Neil Armstrong and the X-15 by Bob van der Linden, Posted on Tue, July 23, 2019, Aeronautics Department, Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum “Released from duty in mid-1952, Armstrong returned to Purdue where he earned his degree in aeronautical engineering in 1955. His love of flight and engineering drew him to the National Advisory
“I managed to fly 1183 helicopter combat flight hours without a scratch which made me an early believer in dumb, blind luck.
We used to watch the Huns flying out of Phan Rang, Tuy Hoa and Phu Cat. The ground troops absolutely loved the F-100’s for close air support due to the incredible accuracy of their bombing, the F-4’s not so much. It was my privilege to later fly the F-100 for three years as a “weekend warrior” and I loved every minute, it was a wonderful aircraft if you remembered that it was highly successful at killing anyone who didn’t pay attention.
My St. Louis Guard unit adopted the “Misty” call sign to honor the F-100 FAC’s and we kept it for nearly 20 years, including fourteen years for the F-4’s after our Huns had gone.”
Tim Rudy was Army Pilot from 1965 to 1974 (Helicopter and Fixed-Wing) and an Air Force/Air National Guard (Missouri) Pilot from 1974-1992. He served in combat in Vietnam with the 176th and 129th Assault Helicopter Companies (Army) in 1967-68. His aeronautical designations are Senior Army Aviator and U.S. Air Force Command Pilot.
