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Navy had a height restriction in the 50's, I believe it was 5'4".
Guys I knew close, like 5'2" used wads of paper in their socks. In the SNJ some used foot-blocks to get to the rudder pedals and/or cushios behind their backpack chutes to get closer to the action. The height limit was 6'4" I think. Supposedly you had to be less than 6'0 to fly a Tink (A-4) but that restriction went out the window when we started running short of Tink drivers on Yankee Station. Biggest guy I ever saw in a Tink was a CAG named "Tiny" Granning. At least 6'6" and 250, plane captains actually stuffed him in from both sides. His normal plane was the Demon them Phantom but I saw him CQ the Tink on the Tico and it was a wonderment. Another big long legged guy in Phantoms routinely blew out his tires when arresting because his feet just surged forward when the wire hit. Best size in most carrier planes was around 5'10", 150 pounds. Both the F-8 and F-4 had large roomy cockpits and would take the larger sized guys. I agree this whole G-lock phenomenom must have been a blue-suiter affliction. Most planes took some stick pull to get G's. Usually a guy who pulled to more G's than he could handle just eased off. Out cold you couldn't be pulling too hard. Releasing the G's normally brought you around pretty quick. Even very hungover from a big night of stingers I'd get a little tunnel vision around a G or so before any greying occurred. Maybe the blue suiters today just go from happy assing around to lala land without passing go. It's a mystery for sure. |
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