OT - Pilot shoots himself down :)

[K_Freddie]

Another linky for those in disbelief. (see Historical Note )
http://www.combatairmuseum.org/aircr...ummanf11f.html

AFAIK this also appeared in the Readers Digest.. not sure of the issue though.

[Skoshi Tiger]

I always liked the story about the first test of the M-61 cannon mounted in the F104 Starfighter.

The test pilot flying the one and only prototype got up to height, checked everything and pulled the trigger. The cannon exploded throwing the breach of the gun through the engine.

Rather than ejecting and loosing the prototype he glided back to base and performed a dead stick landing!

Did that test pilot have balls or what?

[K_Freddie]

I vaguely remember seeing something like that on the F104 development program on film, but that was yonks ago.

[theOden]

Originally Posted by Skoshi Tiger

.. F104 Starfighter.
.. glided back to base and performed a dead stick landing!

My brain just exploded.

[Treetop64]

Originally Posted by theOden

My brain just exploded.

IKR? Might as well have been a telephone pole. That's one good pilot.