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Gravdigr · 06-07-2010, 04:12 AM

This is Phantom 550, a McDonnell-Douglas F-4D Phantom, that was flown by (then Major) Brig. Gen. Dan Cherry (USAF ret.) from Bowling Green, KY. On April 16, 1972, Maj. Cherry, on his second tour, took off from a base in Udorn, Thailand on the flight that would see him down a North Vietnamese Mig-21. The Mig pilot, Nguyen Hong My, ejected after having his right wing blown off by an AIM-7 Sparrow missile. The encounter was even featured on an episode of the History Channel show "Dogfights" titled "Hell Over Hanoi". The most memorable part of the dogfight, says Maj. Cherry, was making a very close fly-by of the Mig pilot dangling underneath his parachute. Later in life, the two pilots met on Vietnamese television in Ho Chi Minh City in 2008, and actually became good friends. In April 2009, Nguyen came to the U.S. The two lectured at the National Air and Space Museum, and Nguyen even made history. He became the first combat pilot in history to sit in the cockpit of the very plane that shot him down! Nguyen Hong My also met and befriended the Weapons System Officer of an RF-4C he shot down in January 1972.

Dan Cherry retired a Brigadier General after a long and successful USAF career. In his first tour of duty in 1967, Gen. Cherry flew 100 combat missions in an F-105 Thunderchief. He was assigned to 13th TFS Udorn, Thailand during his second tour. He even led the Thunderbirds for a while.

Phantom 550 has been totally restored, and is on permanent display at Aviation Heritage Park in Bowling Green, KY. The park is dedicated to the restoration and display of historically significant combat aircraft flown by Kentuckians.

More info

Even more info

Dogfights: Hell Over Hanoi (this episode of Dogfights is divided into 5 parts, Brig. Gen. Cherry's experience is detailed in parts 1-3, I believe.)

"My Enemy, My Friend" by Brig. Gen. Dan Cherry

Aviation Heritage Park

06-07-2010, 04:12 AM	#1
Gravdigr The Un-Tuckian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: South Central...KY that is Posts: 39,517	Phantom 550 This is Phantom 550, a McDonnell-Douglas F-4D Phantom, that was flown by (then Major) Brig. Gen. Dan Cherry (USAF ret.) from Bowling Green, KY. On April 16, 1972, Maj. Cherry, on his second tour, took off from a base in Udorn, Thailand on the flight that would see him down a North Vietnamese Mig-21. The Mig pilot, Nguyen Hong My, ejected after having his right wing blown off by an AIM-7 Sparrow missile. The encounter was even featured on an episode of the History Channel show "Dogfights" titled "Hell Over Hanoi". The most memorable part of the dogfight, says Maj. Cherry, was making a very close fly-by of the Mig pilot dangling underneath his parachute. Later in life, the two pilots met on Vietnamese television in Ho Chi Minh City in 2008, and actually became good friends. In April 2009, Nguyen came to the U.S. The two lectured at the National Air and Space Museum, and Nguyen even made history. He became the first combat pilot in history to sit in the cockpit of the very plane that shot him down! Nguyen Hong My also met and befriended the Weapons System Officer of an RF-4C he shot down in January 1972. Dan Cherry retired a Brigadier General after a long and successful USAF career. In his first tour of duty in 1967, Gen. Cherry flew 100 combat missions in an F-105 Thunderchief. He was assigned to 13th TFS Udorn, Thailand during his second tour. He even led the Thunderbirds for a while. Phantom 550 has been totally restored, and is on permanent display at Aviation Heritage Park in Bowling Green, KY. The park is dedicated to the restoration and display of historically significant combat aircraft flown by Kentuckians. More info Even more info Dogfights: Hell Over Hanoi (this episode of Dogfights is divided into 5 parts, Brig. Gen. Cherry's experience is detailed in parts 1-3, I believe.) "My Enemy, My Friend" by Brig. Gen. Dan Cherry Aviation Heritage Park Attached Images __________________ These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA, EPA, FBI, DEA, CDC, or FDIC. These statements are not intended to diagnose, cause, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. If you feel you have been harmed/offended by, or, disagree with any of the above statements or images, please feel free to fuck right off.