bernd1151 Posted June 2, 2022 Share Posted June 2, 2022 (edited) A friend of mine served as pilot with the Canadian Air Force in Germany. He was based in the Black Forest at the Canadian air force base near the city of Baden-Baden and flew the Starfighter. One of these planes was CAF666, serial # 104666, a dual operational aircraft, which was not only highly unpopular with mechanics, it was also hated for its persistent unreliability by pilots throughout its service life. My friend told me that pilots called it “Jet from Hell”, while the mechanics referred to it as “Hangar Queen”. As no one was really keen flying the plane, it had only flown 50 hours in its last four years in service. CAF666 had its last flight on March 5, 1975, when shortly before take-off to a routine flight from Baden-Soellingen to France, one of the two brand-new main tires exploded at 190 knots. And, to make matters worse, the canopy didn’t jettison properly, so the two pilots remained in the plane until it had skidded to a halt in a field behind the runway. Then both were able to climb out of the wreckage, fortunately unharmed. This is the plane in question, CAF666, parked at Baden-Soellingen Air Base. Luckily, I had a wonderful flight from here to Friedrichshafen at Lake Constance I like that shiny design Let’s get outta here FL520. Now, that’s much better Over Lake Constance Long final into Friedrichshafen Edited June 2, 2022 by bernd1151 5 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyingleaf Posted June 2, 2022 Share Posted June 2, 2022 Great shots Bernd. Amazing cloud shots. Sad history on this bird. Glad y'all made it though. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ikbenik Posted June 2, 2022 Share Posted June 2, 2022 Very nice pictured storyline of the unrealiable 'flying rocket' and beatiful shots of the shiny virtual replica in a mighty cloudy sky. Also the Belgian Air Force had problems and accidents with their 'Starfighters' like most othet NATO-Countries with this bird in their fleet. Luckely that the F-16 was and is still a fine successor, I hope for the same and even better with the comming F-35 in our Belgian Air Force. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sniper31 Posted June 2, 2022 Share Posted June 2, 2022 Great historical background on that Flying Lawn Dart your friend new about. Some great images you have of her in flight here Bernd. Landon 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Mac Posted June 3, 2022 Share Posted June 3, 2022 Beautiful shots and storyline! Looks a very sleek plane but looks can be deceptive John. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bernd1151 Posted June 3, 2022 Author Share Posted June 3, 2022 Many thanks for your kind comments, my friends !! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stillwater Posted June 3, 2022 Share Posted June 3, 2022 Great narration, shiny shots and a good piloting, Bernd. 20 hours ago, bernd1151 said: I like that shiny design ... and that was probably the major reason why some politicians decided to buy this machine... 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikee Posted June 3, 2022 Share Posted June 3, 2022 Amazing shots Bernd 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adambar Posted June 5, 2022 Share Posted June 5, 2022 Wonderful set of shots Bernd! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bernd1151 Posted June 5, 2022 Author Share Posted June 5, 2022 Many thanks, Mickee and Adam for commenting ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wain71 Posted June 6, 2022 Share Posted June 6, 2022 great shots, very fast looking plane...you can see why it had the name it had... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bernd1151 Posted June 6, 2022 Author Share Posted June 6, 2022 4 hours ago, wain71 said: ...you can see why it had the name it had... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jean marc Posted June 6, 2022 Share Posted June 6, 2022 a great story and wonderful shots Bernd !!! many thanks !!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EagleSkinner Posted June 8, 2022 Share Posted June 8, 2022 "What's in a number?" - a phrase that is often used in relation to aircraft with a "devilish" tail number... I feel for your friend, Bernd. We had a Lynx AH1 in Hildesheim with that tail number. Our nickname for the beast was "Trembling Six". It had vibration problems without end. It was also our Hangar Queen and spent a lot of time as an "organ donor" because she spent more of her life as a "Christmas Tree" than actually flying. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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