I thinkwhat Bill Hatcher saw Was, André Nougiers plane from 'speed Models'from Avignon in France.with a JPX engine, about 20 years ago,
the 'First' in France to fly jets which if my memory is right was fitted in a Byron F 16, of which
he was 'invited' to the world famous "Top Gun" event.

Hey Woketman, how are you?

I was calling for my son during the F-4's flight at TOC 96.
When Kent Noggy flamed out both engines, I didn't want my son to get distracted (he was flying my baby); so, the only thing that came to my mind was to loudly say: DON'T LOOK, HE IS GOING TO CRASH !!!!

Needless to say, Kent heard it. And to prove that I was wrong, he made the most spectacular dead stick landing I have ever seen. It was a masterpiece of energy management and cojones. He brought it back to the runway, humping over the fence at stall speed ...Unbelievable.

Since that day, Kent "kindly" reminds me of my infamous phrase every time we see each other!!!! LOL

Hope Kent is reading this. Great memories !!! And great hobby.

Jack

Ugh.. besides Steve winning, the only thing I remember about that TOC was how freaking COLD it was..

John Boren's Wobblin' Goblin, Ah yess I remember it well.............I helped John do repairs between the two flights. Ha Ha..I am the last one at the flight line in the video with the cowboy hat.........................LOL

I grew up with Steve Stricker. I always told him that he apparently could only win the TOC if a pollack rocket scientist showed up to spectate!!! Yeah, it was cold, but fun!

I always wanted one of those Extra 300's he, Geoff Coombs, and Von flew.. Especially with the 4-cylinder engine.. man that thing was a great flying airplane.

Whaddaya mean "with the cowboy hat"?

People can take cowboy hats off their heads. I believe that thing on your head (which, I admit, looks like a cowboy hat) actually grows there.

Happy New Year, Terry!

I wasn't rich and couldn't make it to all of those cool old jet meets but I do remember the first turbine that I saw... It was on vhs. Still have it, here's an uploaded edited version.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kKxul95tAdg[/youtube]

Added: Did I mention that I hate VHS tapes!!!!!

Wow, Thats it. That was the first time I had ever seen a turbine powered model and when he hit the compressed air and that monster spooled up, I had cold shivers up my spine!! I have a Ram powered F-15 and everytime I spool it up I remember that F-18 and I get the same great rush of adrenalin, only now I'm actually the pilot of the monster!! I would have never thought at the time I would ever have one. Just goes to show if you want something bad enough you figure out a way to have it.

I may have that spectacular dead stick on video. I will do some digging and will post it if I can find it.

Oh please, please, please!!! I would love to see that!

Found it!! I did a little editing to cut it down a bit and to mark the point of the deadstick which is about 1:40. Also take a look at about 1:45 and see if you see something come off of,or out the back as the F4 turns to final.

That was a miserable cold and very windy day. Nasty crosswind if I remember right.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIO4SdzplnI

FANtastic! Thanks!!!

man i forgot how fast those things were on twin DFs.

cool vid

Thanks for the video, my favorite jet the F 4 and bob violetts 'speed' a real treat thanks.

That field looks very familiar!

I was there that day and saw that flight!

You should have said "Hi"!!!!

Jim:
Thanks a lot for the video. It it just great !!!. I never thought I would be able to see those flights again. (I had forgotten that video cameras existed back then LOL.)
I just remembered also that Bob Violett had a PA and was commenting on the flight. After my son landed long and had to brake real hard, Bob reminded people that he was on the tires business too !!!
It really was a cold and windy day. Actually, the event was cancelled one of the days due to the wind.

Yes, they were very fast. And the sound of twin synchronized BVM 91 fans was just perfect music !!!!

Thanks again Jim

Jack

The sound of the synchronized BVM 91's was cool but the rush of doing hot laps at Superman with 4 others several years back is still etched in my mind, great airframe. Guess I'll knock the dust of mine, check the glue joints, change the batteries, and stick an engine back in it.

DR