On May 19th 1962, the annual US Armed Forces Open Day at Wethersfield featured a spectacular line-up of Cold War hardware. Having mobilised Air National Guard units and flown hundreds of fighters to Europe in response to Russian actions in Berlin, the USAF had a wide range of combat aircraft to call up for the airshow. Some of the following pictures have been seen before, but are included to show the full selection of aircraft present. All were taken by the late Gerald Lawrance, digitised and made available by Tony Clarke.
To start with, a pair of Ohio ANG F-84F’s. 52-6629 still shows traces of ‘Ohio Air Guard’ titles, removed on integration into the USAF. The unit crossed the Atlantic as part of ‘Operation Stair Step’ in October/November 1961, and were European based for a year. 6629 still survives, (having been registered as N97020) and can be seen on the gate at Fort Wayne ANGB in Indiana:
F-84F 52-6993 has full USAF titles, but also carries Ohio ANG badges. By a strange coincidence, this aircraft also survives in Indiana, at the Wilbur Wright Birthplace Museum:
Another unit from the USA was Massachusetts ANG 131st TFS F-86H Sabre 52-2009 visiting from its French base:
Although Starfighters became common in European skies, this 479th TFW F-104C is a rare and very special bird. While on its year long stay at Hahn, it took the speed and altitude record for an operational F-104 (Mach 2.5 at 92,000ft). It also served in Vietnam, and was retired to the New England Air Museum. Badly damaged by the famous 1979 tornado, its restoration is approaching completion, and could be seen next year in the same configuration seen here:
Based at Bitburg, this F-102A is from the 525th FIS. It was destroyed 8-11-65:
Also from Bitburg is this beautiful F-105D 60-0496 from the 36th TFW. The Thud was short lived in Europe and many ended their days in Vietnam. However, the fuselage of ‘496 has been reported recently in California in storage for a new museum:
Another of the Century series; F-101C Voodoo 54-1486 is from the 81st TFW at Woodbridge/Bentwaters. It was converted to RF-101H and served until 1979:
Last but not least are the based F-100D Super Sabres of the 20th TFW. 55-3662 is seen on static display:
The 20th TFW also flew in the display, 56-2983 and 56-2995 are seen departing:
Lockheed T-33A 53-5056 was also part of the based 20th TFW:
Douglas RB-66B Destroyer 54-0434 was from the Alconbury based 10th TRW:
I’ve posted the next shots before, but I can’t leave them out. B-47E 52-0581, C-47A 43-48255 and C-124C 52-0958:
By: alertken - 27th November 2011 at 10:42
In my first, very decrepit car (1938 Minx) I managed also to do Sculthorpe same day. That had a similar range, inc ANG F-84F/F-86H. The period from Berlin Wall, 8/61 to Cuba, 10/62, informs my generation even yet. The balloon very nearly did go up, and we do not have patience with revisionists who try to dispute that, safe in the comfort of their armchair. USSR was probing US’ commitment to the NATO Treaty: 3 Musketeers, all for one, one for all. That’s what the ANG reinforcement, and year-long deployment, was all about. The Sovs never tried it on, so blatently, in W.Europe again, but became mired in its proxies, from Angola, on to the one that helped dished them – in the ‘Stan.
By: G-ASSV - 26th November 2011 at 15:37
Cosmic Wind Pilot
Thank you for posting these fascinating pictures, a really impressive selection of interesting aircraft.
The pilot of the Cosmic Wind looks like it could be Peter Phillips.
Chris
By: Discendo Duces - 26th November 2011 at 15:36
Another absolutely superb set, especially as the weather obviously wasn’t ideal.
Thanks, yet again, for posting.
DD
By: Old Git - 26th November 2011 at 15:32
Superb pictures. I am glad to see that nothing has changed about airshows since then ie gloomy wet days and everyone well wrapped up!
By: DCW - 26th November 2011 at 13:33
British military aircraft taking part were many and varied.Javelin FAW.9 XH887 was from 23 Sq. It was lost off Changi 8-11-65 (the same day as the F-102A above!):
A newer type was this Lightning F.1A XM188 of 111 Sq. (W/O 21-6-68):
Hunter T.7 XL609 carries 56 Sq marks. The nose of this aircraft is still around:
Hunter F.6A XG225 is now preserved at Cosford, seen here in 92 Sq ‘Blue Diamonds’ colours:
From the Fleet Air Arm, 736 Sq provided this Scimitar F.1 XD239:
Sea Vixen FAW.1 XN647 is from 899 Sq. The nose section is all that survives today:
Victor B.2 XL232 (W/O 15-10-82):
Shackleton MR.2 WR966 of 204 Sq (scrapped 1973):
Britannia C.1 XL657:
A flypast from Comet C.4 XR397:
Jet Provost T.4 XP581:
Whirlwind HAR.2 XJ433 (W/O 20-2-64):
Swordfish LS326:
Finally, what could be the first airshow appearance from Cosmic Wind ‘Ballerina’ G-ARUL. Anyone recognise the pilot?
By: DCW - 26th November 2011 at 13:32
US Army participation included a new Huey, UH-IB 61-0697:
The Mohawk 60-3728 was at the time still designated as AO-1A, only becoming the OV-1 later in 1962:
From NATO were two Canadian fighters based at Grostenquin near Metz.
CF-100 Canuck Mk.4B 18364 was from 423 Sq RCAF:
Canadair CL-13B Sabre 6 23578 was from 430 Sq RCAF:
In 1962, the Italian Air Force Frecce Tricolori were flying Canadair Sabres:
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November 26, 2011 at 1:30 pm