In article ,
says...


OM wrote:

...The next project is to find that pilot and see if you can get out
of him just what happened. Provided, of course, that's all that fell
of that particular plane.

To me it looks like the motor might have exploded; the obvious question
is "where is the rest of the plane?" It couldn't have flown very far
without its tail. What's really annoying about this is that I used to
have a book ("Last of the Gunslingers" IIRC) entirely about the
Crusader, but gave it away to make more bookshelf space...and it might
of had a list of Crusader crashes in it.
I seem to remember a Crusader getting nailed by its own Sidewinder that
hang-fired after release...either that, or was shot down by a wingman by
accident with a Sidewinder...and blowing the tail off is what a
Sidewinder would do.

Also, recall that several different types of planes have been used as
unmanned drones in target practice over the Southern California desert.
Not only do you need to test new weapons, to make sure they'll work
properly, you also need to train crews on the actual use of these
weapons. Which means you occasionally need to be able to shoot down
real jets.

Does anyone know if the Crusader was ever used regularly in drone
service?

Doug