Today in History – April 29, 1949 – Prototype of McDonnell XF-85 “Goblin” dropped from crane at Moffett Field.

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

Today in History – November 7, 1971 – F-4 and F-106A crash in mid-air near Nellis.

By MB Barrett

November 1971 – A USAF McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II and a USAF Convair F-106A-130-CO Delta Dart, 59-0125, of the 84th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, Hamilton AFB, CA, suffer mid-air and crash in isolated areas near Nellis AFB, NV.

All three crew eject and survive. The F-4 crew, Maj. Henry J. Viccellio and Maj. James A. Robertson, okay. The Phantom comes down 35 miles from Caliente, NV. The F-106A Delta Dart attempts recovery to Nellis but pilot Maj. Clifford L. Lowrey ejects eight miles NE of the base.

Source: Wikipedia Portal:Aviation