Here is a direct acount from T.R. regarding the Mig kill, just got this in my email from him.
Quote:
To whoever started the string about the ordnance load on A4-C 148609 on 1 May '67.
The A4-C was loaded with 4 Zuni packs, 4 rockets per pack, switches on the packs set on salvo except one pack was set in single fire. My wing man was loaded the same but all 4 packs were set for salvo fire.
Actually, the MiG fight occurred after we had completed the run on the flak sites at Kep Airfield, NVN. During the run, we spotted the MiGs at my 2 o'clock, coming from right to left, I judge about 450 KIAS. I had no choice but to complete the firing run on the flak sites, shooting 13 Zunis in salvo, my wing man expended 16 in salvo, and I pulled off left accepting the dogfight with the 2 MiGs inside my left turn, at my 7:30 position. The 2 bandits were in close wing formation, firing 23 and 37 MM cannon. I executed a "hi-G barrel roll" and forced them out in front. I continued the roll to their 6 o'clock and fired 3 Zunis individually, the first two missed, the third hit. Thus, my 13 Zunis were salvo fired during the flak suppression run, and after pull-off I had 3 left. I would like someone to make a correction to the text on the web. TR Swartz.
Another member of the Yahoo Skyhawk group asked him about how the aircraft was loaded that day, here's his response;
Quote:
Don. Yes on the 300 gal. C/L tank and yes on the TERs. The inboard station of the TERs couldn't be loaded because of interference with the cat launch bridle or the gear door, I don't recall which.
The LAU 10 (?) zuni pack had a frangible nose cone and when you launch rockets out of 4 packs the drag rise is instantaneous. I considered cleaning off the airplane but realized I had but a fleeting second to shoot at the bandits and was quite frankly apprehensive about mucking up the switchology, thus I chose to stay with what worked, the remaining pack on single fire.
The A-4C had the ECM gear stuffed in the ammo can voids, this was before the hump. The jerry rig was dubbed "shoehorn". The cannons had 17 rounds each as a result. I did chase the lone bandit up the railway to China for a short way, but gave up after the guns jammed, I even recharged once in my greed, then the great warrior in heaven said, "TR, that's not smart, you can jam a round in on top of another, blow the nose off, and you will have to walk home". So I quit and went home, (back to the ship) as a straggler behind the main strike group.
My next combat deployment in '68 was with VA-212 on the same Bonne Hom Richard. MiGs were still around and a threat, our F-8 squadrons bagged 3 of them, and I campaigned to have several A-4Fs modified to carry an AIM-9 on station 1 or 5, strictly for the Iron Hand mission where we were mostly solo, without having the benefit of a dedicated MiG escort. To no avail, I think the Crusader drivers were worried that a few savvy attack weenies might give them a run for it.
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