Aircraft Videos and Images

[159th_Jester]

Which US carrier was it that had an incident with a missile release on the flight deck during the Vietnam war?

Can't remember the name of the ship but the documentary about the incident was chilling. An electrical short circuit released an A-A missile which set fire to another aircraft also preparing to take off on the other side of the flight deck and resulted in a good bit of ordinance cooking off.

Absolutely horrifying, but as Skoshi just said above, the crew's reaction was testimony to the quality of the men and their training.

[SQB]

Regarding your post xpzorg, thanking you for posting a video which cuts off at that point. I was there for that airshow and witnessed the crash, I tried to help injured and shocked off the airfield and it was my definition of hell on earth. Just seeing the aircraft again brings back those memories.

[xpzorg]

Sorry, i didn't want to seem cynical and callous. Of course i understand that is big tragedy and that's why i post it in reply in 3 first humorous posts.

[BadAim]

Originally Posted by 159th_Jester

Which US carrier was it that had an incident with a missile release on the flight deck during the Vietnam war?

Can't remember the name of the ship but the documentary about the incident was chilling. An electrical short circuit released an A-A missile which set fire to another aircraft also preparing to take off on the other side of the flight deck and resulted in a good bit of ordinance cooking off.

Absolutely horrifying, but as Skoshi just said above, the crew's reaction was testimony to the quality of the men and their training.

That was the Forestall. John McCain was sitting in the plane that was hit. In an odd twist of fate (after miraculously surviving) he later transferred to the Oriskany which had been the site of a fire that killed 44 men the year before. He was promptly shot down and spent the rest of the war as a POW.

Seems like aircraft carrier duty is not for the feint of heart.

[5./JG27.Farber]

Navy Flight Student Crash Video, at 1 min - are those his legs?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XeRXre_FG1w

[Sternjaeger II]

jeeez, that tumbling bomb on the deck was scary

[Pips]

Massie's book is arguably one of the best on the subject of the naval arms race of the early 1900's, it's affect on diplomacy across Europe and it's ultimate contribution to sowing the seeds for war in 1914. It's more than just another book on the Battle off Jutland.

It's broad scope lays down the factors that contributed to the ill feeling that grew between Britain and Germany from the late 1890's onwards. The naval arms race between the two was much more than just a desire by Germany to seek parity with the Royal Navy, it was a direct threat to the status of Britain as the premier world power, it's trade affilations and influence.

A brilliant book.

[Herbs107]

THE family of Australian Spitfire pilot RAAF Sergeant William Smith will gather in France for a final farewell almost 70 years after he went missing over the English Channel.
Last seen engaged in a desperate dogfight with a large group of German fighters on May 9, 1942, 24-year-old Sgt Smith was listed as missing in action until October 2011.

Excavating what they believed was the wreckage of a downed Czech aircraft in Hardifort, northern France, a documentary film crew found the remains of Sgt Smith and his Spitfire.

Today, Sgt Smith, who was commended by his commanding officer for his "quiet, calm way of going about his duties" will be interred at a ceremony with full military honours at Cassel Cemetery in France.

Sgt Smith's surviving brother, Bert, is expected to travel from Australia to attend the ceremony and deliver a eulogy for his sibling, who was born at Kalgoorlie, Western Australia, and lived at Whittlesea in Victoria.


At the time of his disappearance, Sgt Smith was single and flying with an Australian squadron within the Royal Air Force. He enlisted in the RAAF in 1940, aged 22.

[Thee_oddball]

Some closure for his family, RIP

[salmo]

Sgt William Smith was stationed at Redhill in Surrey with 457 Squadron and on May 9, 1942, his Spitfire helped escort a number of Boston bombers in a raid over northern France. On their return to England the squadron was attacked by up to 30 Fock-Wulf Fw 190s midway between Mardyck and Dover. Sgt Smith, who was 24 at the time, was last sighted at 20,000ft in combat with a number of Fw 190s.




An identification tag and charms belonging to the brave pilot are pictured

R.I.P. Bill.