In September of last year a USAF Thunderbird crashed here at Mtn Home. A buddy of mine was extremely close to the crash and snapped this photo. It's been hovering at AF Headquarters, waiting for release ever since and got released today.
This is my favorite photo.
[ February 02, 2004, 10:23 AM: Message edited by: scottneb ]
Posted by Derrell (Member # 6062) on :
That picture makes me wonder what it would be like to punch out of a fighter. I wouldn't want the thing to crash, but it might be fun to try just once. In a non life threatning situation, of course.
Posted by Javert (Member # 3076) on :
That pic is so awesome. The pilot was ok, right?
Posted by pooka (Member # 5003) on :
You may want to change the thread title, scott. That's an awesome picture, but I assumed it was going to be a portrait of you. (it's not you, right? )
Posted by Bob_Scopatz (Member # 1227) on :
Holy cr@p!!!
So, did your friend have time to take the picture and get a safe distance or was it just dumb luck and the plane stayed aloft long enough to pass him by?
I've seen that photo floating around on the web for a few days, so I think it's been released for a while.
Posted by Taberah (Member # 4014) on :
You may also be interested in the videos here.
Posted by Frisco (Member # 3765) on :
Here I thought you were from Nebraska, Scott, when you're right down the road from me.
I was getting a little tired of being the lone member of the Idaho Clump.
Posted by eslaine (Member # 5433) on :
That was one choice shot. Thanks!
Posted by cyruseh (Member # 1120) on :
about punching out of a fighter. I've read many articles discussing the risks involved. The military is still trying to perfect the technique. The system used in these f-16s holds a pretty good chance of permenant back damage. Sure you get out alive... which is what they want. but its not anything anyone wants to do for fun. Though, I know what you mean Posted by Da_Goat (Member # 5529) on :
<drops jaw>
Wow.
Posted by scottneb (Member # 676) on :
Taberah, the picture was officially released on Friday last week. Any picture that you saw before that was an illegal copy. I work in the department that deals with that sort of thing so I know when we get releases. Keep it on the down-low if you could, you don't want the Feds on you. Somebody gave an illegal copy of that photo to the press and it exploded onto the world.
The photo was taken on the catwalk of the ATC tower. During the airshow we always had a photographer and a videographer there. I had just been releived of the tower spot to get reaction shots of the crowd during the thunderbirds and my Supervisor was up there at the time. The photographer that took the picture noticed something was wrong and started firing shots. Once he saw the plane aim towards him and a flash of light he took this one and dove into the tower. Everyone in the tower turned out okay and had to go to the hospital because of a potential hydrozine leak.
If the video your watching is good enough you can see the engine of the jet bounce right over the hood of the videographer's car!
[ February 02, 2004, 10:25 AM: Message edited by: scottneb ]
Posted by scottneb (Member # 676) on :
Oh and it was on my birthday!
I was going to see the Thunderbirds for the first time and WHAM! Maybe it's me?
Posted by T. Analog Kid (Member # 381) on :
it *is* a nice shot and, yes, punching out is very dangerous...
Posted by Taberah (Member # 4014) on :
scottneb-- Are you with PAO? I happen to have a bit of PAO experience myself . . .
Posted by scottneb (Member # 676) on :
No, I don't work for PA. I work for the Multimedia Lab on the base. We take care of anything that has to do with imagery weither it be Websites, film, photo, graphics, flash animations, etc. The photos that PA shoots are mostly crap anyways. Their "photographers" don't go through the same school as our real photographers. My main job is Video, but I work a little of everything.
Posted by Dan_raven (Member # 3383) on :
Wheeewwww.
I thought you were refering to these Thunderbirds crashing.
Posted by Taberah (Member # 4014) on :
*wistful* It sounds like Mountain Home is on track with the multimedia stuff. Wouldn't it be nice if it was like that everywhere else . . .
My PAO experience was limited to a few months, but I saw a lot of frustration with the DOIM folks. Fortunately, I didn't deal with them much--I'm a words guy.
Posted by T. Analog Kid (Member # 381) on :
Another forum I frequent which has the crash report and some military pilots discussing the aftermath for the pilot.... probably some rough language in there-- be warned.
One thing that will help is that the abbreviation "SA" stands for "situational awareness"
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Somebody gave an illegal copy of that photo to the press and it exploded onto the world.