What happened to the tug that was on the other end of the nose-wheel towbar?

And to its driver?

The engine weights are very similar for the F404-F414 family.

F404-400 (F/A-18A): 2,180 lb
F404-402 EPE (F/A-18C): 2,315 lb
F414-400 (F/A-18E): 2,445 lb

However, the aircraft structure into which the engine is mounted needs to be able to absorb the force of the thrust and transfer it to the rest of the airframe, and from what was said earlier, it looks like they were planning for a 90kn engine, and the F414 is rated at 97.5kn (and the F404 at 85kn).

Thus, the mounting structure might be sufficient for 90kn, but not 97.5. If this is the case, then they would still have to make those changes for any “100kn” engine, regardless of which one.

The reason for the need for airframe redesign to fit the F414 instead of the F404 is not the size of the engine, which fits in the same basic hole, but in the need for larger intakes and ducting due to the higher air-flow requirement.

F404: Airflow: 142-146 lb/sec

F414: Airflow: 169 lb/sec

This means that the intakes & ducting need to be of larger cross-sectional area, which requires changing the structures around them.

Among those who “claimed the former Soviet Union fought along side the North Koreans against the United Nations”is the former Soviet Union itself!

Hardly a controversy anymore… since the Soviet’s documents were released into the public domain.

Exactly… 6-month rotation, standard procedure.

JA, I have no doubt that the person who sent them to you believed the back-story, but it is also true that this is a story that has been around a bit… and is a put-up job.

Now here are some nice photos of PH… with the US archive numbers intact at the top:

http://s22.photobucket.com/albums/b336/Bager1968/misc%20ships/bases/

Some people seem to be saying that: “If there’s no link on the internet saying that it happened, then it didn’t happen.” or “until it’s confirmed on the internet I don’t believe it.”

Actually, I’m saying “If there is nothing but a bunch of blokes gabbing on the internet, with nothing to support their statements, then I question whether it happened”; and “if it is confirmed by a reliable source (and Joe Blow who is a journo or claims to be at the airbase and makes unsubstantiated claims is NOT “reliable” in my book), then I will believe it!

The source [internet, magazine, newspaper, TV News report…] doesn’t matter, just the existence of something more than “I have heard” or “guess what I saw” is all I was asking for.

Well, the Daily Independent (civvie newspaper covering the surrounding area) has nothing on its website:
http://www.ridgecrestca.com/news/