Monday, May 29, 2017

Sun Run RF-101

One doesn't come across photo of this aircraft.   Years ago a made a model of this aircraft.  The model was the hasegawa 1/72 RF-101.  It the time I thought it was a great model kit.

On Nov. 27, 1957, four USAF pilots of the 363rd Tactical Reconnaissance Wing successfully completed Operation Sun Run by establishing three new transcontinental speed records in a McDonnell RF-101C aircraft. The record-breaking mission showcased the speed and range of the RF-101C, an improved version of the first supersonic photo reconnaissance aircraft, the RF-101A. 

Preparing for the Sun RunOperation Sun Run called for six RF-101C aircraft -- two to fly round-trip from Los Angeles to New York and back again, two for the one-way flight from Los Angeles to New York, and two for backups if problems arose with the four primary aircraft. The undertaking required massive coordination of aircraft crews and radar and weather stations from coast to coast. 

Six pilots of the 17th and 18th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadrons of the 363rd Tactical Reconnaissance Wing were chosen for Operation Sun Run. Each prepared for the round-trip flight, since they would not know which flight they were assigned until a few days before the operation. All six pilots had extensive experience in photo reconnaissance aircraft, although the RF-101 was relatively new to Tactical Air Command. 

The success of Operation Sun Run also depended on the performance of the newly available KC-135 Stratotanker, the USAF's first jet tanker. The KC-135's speed allowed the RF-101s to refuel at an altitude of 35,000 feet and a speed of Mach 0.8. Crews from Strategic Air Command and Air Force Research and Development Command prepared for the 26 refuelings the Operation Sun Run RF-101Cs would require. 

The Sun Run 
At 6:59 a.m., Nov. 27, 1957, Capt. Ray Schrecengost took off from Ontario International Airport near Los Angeles on the first RF-101C round-trip flight of Operation Sun Run. 

Next into the air were Capt. Robert Kilpatrick on his one-way flight and Capt. Donald Hawkins, flying back-up. Capt. Hawkins followed until the first refueling was complete, and then flew to March Air Force Base, Calif. At 7:50 a.m., Capt. Robert Sweet took off on the second round-trip flight. Lt. Gustav Klatt followed, beginning his one-way trip. Their backup, Capt. Robert Burkhart, also flew to March Air Force Base after the first successful refueling. 

All four RF-101C pilots easily surpassed the previous speed records and established new ones. The new Los Angeles to New York record was established by Lt. Klatt, at 3 hours, 7 minutes and 43.63 seconds. Capt. Sweet set the round-trip record, at a time of 6 hours, 46 minutes and 36.21 seconds, and the New York to Los Angeles record, at a time of 3 hours, 36 minutes and 32.33 seconds.






Tuesday, May 23, 2017

Video on how to use photo-etch tools

No need to explain.  Just watch the video.


F-4D 66-0243

F-4D-29-MC s/n 66-0243

*1969: USAF 366th TFW. 
*1969-70: USAF 37th TFW. 
*1970: USAF 12th TFW. 
*1975: USAF 493rd TFS (48th TFW). 
*1976: USAF 48th TFW. 
*USAF 474th TFW. 
*1979: USAF 13th TFTS (56th TFW). 
*1984: Vermont ANG 134th TFS. 
*1987-89: Michigan ANG 171st FIS. 
*7/1989: Put into storage at the AMARC bone yard. 

 191St Crew Chief for 243 was Jimmy O'Neil
Photo credit Gary Kowalski












Photo by Joe Zeba   June 1985

F-4D 65-714

F-4D-28-MC s/n 65-0714

*1969: USAF 78th TFS (81st TFW). 
*1971: USAF 81st TFW. 
*1976: USAF 81st TFW. 
*1978: USAF 78th TFS (81st TFW). 
*USAF 18th TFW. 
*1981: Kansas ANG 127th TFS. 
*1988-90: Michigan ANG 171st TFS. 
*1/1990: Put into storage at the AMARC bone yard. 
*Currently preserved at JRB Fort Worth, TX. 

191St Crew Chief..  David Tinsley.


photo added 7/11/2021


Photo by Gerry Kaleniecki







Feb 2016

Brian Scott's father aircraft in Udorn 70-71

Brian Scott father.

Another picture of his dad in Udorn,


F-4D 66-0226

F-4D-29-MC s/n 66-0226

*1972: USAF 4485th TS. 
*1974: USAF 417th TFS (49th TFW). 
*1975: USAF 8th TFS (49th TFW). 
*1976: USAF 49th TFW. 
*1977: USAF 8th TFS (49th TFW). 
*1978: USAF 56th TFW. 
*1979: USAF 61st TFS (56th TFW). 
*1982-85: Vermont ANG 134th TFS. 
*1988: Michigan ANG 171st TFS. 
*7/1990: Put into storage at the AMARC bone yard. 

191st Crew Chief :Bob Schuppe  update 7/19/2020




F-4D 66-0266

F-4D-29-MC s/n 66-0266

*USAF 43rd TFS (35th TFW). 
*1970: USAF 335th TFS (4th TFW). 
*1973: USAF 417th TFS (49th TFW). 
*1974: USAF 7th TFS (49th TFW). 
*1975: USAF 417th TFS (49th TFW). 
*1976: USAF 7th TFS (49th TFW). 
*1976-77: USAF 8th TFS (49th TFW). 
*1979: USAF 13th TFTS (56th TFW). 
*1982: Vermont ANG 134th TFS. 
*1986-89: Michigan ANG 171st FIS. 
*7/1989: Put into storage at the AMARC bone yard. 
*Currently preserved at Ontario APT, CA. 

191st Crew Chief. Ken Szymanski  updated 7/22/2020

First of the ghost grey Six Pack tail design.


266 with revised chevron on tail


266 with checker board tail.
Museum Ontario Oregon





F-4D 65-0737

F-4D-28-MC s/n 65-0737

*1972: USAF 80th TFS (3rd TFW). 
*1973: USAF 35th TFS (3rd TFW). 
*1973: USAF 67th TFS (475th TFW). 
*1975: USAF 494th TFS (48th TFW). 
*1976: USAF 493rd TFS (48th TFW). 
*1979: USAF 13th TFTS (56th TFW). 
*1985: Vermont ANG 134th TFS. 
*1988: Michigan ANG 171st FIS. 
*1/1990: Put into storage at the AMARC bone yard. 
    
added photo 8/31/2021


    

191st Crew Chief Eddie "The Truth" Kanter update 09/19/2020
Photo from face book. Photo by Doug Barbier



Picture by David F. Brown