FJ Pilot by 19

[ExRAFRadar]

Over in the civvy forums there is a thread running about the 19 year old FO story that was run in a paper this week.

Some of the replies said things like:

"Had a friend in the SAAF who was flying Buccanneers by 19."

"For the age comparisons being run, the RAAF had a F111C driver aged 19 a few years back."

Lastly:

"The 2 i/c on my first (training) squadron was a Lt Cdr Royal Navy who had, IIRC, some years before, been fixed wing (F4, probably) carrier qual'd at age 19 and half."

Is this possible ? Was there a time when training allowed you you to be in FJ at the age of 19 ?

Not wishing to call these posters liars, genuinely interested.

[tsnake]

The RAAF F-111 teenager was Mark Fallon who went supersonic in the Pig before he turned 19. Sadly he died, with his navigator William Pike, in an F-111 near Tenterfield, NSW on April 2, 1987 when it crashed during a night attack mission. He was 26.

[Al R]

Jeepers. Thats a lot of responsibility and maturity for someone that age.

http://www.f-111.net/Mark-Speed-Fallon/image001.jpg

[Whossat Forrus]

IIRC Andy Lucas was CR on Jags back in the 70's aged 19.

[teeteringhead]

Used to be lots, before "Holding Command" and many graduates...

.... known as TAJAs ISTR - Teen Age Jet Aces - not in altogether complimentary manner.....;)

[Whossat Forrus]

Ha! Like it Teeters.

[airborne_artist]

Officer entry to the services for an 8/12 (and 16 year?) commission in the 60s and 70s only needed 5 O-levels, and a minimum age of 17.5 on entry to BRNC/Cranwell. At the time you could get through BRNC in just over six months if you joined in September or January, and with no holds, that then gave the guys nearly two years to get CR, which was very possible.

[Romeo Oscar Golf]

In the mid 60's, 45 Sqn Canberras at Tengah had a three man crew, aged 19,20 and 20. The aircraft also had a Strike role, and unlike our present "deterrent", it was British built and controlled. Now, that was a responsibility for the boys!:cool:

[teeteringhead]

And 21st Birthday Parties on squadrons were quiet and restrained affairs ........ :E

[Papa Whisky Alpha]

I nominate -
1197690 Sgt T. Dobney RAF
during WW11 he was a schoolboy when he "put up" his age and joined the RAF, was trained as a pilot and flew three missions over enemy territory as a Whitley captain before his father traced him and informed the RAF of his age. His discharge letter stated that the only reason for his discharge was that he was too young to join the RAF, however should he rejoin at a later date he would be entitled to retain his flying badge. He was 15 years old!
Still under age he joined in quick succession the Fleet Air Arm, the ATA and, again, the RAF. In each case he was discovered and discharged. Eventually he did rejoin the RAF but was injured when an engine failed on take off from Snitterfield.
He flew Yorks during the Berlin airlift and finished his career as a pilot on the Kings flight

[BentStick]

Whenever we took our Pigs to the US on exercises I think the USAF was always quietly bewildered at the age of RAAF FJ aircrew. On any given trip, about a quarter of the SQN couldn’t drink (under 21).:bored:

[Ewan Whosearmy]

The Israeli Defence Force/Israeli Air Force has had a number of 19-year-old F-15 pilots.

[Phil_R]

I would point out that someone such as a trainee on hawks would probably be viewed as "a fast jet pilot" by most of Civiliandom, which makes it a bit easier i that sense.