Information needed on NAS Cecil Field, FL

[A4sForever]

You forgot adapt... Improvise, adapt, and overcome.

You're right ... and now see --- that's why I didn't become a Marine. I could do all the improvise and overcome stuff --- I just didn't adapt. I did it my-y-y-y-y-y-y-y ........... waaa-a-a-a-a-a-a-y.

With apologies to Frank Sinatra.

 

[Nose]

I thought he was number 1?? He has 1645.

I have held my tongue because this was a big 'ole Lites love fest, and I've never met the guy.

I was a CAG LSO at the same time Lites was STKFTWINGLANT and the JO's were not big fans of his. The main reason was he "stole" good deal traps from JO's so that he could say he was number one. This was back in the Clinton years when flying was cut waaay back. Good deal day traps were a precious commodity and a good retention tool for overworked RAG IPs.

Wasn't uncommon for him to come to VFA-106 and "insert" himself on the flight schedule. That was, of course, his priveledge as the Commodore, but he usually did it the day of the flight, so some JO would loose a trip to the ship.

Not many young guys sorry to see him retire.

N

 

[NAVTACAIR]

Information on Cecil Field...

I read the post by the Chief living in TN who wants Cecil Field info. I have quite a bit as I was the Public Affairs Officer for the base from 1984 - 85. I enjoyed the photos on the page showing the S-2( ), T-2( ), and the B-17( ). It was only eight years ago that I realized that the B-17 had the same engines (R-1820s) that I had on the T-28( ) and C-1A that I flew. Nice shots... - KAZOO

 

[plc67]

For further historical interest vis a vis SATS, there was a time when it was part of the syllabus to become a designated naval aviator. The Corps at one time sent SNAs to UPT. The USAF would wing them but they still had ways to go in order to match the Navy trained aviators. Needless to say part of their shortfall was in the lack of CQ. The Corps substituted SATS for the boat;at least that's what the lead wingers at VMO-2 told me.

 

[retnavycpo]

A-7D and TA-7 flight manuals. Any help?

Ahoy.

I am a retired US Navy CPO. My hobby is flight simulation, and have been actively involved with it for over 8 years now.

Currently, I am assisting Ron Zambrano (RAZBAM Simulations) with the creation of the A-7 Corsair II (all variants) for use with Microsoft's Flight Simulator X.

There are two variants which I have had difficulty obtaining flight manual information on: A-7D and the two-seater TA-7.

I have emailed the Naval Aviation Museum at Pensacola for information, but have not heard from them yet.

Was hoping maybe someone on this forum might have some information on these aircraft.

Additionally, I am trying to keep from buying flight manuals on cd, if I can avoid the cost.

Thanks in advance.

AMEC(AW) P.C. Ward, USN, (Ret.)

 

[MIDNJAC]

I would be willing to bet that the NATEC website still has them on file...they seemed to have a very extensive list of aircraft to include now-inactive ones.

 

[nittany03]

Naval Aviation Museum has A-7 NATOPS and maintenance pubs; my dad and I went down there recently to get info for a museum he works at.

Keep after them; when I was there, the volunteers had a list of emails as long as my arm, and they are, after all, volunteers. IIRC NATEC requires a .mil email for registration.

 

[retnavycpo]

Thanks for your quick replies. Yes, the museum has provided me with a great deal of information in the past. I don't expect a quick reply, but they always DO contact me, eventually.

I ferret out a lot of information for Ron, and enjoy doing so!

Chief

 

[Fog]

The A-7D was the USAF variant. Like all Navy-derived a/c (except the Phantom), they sent them to the Air Guard as fast as they could. Someone who knows for certain can correct me here, but I don't think the A-7D ever saw combat. They all spent the late 70's & all the 80's in the AG and were gone by Desert Storm, or at least the AG squadrons in which they served were never activated & deployed.

 

[Old R.O.]

The A-7D was the USAF variant. Like all Navy-derived a/c (except the Phantom), they sent them to the Air Guard as fast as they could. Someone who knows for certain can correct me here, but I don't think the A-7D ever saw combat. They all spent the late 70's & all the 80's in the AG and were gone by Desert Storm, or at least the AG squadrons in which they served were never activated & deployed.

They did see some action at the end of the Vietnam War:

http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=3191

 

[In Pursuit]

This is hangar 67 it housed VA-44, VF-45 and VF-174. VF-174 was an F8 RAG, then later became VA-174 when they received some of the first A-7's. If you look in the open hangar doors you'll see windows on the upper level. That's where our squadron offices were, the shops of course were on the lower level. Right behind the open doors was the stairwell to the upper level, and a passageway that led past the coffee mess and mail room to a back door. CAG had offices there, as well as CFAD security. This is the tower side of the hangar.

Thanks for the walk down memory lane, I enjoyed it!

Hangar 67 was also home to LATWING 1, Strike Fighter Wings LANT, CVWR-20 and VFA-203 among others. Yes, a nice stroll down memory lane. Given how prevalent noise complaints are with some of our more encroached upon NASs/MCASs, makes you wonder how we let this classic air station get BRAC'ed.

 

[In Pursuit]

I thought he was number 1?? He has 1645.

Actually, the top Hooker is a Brit: Captain Eric "Winkle" Brown with 2,407. I saw a History Channel clip on him one time and he said something to the effect that he thought Landing Signal Officers were more of a hinderance than a help. Guess he was a big time "deck spotter".
BTW, forget the 2407 traps. Check out the number of different types of acft he's flown: 487 (!)




Royal Navy's Most Decorated Pilot Celebrates His 90th Birthday








Today (Wednesday, 21st January) the Royal Navy’s most decorated pilot Captain Eric “Winkle” Brown, the first man ever to land a jet aircraft on a ship at sea, celebrates his 90th Birthday.
He enjoyed an illustrious 31 year career in the Royal Navy which saw him serve as a fighter pilot in the Battle of Britain and later as one of the world’s greatest test pilots. He holds many world records including the most types of aircraft flown, a staggering 487, and the most ever carrier deck landings at 2407 as well as being the first man to land a twin engined aircraft on an aircraft carrier. He was also the first British pilot to fly a helicopter.

Captain Brown holds the distinction of having been awarded successively the MBE, OBE and CBE, together with the Distinguished Service Cross and Air Force Cross. He is the author of some 26 published books.

To mark the event Captain Brown was visited by a Royal Navy Lynx helicopter from 702 Naval Air Squadron based at RNAS Yeovilton in Somerset. Captain Brown was able to look around and sit at the controls of the helicopter, a modern variant of one which he once flew. The aircraft crew commanded by Lt Cdr Al Haigh also presented Captain Brown with a commemorative plaque and a birthday card from the Fleet Air Arm.

 

[Hammer18]

Hey all,

Can anyone here tell me if NAS Cecil had a FCLP area on one of it's runways? I see references to one at Whitehouse all the time, but am sure Cecil also had one. If it did, I need to know which runway, so it can be added to the scenery being created for Microsoft's Flight Simulator.

Thanks.

AMEC(AW) Peter C. Ward, USN, (Ret.)

 

[Hammer18]

Hey Brownshoe,

I will try to fix things like the building you mentioned. The guy who is actually creating this scenery right now, however, needs to know if Cecil did have a FCLP, and if so, which runway. I plan to add/delete to the scenery after he gives it to me.....Pete

Yes NZC did do FCLPs on 36L

 

[Hammer18]

Navy pilots hot dogging it at Cecil

Those Navy pilots are always showing off. Good reason, since they are the best, period.

NC

The A6 was breaking right, we didn't do that, it would be a left break. That approach to 18R or left would break left, we always break left unless bad things are happening.

Rwy 36L/R or 9L/R would be a left break to buzz the Tower.