On Tuesday, July 14, 2015 at 1:43:02 PM UTC-5, Squeaky wrote:

Now to this specific incident, given the description of a broadside
impact, and given the slow speed of a C150 on climb out, it is highly
unlikely this aircraft would have appeared on the fighter radar, it
would have been considered in the "ground clutter" and not displayed.
And while flying under ATC, practicing instrument procedures, the Pilot
may have been less than vigilant in his see and avoid responsibilities.
That said, a C150 appearing as a non moving spot on the canopy
(definition of collision course) doesn't catch the eye movement or size
wise until very late...

Yeah, that was what I was thinking - Cessna in the notch so no or late radar contact and/or the Viper driver heads down looking at an approach plate or changing freqs.

At least in family model fighters you can have one guy working the systems to clear your flight path while the other guy does his IFR thing - I'm surprised a bit that they didn't use a D model with an IP (or handy Lt) in the pit to look at the radar and out the window. Or even a two-ship so the wingman could do the lookout.

Maybe we need to put smoke generators on all planes - that would get your attention!

Kirk
'74