[svandamme]

From Tomcat Sunset forum / F14association forum

Originally Posted by Rattler Re: The "Hoser Chronicles" and Evolution of Air Combat

Well....speaking of SHB's, Hoser holds the uneclipsed title, hands down. We're talkin' F-8C & USS Intrepid ( very small deck - for those who never saw a 27 Charlie class carrier ), Tonkin Gulf, 1968. Hoser comes smokin' into the break right over the fantail with I'm guessing around 600 kts. WHACK ! Max vapes ( It was always humid over there ) as he pulls the pole for all it's worth, trying to get rid of all that smack. I'm staring at all this in disbelief. No f---ing way is he gonna pull this off ! Gear down around the 90. Wing finally comes up about the time he rolls into the groove. No black smoke, folks. He's still at idle trying to bleed off more knots. The LSO's are trying to figure out whether they should be screaming for power or applauding. So far, so good. Still....no black smoke. Hoser's glued to the center deck PLAT crosshairs. He crosses the ramp looking good and on speed...still no power. He's a whisper jet. "CLACK " goes the hook as it picks up a 2 or 3 wire ( I don't remember which) and comes to a screeching halt, much to everybody's relief and amazement. What if he'd have boltered, you ask.... "we don't need no stinkin' bolters !"

This really happened. I was there. I saw it .

Rattler

Originally Posted by DHose

Good call Magic,,,,,Just checked my log book/combat diary for that particular trap. It was in green=combat hop. Ken Hespe was waving.... same guy d-hose thumped and left verticle fin paint on his A-4 refueling probe. (story is way back some where) OK, 3 (no comments) The Intrepid had 5 arresting gear wires. Man, I expected to see dem red wave off lights from the ninety until crossing the ramp! Sheding my flt gear in the ready room, d-hose noticed a lump on either side at the base of the neck, each about the size of a golf ball??? .... (ok, apricot seed) Gentle down ward pressure caused each of them to pop down back in to place! And that my man, is what cha call being nutted up! HaaaR! And like John Barlow said on the UHF when he departed his F-8 in the break @ Alameda....... "My name is John Barlow and I'll never do that again"!!!

Rattler! thanx for the recall....felt like D-Hose was there!!!!