Flying from the USS America inside an A-1 Skyraider. Navy carriers, not engaged in actual combat operations, constantly practice and rehearse for war. The USS America (CVA-66) was in the Caribbean near Puerto Rico for fleet operations/exercises. The bombs on the F-4s and A-4s were intended for Viegas Island, Puerto Rico. Check out marine Gunny Mac’s page. Viegas made political headlines during successful efforts by local people to stop using Viegas for a bombing range by the US Navy. The super 8 movie camera was purchased by me on this cruise for about .00. It is not claimed that these videos are of professional quality but they do bring back memories. Commence Navy Air Operations: Let’s start with an F-4 cat shot. At :25 check out a bird from VAW-33’s detachment. No. 810 is now on permanent display at the Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola. Check out the photo below on this page taken by a prominent local judge. At :53 an A-4 gets a cat shot. Senator John McCain was shot down over Vietnam in this type of plane. It was a mainstay in the Israeli Air Force in the 1967 Mideast War. At 1:12 an RA-5C, the most graceful plane in the Navy, gets a kick in the butt. Notice the red from the after-burners kicking in. All navy jets take off at max power or military power [1:37]. At 1:55 old number 810 gets ready for its launch. BOLTER, BOLTER, BOLTER. See a hot shot in an F-4 miss the arresting wire at 2:45. The graceful A-1 recovers at 3:00. Launch time again. F-4, carrying a …
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