Alfred Fartknocker:
This US Navy P-3C-II Orion was flogging the circuit at Lihue, Kaua'i, HI. Bu.Aer 159889 was with VP-4 at MCAS Kaneohe Bay over on Oahu, HI. It is in the Boneyard today. Here the pilot smokes his tyres...
Alfred Fartknocker:
Turning final at MCAS Miramar, CA is this VMFA-323 F/A-18C Bu.Aer 164733/ NH-406.
Alfred Fartknocker:
This Phantoms' days are clearly numbered. F-4E 72-0168 is waiting at Mojave, CA to be converted to a QF-4E FSAT (Full Size Arial Target) with BAe systems. AF-347 was 'expended', ie shot down in 2011.
Alfred Fartknocker:
Another shot of F-4E 72-0168 mid way through its conversion to QF-4E FSAT. It went into the Gulf of Mexico 20-09-11 with 82 ATRS.
Alfred Fartknocker:
This US Marines KC-130J is turning final at MCAS Miramar, CA. Bu.Aer 167985/ QB-985 is with VMGR-352.
Alfred Fartknocker:
A 'legacy' Hornet on final at MCAS Miramar a few years ago. NH-406 is F/A-18C Bu.Aer 164733 and is with VMFA-323.
Alfred Fartknocker:
The Osprey was still quite new in 2012. Here is VMM-166s CAG aircraft on final at Miramar, CA, pods rotating aft for landing. Bu.Aer 167917/ YX-00 is a triumph of engineering over aerodynamics.
Alfred Fartknocker:
This Air Force Reserve F-16C is 87-0247 "FM", marked for 482 Fighter Wing. It's with the 93 FS, based at Homestead AFB, Florida.
Alfred Fartknocker:
F-16CM 86-0318 "FM" (but marked '93 FS') gets airborne at Homestead AFB, Florida in 2013. It was still with same AFRes unit in 2018, part of the 482 FW.
Alfred Fartknocker:
A pair of F-16s turn final in quite close formation at Luke AFB, AZ. 90-0712 is a F-16CM, behind it is 89-2161 an F-16DM. Both likely continue in service today.
Alfred Fartknocker:
A pair of Super Hornets visited Peterson RAP, CO. This one is VFA-211 F/A-18F Bu.Aer 166809/ AB-264.
Alfred Fartknocker:
This Twin Huey is N212TP, clearly with the TP School at Mojave, CA. It's an ex Canada CH-135 which served the CAF as 135103.
Alfred Fartknocker:
KC-135R 58-0129 at Mojave, CA- with many others nearby. This 92 ARW a/c was being upgraded with new 'Glass Cockpit' instruments. It's with 171 ARS, Michigan ANG these days.
Alfred Fartknocker:
This Bronco is getting a little TLC at CAL Fires' hangar in Sacramento, CA. '230' is a fire spotter, reg'd N408DF & normally found at Grass Valley. It flew for the US Marines as an OV-10A Bu.Aer 155480.
Alfred Fartknocker:
Sacramento's Metro Fire Department had this ex US Army UH-1H 'Huey' in service in 2008. N114FD flew as 72-21558 with the Army. This chopper had an inflight fire followed by a hard landing resulting in substantial damage- but it's been repaired, and flies
Alfred Fartknocker:
Fire 82 at Sacramento, CA. This smart looking Grumman S-2T is N422DF operated by CDF as a Firebomber. It flew for the US Navy as S-2G Bu.Aer 152817. This S-2F3AT was converted by Marsh at Falcon Field.
Alfred Fartknocker:
A pair of ATAC operated ex IDF/ AF Kfir C.2 at Newport News RAP, VA. N820KF is ex 820 with Israel, but was w/o as N404AX in 2012. Not sure which is the other one, but 806, 822, 842 & 928 also noted here. It's probably 822, judging by the fin camo.
Alfred Fartknocker:
Raytheon kept a fleet of former US Navy A-3 Skywarriors at Van Nuys, CA for missile & radar test flying. This one is N877RS (144867), an NTA-3B. It's waiting to make the last ever flight of an A-3- to Hawai'i, where it has been preserved.
Alfred Fartknocker:
This A-3 Skywarrior may have been flight testing the F-22, or F-35 radar? N879RS is ex US Navy Bu.Aer 144858, a TA-3B. Seen at Raytheons' Van Nuys facility, where it got scrapped in 2010.
Alfred Fartknocker:
N876RS is ex US Navy NRA-3B Bu.Aer 142667. This a/c was used to launch missiles, from a shoe on the fwd' fuse'. Clearly wfu at Van Nuys, CA here, and scrapped a couple years later.
Alfred Fartknocker:
Another view of NTA-3B N876RS (ex 142667) waiting for scrapping at Van Nuys, CA. It had been bailed to Raytheon but it was the US Navy who insisted on it being broken up.
Alfred Fartknocker:
One of eight Skywarriors seen at Van Nuys, CA was N870RS, like the others- bailed to Raytheon for missile test work. This ex US Navy TA-3B, Bu.Aer 144856 was clearly wfu, and eventually scrapped with most of the others here in 2010.
Alfred Fartknocker:
I was lucky to get entry to Raytheons ramp at Van Nuys, CA. This Skywarrior is N877RS, ex US Navy NTA-3B Bu.Aer 144867. It flew to Hawai'i and is preserved on Ford Island there, today. That was the last flight of an A-3, as of 2022 anyway.
Alfred Fartknocker:
N538TC is seen at Van Nuys RAP, in LA. It is a T-38A, ex USAF as 63-8171. It belongs to the Test Pilot School at Mojave.
Alfred Fartknocker:
This US Army OH-58A Kiowa flies for the Nevada NG. 71-20809 is seen in flight near Hawthorne Arsenal, Nevada.
Alfred Fartknocker:
A based C-17 taxies after landing at Honolulu IAP, co-located with Hickam AFB. It is 05-5149 "HH", with the HI ANG.
Alfred Fartknocker:
A pair of USMC KC-130T visit Phoenix Skyharbour in 2010. 165000 & 162309 are from VMGR-234. 165000 was w/o in July 2017 when a blade came off the no 2 prop and caused the no 3 engine to detach, while at 20,000'. RIP all 16 folk on 'YANKY 72'- Triple Nuts.
Alfred Fartknocker:
The US Marines operate this ex USAF F-5E, Bu.Aer 741572/ 12, seen in Agressor markings landing at MCAS Yuma, or 'Yummy' as my kids called it. It's with VMFAT-401 and ex 57 TTW with the USAF.
Alfred Fartknocker:
Seen on approach at MCAS Yuma, AZ is this AV-8B Harrier, Bu.Aer 164146/ WF-05.
Alfred Fartknocker:
This VMFT-401 F-5E is Bu.Aer 741570/ 11. It's an ex USAF F-5E 74-1570, that was flying with the 57 TTW back in the eighties. Seen on final approach at Yuma, AZ.
