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Started By
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Story behind a famous Navy flyby
Posted on 3/9/17 at 8:47 am
Posted on 3/9/17 at 8:47 am
The Chive
The photos were taken in 1988 while aboard the USS America (CV-66).
At the time, Dale a.k.a. “Snort” was already known for his stunt piloting from years of performing at Air Force and Naval air shows around the world.
Basically “Snort” was in the category of best-of-the-best…and that morning, he gave photographer Sean Dunn a little heads-up as to his plans for that day.
Dale told Sean to be on the flight deck because he was going to do a low-level flyby that would put “Maverick’s” movie low-level pass to shame.
This is why Mr. Dunn was able to capture the first image while there were very few crew members watching on the deck.
Above is the photo Sean captured before the rest of the aircraft carrier’s crew realized what ol’ “Snort” was up to that day.
Also notice the arrow of the guy with his arms behind his back, Dale will later explain the significance of this man.
It took no time for the members on USS America to sprint out to experience the trickster’s next flyby.
From pilot Dale Snodgrass on the flybys that day:
“It’s not risky at all with practice… It was my opening pass to a Tomcat tactical demonstration at sea. I started from the starboard rear quarter of the ship, at or slightly below flight deck level. Airspeed was at about 250 knots with the wings swept forward.”
“I selected afterburner at about ½ miles behind and the aircraft accelerated to about 325-330 knots. As I approached the ship, I rolled into an 85 degree angle of bank and did a 2-3 g turn, finishing about 10 – 20 degrees off of the ship’s axis.”
“It was a very dramatic and, in my opinion, a very cool way to start a carrier demo.”
Dale Snodgrass added the following (remember arrow on earlier photo):
“Just as an aside…the individual with his arms behind his back is Admiral Jay Johnson, who (went on to) became the Chief of Naval Operations for the Navy.”
Back in the day, guys could get away with some serious sh*t during deployment. I’d say these flybys are “cashing the check”.
Above is cropped version of the second awesome image Mr. Dunn captured.
The photos were taken in 1988 while aboard the USS America (CV-66).
At the time, Dale a.k.a. “Snort” was already known for his stunt piloting from years of performing at Air Force and Naval air shows around the world.
Basically “Snort” was in the category of best-of-the-best…and that morning, he gave photographer Sean Dunn a little heads-up as to his plans for that day.
Dale told Sean to be on the flight deck because he was going to do a low-level flyby that would put “Maverick’s” movie low-level pass to shame.
This is why Mr. Dunn was able to capture the first image while there were very few crew members watching on the deck.
Above is the photo Sean captured before the rest of the aircraft carrier’s crew realized what ol’ “Snort” was up to that day.
Also notice the arrow of the guy with his arms behind his back, Dale will later explain the significance of this man.
It took no time for the members on USS America to sprint out to experience the trickster’s next flyby.
From pilot Dale Snodgrass on the flybys that day:
“It’s not risky at all with practice… It was my opening pass to a Tomcat tactical demonstration at sea. I started from the starboard rear quarter of the ship, at or slightly below flight deck level. Airspeed was at about 250 knots with the wings swept forward.”
“I selected afterburner at about ½ miles behind and the aircraft accelerated to about 325-330 knots. As I approached the ship, I rolled into an 85 degree angle of bank and did a 2-3 g turn, finishing about 10 – 20 degrees off of the ship’s axis.”
“It was a very dramatic and, in my opinion, a very cool way to start a carrier demo.”
Dale Snodgrass added the following (remember arrow on earlier photo):
“Just as an aside…the individual with his arms behind his back is Admiral Jay Johnson, who (went on to) became the Chief of Naval Operations for the Navy.”
Back in the day, guys could get away with some serious sh*t during deployment. I’d say these flybys are “cashing the check”.
Above is cropped version of the second awesome image Mr. Dunn captured.
Posted on 3/9/17 at 8:50 am to Tigeralum2008
That is one seriously sexy piece of flying machinery
Posted on 3/9/17 at 8:52 am to Tigeralum2008
"You screw up this much, and I mean this much, you'll both be flying a cargo plane full of rubber dog shite outta Hong Kong."
Posted on 3/9/17 at 8:55 am to Tigeralum2008
I've seen Snodgrass fly at several airshows. Even one time he piloted a P-51 Mustang and put on one of the best I've ever seen. If I can find a pic I'll upload his low, low pass.
Posted on 3/9/17 at 8:56 am to Tigeralum2008
I'm not sure if there are anymore active F-14 squadrons, but when I was in (got out in 09) I was pissed I never got to see one in the air. Pretty much all F-18s and F-4s.
The F-18s definitely do some cool shite, but just always wanted to see F-14s, Top Gun is my favorite movie after all
The F-18s definitely do some cool shite, but just always wanted to see F-14s, Top Gun is my favorite movie after all
Posted on 3/9/17 at 8:58 am to SidewalkDawg
Negative ghost rider, the pattern is full.
Posted on 3/9/17 at 9:01 am to Theboot32
quote:
I'm not sure if there are anymore active F-14 squadrons, but when I was in (got out in 09) I was pissed I never got to see one in the air. Pretty much all F-18s and F-4s
My father was an engineer for Grumman
Each year they would have a company picnic in Calverton, NY where all the Grumman aircraft would put on a private air show.
We are talking everything from vintage Hellcats to E-2's, X-29's and F-14's
My dad loved that company and it crushed his soul when they started closing down in the early 90's. To this day I don't think he has truly recovered from it.
The rampant corruption in defense contracting claimed one of the great american aeronautical companies as they were later acquired for pennies on the dollar.
This post was edited on 3/9/17 at 9:04 am
Posted on 3/9/17 at 9:03 am to Tigeralum2008
What caused their demise?
Posted on 3/9/17 at 9:05 am to Tigeralum2008
"Goddammit!! That's twice!! I want some butts!"
Posted on 3/9/17 at 9:06 am to Honest Tune
quote:
What caused their demise?
Just edited that post but they were embroiled in a corruption case and lost the opportunity to build the F-14's replacement which became the F-18
The cold war ending and defense cuts hurt them badly as there weren't enough military orders to go around
Posted on 3/9/17 at 9:08 am to Theboot32
quote:
I'm not sure if there are anymore active F-14 squadrons
I can 100% assure you there are not.
Posted on 3/9/17 at 9:08 am to Tigeralum2008
Grumman's lineup is a who's who of Naval Aviation history they also built the Apollo lunar lander
Grumman wiki
Grumman wiki
This post was edited on 3/9/17 at 9:08 am
Posted on 3/9/17 at 9:09 am to Tigeralum2008
The MIC of today would have done them some good I suppose.
Posted on 3/9/17 at 9:11 am to Honest Tune
From what I understand, and I'm not really super aircraft educated, F-14's were freaking huge which created some problems. You can fit a lot more F-18s on a carrier than F-14s
F-18s are smaller, faster and more maneuverable. I think it just made since to transition to the F-18 as the main fighter jet economically and strategically.
F-18s are smaller, faster and more maneuverable. I think it just made since to transition to the F-18 as the main fighter jet economically and strategically.
Posted on 3/9/17 at 9:12 am to ChewyDante
quote:
I can 100% assure you there are not.
there was one when I got to my ship, in 2004
just googled it and it looks like the last time they were active was 2006
Posted on 3/9/17 at 9:15 am to Tigeralum2008
Tigeralum,
Your Dad probably knew and worked with Bob Smyth. I was deployed in the mid 70's along with VF84 (Jolly Rogers)& VF 41 (Black Aces) on the Nimitz. Beautiful aircraft.
LINK /
Your Dad probably knew and worked with Bob Smyth. I was deployed in the mid 70's along with VF84 (Jolly Rogers)& VF 41 (Black Aces) on the Nimitz. Beautiful aircraft.
LINK /
This post was edited on 3/9/17 at 9:18 am
Posted on 3/9/17 at 9:28 am to Theboot32
quote:
F-18s are smaller, faster and more maneuverable. I think it just made since to transition to the F-18 as the main fighter jet economically and strategically.
They also had less range and couldn't carry the same armament.
When we initially went after the Taliban, the F-14D was the only Naval air asset that could hit the Haji's before our air refueling assets could be deployed in support
The F-14 was built as a Naval Air Superiority fighter much like the F-15. The F-18 is a multirole airframe like the F-16
If the Cold War was still on, I'd want an F-14 over the F-18 for the fact they had the AIM-54 Long Range missile that could dwindle the numbers of aggressor aircraft at a longer range than could be counterattacked.
This post was edited on 3/9/17 at 9:30 am
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