5 May 1969 – A USAF North American F-100D-70-NA Super Sabre, #56-3214, one of two Super Sabres from the 452nd TFS/81st TFW out of RAF Lakenheath, was on a gunnery mission over Holbeach Range, Cambs., UK. The plane suffered engine failure, forcing pilot Capt. R.E. Riggs to eject. The jet fighter impacted into farmland, missing
26 May 1970 – Here’s the story from now LtCol Bill Croom about why he has 218 missions and only 217 landings… “Why I have only 217 landings… One day we launched off the pad and as I was climbing out the engine started compressor stalling. By the fourth or fifth time with cleaned wings, […]
Today in History – May 26, 1970 – Capt William D Croom becomes F-100 glider pilot Read More »
25 May 1953 – In January 1951, North American Aviation delivered an unsolicited proposal for a supersonic day fighter to the United States Air Force. Named Sabre 45 because of its 45° wing sweep, it represented an evolution of the F-86 Sabre. The mockup was inspected on 7 July 1951, and after over 100 modifications,
24 May 1969 – Charlie Manske “Icon 6” was assigned a combat mission in Phu Yen Province, South Vietnam, flying F-100D #553555. Following the mission, while en route back to Tuy Hoa Air Base, the flight leader observed Capt Manske’s aircraft crash in the South China Sea approximately 25 miles southeast of the city of