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Old February 21st 04, 06:23 PM
Smartace11
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Sure...and just about anyone who starts a/c engines can say the
same...fireguards are a waste of time...


Well, I for one was always glad to have one when we were starting an bombed up,
fueled up F-4 using the cartridge start system. It was always a relief to see
that the world was still there after the black/red smoke cloud cleared. A few
got burned up to the wheels on that little operation. Ditto with hot pit
refueling. There is/was a gate guard as Davis-Monthan AFB that caught fire
with a loss of life when the refueling nozzle slipped off and raw JP4 got
sucked into the inlet on #1, belched flame and caught the pool of fuel under
the jet on fire. Backseater jumped out the left side of the plane as was the
usual route, right into the flame. If he had gone the right side or over the
nose as the fronst seater did he wold have survived.