coming at you.

@dlrick76 2 года назад

Thank you Roy for your comments. I really appreciate what you wrote and that you took the time to watch the video and comment on it. I will share your comments with my Dad. I know he too will greatly appreciate them!

@roymills415 2 года назад

@@dlrick76 No problem, retired Air Force MSGt here. I’m building a RC AV10 and came across your video doing research. The stories were super interesting. I try to emulate how the true scale plane flew so you can tell Dad I’ll be copying his straffing runs!

@dlrick76 2 года назад

You bet I’ll tell him Roy. He’ll get a real kick out of that. I’d love to see some pictures of your RC OV-10 some time. Good luck with your awesome project. …And thank you for your service!

@allgood6760 2 года назад

Thanks and salute.. we had Kiwi FAC pilots flying these planes in Vietnam.. thanks from NZ 👍🇳🇿

@dlrick76 2 года назад

Thanks for commenting... and a special thanks to all the Kiwis for being such great allies!

@GolfHack86 2 месяца назад

My grandfather also flew the OV-10 Broncos in Vietnam. He was FAC-A assigned to the 1st CAV in 1969. I used to listen to him tell him stories about his missions. He used to fly low between 1500-2000' and mark targets for heavy bombers. Some wild stuff.

@dlrick76 2 месяца назад

Thanks for watching and commenting on the video. Do you know where your grandfather was stationed in Vietnam? Was it Thay Ninh? Your Grandfather deserves a huge thank you for his service!

@omstennis9198 2 года назад

Thank you for your services sir, I served in Cu Chi too 1968-1970, the 25th Infantry

@dlrick76 2 года назад

Hi. My Dad was in the Air Force, but was assigned to the 25th Infantry Division as a Forward Air Controller at Cu Chi in 1969. I will share your comment with him. Thanks for your comment and thank you for your service!

@kimmer6 11 месяцев назад

CalFire operated OV-10 fire spotter aircraft. I was tired, wanted to get home. After seeing the OV-10 flying around the smoke column, I pulled off the road and watched and listened to him. Sheer joy watching him. I went out later and bought a 1/48 scale Bronco and built it the next day. I would love to own one.

@dlrick76 11 месяцев назад

Thanks for watching the video and for your comments. I hope your dream of owning one comes true some day!

@kimmer6 11 месяцев назад

@@dlrick76 Hahaha! Thanks, but at age 70, I will have better luck finding a billionaire porn star 20 year old girlfriend!

@dlrick76 11 месяцев назад

I'm still laughing at your reply!@@kimmer6

@DeathBlossom867 Год назад

Thanks so much for sharing this. I love his "Heh, stupid." I know a lot of us have had that moment after we took a little unnecessary risk in a moment of soldierly enthusiasm and had it go a little sideways. Thanks to your dad for his service and thanks for putting a face to this bit of history.

@dlrick76 Год назад

Thanks for commenting on the video. Your words are very well said! I took my Dad to the Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton, Ohio on October 1, 2022 to see the OV-10 he was flying on the mission he talks about in the video. It was a once in a lifetime moment to see him reunited with the airplane for the first time since that mission in 1969. We even found the original (and still intact) patches that were applied to cover the bullet holes in the wing. I will be sure to share your comments with my Dad! Thanks again for taking the time to comment.

@danzahner4857 2 года назад

Thanks for the video. In 69-70 I was one of the controllers at Dau Tieng. I have my own OV10 story which goes like this: Our CO asked me if I would be interested if filling the back seat on a OV10 mission. Absolutely! I was scheduled for a p.m. flight and an LT was scheduled for an a.m. flight. At some point, the LT decided that I should take the a.m. (I was a Sp4) and he would take the p.m. (he probably preferred to sleep in). My flight was pretty uneventful. We were close the the area you describe if I recall correctly. After some aerobatics my pilot even let me take the stick for awhile! Otherwise, the morning was uneventful. As for the LT and his afternoon flight - they got picked up by a 51 cal. and ended up punching out. Thankfully, they both survived but, as I recall, the LT was messed up pretty badly and a couple of UH1s were lost trying to get them back. I suppose there's a lesson there somewhere - something about late risers.

@dlrick76 2 года назад

Hi Dan. Thanks for sharing your Vietnam OV-10 experience. What a great story and loved the "moral of the story"! Thank you for your service!

@randychambers560 11 месяцев назад

Thank you for sharing this. My grandfather was Maintenance super for the 20th Tass 69-70 he spoke highly of the men he worked with and the pilots who made it home with untold damage just to go do it again.

@dlrick76 11 месяцев назад

We certainly appreciate your Grandfather's service! Thanks for watching the video and for posting a comment.

@joevanseeters2873 Год назад

It must have been a thrill of a lifetime to be able to fly that incredible plane in combat. Most combat pilots wanted jets but the men who flew this machine loved it. It had good reliability, heavy and adaptable armament, and the most important thing, agility, that jets could not match. In the hands of a skilled pilot such as Russ Rickard and many others, this was a deadly destroyer aircraft that could do it all. It could strafe targets, fire rockets, fire machine guns, and use many other forms of armament! The OV-10 is still being used today in combat in the middle east. They were taken out of moth balls and resurrected for special missions uniquely qualified for the OV-10 platform. One of the best attributes of the OV-10 is not only it's agility but also its cockpit. The pilot and observer/co-pilot sit very high up in the cockpit which has a giant glass dome and gives this aircraft some of the best overall visibility of any aircraft in flight today. This aircraft definitely made its mark in combat and proved to be a very useful combat tool.

@dlrick76 Год назад

Thank you for posting such great comments. Sorry to be so late in replying. My Dad agrees completely with your comments about the OV-10. It was one thing to fly such a remarkable machine, but it was another to shoulder the responsibility of directing air strikes and providing air cover for men whose lives depended on the decisions made by a FAC. My Dad often commented that in his flying career (which included a 20 year flying career in the USAF and 25 years as a FedEx pilot), being a Forward Air Controller in combat by far had the most responsibility and pressure of any job he had in his lifetime. Thanks again for watching the video and for commenting.

@donalddavis581 2 года назад

OV-10 has always been one of my favorite planes!!

@dlrick76 2 года назад

Thanks for your comment. The OV-10 was a great airplane.

@user-di4bt7qu2i Год назад

I love this guy. When I was a kid, there were a lot of these Cold-Warriors like this around but they are getting old and scarce now. Kinda like the WW2 Generation. Thanks for sharing your fathers story with us.

@dlrick76 Год назад

Thanks for watching the video and for taking the time to comment. I agree that these warriors are getting old and scarce. My Dad is now 89 and I hope to have him around for quite a while to share his many fascinating stories about his experiences in an era gone by.

@omstennis9198 2 года назад

Cu Chi is a special place I have in my memories, where the first day of combat as a fresh Lieutenant, I spent all night in the dark creek with mosquitoes to avoid getting killed. That was the first day of my combat, I lead a squad of 7 men including the radio man and myself. The mission was to take out ‘a couple of VC’ who came into the village to collect taxes and food. It turned out not ‘a couple of VC’ as Army Intelligent gave me but 2 or 3 platoons of the NVC, they crossed the Cambodia border and came into Cu Chi, they walked right at us. I was a young officer and had no combat experience, under the bright moon when I saw the first two VC I was about to give the order to attack, but my sergeant who has several years in the field advised me to wait because he heard some noise about 100 yards behind the two VC point men. We hide in the creek, turn off the radio and sleep with the mosquito that night while the whole platoons of the NVC slowly and quietly, one by one walk across the creek about 20 feet from us! Thanks to the sergeant who saved me and my squad. The next morning when we return to the platoon, the platoon leader threat to take me to court marshall because I ‘disobey the order not to engage’. In combat, you learn the experiences from your blood, sweat, and tears and we only have each other, and for me, I never care the ‘sh..t’ about rank or medal, just try to keep myself and my men alive and continue to do the same ‘sh..t’ again on the next day.

@dlrick76 2 года назад

Hi Oms tennis. First, thank you for your service. That is an incredible story. It really highlights how there is no substitute for experience and common sense. Your willingness to set your ego aside and listen to your Sgt. clearly saved the lives of your men. Very well done! Although my Dad was Air Force, he was assigned as a FAC with the 25th Infantry Division at Cu Chi in 1969. I shared your comments and story with him. He listened intently and was excited to hear what you wrote. He said he could especially relate to doing what makes sense especially in a combat situation and not blindly following orders from someone who was sitting somewhere other than in the situation you and your men faced. Thanks again for sharing your story and for your service to our country!

@venlijaypeeperalta5979 Год назад

OV-10 Bronco of Philippine Air Force. Used in Airstrikes against Communist Insurgency Muslim Rebels and Abu Sayyaf🇵🇭.

@CFITOMAHAWK Год назад

Good..

@thegrinch8161 11 месяцев назад

I doff my cap to you sir in Vietnam and of the thousands of others who did as well

@dlrick76 11 месяцев назад

Thank you for watching the video and for your comments. Your words are much appreciated!

@ewellford Год назад

My brother Bill found this great interview of your Dad and shared it with the family. You would remember me as Hugh, Jr. We were nextdoor neighbors when our Dads were stationed at Suffolk County AFB, and then briefly saw each other when they went to England AFB near Alexandria, LA for survival training. Later, we were at Seymour-Johnson. After I left home and our Dads retired, Bill and my father stayed in touch while your father was flying for FedEx.

@dlrick76 Год назад

Hi Hugh! Very nice to hear from you!!! It was very nice of you to comment. Your comments brought back some great memories, especially when you, Bill, my brother Mark and me would pal around together. Remember sleigh riding on “suicide hill”? I remember my Dad talking about your Dad taking him on a sortie in the A-1 Skyraider when he first arrived in Vietnam. I hope Bill and the rest of your family are all doing well. Give them my best. I’ll be sure to share your comments with my Dad. I know he will really enjoy seeing them. Thanks again for your comment!

@terrywillis1446 Год назад

Was a Crew Chief on OV-10s at NKP Thailand 70-72...loved flying in those... awesome aircraft.

@dlrick76 Год назад

Thanks for your comment and for your service! It was an awesome aircraft.

@terrywillis1446 Год назад

I was with the 23rd TASS out of NKP Thailand.

@dlrick76 Год назад

My Dad was with the 19th TASS out of Cu Chi, South Vietnam.

@HarvestTexas 11 месяцев назад

Much respect to your father. OV-10 is my favorite aircraft of all time. It's look, in the air or even when parked on the ramp is just awesome.... USAF Sgt. '80-'84

@dlrick76 11 месяцев назад

Thank you for watching the video and for your comment. The OV-10 is an awesome airplane. And thank you for your service!

@k2_tech745 2 месяца назад

I was in the 507th (4507th) at Shaw, when 787 was in our unit. I think this was also the one that had (2) sheet metal patches made from Schlitz beer cans. They were in the cargo bay, right side near the wing root attachment point.

@sandeewood2948 11 месяцев назад

Thank you for your service and your daughter research interesting I know exactly where you were at when this incident happened I served as a infantryman in the 25th infantry division 68/69 we were in that area a lot angels wing and parrots beak and also the vo com dam river we called it the oriental River that area was definitely NVA territory..welcome home..l

@dlrick76 11 месяцев назад

Thanks for watching the video and for taking the time to comment. My Dad was assigned to support the 25th Infantry Division out of Cu Chi as a FAC from July - November 1969 before being transferred to Bien Hoa from November 1969 - June 1970. I've heard my Dad refer to the Oriental River many times but didn't didn't realize it's real name is Vo Com Dam. Thank you for your service!

@sandeewood2948 11 месяцев назад

Your welcome…on the other side of that river in Cambodia were thousands of NVA troops and base camps I believe in that area where the Ho Chi Minh trail ended…

@aferdix Год назад

The glorious OV-10 A is definitely my favourite airplane. Fast and furious, rugged, accurate, versatile. It was an hero, and I strongly envy OV-10 A pilots. They were heroes too.

@dlrick76 Год назад

Hi Ferdinando. Thank you for your comment!

@aferdix Год назад

@@dlrick76 I am honored for your answer.

@dogfoodking 2 года назад

Great story. Thanks for sharing it.

@dlrick76 2 года назад

Thanks for your comment. Glad you enjoyed it!

@CFITOMAHAWK Год назад

Wow, over 400 sorties in Vietnam..

@dlrick76 Год назад

Thanks for watching and for your comment!

@Zyworski Год назад

Your dad flew a lot of missions and it is a miracle that he made it back. The Bronco does not seem to be heavily armored like its jet-powered counterparts.

@dlrick76 Год назад

Thanks for watching the video and for your comment. My Dad did fly a lot of combat missions. Not all of them involved contact with the enemy. FACs spent a lot of time flying around looking for signs of enemy activity. Sometimes they would find nothing and sometimes they did. Much of the time in the air could be described as hours of boredom interrupted by moments of sheer terror! I’m thankful my Dad made it home unharmed. Not all FAC were as fortunate as he was.

@vanthai5738 11 месяцев назад

Thank you sir for serving .

@dlrick76 11 месяцев назад

Thank you for watching the video and for your comment!

@terrencejackson4587 11 месяцев назад

Thanks Russ. God speed!

@dlrick76 11 месяцев назад

Thanks for watching the video Terrence and especially for your touching comment!

@frankhinkle5772 2 года назад

Good story sir, welcome home!

@dlrick76 2 года назад

Thank you kindly!

@screddot7074 Год назад

The one officer I most admired was a Captain ending his tour in Vietnam as a FAC and now being stationed at Clark, AB, PI. They were bringing his family to Clark so he could spend time with them, but his real job was to keep returning to Nam on TDY. Didn't talk about his job, except how the new guys needed to be trained, both for their job and how to survive.

@dlrick76 Год назад

Thanks for taking the time to watch the video and for posting a comment!

@oxxnarrdflame8865 2 года назад

Great story.

@dlrick76 2 года назад

Thank you!

@popsblair1 2 месяца назад

Yes he flew with navy squadron val-4 in 1969 in Binh Thuy, Vietnam. Ltjg D.m. Bennett

@avoidingtrees6692 Год назад

Thanks from France. I enjoyed it.

@dlrick76 11 месяцев назад

Thank for for watching the video and for posting a comment all the way from France!

@leonardwilliams8109 2 года назад

Are those models behind you of planes that you piloted? I met an OV-10 pilot in a bar in Dayton, Ohio one evening and he told me about shooting up some trucks. He said that there was one driver that was really cagey and the pilot was getting frustrated because the truck driver would veer out of the gunnery pass. He finally went over the truck and did a loop, pickeling off his rockets as he came down the back side. Listening to your recall of the mission against the sampan reminded me of that meeting.

@dlrick76 2 года назад

Hi Leonard. Thanks for your comment. Yes, those are all models of planes my Dad piloted. During his 20 years in the U.S. Air Force, he flew some amazing aircraft including the T-6, T-28, T-33, F-86D, F-102A, T-39, F-101B, OV-10A, and the KC-135. After his retirement from the USAF in 1973, he hired on with a relatively new and unheard of company at the time called Federal Express. He flew the Dassault Falcon DA-20, Boeing 727, and DC-10 (he was international qualified) during his 25 year career with FedEx. I'm sure my Dad would really enjoy swapping stories with the OV-10 pilot you met in Dayton!

@davidrobinson980 Год назад

I see a FedEx DC 10 model in the background , looks like also a KC-135 from the SAC days along with an F-106? Cool story, thank you Sir!

@dlrick76 Год назад

Hi David. Thank you for watching the video and picking up on the model airplanes in the background. My Dad flew every one of those planes in his 45 year flying career. The model that looks like an F-106 is an F-102A. He spent 20 years in the US Air Force from 1953-1973 where he flew airplanes such as the T-6, T-28, T-33, F-86D, F-102A, T-39, F-101B, OV-10A, and KC-135. He was hired as a pilot in early 1974 by a new start up company headquartered in Memphis called Federal Express. He was one of the very early Fed Ex pilots. In his 25 year career at Fed Ex, he flew the Dassault Falcon 20, Boeing 727, and DC-10. The very first Fed Ex Falcon (N8FE) currently resides in the Smithsonian Air and Space museum at the Udvar-Hazy Center near Dulles Airport. My Dad flew that airplane many times during the early years of Fed Ex. When Fed Ex expanded internationally, he became worldwide qualified in the B-727 and DC-10. He retired in 1999. Thanks for commenting!

@kenwarren8049 11 месяцев назад

The aircraft in the background is an F102. I did wonder if he also flew the duce .

@alexcwatt348 Год назад

❤ I love Bronco-V.10 but in Indonesia, Bronco OV.10 have been tobe monumental and collect at museum air force ❤😊

@tonyaughney8945 Год назад

Very enjoyable to listen to.

@dlrick76 Год назад

Hi Tony. Thanks for watching and for your comment!

@tdhron4807 2 года назад

I was a aircraft mechanic in Viet Nam on the OV-10A stationed in Dau-Tieng & Chu-Chi in1969. I do believe the tail number was my plane (787). Sir. do you remember Pilot Capt. Heur? Or our sergeant Dupree was KIA at Dau-Tieng? (Welcome Home)

@dlrick76 2 года назад

Hi tdh ron. Thanks for your comment... and thank you for your service! I found a group picture my Dad had of OV-10 "Issue" FACs from October 1969 at Cu Chi (of which he was one). On the back, he had documented everyone's name in the picture. Standing next to him is Bernie Auer. Is this the "Capt Heur" you referred to?

@tdhron4807 2 года назад

@@dlrick76 Yes sir that would be him

@davidcaven2858 2 года назад

Did you happen to know Capt JD Caven? OV-10 pilot with 20th TASS 71-72.

@dlrick76 2 года назад

Hi David. I checked with my Dad and couldn't recall if he knew JD Craven. Thanks for watching the video and for your comment.

@keithfrazier8616 2 года назад

I was a Marine Corps OV-10 ordnance. IYAOYAS

@dlrick76 2 года назад

Thank you for your service Keith!

@MrCSRT8 2 года назад

I met a former OV-10 pilot in the grocery store parking lot today in Austin, TX after noticing his DFC plates. Shook his hand and told him it was an honor to meet him in a very brief conversation, but I forgot to introduce myself or get his name. Was that your dad?

@dlrick76 2 года назад

Hi. No it wasn't my Dad. My Dad lives near Knoxville, TN, but thanks for asking and for your comment.

@popsblair1 2 месяца назад

Dad was Val-4 1968

@dlrick76 2 месяца назад

Thanks for watching and commenting. Did your Dad fly OV-10s? Where was he stationed? A big thank you to your Dad for his service!

@jamesrussell7760 11 месяцев назад

It is my understanding that OV-10s were more typically used as FACs directing fast movers like F-4s. Is that right?

@dlrick76 11 месяцев назад

Thanks for watching the video. The OV-10 was unique because it was designed as a FAC aircraft from the ground up rather than as an existing aircraft adapted for a FAC role. Yes it was used to direct airstikes when enemy activity called for it. A large amount of time in a Forward Air Controller's day was to perform reconnaissance, proactively looking for signs of enemy activity. This was done as a solo activity. One great thing about the OV-10 was that it had machine guns and rockets, something the other Vietnam Era FAC aircraft did not have. This enabled it to engage the enemy directly when small numbers of the enemy were located. In larger activities, they would call in airstikes and could typically have fast moving aircraft like F-4s or F-100s on location in 30 minutes. The armament on an OV-10 enabled it to help hold off the enemy when our ground troops were under fire during the time it took to get the heavy hitters on location. All in all the OV-10 was quite an aircraft and FACs had a very multifaceted role. Thanks for your question. I hope this information helps.

@brrrtbacheniraq873 7 месяцев назад

Great story, and: I too flew 787! I flew it at George AFB in the 27 TASS between 1984 and 1987. A large squadron, with 44 airplanes. 😳 I was a 2Lt. We had some famous Vietnam vets, Including Major Len “Chicken” Funderburk…does your dad know him? As a 2Lt, Chicken was an OV-10 FAC, and killed an NVA tank 😲 with a lucky Willy Pete rocket..into the driver’s hatch…during the Tet Offensive! Anyway, your story may explain something: 787 DID NOT FLY RIGHT! 😝 It had the worst rate of climb of any of the 44 airplanes. At the bombing range, if it was in the formation, it would take two circuits to climb up to altitude for 45 degree rocket passes (all the others could make it in one circuit). Eventually, it was never scheduled for range rides. It was sent back to Rockwell to check rigging, weighed (thoughts that it had extra weight), and engine changes under the premise that they weren’t developing full power. Nothing helped. So, when the Air Force Museum wanted one…it was quickly volunteered! 🤣 Your dad’s story makes me wonder if the repairs added weight…or if something was bent/askew…that made it the weak-sister of our fleet. Great story, though…never heard if anyone strafing guys with those pop-guns. I only shot them during training at Patrick…and not only was the sound somewhat less impressive than I expected….they were also quite difficult to aim and actually hit anything!!

@dlrick76 6 месяцев назад

Thanks for watching the video and for commenting. What a great sequel to my Dad’s experience with 787. I shared your comments with my Dad. He really enjoyed them! He did not recall ever meeting Major Funderburk. After taking fire in 787, my Dad never flew it or saw it again while he was in Vietnam. Your theories about the performance issues being related to combat damage could certainly be a possibility. Here’s something else that is interesting… My Dad was stationed at George AFB from 1955 - 1958 with the 327th FIS where he flew F-86Ds and F-102As. His squadron was the first to receive F-102s in the Air Force. During his time there, he flew the opening scene in the Steve Canyon TV series. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-qkKrSceBS2U.htmlsi=9Q_0SPD4_VpR-yjW. I was also born at George AFB in 1956. Thanks again for your comments and for your service!

@brrrtbacheniraq873 6 месяцев назад

@@dlrick76 The planes in the 27 TASS at George AFB came from two OV-10 squadrons in Sembach, Germany (1984). While stationed at Sembach, on a deployment to Aviano, one of the planes narrowly averted disaster on a Crew Chief Incentive ride: while doing a loop…they bottomed out, hitting the Mediterranean. 😲 The centerline tank was ripped off, but they bounced and didn’t go into the water! The pilot involved implied on another site, when I shared this video….that 787 was the incident aircraft!! 😳😂 i don’t know if that is true, but it certainly seems plausible. Dog-Sabres and the Deuce!! Awesome! I’ve never seen the Steve Canyon series nor opening, just comics. Will check it out! I flew F-4Gs after the Bronco, then the T-34C on exchange with the Navy, and T-38s. Salute to you and your Pop for sharing the story.

@brrrtbacheniraq873 6 месяцев назад

Just watched the intro. That was Great! If you do a Web search, an actress named Barbara Lang toured George andnthe 327th FIS for a publicity shoot when George was flying the F-102. Wonder if he was part of that? Air Force still had service dress SHORTS for officers in the summer!

@dlrick76 6 месяцев назад

Hi brrrtbacheniraq873. Thanks for the info on the Barbara Lang tour. I wasn't aware of it before you pointed it out. I did find the pictures on the internet and shared them with my Dad. He was there when it occurred, but didn't have a special role in the tour. He recognized several people in the photos. One was Bill Elliott who was his wing man on numerous occasions. Bill also flew some of the scenes the Steve Canyon TV series, particularly a scene that was shown in the ending credits. vimeo.com/42989618 Sadly, Bill Elliott was shot down and killed during a combat mission in Vietnam while flying an F-105. Also in the pictures, you'll see an F-102 with a checkerboard pattern painted on the tail. That aircraft was the squadron commander's airplane. It was the only F-102 in the squadron with the tail painted that way. By the way, when my Dad flew the opening scene for the Steve Canyon TV series he didn't know it would be used for that. Because it was close to Hollywood, they would come to George AFB and shoot stock footage for movies or TV series periodically. So, when he flew for that scene, he had no idea it would be used for the Steve Canyon TV series. My Dad and members of his squadron were also featured in the Disney movie The Absent Minded Professor in the scenes where they were scrambled to intercept Fred MacMurray flying his flubber powered Model T over Washington DC.

@dlrick76 6 месяцев назад

You flew some great aircraft yourself. Thank you for your service!!!

@miker1721 Год назад

“HIT MY SMOKE! " Bronco 21 , 27th TASS, George AFB, CA 1987-89 “FIRST IN LAST OUT”

@dlrick76 Год назад

Hi Mike. Thanks for your comment and thanks for your service, especially as a Bronco pilot! My Dad was stationed at George AFB from 1955-1958 where he flew the F-86D and F-102A. His squadron, the 327th FIS, received the first deployment of F-102s in the military in 1956. He personally flew the opening scene in the TV series Steve Canyon while there. See the link below. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-qkKrSceBS2U.html I was also born at George AFB in 1956. Thanks again watching the video and for commenting.

@miker1721 Год назад

@@dlrick76 you're very welcome and thank you for your nice words! Do you happen to know the history of tail number 787 after it left Vietnam, and before it ended up in the Air Force Museum in Ohio?

@dlrick76 Год назад

Hi Mike. You are most welcome. Unfortunately I could not find and history on tail number 787 online except that it was delivered to the Museum of the United States Air Force in 1991. My Dad was in the 19th TASS in 1969 when he flew it. A comment was posted by someone who worked on it and remembered the patches from the bullet holes when he was in the 20th TASS in 1970-71. If I do learn any more about it's history, I'll post another reply. Thanks for your interest.

@roarkjeffries2979 2 года назад

Well how come the aircraft isn't more popular I'm an aviation buff puke civilian I've never seen that before what the heck. And welcome home if you're still sucking fresh air on the right side of the grass. And welcome everybody else from Vietnam by the way. You guys are outstanding and ladies thank you all so much hey I wish it was better right now. Sorry I haven't done better to make it right. O'ORAH MARINES 🇺🇲

@dlrick76 2 года назад

Hi Roark. Thanks for your comment. The OV-10 was designed specifically for Forward Air Control and as such it performed beautifully in that role. It never received the visibility it deserved because of the specialized role it performed. My Dad said it was highly maneuverable and could perform a 360 degree turn within the confines of a football stadium. He is now 89 years old and still doing well. I am taking him to the Air Force Museum in Dayton Ohio in September to see the OV-10 there that was part of the story he told in this video.