skunk-works-digest Friday, February 27 1998 Volume 07 : Number 010 Index of this digest by subject: *************************************************** Re: Blackjet news... Re: Blackjet news.... Found! Re: Found! Re: Blackjet news... A/F-117X? Re: A/F-117X? Re: A/F-117X? Re: Blackjet news.... Re[2]: Blackjet news.... Re: Blackjet news.... Re: SR-71 question Re: Blackjet news.... Re: Blackjet news.... Re: Re[2]: Blackjet news.... S-37 etc...Syntheic Aperature Re: Blackjet news.... Re: S-37 etc...Syntheic Aperature Re[4]: Blackjet news.... Military book stores U-2 and other Cold War shootdowns *************************************************** ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Wed, 25 Feb 1998 03:01:30 -0800 From: patrick Subject: Re: Blackjet news... At 06:18 PM 2/24/98 GMT, you wrote: >> >Art, that is always an interesting discussion until it reaches discussing >> that fatal qualifier. Money. If in fact we never built F-117A's and >> instead built the A/F-117X , the numbers would be so low that each task >> force would end up receiving a handful of airplanes. Well we can build >> more. Course we need a number of trainer aircraft to so as not to >> jeopardize the few on board. And now we are going to have to stock spare >> parts in 15 locations. (I'll give you credit for having the similar engine >> as an FA-18) But the RAM is the real sticky issue. It may decide not to >> stick! But the A/F-117X is a "way cooler" looking design! >> >> patrick cullumber >> patrick@e-z.net > >Patrick, > > Seems like there might be a slight disconnect here. The A/F-117X was never in >competition with the basic F-117. In fact, there couldn't have been a conceptual >A/F-117X if there hadn't been an F-117. The A/F-117X was a proposal for a naval >strike variant of an evolved F-117. It was also known in an earlier version as >the F-117N (without air-to-air capability). It was proposed as an alternative to >the F/A-18E/F. As a strike aircraft, it would offer better payload/range than the >Super Hornet, be more survivable, have all-weather capability and certainly >wouldn't cost more to develop than the E/F. There were strong indications from >USAF that if the USN paid for the R&D, they'd be interested in 200 of them >(possibly designated F-117B). There was also some talk that Great Britain would >be interested as well. > > It all came to nought because the Navy admitted that they weren't interested in >looking at the A/F-117X because it might interfere with the development and >procurement of the Hornet E/F. [sigh] > > Art > - -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-===-=-=-=-=-=-=-= No disconnect in my mind! Maybe my typing......Art your information is always invaluable in finding out what really happened. I admit to being on the outside looking for most occaisions. My only point was a squadron of naval F-117's would be spread so thin across the fleets to be somewhat impractical. I was unware they were considering wholesale changes to receive a large working number of navalized F-117's. Thanks for bringing the political side or the "real" side of the story! patrick cullumber patrick@e-z.net ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 25 Feb 1998 09:28:32 -0500 From: "Tom C Robison" Subject: Re: Blackjet news.... Gavin wrote: Well I wanna see the stealth boat get into service. That I did love. Anyone who hasn't seen pictures of it should, just for the humour side :) Ben Rich talked quite a bit about the Sea Shadow in his book _The Skunk Works_. The Navy seriously wrinkled their collective noses at it, and Ben was reminded of one of Kelly Johnson's rules: "Never, ever do business with the Navy". ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 25 Feb 1998 08:50:24 -0800 (PST) From: David Lednicer Subject: Found! Lets try this again. The first time I tried to send this, I sent it to the wrong address... Digging through my archives over the weekend, I happened to come across a photocopy of an article I wrote about here a month or two ago. The article is from the May 27, 1978 issue of Flight International and reports the crash of the first Have Blue. The text is: Stealth Aircraft Lost In Nevada Pentagon officals have refused to comment on the crash of a secret reconnaissance aircraft in the Nevada desert near Nellis Air Force Base on May 4, but sources have confirmed that the accident involved Lockheed designer Kelly Johnson's new Project Stealth advanced reonnaissance/strike aircraft. The US Air Force has confirmed only that an accident did occur at Nellis AFB in which a pilot was slightly injured, but a spokesman clamied that "for security reason that is all the information avialable." However a Las Vegas hospital reported that a 52-year-old pilot named William Parks was admitted, treated for multiple fractures and concussion, then released four days later. He claimed to work for Lockheed. First news of teh Skunk Works' new brainchild came at the time of the Fiscal Year 1977 defence budget, when the Defence Research Projects Agency (DARPA) announced that a contract had been awarded to Lockheed. At that tiem Darpa estimated the total value of the three-year contract to be $90 million. No designation for the aircraft was given. Earlier press reports of the Nellis accident claimed that the aircraft involved was a TR-1 high-altitude reconnaissance variant of the earler U-2. Sources now confirm that the incident involved a Lockheed stealth aircraft. Powered by two 12,000lb-thrust engines, the single-seat aircraft is reported to be able to detect and attack Soviet anti-aircraft defences, some of which are the densest in the world. Radar-aborbent materials coupled with techniques intended to reduce engine noise (and presumably infra-red output) plus the fitting of equipment intended to reduce the chances of optical, radar or acoustic detection all combine to produce a weapon capable of surviving in the face of sophisticated defences. The engines have been reported as J85s but this does not agree with the thrust value claimed. Nellis AFB is equipped with "acquired" examples of current Warsaw Pact radar equipment and US-built equipment intended to simulate anticipated Soviet 1980-vintage defences. These have been used during Red Flag Excercises, and during recent trials to demonstrate the survivability of US cruise missiles against future Russian defences including the SA-10 surface-to-air missile. The stealth aircraft might have been taking part in similar trials. - ------------------------------------------------------------------- David Lednicer | "Applied Computational Fluid Dynamics" Analytical Methods, Inc. | email: dave@amiwest.com 2133 152nd Ave NE | tel: (425) 643-9090 Redmond, WA 98052 USA | fax: (425) 746-1299 ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 25 Feb 1998 09:43:37 -0800 From: Larry Smith Subject: Re: Found! > > Digging through my archives over the weekend, I happened to come >across a photocopy of an article I wrote about here a month or two ago. >The article is from the May 27, 1978 issue of Flight International and >reports the crash of the first Have Blue. The text is: Nice Find David!! Thanks! Larry ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 25 Feb 1998 09:47:00 -0800 From: Larry Smith Subject: Re: Blackjet news... >> I have accessed my cache and come up with a miss! >When the A-12 died, Lockheed proposed a navalized F-117, sometimes called the >F-117N, ... Thanks Art! I happened to look in Miller's 50th Anniv. Skunk Works last night and found some photos of artwork as well. Thanks! Larry ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 25 Feb 1998 21:03:29 -0500 From: "James J. Bjaloncik" Subject: A/F-117X? To All Skunkers: Can anyone contribute more info on the A/F-117X? Might we be talking about the purported F-111 replacement, the A-17 (or AX-17)? I remember seeing this conjectured aircraft on Steve Douglass' Interceptors WEB page plus a second one from the UK. Supposedly, this one is based on YF-23 development. Jim ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 26 Feb 98 05:11:34 GMT From: betnal@ns.net Subject: Re: A/F-117X? On 2/25/98 6:03PM, in message <34F4CD71.2DD3@gwis.com>, "James J. Bjaloncik" wrote: > To All Skunkers: > > Can anyone contribute more info on the A/F-117X? Might we be talking > about the purported F-111 replacement, the A-17 (or AX-17)? I remember > seeing this conjectured aircraft on Steve Douglass' Interceptors WEB > page plus a second one from the UK. Supposedly, this one is based on > YF-23 development. > > Jim > If I look for it this weekend, I might be able to find out more about the A/F-117X. It was not envisioned as the F-111 replacement, nor was the proposal secret. The original F-111 replacement was to be the B-1A. The A-12 was supposed to be acquired by USAF, if it had worked as the F-111 replacement. Then it was supposed to be the A/FX. The latter two prospects were somewhat unlikely even if they had come to fruition, simply because the USAF never is willing to adopt a major weapons system it didn't develop or control. USAF is now planning to start development early to mid next decade for an F-111 replacement. Although the F-15E is an outstanding strike aircraft, it can't match the F-111s range/payload, speed on the deck or TFR performance. The A-17 is looking more an more like a rumor. Art ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 26 Feb 98 05:11:34 GMT From: betnal@ns.net Subject: Re: A/F-117X? On 2/25/98 6:03PM, in message <34F4CD71.2DD3@gwis.com>, "James J. Bjaloncik" wrote: > To All Skunkers: > > Can anyone contribute more info on the A/F-117X? Might we be talking > about the purported F-111 replacement, the A-17 (or AX-17)? I remember > seeing this conjectured aircraft on Steve Douglass' Interceptors WEB > page plus a second one from the UK. Supposedly, this one is based on > YF-23 development. > > Jim > If I look for it this weekend, I might be able to find out more about the A/F-117X. It was not envisioned as the F-111 replacement, nor was the proposal secret. The original F-111 replacement was to be the B-1A. The A-12 was supposed to be acquired by USAF, if it had worked as the F-111 replacement. Then it was supposed to be the A/FX. The latter two prospects were somewhat unlikely even if they had come to fruition, simply because the USAF never is willing to adopt a major weapons system it didn't develop or control. USAF is now planning to start development early to mid next decade for an F-111 replacement. Although the F-15E is an outstanding strike aircraft, it can't match the F-111s range/payload, speed on the deck or TFR performance. The A-17 is looking more an more like a rumor. Art ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 26 Feb 98 05:35:25 GMT From: betnal@ns.net Subject: Re: Blackjet news.... On 2/25/98 6:28AM, in message <052565B6.004F5056.00@notesmail.fw.hac.com>, "Tom C Robison" wrote: > Gavin wrote: > > Well I wanna see the stealth boat get into service. That I did love. > Anyone who hasn't seen pictures of it should, just for the humour side :) > > Ben Rich talked quite a bit about the Sea Shadow in his book _The Skunk > Works_. The Navy seriously wrinkled their collective noses at it, and Ben > was reminded of one of Kelly Johnson's rules: "Never, ever do business with > the Navy". > > Of course, the Navy does have a stealth ship that is invisible to radar, has virutally no IR signature, is almost impossible to detect, moves very fast, carries the most modern sensors and has enormous firepower. It's called a "submarine". Art :) ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 26 Feb 98 08:52:47 -0500 From: gregweigold@pmsc.com Subject: Re[2]: Blackjet news.... Yeah, but it can't get up to the beach very well! :-) Greg Weigold Columbia,SC ______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________ Subject: Re: Blackjet news.... Author: at INTERNET Date: 2/26/98 5:35 AM On 2/25/98 6:28AM, in message <052565B6.004F5056.00@notesmail.fw.hac.com>, "Tom C Robison" wrote: > Gavin wrote: > > Well I wanna see the stealth boat get into service. That I did love. > Anyone who hasn't seen pictures of it should, just for the humour side :) > > Ben Rich talked quite a bit about the Sea Shadow in his book _The Skunk > Works_. The Navy seriously wrinkled their collective noses at it, and Ben > was reminded of one of Kelly Johnson's rules: "Never, ever do business with > the Navy". > > Of course, the Navy does have a stealth ship that is invisible to radar, has virutally no IR signature, is almost impossible to detect, moves very fast, carries the most modern sensors and has enormous firepower. It's called a "submarine". Art :) ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 26 Feb 1998 12:20:33 -0500 From: "James P. Stevenson" Subject: Re: Blackjet news.... Don't forget the arsenal ship! It's invisible. Jim betnal@ns.net wrote: > > On 2/25/98 6:28AM, in message <052565B6.004F5056.00@notesmail.fw.hac.com>, "Tom C > Robison" wrote: > > > Gavin wrote: > > > > Well I wanna see the stealth boat get into service. That I did love. > > Anyone who hasn't seen pictures of it should, just for the humour side :) > > > > Ben Rich talked quite a bit about the Sea Shadow in his book _The Skunk > > Works_. The Navy seriously wrinkled their collective noses at it, and Ben > > was reminded of one of Kelly Johnson's rules: "Never, ever do business with > > the Navy". > > > > > > Of course, the Navy does have a stealth ship that is invisible to radar, has > virutally no IR signature, is almost impossible to detect, moves very fast, > carries the most modern sensors and has enormous firepower. It's called a > "submarine". > > Art :) - -- ************************************ James P. Stevenson Aerospace Planning Group, LLC E-mail:jamesstevenson@sprintmail.com Office:301-254-9000 Home: 301-530-4241 FAX: 301-530-6923 5600 Roosevelt St. Bethesda, MD 20817-6740 USA ************************************ ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 26 Feb 1998 18:14:35 -0500 From: "James P. Stevenson" Subject: Re: SR-71 question Brad, I thought stoichiometric was 3,700 degrees. Can you verify this for me? Jim Stevenson Brad Hitch wrote: > > Wei-Jen Su wrote: > > > > On Tue, 17 Feb 1998, Larry Smith wrote: > > > > > Anyway, why do you care about the main burner anyway? > > > > First, thanks for answering. I want the temp to calculate the > > specific thrust and the thrust specific fuel consumption (TSFC) in > > fucntion of the Mach number. It is very easy to calculate for a ramjet if > > you know the burner temperature. > > > > > > > > > Therefore I need the afterburner temperature what you trying to > > tell me? > > You don't need to answer right now... I will wait until you are > > not busy :) > > > > May the Force be with you > > > > Su Wei-Jen > > E-mails: wsu02@utopia.poly.edu > > wjs@webspan.net > > A ramjet burner exit temperature can range up to near stoichiometric, > i.e. in excess of 4500 F or so. Just knowing this temperature still > doesn't allow you to calculate thrust-specific fuel consumption (TSFC), > you also need the exhaust nozzle pressure ratio, area ratio, and thrust > coefficient. Since the ramburner can run at any mixed exit temperature > up to nearly stoichiometric, to find what the TSFC is at any specific > point in a mission requires you to know what %power the engine is > running - which depends on the vehicle drag at that point, the engine > air flow, and if you are accelerating or not. I generally use > MIL-E-5008B to calculate the inlet pressure recovery: > > Pt/Pt,inf = 1 for M<1 > = 1-0.075*(M-1)^1.5 for 1 = 800/(M^4+935) for M>5 > > where: > Pt = total pressure of the air coming to the burner from the inlet > Pt,inf = total pressure of the ambient air flow around the vehicle > M = flight Mach number > > If you introduce turbomachinery then calculating engine performance > becomes much more complicated, requiring component performance maps for > the compressor and turbine on each spool in the engine and iteration to > balance the power produced and consumed by each. This gets very > complicated - whole groups are dedicated to this task at the engine > companies. > > Brad Hitch - -- ************************************ James P. Stevenson Aerospace Planning Group, LLC E-mail:jamesstevenson@sprintmail.com Office:301-254-9000 Home: 301-530-4241 FAX: 301-530-6923 5600 Roosevelt St. Bethesda, MD 20817-6740 USA ************************************ ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 26 Feb 1998 20:29:54 -0500 (EST) From: Wei-Jen Su Subject: Re: Blackjet news.... On Thu, 26 Feb 1998, James P. Stevenson wrote: > Don't forget the arsenal ship! It's invisible. > I heard they cancelled the arsenal ship last month. Can anyone verify this? May the Force be with you Su Wei-Jen E-mails: wsu02@utopia.poly.edu wjs@webspan.net "If God had meant man to fly, He would have given him more money." ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 27 Feb 98 04:54:03 GMT From: betnal@ns.net Subject: Re: Blackjet news.... Future funding for the Arsenal Barge was indeed eliminated. Art ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 27 Feb 98 05:01:15 GMT From: betnal@ns.net Subject: Re: Re[2]: Blackjet news.... On 2/26/98 5:52AM, in message <9802268885.AA888501837@cc.pmsc.com>, gregweigold@pmsc.com wrote: > Yeah, but it can't get up to the beach very well! :-) > > Greg Weigold > Columbia,SC > > > Actually, they can get closer than a stealth ship because when you get close to the beach with a stealth ship, there's always the danger of a lookout looking out and saying, "Hey! Isn't that a stealth ship out there"? A lot of special ops depart and return to subs. Art "Glub Glub" Hanley ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 27 Feb 1998 21:16:36 +0900 From: "Darryl Matthews" Subject: S-37 etc...Syntheic Aperature Kerry: Thank you very much for those references! The picture I had in my mag was very unclear, but the ones at that webpage were great. Thank you again. Also, was winmail.dat attached to this? I use Microsoft Mail (but I have Outlook) Gavin: Yeah, sorry, you got a bit mixed up. But thanks for the post anyway. "...And now for something COMPLETELY different..." Does anyone know how synthetic aperature radar works? Why the pictures are such high-res? I'm watching a movie on the Cuban Missile Crisis in history class, and it shows the pictures taken from the U-2 (which WAS shot down later :) and they're incredible. Also, how come some people can see what I've written before the post gets sent out? Like someone replied to my post before I every received the edition with my post and the reply... James. ____________________ James Matthews. E-mail (family): matthews@tkb.att.ne.jp E-mail (private): james_matthews@hotmail.com Homepage: http://home.att.ne.jp/gold/tomcat21/index2.html ICQ: 7413754 ____________________________________ ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 27 Feb 1998 08:28:02 -0500 From: "James P. Stevenson" Subject: Re: Blackjet news.... Yes, that is why it is invisible! Jim Stevenson Wei-Jen Su wrote: > > On Thu, 26 Feb 1998, James P. Stevenson wrote: > > > Don't forget the arsenal ship! It's invisible. > > > > I heard they cancelled the arsenal ship last month. Can anyone > verify this? > > May the Force be with you > > Su Wei-Jen > E-mails: wsu02@utopia.poly.edu > wjs@webspan.net > > "If God had meant man to fly, He would have given him more money." - -- ************************************ James P. Stevenson Aerospace Planning Group, LLC E-mail:jamesstevenson@sprintmail.com Office:301-254-9000 Home: 301-530-4241 FAX: 301-530-6923 5600 Roosevelt St. Bethesda, MD 20817-6740 USA ************************************ ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 27 Feb 1998 09:00:43 -0500 From: "Tom C Robison" Subject: Re: S-37 etc...Syntheic Aperature James Matthews wrote: >Also, how come some people can see what I've written before the post gets >sent out? Like someone replied to my post before I every received the >edition with my post and the reply... Well, James, we could tell you, but then we'd have to kill you... Tom ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 27 Feb 98 11:01:48 -0500 From: gregweigold@pmsc.com Subject: Re[4]: Blackjet news.... But they use those funny looking black rubber rafts or the little powered sleds, they can't just roll a sub up on the beach and disgorge Marines! 'Course, the Sea Shadow wasn't gonna do that either, but..... Greg Weigold ______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________ Subject: Re: Re[2]: Blackjet news.... Author: at INTERNET Date: 2/27/98 5:01 AM On 2/26/98 5:52AM, in message <9802268885.AA888501837@cc.pmsc.com>, gregweigold@pmsc.com wrote: > Yeah, but it can't get up to the beach very well! :-) > > Greg Weigold > Columbia,SC > > > Actually, they can get closer than a stealth ship because when you get close to the beach with a stealth ship, there's always the danger of a lookout looking out and saying, "Hey! Isn't that a stealth ship out there"? A lot of special ops depart and return to subs. Art "Glub Glub" Hanley ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 27 Feb 1998 17:48:39 -0800 From: none Subject: Military book stores Awhile back someone posted a list of bookstores (new and used) that specialized in military and related (and skunk?) could someone repost or email me? Thanks J ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 28 Feb 1998 00:37:15 -0500 (EST) From: Kathryn & Andreas Gehrs-Pahl Subject: U-2 and other Cold War shootdowns Some of the stuff was already mentioned by others, but this post somehow got lost before, so here it is again: Tom Robison wondered: >He said that during the early U-2 flights over Russia (1956-1960), they >only flew 30 missions during that period. >Is that correct? Only 30 in four years? The CIA revealed (I believe in 1995) that they only flew 24 U-2 missions over the USSR, but there were also some (2 to 4, how many is still secret) British-controlled U-2 overflights. Each flight had to be specifically and individually approved by the US President (then Dwight D. Eisenhower), or, for the few piloted by British pilots, by the British PM (Prime Minister, then Harold Macmillan). The Soviets apparently identified only about 18 of these flights. >He also mentioned that there had been dogfights between Russian and U.S. >fighters over the Sea of Japan in the '50s. Is this true? Do we know how >many times this happened? No idea right now. But those 'Spy Planes' sometimes had fighter escorts, and of course, they also had their own guns. Some also called for help when they were attacked, and this did sometimes result in dog fights -- time frame and locations may vary. >Is there a list on the web of all the recon aircraft that were lost in or >near Russia and China during the '50s and '60s? Or is that info still >classified? The most authoritative history is probably Paul Lashmar's book: "Spy Flights of the Cold War", which has also aired on tv as "Spies in the Sky". He lists most shootdowns in Appendix 2, giving date, type, operator, role and location, but neither serial numbers/registrations nor names, ranks or even the number of crew members and their fates. There are also some errors in this list. I entered the list into the computer and added as much additional information as I could find on short notice. The list is added at the end of this post. Gavin Payne answered: >With regard to aircraft lost over Russia, I think the book tells about >all of them.. Not by a long shot. >There weren't actually "that" many flights over Russia. It was more of a >propaganda stunt than a great intelligence gain after a while. The first >few flights took them to new places, but it was possible to monitor what >they needed to from outside their airspace. The little they gained from >actually overflying Russia didn't pay off politically, so 30 sounds about >right. Besides those 24 U-2 flights, there were numerous other intelligence gathering flights by the US, British, Swedish, Taiwanese (and probably other countries). Reconnaissance aircraft that (purposefully) penetrated denied airspace during the Cold War, including that of the USSR, PRC, Cuba, DPRK, North Vietnam and various Eastern Block and Block Free contries, included: ========================================================================== * Beechcraft RU-21, RC-12, 'King Air' (various versions) * Beechcraft RU-8, Seminole (various versions) * Boeing B-17, Flying Fortress (including civilianized) * Boeing B-29, RB-29, F-13, RB-50, Superfortress (various versions) * Boeing RB-47, Stratojet (several versions) * Boeing C-135, EC-135, RC-135, Stratotanker (several versions) * Consolidated PB4Y-2, Privateer * Convair B-36, RB-36, Peacemaker (several versions) * DeHavilland Canada C-2A, Buffalo * DeHavilland Comet * Douglas A-26, B-26, Invader * Douglas A3D, A-3, RB-66, Skywarrior / Destroyer (several versions) * Douglas C-47, EC-47, DC-3, Skytrain (several versions, including civilian) * Douglas C-54, DC-4, Skymaster (several versions, including civilian) * Lockheed A-12 and SR-71, 'Blackbird' * Lockheed C-130, EC-130, RC-130, MC-130, Hercules (various versions) * Lockheed P2V, P-2, RB-69, Neptune (several versions) * Lockheed RF-104, Starfighter * Lockheed U-2, 'Dragon Lady' (several versions) * Martin P4M, Mercator * Martin RB-57, 'Canberra'/'Night Intruder', also English Electric Canberra * McDonnell RF-101, Voodoo * North American RB-45, Tornado * Republic RF-84, GRF-84, Thunderflash * Vought RF-8, Crusader The above list is of course far from complete, and only includes manned assets - not UAVs, RPVs, balloons or satellites. Also, it does not include any aircraft that accidentally strayed in foreign airspace or the various SOF helicopters and fixed wing (transport) aircraft, used for other clandestine operations, like inserting or extracting spys. Last year the NSA dedicated the NVP (National Vigiliance Park), at their HQ at Ft. George Meade, MD, to the more than 200 'Silent Warriors' of the AFSS, NSG, and ASA, who perished while flying reconnaissance missions during the Cold War. The NSA confirms that more than 40 US military planes were lost during this time frame, (1945 - 1990), and I assume this number does not include regular combat losses during the Korean and (at least part of the) Vietnam wars), while flying reconnaissance missions, comprising 18 different aircraft types. Some were shot down, while other losses can be attributed to accidents. For some strange reason (which might be secrecy-related), the official plaque that is dedicated to those men and their aircraft, contains quite a few errors. One is, of course, that they forgot to list the Lockheed C-130 Hercules! Aircraft listed on the plaque at the NVP (re-sorted by me): =========================================================== * "RU-21" = Beechcraft RU-21, 'King Air' * "U-8" = Beechcraft U-8, Seminole (should probably be RU-8) * "F-13" = Boeing F-13, Superfortress (which is the same as an RB-29) * "RB-29" = Boeing RB-29, Superfortress * "RB-47" = Boeing RB-47, Stratojet * "RB-50" = Boeing RB-50, Superfortress * "RC-135" = Boeing RC-135, Stratotanker * "PB4Y-2" = Consolidated PB4Y-2, Privateer * "C-2A" = DeHavilland Canada C-2A, Buffalo * "EC-47" = Douglas EC-47, Skytrain * "RB-66" = Douglas RB-66, Destroyer * "EC-121" = Lockheed EC-121, Constellation * "P2-V" = Lockheed P2V (later P-2), Neptune (there is no 'P2-V') * "SR-71" = Lockheed SR-71, 'Blackbird' * "U-2" = Lockheed U-2, 'Dragon Lady' * "PM-4" = Martin P4M, Mercator (there is no 'PM-4') * "RB-57" = Martin RB-57, 'Canberra'/'Night Intruder' * "RB-45" = North American RB-45, Tornado Of the 51 aircraft listed by Paul Lashmar as shot down, only a handful were shot down directly over the Soviet Union, and only about 30 were actual Reconnaissance or Patrol flights. But most penetration flights were not shot down, and many missions are still secret, particularly the GRB-36J/GRF-84F missions of the 91st SRS, which would interest me a lot (especially because the YAF, of which I am a member, has two of the very few surviving RF-84Ks, which are de-modified GRF-84Fs). >I still believe that the Blackbird never actually overflew Russia, >however it did overfly Hanoi and North Korea. Never though, has one been >downed on an operational flight in a sensitive area, if at all. No A-12, YF-12, or SR-71 was ever downed by enemy fire (as far as known), even though many were lost due to accidents, some even during operational flights. There were over 900 SAMs fired on 'Blackbirds' by 1983 -- but none ever succeeded in downing an SR! Many of the 51 aircraft (and 1 ship) listed in Paul Lashmar's book, were operating over (or in) international waters along the Soviet or Chinese borders, rather than penetrating the country itself, and A-12s and SR-71s usually did exactly the same. >Therefore, as the Blackbird never got shot down and the U-2 only made the >30 or so flights so I would believe that Gary Powers was the only one shot >down. Critical technical faults are very rare in the U-2 after take off. >The greatest problem is the detachable wheels. Besides Gary Powers' U-2, at least 4 other U-2s were shot down, and numerous were lost in accidents, again, several during operational missions. >The D-21 though is another story!! I think all of them were lost over >China, at least one went up into Russia before crashing. Actually only 4 operational flights (supposedly) over China were made, of which one disappeared and one was lost over denied territory. The other two apparently finished their missions, but in both cases the hatch was lost (and with it all photos). All other D-21s were either expended in test and training missions (17), of which several were successful (about 7), or were stored after the program was cancelled (also 17). The following is based on the list of 51 aircraft (plus 1 ship) from "Spy Flights", with additional material from various other sources, and sorted chronologically: ========================================================================== Format: - Type/Designation, c/n, Serial, - Unit or User, Misson, - Date, Location of incident, - Crew, Fate, - Circumstances, Remarks; Incidents listed with '*' are shootdowns (most from Paul Lashmar's book), while incidents list with '+' are known overflights and intrusions (on purpose or by accident) into Soviet, Soviet Block or Chinese air space, or other confrontations, not resulting in a shootdowns. * - C-47, c/n ?, USAAF FY Serial ?, - USAAF, Transport, - 08/09/1946, Yugoslavia, - crew ?, - shot down (by fighters or AAA ?); * - C-47, c/n ?, USAAF FY Serial ?, - USAAF, Transport, - 08/19/1946, Yugoslavia, - crew ?, - shot down (by fighters or AAA); + - RB-29, c/n ? USAAF FY Serial ?, - USAF, (Photo) Reconnaissance, - 10/22/1949, Sea of Japan, - crew ?, - intercepted by Soviet La-7 fighters, shots fired in front of RB-29; + - RB-29J, c/n ?, USAAF FY Serial ? (maybe '44-84061', or '..-..871') - 72nd SRS, USAF, (Photo) Reconnaissance, - 1949, over Siberia, northern Soviet Union - crew ?, - first known on purpose overflights of Soviet Union for reconnaissance; * - PB4Y-2S, c/n ?, USN BuNo ?, tail markings may have included 'HB', - VP-26, USN, Patrol, - 04/08/1950, over Baltic Sea (USSR said 10 miles inside of Latvia, USSR), - pilot Lt. Jack Fette, killed, - 9 other crew member also killed, (only 2 bodies were recovered), - shot down by Soviet La-11 (or MiG-15 ?) fighters; * - P2V, c/n ?, USN BuNo ?, - USN, Patrol, - 11/06/1951, over Sea of Japan, - crew ?, - shot down by Soviet fighters; * - C-47, c/n ?, USAAF/USAF FY Serial ?, - USAF, Transport, - 11/18/1951, Hungary, - crew ?, - shot down (by fighters or AAA); * - DC-3 ELINT aircraft (?), c/n ?, Swedish Serial ?, former USAAF Serial ?, - Swedish, (CIA), (ELINT) Reconnaissance, - 06/05/1952, Baltic, (also reported as 06/13/1952 in same book), - pilot Alvar Almeberg, and rest of crew of 8, killed (?), - shot down by MiG fighters; * - RB-29, c/n ?, USAAF/USAF FY Serial ?, - USAF, (Photo) Reconnaissance, - 06/13/1952, north of Hokkaido over Sea of Japan, - crew ?, - shot down by fighters; * - PBY, c/n ?, Swedish Serial ?, former US Serial ?, - Swedish AF, Rescue, - 06/16/1952, Baltic, - crew ?, - shot down by MiG fighters; * - RB-29, c/n ?, USAAF/USAF FY Serial ?, - 91st SRS, USAF, (Photo) Reconnaissance, - 10/07/1952, north of Hokkaido over Kurile Islands, - crew ?, - shot down by fighters; * - B-29, c/n ?, USAAF/USAF FY Serial ?, - USAF, Leaflet drop, - 12/31/1952, Manchuria, (PRC), - crew ?, - shot down (by fighters or AAA ?); * - P2V, c/n ?, USN BuNo ?, - USN, Patrol, - 01/18/1953, near port of Swatow, PRC, over Formosa Strait, - originally 10 of the crew (of ?) survived, - but the PBM which rescued them crashed on take-off, and only 10 of the combined crew of 21 survived the disaster, - shot down by AAA; * - F-84, c/n ?, USAF FY Serial ?, - USAF, Interceptor, - 03/10/1953, (West ?) Germany, - pilot ?, - shot down (by fighters or AAA ?); * - Avro 694 Lincoln, c/n ?, RAF Serial '......', - RAF, Training (?), - 03/12/1953, border between West and East Germany, - crew of 7, 5 killed immediately, 2 died later from sustained injuries, - shot down by MiG fighters; * - RB-50, c/n ?, USAF FY Serial ?, - 343rd SRS, attached to 91st SRS (or SRW ?), USAF, (Photo) Reconnaissance, - 07/29/1953, over Sea of Japan, about 90 miles south-east of Vladivostock, - co-pilot Capt John E. Roche, survived, - other 15 crew members killed, - shot down by Soviet MiG-15 fighters; * - T-6, c/n ?, USAF FY Serial ?, - USAF, Patrol (?), - 08/17/1953, Korean DMZ, - crew ?, - shot down (by fighters or AAA ?); * - P2V, c/n ?, USN BuNo ?, - USN, (SIGINT) Reconnaissance, - 09/04/1954, north of Hokkaido over Sea of Japan, - crew ?, - shot down by Soviet fighters; * - RB-29, c/n ?, USAAF/USAF FY Serial ?, - USAF, (Photo) Reconnaissance, - 11/07/1954, near Hokkaido over Sea of Japan, - crew ?, - shot down by fighters; * - C-54A-10-DC, c/n 10310, Registered 'VR-HEU', - was USAAF FY Serial '42-72205', - Cathay Pacific Airways, Airliner/Transport, (listed as 'Unknown'), - 07/23/1954, off Hainan, PRC, - 10 crew and passenger, killed - shot down by PRC fighters; * - Unknown (?), c/n ?, USAAF/USAF FY Serial ?, - USAF, Training, - 01/19/1955, Korean DMZ, - crew ?, - shot down (by fighters or AAA ?); * - RB-47, c/n ?, USAF FY Serial ?, - USAF, (SIGINT) Reconnaissance, - 04/17/1955, near Kamchatka Peninsula over Northern Pacific, - crew ?, - shot down by Soviet fighters; * - P2V, c/n ?, USN BuNo ?, - USN, (SIGINT) Reconnaissance, - 06/22/1955, over Bering Straits, - crew ?, - shot down by Soviet fighters; * - C-69-1-LO, Model '049', c/n 1968, Registered '4X-AKC', Flight '402/46', - was USAAF FY Serial '43-10316', - El Al Israel Airlines, Airliner, (listed as 'DC-3'), - 07/27/1955, near Petrich, Bulgaria, - 58 crew and passenger, killed - shot down by Bulgarian fighters; * - LT-6 (?), c/n ?, USAAF/USAF FY Serial ?, - USAF, Training, - 08/17/1955, Korean DMZ, - crew ?, - shot down (by fighters or AAA ?); + - U-2A, Article '3..', USAF FY Serial '56-6...', - (1 WRS(P), Det A), CIA, (Photo) Reconnaissance, - 06/20/1956, overflew Czechoslovakia, and Poland, - pilot Carl Overstreet, - Mission 2003, first operational U-2 mission over Eastern Europe; + - U-2A, Article '3..', USAF FY Serial '56-6...', - (1 WRS(P), Det A), CIA, (Photo) Reconnaissance, - 07/02/1956, overflew Hungary, Yugoslavia, Bulgaria, Romania, and Czechoslovakia, besides others, - pilot ?, - Mission 2009, second operational U-2 mission of Eastern Europe; + - U-2A, Article '3..', USAF FY Serial '56-6...', - (1 WRS(P), Det A), CIA, (Photo) Reconnaissance, - 07/02/1956, overflew East Germany, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Romania, and Bulgaria, besides others, - pilot ?, - Mission 2010, third operational U-2 mission -- same day; + - U-2A, Article '347', USAF FY Serial '56-6680', - (1 WRS(P), Det A), CIA, (Photo/ELINT) Reconnaissance, - 07/04/1956, overflew East Germany, Poland, Beloruss, and the Baltic states, - pilot Hervey Stockman, - Mission 20.., first operational U-2 mission over Soviet Union; + - U-2A, Article '347', USAF FY Serial '56-6680, - (1 WRS(P), Det A), CIA, (Photo/ELINT) Reconnaissance, - 07/05/1956, overflew Eastern Europe and Soviet Union, including Moscow, - pilot Carmen Vito, - Mission 20.., second operational U-2 mission over Soviet Union; * - P4M-1Q, c/n ?, USN BuNo ?, - USN, Patrol, - 08/22/1956, near Wenchow, north of Formosa, - crew of 16, all killed, - shot down (by PRC fighters or AAA ?); * - RB-50, c/n ?, USAF FY Serial ?, - USAF, (Photo) Reconnaissance, - 09/10/1956, over Sea of Japan, - crew ?, - shot down by fighters; + - U-2A (U-2C), Article '3..', USAF FY Serial '56-6...', - (2 WRS(P), Det B), CIA, (Photo) Reconnaissance, - 09/../1957, overflew Kaputsin Yar, Soviet Union, - pilot ?, - Mission '....', operational U-2 mission over Soviet Union; + - U-2A (U-2C), Article '3..', USAF FY Serial '56-6...', - (2 WRS(P), Det B), CIA, (Photo) Reconnaissance, - Autumn 1957, overflew Turkmenistan, Soviet Union, - pilot ?, - Mission '....', operational U-2 mission over Soviet Union; * - T-33, c/n ?, USAF FY Serial ?, - USAF, Logistics (?), - 12/23/1957, Albania, - crew ?, - shot down (by fighters or AAA ?); * - F-86, c/n ?, USAF FY Serial ?, - USAF, Training, - 03/06/1958, North Korea, - crew ?, - shot down (by fighters or AAA ?); * - C-118, c/n ?, USAF FY Serial ?, - USAF, Trasport, - 06/27/1958, Armenia, USSR, - crew ?, - shot down (by fighters or AAA ?); * - C-130A-II, Model '182-1A', c/n '3136', USAF FY Serial '56-0528', - 7406th CSS, USAF, (ELINT) Reconnaissance, (listed as 'Transport'), - 09/02/1958, near Sasnashen, 34 miles north-west of Yerevan, Armenia, USSR, - 6 flight crew members from the 7406th Combat Support Squadron, - 11 "back-enders" from Det 1 of the 6911th Radio Group Mobile, - 6 bodies were later returned, - Capt Paul E. Duncan, killed, - Capt Edward J. Jeruss, killed, - Capt Rudy J. Swiestra, killed, - Capt (1Lt ?) John E. Simpson, killed, - 1Lt Ricardo M. Villarreal, killed, - MSgt Georg P. Petrochilos, killed, - SSgt Laroy Price, killed, - TSgt Arthur L. Mello, killed, - A/1C Robert J. Oshinskie, killed, - A/2C Archie T. Bourg, Jr., killed, - A/2C James E. Ferguson, Jr., killed, - A/2C Joel H. Fields, killed, - A/2C Harold T. Kamps, killed, - A/2C Gerald C. Maggiacomo, killed, - A/2C Clement O. Mankins, killed, - A/2C Gerald H. Medeiros, killed, - A/2C Robert H. Moore, killed, - shot down by Soviet MiG-17 fighter, launched from Rhein-Main AB, Frankfurt, Germany, accidentally strayed into Armenian air space; + F-84F, c/n ?, USAF FY Serial ?, Italian AF Serial ?, - Italian AF, Training ?, - 10/12/1959, Czechoslovakia, - pilot ?, - forced down by two Czech AviaS-105s (MiG-19S) on Karlovy Vary airfield; * - U-2C (?), Article '3..', USAF FY Serial '56-6...', - (2 WRS(P), Det B, ?), CIA, (Photo) Reconnaissance, - 04/09/1960, near Swerdlovsk, USSR, (book lists '02/07/1960'), - pilot Francis Gary Powers, - launched from Peshawar, Pakistan, 23rd operational mission, overflew Turkmenistan and Kazkhstan, MiG-19s were scrambled, but could not reach the U-2, recovered back at Peshewar (?); * - U-2C (?), Article '360', USAF FY Serial '56-6693', - (2 WRS(P), Det B, ?), CIA, (Photo) Reconnaissance, - 05/01/1960, near Swerdlovsk, USSR, (book lists '02/07/1960'), - pilot Francis Gary Powers, captured, released after 21 months, - shot down by (a salvo of) SA-2 'Guideline' SAMs (?), launched from Peshawar, Pakistan, 24th operationl mission, planned recovery was in Bodo, Norway; * - C-47, c/n ?, USAAF/USAF FY Serial ?, - USAF, Transport, - 05/25/1960, East Germany, - crew ?, - shot down (by fighters or AAA ?); * - RB-47H, c/n ?, USAF FY Serial ?, - 343rd SRS, 55th SRW, USAF, (ELINT) Reconnaissance, - 07/01/1960 (or 06/01/1960, or both ?), Barents Sea, off Soviet Union, - pilot Bill Palm, killed, - copilot 1st Lt. Bruce Olmstead, captured, released after 7 months, - navigator Lt. John McKone,captured, released after 7 months, - 3 EWOs, killed, - shot down by Soviet MiG-19 (story in Flight Journal, April 1998); + - F-100, c/n ?, USAF FY Serial?, - USAF, Training ?, - 09/../1960, Czechoslovakia, - pilot ?, - forced down by Czech MiG-19s; * - U-2C (?), Article '378', USAF FY Serial '56-6711', RoCAF Serial '....', - 35th Squadron, 6th Group, RoCAF, (Det H, CIA), (Photo) Reconnaissance, - 09/09/1962, 15 km south of Nanchang, PRC, - pilot Huai-Sheng Chen, captured, died from his injuries in hospital, - shot down by SA-2 SAM 'Guideline' SAM; * - U-2F (or U-2C ?), Article '343', USAF FY Serial '56-6676', (was maybe Article '378', USAF FY Serial '56-6711' ?), - 4028th SRWS, 4080th SRW, USAF, (Photo) Reconnaissance, - 10/27/1962, near Banes, Cuba, - pilot Maj. Rudolph (or Rudolf) 'Rudy' Anderson, killed, - shot down by (2 ?) SA-2 'Guideline' SAMs, launched from Homestead AFB, FL; + - (W)U-2A, Article '3..', USAF FY Serial '56-6...', - 4028th SRWS, 4080th SRW, USAF, HASP, - 10/27/1962, Soviet airspace above the Chukotsky Peninsula, - Pilot Maj Charles Maultsby, - accidentally strayed deep into Soviet airspace while on a HASP mission from OL-5, Eielson AFB, AK, scrambled MiG-19 tried to intercept and USAF F-102As were scrambled for fighter cover; * - Helicopter (?), c/n ?, USAF/US Army FY Serial ?, - US Army, Patrol, - 05/17/1963, Korean DMZ, - crew ?, - shot down (by fighters, SAM or AAA); + - RB-47, c/n ?, USAF FY Serial ?, - USAF, (ELINT) Reconnaissance, - 05/20/1963, ? - crew ?, captured, released, - forced down by MiG-19 fighters and landed at 'Soviet air base', released 'soon after'; * - Light Aircraft (?), c/n ?, USAF/US Army FY Serial ?, - US Army, Unknown (?), - 08/06/1963, North Korea, - crew ?, - shot down (by fighters, SAM or AAA); * - U-2C (?), Article '355', USAF FY Serial '56-6688', RoCAF Serial '....', - 35th Squadron, 6th Group, RoCAF, (Det H, CIA), (Photo) Reconnaissance, - 11/01/1963, near Jiangxi, PRC, - pilot Maj. Chang-Di Yei, captured, released in 1983, - crashed, was probably not shot down; * - RB-57A-1, Ship ?, USAF FY Serial ?, RoCAF Serial ?, - RoCAF, (CIA/USAF), (Photo) Reconnaissance, - crew ?, - sometime between 1959 and 1963, over PRC or Taiwan Strait, - shot down by PRC MiG-17F/MiG-17PF (J-5/J-5A) (?); * - RB-57D, Ship ('005', Group 'A', or '013' Group 'B' ?), USAF FY Serial ('53-3981' or '53-3976' ?), RoCAF Serial ('5644' ? or '....' ?), - RoCAF, (CIA/USAF), (Photo) Reconnaissance, - pilot ?, - sometime between 1959 and 1963, over PRC or Taiwan Strait, - shot down by PRC SA-2 'Guideline' SAM; * - T-39, c/n ?, USAF FY Serial ?, - USAF, Transport (?), - 01/24/1964, (or 01/28/1963 ?), East Germany, - crew ?, killed, - shot down by Soviet MiG-19); * - RB-66D, c/n ?, USAF FY Serial ?, - USAF, (ELINT) Reconnaissance, - 03/10/1964 (or 04/10/1964 ?), East Germany, - crew ?, captured, released, - shot down by Soviet MiG-19S fighter; + - Cessna 310, c/n ?, Registration ?, - private ?, transport ?, - 04/02/1964 (or 1963 ?), East Germany, - crew ?, - shot at by MiG-19 fighters, and forced down on 'a Soviet airbase' after having strayed outside 'the' Berlin air corridor; * - U-2C (?), Article '362', USAF FY Serial '56-6695', RoCAF Serial '....', - 35th Squadron, 6th Group, RoCAF, (Det H, CIA), (Photo) Reconnaissance, - 07/07/1964, near Fujian, PRC, - pilot Lt. Col. Nan-Ping 'Terry' Lee, killed, - probably shot down by SA-2 SAM 'Guideline' SAM (?) * - RF-101C, c/n ?, USAF FY Serial ?, RoCAF Serial ?, - RoCAF, (Photo) Reconnaissance, - 1964, PRC (?), - pilot ?, - shot down by PRC MiG-19s (?); * - U-2C (?), Article '358', USAF FY Serial '56-6691', RoCAF Serial '....', - 35th Squadron, 6th Group, RoCAF, (Det H, CIA), (Photo) Reconnaissance, - 01/10/1965, near Peking, PRC, - pilot Maj. Li-Yi Chang, injured, captured, released 1983, - shot down by SA-2 SAM 'Guideline' SAM * - RB-57F, 'Ship 2' (?), USAF FY Serial '63-13287', - rebuilt from B-57B, Ship '193', USAF FY Serial '53-3864', - 7407th SUPS, USAF, (Photo) Reconnaissance, - 12/14/1965, over Black Sea, - pilot Lester 'Les' Lackey, killed, - RSO Robert 'Bob' Yates, killed, - crashed, maybe shot down (by fighters, SAM or AAA ?); * - RF-101C, c/n ?, USAF FY Serial ?, RoCAF Serial ?, - RoCAF, (Photo) Reconnaissance, - 1965, PRC (?), - pilot ?, - shot down by PRC MiG-19s (?); ( . Ship, 'USS Pueblo', . USN, (SIGINT) Reconnaissance, . 01/23/1968, off North Korean east coast, . crew ?, 1 sailor killed, rest of crew captured, . should not have been listed in this book!); * - U-2C (?), Article '3..', USAF FY Serial '56-6...', RoCAF Serial '....', - 35th Squadron, 6th Group, RoCAF, (Det H, CIA), (Photo) Reconnaissance, - 09/09/1967, PRC, - pilot ?, - maybe shot down by SA-2 SAM 'Guideline' SAM (?); * - DC-8 (?), c/n ?, USAF FY Serial ?, - USAF, Transport, - 06/30/1968, Kurile Islands, - crew ?, - shot down (by fighters, SAM or AAA ?); * - U-2C (?), Article '3..', USAF FY Serial '56-6...', RoCAF Serial '....', - 35th Squadron, 6th Group, RoCAF, (Det H, CIA), (Photo) Reconnaissance, - 03/../1969, PRC, - pilot ?, - maybe shot down by SA-2 SAM 'Guideline' SAM (?) * - EC-121, c/n ?, USN BuNo ?, - USN, (SIGINT) Reconnaissance, - 04/15/1969, North Korea, - crew ?, - shot down (by fighters, SAM or AAA ?); * - OH-23, c/n ?, USAF/US Army FY Serial ?, - US Army, Unknown (?), - 08/17/1969, Korea DMZ, - crew ?, - shot down (by fighters, SAM or AAA ?); * - U-8, c/n ?, USAF/US Army FY Serial ?, - US Army, (SIGINT) Reconnaissance, - 10/21/1970, Armenia, USSR, - crew ?, - shot down (by fighters, SAM or AAA ?); * - CH-47, c/n ?, USAF/US Army FY Serial ?, - US Army, Transport (?), - 07/14/1977, North Korea, - crew ?, - shot down (by fighters, SAM or AAA ?); * - Boeing 707-321B, c/n 19363, Registered 'HL7429', Flight '.....', - Korean Air Lines, Airliner, - 02/20/1978, near Kem, RSFSR, USSR, (listed as 'Barents Sea'), - of 111 crew and passengers, 2 were killed, 109 survived, - shot down by Soviet Su-15 fighter; * - Boeing 747-230B, c/n 20559, Registered 'HL7442', Flight 'KE007', - Korean Air Lines, Airliner, - 09/01/1983, over Sakhalin Island, RSFSR, USSR, (listed as 'Pacific'), - of 23 crew and 246 passenger, all 269 were killed, - shot down by Soviet Su-15 fighter; * - OH-58C (?), c/n ?, US Army FY Serial '71-20796', call sign 'Razorback 19', - 'A' Co, 4th AVN Bn, 501st AVN Regt (ATK) = (4-501 AVN (ATK)), 17 AVNBDE, 8th US Army, Training (maybe SOF/Reconnaissance ?), (not listed in book), - 12/12/1994, North Korea, - pilot (?) CW2 David Hilemon, killed, - observer (and pilot in command ?) CW2 Robert 'Bobby' Hall, captured, released after 13 days, - shot down by AAA (or SAM ?); Of course, there were also some military and civilian aircraft shot down by 'Western' nations during this time period (basically for the same reasons -- by accident or because of suspicion), which are not listed in that book, like: * - Boeing 727-224, c/n 20244, Registered '5A-DAH', Flight '114', - Libyan Arab Airlines, Airliner, - 02/21/1973, Near Isma'iliya, Egypt, - of 113 crew and passenger, 108 were killed, 5 survived, - shot down by Israeli F-4 fighter; * - Airbus A300B2-203 (or 202) ?, c/n 186, Registered 'EP-IBU', Flight '655', - Iran Air, Airliner, - 07/03/1988, over Persian Golf, off Bandar Abbas, Iran, - all 290 crew and passengers were killed, - shot down by (RIM-66C Standard-MR SM-2) SAM from USS Vincennes 'CG-49'; Abbreviations: ============== A/1C = Airman, 1st Class (?) A/2C = Airman, 2nd Class (?) AAA = Anti Aircraft Artillery AF = Air Force AFB = Air Force Base AFSS = Air Force Security Service ASA = Army Security Agency ATK = Attack AVNBDE = Aviation Brigade AVN Regt = Aviation Regiment AVN Bn = Aviation Battalion BuNo = Bureau (of Aeronautics) (Serial) Number Capt = Captain CIA = Central Intelligence Agency c/n = construction number (also msn = manufacturers serial number) Co = Company ('A' Co = Alpha Company) COMINT = Communications Intelligence CSS = Combat Support Squadron (also SUPS) CW2 = Chief Warrant Officer Det = Detachment DMZ = Demilitarized Zone (between North and South Korea) DPRK = Democratic Peoples Republic Korea (North Korea) ELINT = Electronic Intelligence FY = Fiscal Year HASP = High Altitude Sampling Program HQ = Headquarters KAL = Korean Air Lines Lt = Lieutenant Maj = Major MSgt = Master Sergant NSA = National Security Agency NSG = Naval Security Group NVP = National Vigiliance Park (NSA Museum, Ft. Meade, MD) OL = Operating Location PRC = Peoples Republic of China (Mainland China) RAF = Royal Air Force (British Air Force) RoCAF = Republic of China Air Force (Taiwanese Air Force) RSFSR = Russian Soviet Federal Socialistic Republic SAM = Surface-to-Air Missile SIGINT = Signals Intelligence (includes ELINT, COMINT, TELINT) SRS = Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron SRW = Strategic Reconnaissance Wing SSgt = Staff Sergant (?) SUPS = Support Squadron TELINT = Telemetrie Intelligence TSgt = Technical Sergant (?) USA = United States of America (US) USAAF = United States Army Air Force USAF = United States Air Force USN = United States Navy USS = United States Ship USSR = Union of Socialist Soviet Republics VP = Patrol Squadron WRS(P) = Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, Provisional - -- Andreas - --- --- Andreas & Kathryn Gehrs-Pahl E-Mail: schnars@ais.org 313 West Court St. #305 or: gpahl@acm.flint.umich.edu Flint, MI 48502-1239 Tel: (810) 238-8469 WWW URL: http://www.ais.org/~schnars/ - --- --- ------------------------------ End of skunk-works-digest V7 #10 ******************************** To subscribe to skunk-works-digest, send the command: subscribe in the body of a message to "skunk-works-digest-request@netwrx1.com". If you want to subscribe something other than the account the mail is coming from, such as a local redistribution list, then append that address to the "subscribe" command; for example, to subscribe "local-skunk-works": subscribe local-skunk-works@your.domain.net To unsubscribe, send mail to the same address, with the command: unsubscribe in the body. Administrative requests, problems, and other non-list mail can be sent to georgek@netwrx1.com. A non-digest (direct mail) version of this list is also available; to subscribe to that instead, replace all instances of "skunk-works-digest" in the commands above with "skunk-works". Back issues are available for viewing by a www interface located at: http://www.netwrx1.com/skunk-works If you have any questions or problems please contact me at: georgek@netwrx1.com Thanks, George R. Kasica Listowner