A pair of German-owned F-4F Phantom IIs fly over New Mexico during a training sortie. The German F-4Fs sported U.S. Air Force markings since they were based at Holloman AFB, New Mexico (for the better weather and ranges). Both U.S. and German instructors manned the unit, the 20th Fighter Squadron. (Photo by Ted Carlson/fotodynamics.com) Disco, an EC-12 1 radar aircraft, had warned of MiG-21 “Fishbeds” departing the VNAF’s Kep Air Base near Hanoi. In addition, Red Crown, which provided radar coverage from the USS Chicago, manned by Radioman Larry Nowell, reported four separate MiG elements just getting airborne. After repeatedly feinting towards the Phantoms, at 0942 hours the MiGs headed for the area where the MiGCAP interceptors were orbiting. Oyster Flight had turned to meet them. Oyster 01, flown by Maj. Robert Lodge and WSO (Weapons System Officer) Capt. Roger Locher (a crew with two previous kills), enjoyed a “missilefree” condition, wherein visual identification was not required. They were also equipped with newly acquired Combat Tree capability, wherein they could see the enemy’s IFF (Identification Friend or Foe) on their radar. (This was thanks to covert acquisition of Soviet IFF transponders from the Israelis.) At eight nautical miles and at 1.4 Mach, Maj. Lodge fired a single AIM-7. The missile climbed and tracked but detonated early when its motor burned out. Lodge then fired a second and saw the missile climbing about 20 degrees towards its still invisible target.
This story is from the May - June 2023 edition of Flight Journal.
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This story is from the May - June 2023 edition of Flight Journal.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
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Scourge of the Allied Fighters
IT HAD TO BE THE MOST HELPLESS FEELING in the world: you're at 25,000 feet over Europe knowing that your primary function is to drop bombs-or flying escort for the bombers while being a slow-moving target for some of the world's finest shooters. However, you have John Browning's marvelous .50 caliber invention to give some degree of protection. Unfortunately, you're absolutely helpless against flak. Piloting and gunnery skills play no role in a game where sheer chance makes life and death decisions. For that reason, the Krupp 88 mm Flak 18/36/37 AA cannon could be considered WW II's ultimate stealth fighter. You never saw it coming.
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