That’s D.D. Smith driving his Avanti to work at PAX. He is also the US pilot who evaluated the Vigen. Later while testing a brand new F-14 (less than 20 hours total time) he entered a spin where the axis was between the vertical tails. He was trapped by 10+ eyes out G. When the guy in the back ejected and the canopy was gone, rotation slowed and he was able to eject. He landed in the only tree on a extremely small island in the Chesapeake Bay. One lucky pilot. He had found a fault in a flight computer which put in pro spin command at high angles of attack. Problem got fixed. He flew again after a long recovery. He wore “The X” and richly deserved it. Film of the event is probably still around.
The tram A-6 was deployed in the fleet in 1972 so it was flying at pax previous to being deployed, as every aircraft variant is. No reason to doubt the date of the film.
I was there from 61-64. I flew as a radar operator. In F-4 Phantoms. I was at Weapon Systems test.
This was so great to watch. I was an avionics technician for Navy H-60’s at NAWS Pt. Mugu in the early 1990’s.
Wow! I Especially got a kick out of about the 7:30 mark. I was stationed at TC-7 the test catapult at Pax River right out of A-School. Back in 1989.
Doug Sopo bet you Mr Goddard was the boiler mechanic when you were there as well. He just retired after 58 years
That’s D.D. Smith driving his Avanti to work at PAX. He is also the US pilot who evaluated the Vigen. Later while testing a brand new F-14 (less than 20 hours total time) he entered a spin where the axis was between the vertical tails. He was trapped by 10+ eyes out G. When the guy in the back ejected and the canopy was gone, rotation slowed and he was able to eject. He landed in the only tree on a extremely small island in the Chesapeake Bay. One lucky pilot. He had found a fault in a flight computer which put in pro spin command at high angles of attack. Problem got fixed. He flew again after a long recovery. He wore “The X” and richly deserved it. Film of the event is probably still around.
Driving a nice Studebaker Avanti at 1:08
1963
I lived at Pax river from 1970-1974. Cool place for a kid. My dad worked in VP-30. Fished pond 5 and was at the marina lots.
Used to live down the road from there. Did a tour once too. Pretty neat place.
You need 3 balls to test planes✈️.. much respect!.Thanks from NZ 👍🇳🇿
Thanks!!👏👏👏
“It’s time for spin recovery sustainment training.” “Can I fly that jet?” “No” “why not!?!” “It won’t spin...”
AIRBOYD: Great to see during Naval Aviation's Centennial year! Can you tell me who produced this video?
@tigersjj I was on the P-3 BIS trails fro 63-64. Flew as a Radar and MAD operator.What was his name?
@wasjrs13 my dad was stationed there then he retired from there in 72 he was in from 53 to 72 he flew in the p3 orions
This has got to be later than 1971, because that A-6 had a "TRAM" pod on the chin.
I believe TRAM testing came out in 71-72.
The tram A-6 was deployed in the fleet in 1972 so it was flying at pax previous to being deployed, as every aircraft variant is. No reason to doubt the date of the film.
The engineer doesn't make any complicated mathematics.....he just reports the problem to the manufacturer of the device incriminated
Dudes driving an Avanti