29 April 1949 – During WWII a need was discovered for a “parasite fighter” – a jet fighter to protect bombers from hostile intercept aircraft. Pilot fatigue from P-41 and P-51 pilots who were protecting Boeing B-17’s, B-24’s, and Boeing B-29’s was a real problem. Aerial refueling hadn’t been perfected and these interceptors couldn’t match
4 June 1983 – At Hill Air Force Base, Utah, the 419th Tactical Fighter Wing, the last U.S. Air Force unit flying the Republic F-105 Thunderchief supersonic fighter bomber, flew a Diamond of Diamonds 24-ship formation as the “Thud” was withdrawn from service after 25 years to be replaced by the General Dynamics F-16. Of […]
Today in History – June 4, 1953 – The F-105 “Thud” is withdrawn from service. Read More »
1Lt Donald Francis Ginart enlisted in the Air Force and entered via the Reserve Military. He began his tour on January 27, 1969, and was assigned to the 614TH TFS/35TH TFW, 7TH AF out of Phan Rang AB. On June 3, 1969, 1Lt Ginart was on a close air support mission about 10 miles southwest
2 June 1958 – The Vought XF8U-3 Crusader III, the “Super Crusader”. The Super Crusader “was an aircraft developed by Chance Vought as a successor to the successful Vought F-8 Crusader program and as a competitor to the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II. The XF8U-3 first flew on 2 June 1958. Despite claims by many