Went supersonic on 28 February 1956 ( my eldest daughter's first birthday)
in an F9F-6KD (Regulus missile contol aircraft). Also went supersonic in the
FJ-3D and the FJ-4B in the late 1950s. But there was no head rattling on the
canopy, just a bit of vibration as you transitioned past Mach one.

The FJ-4B was a beautiful carrier airplane except that it's in-flight
refueling arrangement was a hazardous afterthought. Carrying a 2,000 lb.
refueling pod on the right wing during recovery aboard meant we could not
trap until we were down to 1,000 lb. fuel. Since it took 250 lb. for a
bolter and go-around for another approach we had enough fuel for only two
passes before being sent to altitude to eject. Nevertheless, I chose to
recover in the barricade with only 50 lb. fuel showing on the gage. No
ejection into the Sea of Japan in the winter for yours truly.

Always check six!

WDA

end

"Kulvinder Singh Matharu" wrote in message
.co.uk...
I was at a speech last week given by an ex-pilot who talked about how
he went supersonic in a Navy jet (their first jet that could break
the sound barrier). The aircraft would need to be put into a dive
though...approaching MACH 1 the plane would shake like crazy with the
helmet banging against the canopy. Once through MACH 1 the shaking
would stop. It was a really great story about how scared he felt with
his helmet smashing against the canopy and then the elation at going
supersonic...and then the sudden realisation that he was rapidly
approaching the ground!

LIke I said, it was a great story. What I didn't catch was the name
of the aircraft. Does anyone know?

--
Kulvinder Singh Matharu
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