The next bit of pointy plastic to be rescued is this F-104 Lawn Dart. Like the F-100 is is in the rather low key livery of the Turkish AF, though the green nosecone adds some interest. The second photo is just to prove I painted underneath too....
I read somewhere that the somewhat twitchy handling meant that the plane had a habit of rotating and batting the ejecting pilot with the wing. All this after they realised that the original downward-firing ejector seat was a really bad idea for landing or take-off emergencies.
My grandfather was a USAF Air Policeman in the early 60's. He would tell stories of hot shot pilots in F104's missing the runway and burying them in cornfields. Evidently a fast but finicky aircraft.
Reese Crawford Thanks for the anecdote! It seems that anyone who flew a Starfighter twice: 1. was very lucky to have survive the first flight (and landing) 2. had balls of steel!
10 comments:
Nice work Tim- an eastern mediterrainan game in the offing?
Cheers,
Pete.
Lawn darts eh, is that a new LCW rules variant? Nice work on the fighter.
I read somewhere that the somewhat twitchy handling meant that the plane had a habit of rotating and batting the ejecting pilot with the wing. All this after they realised that the original downward-firing ejector seat was a really bad idea for landing or take-off emergencies.
Regards, Chris.
My grandfather was a USAF Air Policeman in the early 60's. He would tell stories of hot shot pilots in F104's missing the runway and burying them in cornfields. Evidently a fast but finicky aircraft.
Pete
A trip to Cyprus c1974...
Peter Douglas
Only when I drop the models...
Chris Kemp
The more I hear about the '104 the scarier it gets!
Reese Crawford
Thanks for the anecdote!
It seems that anyone who flew a Starfighter twice:
1. was very lucky to have survive the first flight (and landing)
2. had balls of steel!
Ahead of the VCoW post ;)
Brilliant work Mr Gow
Ahead of the VCoW post ;)
Brilliant work Mr Gow
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