Old Man.....Bad memory

[jmcquate]

In the 80’s, at an air show in Cleveland, I met a Tomcat pilot (former F-8 driver) with the call sign “Le-Torch”. Evidently he set himself on fire doing a flaming shot in Paris. His Rio said that he was flying the Gypsy Tomcat in the Hughes ad photo carrying 6 AIM-54s. Anyone know his name?

 

[Birdog8585]

That photo might help your search...

 

[FlyinRock]

I know a Marine helo pilot who did same at LTA and he was promptly given the callsign "Zippo" before he left for Okinawa. When he got back it was arranged for the crash crew to serve him a flaming hooker in full bunker gear. early 80's

 

[jmcquate]

That photo might help your search...

You would think so but I can't find a caption that IDs the crew.

 

[BusyBee604]

View attachment 12283

You would think so but I can't find a caption that IDs the crew.

Looks like AB on the tail... I think that indicates a CVW-1 Tomcat of that era (VF-12 or VF-14 maybe)?
BzB

 

[jmcquate]

Looks like AB on the tail... I think that indicates a CVW-1 Tomcat of that era (VF-12 or VF-14 maybe)?
BzB

Pretty sure it's VF-32