Pilots: Unbelievable F-15 flight

WolfeMacleod · 08-25-2007, 08:25 PM

Haven't seen this posted here.

Flying - and Landing - with one wing. Unbelievable.
WMV version:
http://www.sonnyradio.com/F15.wmv

bell · bell's Garage

amazing video

dewolf · 08-25-2007, 11:09 PM

See, they really are God's chosen people

surflvr911sc · surflvr911sc's Garage

Too bad that the only part of the video that was real was the still shots after the landing.

Way cool though, great aircraft, great flying.

Joeaksa · 08-26-2007, 02:28 AM

Video has been around for years. They are very good pilots.

A long time friend of mine who flew F-15's and F-117's went to Israel when they first were given the Eagle and was an instructor there for a while. He returned saying that they are the only fighter pilots that he was afraid of. Said that they have absolutely no fear and are ready to die at anytime to help their country.

Israeli fighter pilots (at least at that time) were moved out of fighters and into other aircraft at the age of 26. Their studies showed that after this age the pilots started worrying about their friends, family and so on, and were not as "effective" as they were at an earlier age. They want them going full bore to accomplish the mission, at any costs. Considering that they are surrounded by enemies thats what it takes.

FOG · 08-26-2007, 04:39 AM

Joe,

Some misinformation (maskrovka?). The Israelis have/had fighter pilots older than 26. While they are good they are not the superman portrayed and have serious holes in certain areas (though some of their training holes are in areas that don’t apply to their situation. As far as going full bore I have to call BS. When the USMC used Kfirs at -401 as aggressors the Israelis openly criticized the Marines as being too aggressive, flying too low, too fast, etc.

MD built some tough jets. How many Hornets have been hit by ManPads? What percentage made it back? 100% have made it back. Not bad for an airplane that can get in the weeds.

S/F, FOG

Joeaksa · 08-26-2007, 05:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FOG

Joe,

Some misinformation (maskrovka?). The Israelis have/had fighter pilots older than 26. While they are good they are not the superman portrayed and have serious holes in certain areas (though some of their training holes are in areas that don’t apply to their situation. As far as going full bore I have to call BS. When the USMC used Kfirs at -401 as aggressors the Israelis openly criticized the Marines as being too aggressive, flying too low, too fast, etc.

MD built some tough jets. How many Hornets have been hit by ManPads? What percentage made it back? 100% have made it back. Not bad for an airplane that can get in the weeds.

S/F, FOG

Fog,

Sorry but just repeating what one of the most experienced fighter pilots we have had told me when he returned from Israel. This was the procedure when he was training the Israeli's at that time. Before or after this time period that may have changed. You might re-read my post where I said "at least at this time" and I am not going to retract this statement.

He was one of the acceptance pilots for the US Air Force on the F-15, then was one of very first pilots to fly the F-117. Only the cream of the crop were chosen for these posts.

If your source has better credientals than this guy, would love to hear it.

Joe
(Who flew for McDonald Douglas Aircraft in the F-4 and F-15 era)

Tobra · Tobra's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by FOG

Joe,

Some misinformation (maskrovka?). The Israelis have/had fighter pilots older than 26. While they are good they are not the superman portrayed and have serious holes in certain areas (though some of their training holes are in areas that don’t apply to their situation. As far as going full bore I have to call BS. When the USMC used Kfirs at -401 as aggressors the Israelis openly criticized the Marines as being too aggressive, flying too low, too fast, etc.

MD built some tough jets. How many Hornets have been hit by ManPads? What percentage made it back? 100% have made it back. Not bad for an airplane that can get in the weeds.

S/F, FOG

Seems to me that you don't understand this nearly as well as even I do, let alone Joe. I know some Israelis and would say yeah, the fighter pilots are revered by all of them pretty highly, but consider what they have accomplished. Oh, and I bet all the "Tip of the Spear" type of pilots are still young guys.

All of them(Israelis) serve their country, unlike here where we have an all volunteer force, so they are likely more invested in the situation, coupled with the fact that lots of crazy people are committed to killing you it would keep your attention. Their planes, and more importantly their pilots are vital resources for their survival. If one of them wads up a plane, even if kindly Uncle Sam gives them a new one gratis, they don't have a whole gang of guys there to step into his place.

Would it surprise you if they were critical of someone flying down the street low enough to clip a stop sign at 20 times the speed limit, or whatever it was they were bagging on?

FOG · 08-26-2007, 09:30 AM

Joe,

I have flown with the Israelis in Israel a few times, 1st hand experience from the early/mid nineties.

Only flown w/-401 (Agressor squadron) a couple of times though have flown against more.

The thing to admire was their use of intel and willingness to use it. Not send data “up the chain” to eventually be processed into “intel” that bore little resemblance to reality, followed at some lengthy interval by action that no longer mattered (Kosovo’s Allied Farce?).

Tobra,

As I have 1st hand experience I would hazard a guess a have some inkling. There are very different cultural styles and behaviors, from country to service and even platforms in the same service.

Know nothing about the incident you are referring to about the stop sign. I do know they thought it was crazy to fly so low for a low bounce or the USMC Herks so low they had to climb to turn. Lots of different things that would be considered norms for naval aviation, commonwealth or Dutch.

S/F, FOG

Joeaksa · 08-26-2007, 09:49 PM

Fog,

Flying what aircraft? My friend was over there when the F-15 was first sold to Israel, not in the 1990's. This was the mid to late 1970's time frame. What you are saying may be right during the 1990's time period, but when the F-15 was first introduced things were different.

Sounds like you and I were in the ME at the same time. Ever get to Saudi? Was with the "Peace Sun" F-15C/D's program there.

FOG · 08-28-2007, 07:56 AM

Joe,

Herks and Hornets. Only a few fam type flights in the Eagle. Biggest difference was the Herks, even their ninjas flew like straight trash hauler (perfect for airline or USAF).

Unfortunately I have been to Saudi plus most of the rest. Though little time on the fun island.

In the middle of a med board/PEB so little likelihood of flying again, though the cardiologist will sign off on a 1st class the other specialties…

S/F, FOG

Superman · 08-28-2007, 08:24 AM

There are always people who don't understand or respect this, but just about anyone knowledgeable in these matters will quickly tell you that the Israeli armed services personnel are the most feared on the planet. It's just true. Nobody squares off with these guys and there's a reason for that. Very likely I'd say, we will see evidence of this. If necessary, Isreal will take out Iran's nuclear capability. It will happen quickly and the outcome is quite certain. Iran will probably be placed in a situation where they are humiliated before they can even react. Their decision regarding retaliation will be a decision whether to get hurt some more. The countries in that area who hate them......they all know this. It is, quite frankly, fortunate for those people that the Israelis show so much restraint. If the gloves ever come off, it won't be pretty.

FOG · 08-28-2007, 08:40 AM

Superman,

I suggest you get with some folks that really are informed on these matters with real world experience. Not just Americans but other pros from NATO, SEATO, etc.

Just for smiles and giggles why don’t you open source the dispersal of Iran’s nuclear facilities and what is published on their hardening measures. Then search for Israeli assets, even assume 100% aircraft availability and 0 losses on the way in but factor in fuel and weapons loads. Then use the most optimistic weaponeering you can.

Relatively speaking their gloves did come off in Lebanon just a short while ago. If the U.S. had used such indiscriminate firepower in Iraq there would be even more screams of outrage.

S/F, FOG