The store (or tank) separated, floated in the slipstream for a second or
two, then went straight back and cleaned off the right stab.

That is what I remember as well. Wasn't a chase plane also caught up in the
mishap?

Are you thinking of the F/A Teen test where a Mk 82 plus the pylon detaches and
wipes out the TA-4 chase plane? Some of the nastiest video I have seen - you
can almost hear the Scooter pilot yelling, "What the hell did you doooooooo!!!"
just as he flinches into the path of the oncoming bomb. Bonus points for the
crew, staying in their flaming torch for the first 6-7 fiery tumbles, then
ejecting just before the debris rains down next to the range observation boat.
A++ video clip (cuz no one got kilt).

v/r
Gordon


====(A+C====
USN SAR

Its always better to lose -an- engine, not -the- engine.