Win a Pentax Limited Lens: Raffle Now Live!

Thanks! I previously had thought that you were flying the EA6B.


Right! I also noticed the use of that aircraft as a tanker, and you have a photo from what I think is an EA6B being refuelled. So was the EKA-3B mainly based on land and used the carrier as a "hop" where it could refuel but stay on the deck instead of the hangar?

You thought right. I progressed from the AD-5Q (EA-1F) to standup the EKA-3B program in '67 then to the EA-6B program in '70. My only regret was I just missed the upgrade to become HARM shooter. We had to do accomplish everything with stealth, cunning and Pixie Dust.

There were cockpit to tanker shots from both A-3s and A-6s. Day/night all-weather tanking was just part of gettin' to the job.

It must have been an amazing experience. It makes me think of the story of Vulcan 607 and the effort which went into getting one plane to the target.

One of my rare visits here, as my normal camera gear is Nikon nowadays.

But I loved this thread!

Aircraft and birds are my interests, been so most of my life!

My wife had an emergency operation two weeks ago (on Monday exactly two weeks) to avoid a stroke (right carotid artery blocked) and now she's on the mend, last scheduled visit to the doctor was today.

Still got my K-x, and my wife has her K-30 (without any issues, yet).

All the best,

Tord

Thanks for dropping by, Tord! Glad to hear that your wife is on the mend.

Interesting thanks for sharing.

You're welcome! I'm still fascinated by the long flights which are possible by an aircraft like the A321.