Hello from the new guy on the forum…. I want you to know that I am available for questions about the following info.
I’m a retired U.S. Navy A-4 and A-7 pilot, and I have written a book about my shoot-down during a combat mission in Laos. Initially, I catapulted off the aircraft carrier USS America so the reader will get a great look at briefings and flight deck ops aboard an American super carrier…. After attacking a river barge, I was shot down when I encountered ten or more 23, 37, 57mm guns manned by a NVN Division that had pulled back from the battle at Khe Sanh, and Phatet Lao troops fired rifles at me as I floated down in my chute and continued to chase me at close quarters for the next two nights and 39 hours.
My wingman had to eject at sea, and two rescue pilots were also shot down trying to rescue me. One evaded about a mile from me during a two night, 38hour period before he was captured and I was rescued. During that period, the USAF flew 189 sorties, and the final rescue force consisted of 30 or more fighters, three Jolly helos and 12 escort Sandys. Read the full story in the book, “The Rescue of Streetcar 304—A Navy Pilot’s Forty Hours on the Run in Laos. More info can be found on the book website at http://www.kennywaynefields.com, and the book is available in most book stores or from the on-line book stores such as amazon.com, etc.
I’m eager to hear your comments and questions….
Streetcar 304
By: Arabella-Cox - 5th March 2008 at 20:04
the rescue of streetcar 304
I flew the right seat in A-3Bs as a Bombardier/Navigator back when the plane had a nuclear mission…and, yes, I had an assigned, planned target in you know where—for several deployments. I’ve flown T-34, T-28, F-9F, T-2A/B/C, T-A4J (instructor), A-4L, and A-7A/B models. I’m an old codger…retired in ’84.
Don’t know if any A-7Es are available but would suspect they are all worn out because they were actually extended for Desert Storm. A great plane though…. Excellent power and a terrific bomb platform. But, Hornets would be the way to go for the Aussies.
Is the Scooter on the forum a U.S N. type?
By: Arabella-Cox - 5th March 2008 at 04:42
No…I never made a trap aboard Melbourne, but would like to have done so.
The A-4 wasn’t harder to fly…It just bounced around more in flight during formation flight and bomb runs so you couldn’t be as precise during either. That’s because of the small wing span I suppose.
Good to have you aboard……..A friend of my family had a brother that flew A-4’s in Vietnam and I have had the pleasure to talk to Sen. John McCain a couple of times and we briefly spoke of his A-4 Experience in the War. Great little plane………..Regardless, glad to have you as a member of the Forum. I wouldn’t doubt we will often call on your experience as a Naval Aviator. By the way have you flown any other types besides the A-4 and A-7? I assumed you flew T-34’s and T-2’s while you earned you wings……….
By: Arabella-Cox - 5th March 2008 at 04:36
Really, secondhand Hornets would likely be the best option? I believe Canada has a number in storage……….of course that doesn’t mean they would part with them???:rolleyes:
By: Arabella-Cox - 5th March 2008 at 04:32
I hate to go off topic mate, but given that the MdB will soon be looking for new planes to replace their AF-1’s the list of replacements out there in this size and class are very short.
I have been racking my brain around a possible solution and can come up with very few; the SEM’s are old and will need to be replaced soon, both in MN service and also in AdA service.
The British aren’t selling ANY of their FA-2’s and I don’t see any chance the MdB will get any surplus AV-8B’s from the US. Given all this, there are few planes left that are small, multi-rolled and ship deployable.
Any thoughts?
I doubt very much the US has any surplus AV-8B’s available? The A-7 is a very capable Attack Aircraft and many have been is long term storage! I wonder if any have reasonable hours left and it would be ecomonical to return them to service????
By: Ja Worsley - 4th March 2008 at 16:41
I hate to go off topic mate, but given that the MdB will soon be looking for new planes to replace their AF-1’s the list of replacements out there in this size and class are very short.
I have been racking my brain around a possible solution and can come up with very few; the SEM’s are old and will need to be replaced soon, both in MN service and also in AdA service.
The British aren’t selling ANY of their FA-2’s and I don’t see any chance the MdB will get any surplus AV-8B’s from the US. Given all this, there are few planes left that are small, multi-rolled and ship deployable.
Any thoughts?
By: Arabella-Cox - 4th March 2008 at 14:57
the rescue of streetcar 304
No…I never made a trap aboard Melbourne, but would like to have done so.
The A-4 wasn’t harder to fly…It just bounced around more in flight during formation flight and bomb runs so you couldn’t be as precise during either. That’s because of the small wing span I suppose.
By: Ja Worsley - 4th March 2008 at 12:09
Interesting mate, I’ll check with my local book store again, I do know that they tend to be a bit behind in their stock.
You didn’t by any chance happen to be one of the lads who scored a Melbourne on the side of their Scooter did you? I heard that certain pilots marked landing on our carrier on the side of their mounts because she was so small and difficult to land on.
Would you say then that the A-4 was harder to fly because it was so small?
By: Arabella-Cox - 3rd March 2008 at 22:38
the rescue of streetcar 304
It was like going from an MGB convertible to a Corvette….From the inside looking out, I liked the A-7 much better because I could see more, and the A-7 was much smoother to fly and to bomb with. And, a lot more accurate also…. The A-7 is my favorite!
I’ve had reports from other mates down there who bought the book so maybe they got it from amazon.com. From all reports I have received, you will absolutely love the story. It’s a big seller on amazon today….
streetcar 304
By: Ja Worsley - 3rd March 2008 at 13:10
Sounds interesting mate and welcome aboard. The book hasn’t hit the shelves down here (Australia) yet but I will keep a look out for it.
I do have a question for you though about your flying experiences:
How much much of a shock did you get climbing out of a Scooters cockpit and jumping into a bigger cockpit of the A-7.
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February 28, 2008 at 4:18 pm