F-8 Crusaders over Vietnam: kzread.info/dash/bejne/nGmps6SFdabTZqQ.html

This is how I remember it. VF213 Plane Captain. The heat, the humidity, the grease everywhere. My dungarees were so caked with grease the they would just about stand up in the corner by themselves. The flight deck felt like a big frying pan. During launch we were spotted at the fantail and when Kitty Hawk turned into the wind we were treated to the sulphorous stack gas of the black oil fired engines as they spooled up to bring us up to the 30 or so knots of wind needed for the launching aircraft to get airborne not to mention the jet exhaust of every running plane ahead of us moving slowly up the deck with heavy bomb loads that required extra power to get moving. When my F4 Phantom was finally launched it was time hang up my tie down chains and take a break for an hour or so and do it again usually four times a day. It was my honor to serve with my flight deck and aircrew shipmates. The KittyHawk did a heck of a job and I'm proud to have been a part !

@airailimages

Жыл бұрын

Wow! Thank you very much for that wonderful description of life on deck.

@steveowens913

11 ай бұрын

Oh yeah! Stack gas!! YUK!!! Working as a plane captain or ordnance guy in my squadron was a situation where we worked long a$@ days, 7 days per week! I remember when I left that assignment and went to the AE Shop! 7am to 7pm!! Awesome. Didn't even get dirty anymore.

@gustavoheberle6265

5 ай бұрын

Thank you for your service, Sir !

My uncle Dr. Pat Flynn was a flight surgeon aboard the Kittyhawk and the Constellation in the 1960's and early 1970's. He was awarded a Navy Commendation Medal, with V, for jumping into the ocean trying to rescue an aviator who'd ejected and landed in the water and became fouled in the shroud lines of his parachute. Although the pilot ended up drowning, my uncles heroism was unquestionable. I believe he was in the Sea Sprite rescue helicopter when he jumped. BTW he was an outstanding swimmer, diver and athlete, so his ability to handle swimming in the open ocean was not a factor for him. I miss him very much. He helped me when I was struggling as a young man trying to figure out my future.

@airailimages

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching, and for adding that great family story about your uncle. It's good to remember the role models we have had in our lives.

@josephstevens9888

2 жыл бұрын

Jeffrey - your uncle sounds like a remarkable man; both as a servant to the nation and a wise and caring uncle to his nephew.

I worked on this same flight deck in the 2000s. It’s crazy how many people served on the Kitty Hawk. It should have never been scrapped.

@airailimages

10 ай бұрын

Yes, as a conventionally-powered carrier, Kitty Hawk could have made an amazing museum.

12:10 A $200 million carrier, but it boils down to a couple of ratings and a wrench. Magnificent footage.

I was an RM aboard the USS HOLLISTER DD-788. We chased carriers, spent time on the navel gun line and had some exciting raids in the north. To all my fellow Vietnam Vets especially to those who didn't make it, I salute you.

@airailimages

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for adding your story, and thanks for watching.

@enricomandragona163

Жыл бұрын

Kudos 👍

I served at the time of this video as a YN2 in the Kitty Hawk's Legal Office. What a great time in my life. No regrets. Serving on the Hawk was one of the best things I've ever experienced. RIP my old ship!

@airailimages

Жыл бұрын

And thank you for commenting, and for your service.

This takes me back. USS Kitty Hawk 70-73. Radioman. Damn, 50 years ago. Stuff like this reminds me how old I am.

@airailimages

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for serving, and thanks for watching!

@adstaton8461

2 жыл бұрын

Every punch keys on a mod-28?

@robertbrink2240

Жыл бұрын

You have a memory you should look back with pride at what your younger self accomplished. I know I do. Thanks for your service.

@steveowens913

11 ай бұрын

Yes, but it was like just yesterday!! Wasn't it!? And, if they had handed me $100,000 at the time, I would have likely given them 70k for an immediate trip home!

@jerrydillard2430

Ай бұрын

I served on 68 h

Thanks for posting this. I was an A02 with VF114 for this cruise. (AO3 for the one before it). I caught a glimpse of our old shop chief who moved up to CVW11 for this cruise., AOCS Strong. R.I.P. Chief.

@airailimages

2 жыл бұрын

Wow! Neat to hear from someone who was there. Thanks for adding your story.

Love the F-4 Phantom it still has a modern look to it. And it sounds...glorious.👍

@steveowens913

11 ай бұрын

At high speeds, the Phantom actually screams. Love 'em. I was an electrician on them. For awhile, I worked as a plane captain on them. Nothing like standing beside them at night on the cats when they are "SHOT!" It's HEAVEN!!

@nynthworld4152

11 ай бұрын

@@steveowens913 Absolutely awesome👍

My father-in-law was on the ship, as ship's company at this time, serving as catapult and arresting gear officer, James C. Barnes Jr. This ship was the one he most loved in his career.

Kitty Hawk was moved to dry dock March 9th of this year to clean the hull and start cutting her up. I was aboard many times while stationed at PSNS. Nice vid Fred.

@airailimages

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Dennis! And interesting to learn more about Kitty Hawk's fate.

@70stunes71

2 жыл бұрын

USS Independence...same fate.. I was on it long ago. Sad to see our old ships going to the torches

Great footage very clear and sharp images with excellent color

@airailimages

2 жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it

This brings back memories of that time in my life. Thanks for the great video and history lesson.

@airailimages

2 жыл бұрын

Always fun to do. Thanks!

Naval aviation rocks. Those pilots are very special people. Respect.

I was living in a hole about 100 miles west of the boat; it was good to know it was there.

@airailimages

2 жыл бұрын

Yes! And thank you for serving.

Quality footage. I second the sentiment that it's nice to see footage from the flight deck operations perspective and not just about the aircraft and their crews.

I was there VA192, great ship, what great times. Olongapo was great. I wish I could have seen me in the video though.

Love those airplanes - Phantom, Whale, SLUF. My dad was stationed aboard Ranger (CVA-61) during that time. We lived in Alameda, CA, and I always was outside when the air wings were coming ashore. The flight path was right over base housing.

@airailimages

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching, and for adding your story.

@michaeljohnson4258

2 жыл бұрын

It was scary watching the Whale land on the PLAT because it was such a large plane landing on the ship.

@blackrocks8413

2 жыл бұрын

I think of it now as the CLUF. Cool little ugly.... You know you spent tooo much time around A-6's and A-7's when you think they looked cool.

@enricomandragona163

Жыл бұрын

@@blackrocks8413 it's SLUF!!

@steveowens913

11 ай бұрын

Gee whiz, I am embarrassed! I had to Google Sluf. Didn't know what "bird " that was. I never was on a "pleasure cruise " with an F8 or an A7, but the intakes were certainly visually intimidating looking to me!! I had a pilot request me to stand on the two steps that were used on an F4 Phantom one day when he was pointing to a Guage and asking me if the bird was flyable. "I was thinking, HELL, I hope so, but right now I just want to get the right side of my head outta your intake!! If my flight deck helmet goes into that intake, you won't be flying this one, and I will have to go below decks to change my underwear!"

Cat one topside PO, 71-72. Video brought back lot's of memories. Bad ASS crew and ship

@airailimages

5 ай бұрын

Good to hear from veterans of any era! Thanks for watching and commenting.

This sure brings back memories. I was a Photographer's Mate on the Constellation for the 1974 WESTPAC.

@airailimages

2 жыл бұрын

A friend of mine went through Navy photographer's school in the early 70s, and I was impressed with how much he was taught. Good for you! Thanks for watching, and thanks for your service.

Man, does this bring back the memories being on the Saratoga & the Kennedy. Ancient history.

@steveowens913

11 ай бұрын

Ancient history, yes. BUT, we can go back in our minds with those ships, and those aircraft, (the F-4 Phantom was THE fastest FIGHTER JET on the planet when I worked on her!) and use that sentence at the beginning of the Titanic movie about how glorious that vessel was! Maybe we just didn't really realize what we had ahold of!! I was simply BLOWN AWAY the first time I ever saw the U.S.S. Independence, due to the sheer magnitude of its SIZE!!! Since I was in Naval Air, I was shocked when I first saw an Air Force C5A GALAXY!

the Phantom still is my favorite. my Father was stationed at Travis in '70-71. having returned from a year at Korat Royal Thai airbase.

@airailimages

2 жыл бұрын

Interesting how these vintage videos bring up family stories. Thanks for watching, and adding yours.

Doug Odell on West Pac '72. Worked in the 3-M Office, X Div. 72 cruise was a long wild ride for a kid from Minnesota! Did a lot of growing up fast.

@airailimages

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching and adding a bit of your history.

@jerrydillard2430

Ай бұрын

It does make you grow up fast!

Great shots. Many memories, USS Independence, Airframes troubleshooter, VA-65

@airailimages

2 жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it. And thanks for serving!

@steveowens913

11 ай бұрын

I was with VF-102 for two years. Took a couple of boat rides on the Indy. I remember seeing VA-65.! I watch a lot of air crash investigation shows. Was watching one episode and saw that the guy in charge was Knutson, from Washington State...Immediately found him in the cruise book from our Med Cruise. Yesterday morning during a carwash, asked a Tesla driver, who was waiting for his car, WHY he got out of Air Force after only 14 years??? Answer?? He was on the ground at the Green Ramp Disaster at Pope Air Force Base!

Best part of my Navy experience was on the flight deck. CVA-67 Kennedy, VF-32 AO3. A ten month Med cruise in 71-72.

I was on the Nimitz in the Med, 1987 I think and the Kitty relieved us. I worked cat#2, only bridle bird we had was the A-3 Whale.

@bbbsites

Жыл бұрын

Yes, I was on the Kitty Hawk that year (my last), and we did relieve the Nimitz. I worked in catapults (Cat 3 waist), and we had just come come through the Suez Canal, and afterwards went into dry dock in Philadelphia.

I was onboard her, for just over 2 days, when my FF escorted KITTY out of the Philadelphia shipyard, all the way around the Horn, to San DIego.

Memories for sure. Was aboard the Hawk when CQ F14-A Tomcats first time. VA-122 A7-E's PR2 71-75

@airailimages

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for watching and commenting. And thanks for serving aboard Kitty Hawk!

@jerrydillard2430

6 ай бұрын

A7 A, VA 37, 68

I can't imagine how load a carrier full of F-4's must have been. The Phantom is the loudest jet I've ever heard outside of the SR-71.

Love those F-4 Phantoms

@airailimages

2 жыл бұрын

Yes! Thanks for watching.

I should have become a pilot love airplanes and helicopters

Thank you for this fascinating video!

@airailimages

2 жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it!

Proud member of the Tonkin Gulf Yacht Club

@airailimages

6 ай бұрын

Salute! Thanks for watching and commenting.

02:33 That's one big chunk out of that tire!

@bobmartin4942

2 жыл бұрын

Yes it was. I'm wondering if it was changed before the next flight. I know that it would have been on a AF bird.

I was stationed aboard the Kitty Hawk at this point in time (1967-71). Made 3 cruises, so sorry to see the ship being scraped. Yes I know the steel will be used for newer carriers but just a hard pill to swallow

@airailimages

4 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching. Good to hear from veterans of these ships.

@jerrydillard2430

Ай бұрын

I may have been there the same time. 68 or 69. VA 37.

I served aboard the Kitty Hawk from ''71 to ''73 #4MMR P1Div MM

Grew up an air force brat. Loved those Vietnam Era planes. The F-4 was iconic. Such a beautiful plane. Also was a fan of the A-6's and 7's.

I was on board 1970-72 V-1 fly1 recognized many of those faces can still put a name to some of them.

@airailimages

2 жыл бұрын

Glad you found our channel, and glad you recalled some of the folks.

Amazing color footage/Film with Phantoms, A-7 Corsair II`s RA-5 Vigilante`s ect.

Incredible footage but I find myself really bothered by the thought of how many of these guys we're seeing didn't make it? Never forget the cost of those who serve on the line.

You can thank PH 1 Sharkey of the Hawk’s OP Division for the fine quality of this video. AK 3 Schultz, USN (Ret.), S-6 Division / USS Kitty Hawk 70-71cruise

Thanks for that. Greetings from a German, in the Philippines.

@airailimages

2 жыл бұрын

You're welcome!

Thanks

@airailimages

9 ай бұрын

Thank you very much. We do appreciate your support.

A couple of those Chippy Bird landings might have been me!

@airailimages

2 жыл бұрын

That's neat! Thanks for watching.

@johnblandford

Жыл бұрын

Or me, Tom.....howdy...!!

Another excellent video. Thank you very much.

@airailimages

2 жыл бұрын

You are very welcome.

Amazing footage!!!

@airailimages

2 жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it

Nice to see a rare video about working on the boat that's not focused on the aircrew. Us ground pounders worked our butts off keeping those things flying. USS Ranger 1976.

Thanks for posting. I was at Yankee Station in late 71 on the USS Midway, an Aviation Technician. I worked on the flight deck trying to keep the VF -161 F4 Phantom weapon radar systems running. The flight deck was a noisy, dangerous, fascinating place to be.

@airailimages

2 жыл бұрын

Always glad to hear from veterans with their stories to add. Thanks for commenting.

Kitty Hawk and America were of the same class. Being the Kitty Hawk class carrier. I was on the America CVA 66 in 68. Same place. Great color footage for history.

belle époque, ou il y avait beaucoup d'avions différents sur les porte-avions!!!!! merci pour cette belle vidéo

@airailimages

2 жыл бұрын

Oui, c'était une période de variété à bord des porte-avions. Merci, comme toujours, d'avoir regardé et commenté.

Beautiful, tks!!

@airailimages

2 жыл бұрын

You are welcome. Thanks for watching.

This is so wholesome

Nice 👍 thank you

@airailimages

2 жыл бұрын

Welcome 😊

Was with VA-195 on board '72 & '73-'74. Worked in ordnance and as an AT. Flight deck was a well oiled dance when in operation. You had to have your spidy sense well tuned during night ops.

Home port overseas was in the Philippines, good times in Olongapo when it was cool. I did my time on the Kitty from '74 to '79, enjoyed three westpacs and was made into a shellback.

@airailimages

2 жыл бұрын

Good stories to add. Thanks for watching.

I was on that cruise in RVAH-6. If I remember correctly, for one of the few times on a WestPac cruise, no aircrew lives were lost. There was only one sailor who died and he jumped overboard. A Dear John letter was found.

@steveowens913

11 ай бұрын

In my humble, but ACCURATE opinion, the worst reason in the history of Earth, for jumping overboard! He possibly wanted a "do-over " very shortly after that move.

Dates of service. I am the surviving spouse of a sailor, John Morrison who sailed on the USS Kitty from 1974 to 1979. My application for compensation was denied because the VA says the Kitty Hawk was never in Vietnam after May 1974. Is there anyone who served on the Kitty Hawk that can tell me if the USS Kitty Hawk was, indeed, in Vietnam during the years 1974 - 1975? Does any one have photos of the ship that shows that the ship was in Vietnam during those years? The claim was denied because the VA says the ship was never in Vietnam after 1972. My husband, like many sailors, died from Parkinson's Disease and severe Lewy-Body dementia. He was a cook aboard the ship. His name was John Morrison and, his home city was Portland, Oregon. I am very grateful for any information about the ship's service in Vietnam during 1974-75. Any photos that put the ship in Vietnam. I was asked if there is any correspondence that any one has that says they were on the ship in Vietnam during 1974 to 1975. This shouldn't be this difficult and, for every family who has been through this process, I apologize for the angst you have been through with the VA process, especially during COVID 19. Theresa Prefontaine JohnUSSKittyHawk@gmail.com

Thanks 👍🇳🇿

@airailimages

2 жыл бұрын

You are welcome

kitty hawk basically has her own kids and grandkids with how many people served on it

Got a tour, thru Norton MWR, of the Kitty Hawk; 3 of us medics went, and were given a great tour by a young fireman. Told us about being on watch when the Russian sub collided; joke about telling new crew members about the bowling alley.

Познавательное видео.

@airailimages

2 жыл бұрын

И спасибо за просмотр и за комментарии. I spasibo za prosmotr i za kommentarii.

304 hell ya 👍

This is great. What is the start music ? Love the 70's feel of it. Suits the footage.

@airailimages

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks -- glad you enjoyed the music. That first piece was generated in an old Sony music arrangement program called Cinescore. You input styles, genres, moods, and such to tell the computer what to generate and for how long. Quite enjoyable to create music with it, and almost infinitely customizable. But Sony dropped it quite a few years ago around 2009; I think the program and some of the music modules in CD form show up on E-Bay every once in awhile.

@gunhog11

2 жыл бұрын

What music piece is at 3:15 on? Nicely done video. Enjoyed it.

the only time I wanted to be on a flight deck in the Navy is when there were no flight ops USS Oriskany cva 34 go Navy beat Army 17-14

Served on 68, I think. VA37. Seat mechanic.

T-bars used in the catapult launch sequences courtesy of Aviation Storekeeper par excellence Joseph Hopkins / S-6 Division USS Kitty Hawk, 70-71 cruise

@airailimages

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for adding details, and thanks for watching.

Oh man those things are pimp

Hook it wooo he hooked it

Arming wires on the A-7 at 11:30.

2:23 yep , its good to go..

Was there a LT. Max Carey in one of the A-7 squadrons?

I was on her at that time, H Division.

@airailimages

5 ай бұрын

Good to hear from veterans who find our historic videos! Thanks.

3MMR,,,JOHN F. KENNEDY CV-67...I DON'T WANT HER CUT UP...

Good to see the Muscle car era jets I served with on CV-59!! However the music ida rather hear is the Engine's!! Not the stupid soundtrack!

@airailimages

Жыл бұрын

Hey, appreciate your comments. The video file was received silent; we learned a long time ago that no matter what music we use, some will like it and some will not. Hope you will stick around and watch more from Airailimages.

What kind of helicopter is this at 1:56? Is this a Kaman H2?

What you don’t show is the real flight deck operations like A2 with its port strut in the port catwalk and the RA5C taking off CAT#1 and dropping its center line fuel tanks on the flight deck while it’s in after burners GENERAL QUARTERS GENERAL QUARTERS. and then five crew on flight deck being blowed overboard I was in charge of waist catapults during this cruise

Did you edit out VA-52?

@airailimages

2 жыл бұрын

Not at all. Used the film we had available.

@richardhutsell4791

2 жыл бұрын

@@airailimages I’m just another old guy reliving past glories. I appreciate your reply and nice work on the video. Thanks

@airailimages

2 жыл бұрын

And thank you for watching. Old guys welcome here!

ABE for life 😂😂! Kitty Hawk 93-95

What on earth were they using the skywarrior for, doesn't the vigilante perform the same role but better?

@herbarnold7896

2 жыл бұрын

That was an EKA-3B of VAQ-133, which provided airborne tanking and electronic warfare services. The RA-5C was almost exclusively used for photographic (and some electronic) reconnaissance.

@user-mz2yh6qz7y

2 жыл бұрын

@@herbarnold7896 Ah ok. Thanks ftm

No A-6 footage?

@airailimages

2 жыл бұрын

Not in this package. Not sure, but I wonder if Kitty Hawk used only A-7s, and if this helped keep logistics easier for servicing only one type of attack aircraft. Thanks for watching.

@vondumozze738

2 жыл бұрын

@@airailimages We definitely had A6s aboard .

Must be me growing in the Air Force but. Why was a guy wearing his wedding ring on the flight deck

@airailimages

2 жыл бұрын

Even as an Air Force civilian, I remember "ring check" in command post before the crew boarded a C-141.

Back in the days when you could still have a beard.

Nothing like working on the "Roof." AFTS VA-65, VF-101. Note the arming wires on the A-7 at 11:20.