Grampaw
Posts: 499
Joined: 10/31/2002
From: Opelousas,
LA, USA
Status: offline
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The preceeding stories took me back to the summer of '51 during the Korean War. I was a Grunt in the 5th Marines. One day I was perched up on the rim of my Foxhole jotting down some notes on a letter home. We were on a ridgeline about a half mile or so from a ridge reportedly "owned" by the Chinese. Things had been fairly quiet and patrols had been sent out for a "look see." We weren't taking any fire from that direction, so I took advantage of the "lull" to get some peacefull sunshine while writing my letter. Then as the others here have said, "I heard a strange engine sound" behind me. Glancing back over my shoulder I found myself looking right into the business end of a dirty, battle marked, grimy old Hognosed F4-U coming right at me through the trees behind me! We had them come over us on Close Air Support missions many times, and we trusted those Fly-Marines with our butts, but this time I was just a tad concerned, especially as while I was looking back at him approaching I suddenly saw muzzle blasts from his wing guns and saw tracers going over me! My brain screamed "Why is he firing on us?" I had heard that 50 calibre slugs hurt like hell, so I dropped my tail down in my hole, fast! I popped up just as he went over me still firing those fifties close enough over head that the empty shell cases rained down on me! I saw two Rockets ignite and race out ahead of him! I watched as those Rockets left a trail of white smoke heading straight for the hillside and exploding a burst of flame, dirt and rocks! Then the pilot dropped his right wing, rolled to the right, make a steep climb over the trees on the hillside and fly away. There were no others, and he made just that one pass. I never did find out if he was just playing around or maybe disposing of Unused Ordinance before heading home for the day, or if he was called down for a mission? It was unusual for just one plane to come in, as they usually worked in a four plane group. Whatever the reason, he came over me in that "Low and Slow" configuration, literally dragging it to line up with a target that would have been impossible from their usual dive angle. Could have been a cave with a weapons crew hidden inside and a low slow head on approach was chosen. I don't know, but it was an experience I will never forget. I'm just glad we were on the same side. The Corsair was one fine combat airplane. And if you want a thrill, stand in front of one coming at you dead on, low and slow. It is scary, even if it is friendly!
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All Forums >> Radios, Batteries, Clubhouse and more >> Full Scale planes, cars, helis, boats >> Airplanes - Full Scale >> F-4U SEEN 
F-4U SEEN - 
I'll be working on it, but don't hold your breath.
