Since we seem to have some ex Mirage jocks here I have to ask the question. An ex RAAF type wrote a book (forget name) as to how he dead sticked one of Dassaults wonders onto a crop dusters strip at Hexam, Williamstown, after the motive force swallowed a bird. Any truth? RAAF Safety say they have no record.

Are you referring to Garry Coopers book "Sock it to em baby"; his autobiography which includes details of how he deadsticked a Mirage to a safe landing (TWICE) and was ****canned for it.... was supposed to eject.

He then ended up in the Land of Bad Things as a FAC with the septics, flying a Birddog (don't recall whether it was a C180 or t'other one) during which time he rescued a US Colonel after a Recon Helo crashed, killing a bunch of The Other Side in the process and was nominated by the Septics for the Medal of Honour. The RAAF not only didn't process the citation, he just about had to use deadly force to get paid while on these combat operations!

He eventually went into Ansett as a 747 overseas captain, and has retired to the north coast of NSW.

I enjoyed it - would like to meet the bloke one day.

Here you go Griffo:

http://i521.photobucket.com/albums/w...OverSydney.jpg

"Attitude, Bloggs!".

Thankyou Sir!!!

:D:D

"Karinga" - made some dies for those bloody things at Ammo Factory Footscray while I was studying for my engineering degree.

Great stories all. Seems you'd be chewing washers out of the seat on glide approach. Obviously a lot of good judgement involved.

Those NASA space shuttle types have it easy nowdays with computer fed information on the HGS for glide path and flare. Just follow the bouncing ball on the HUD for a nice flare and touchdown on the keys.

Ah...there I was 50,000ft, and nothing on the clock but the makers name and that was in French.... Had to get below 25,000ft before I could attempt a relight. About enough time to call mmmmayday, mmmmmayday. A fantastic view of the land/ocean looking straight down. The old girl relit and back to base. Phew! The exercise accurately described by Capn Bloggs was purely that an exercise. Never heard of anyone being lucky enough to be positioned correctly over the field when the noise quit!

First lesson taught to the boggies: NEVER be overhead the airfield at 15,000ft! If the donk quit, you may be forced into trying a forced landing. :D

With a perfectly serviceable bang seat? Then you'd deserve whatever you got.:eek:
Anyway, sounds pretty tame compared to an auto in a Huey!:}

Found this thread which is interesting reading. It mentions about the forced landing at Tomago and also Stan Grooms fateful attempt at Gloucester. Very sad.
A Warbirds Resource Group Site :: View topic - Flt Lt Garry Cooper RAAF - Help Needed

What's the story behind the wheels up at Tullamarine?

A3-16 landed wheels up at Tullamarine Airport, Victoria, in Oct 1974 and was converted to components for disposal in 1986.

I think glide ratio is measured in the same units horizontal and vertical. A lightie (like the CT4A as we mentioned) will make about one NM per 1000ft. That's about 6:1. Definitely NOT 10NM for every 1000ft although that IS the realm of a modern glider! (60-70)

I remember Garry Cooper from a while back. A hell of a nice guy. It was a while ago but I thought he said the MoH story went something like this: He spent the night in a rice paddy with the Col, plinking the gooks who were there looking for them. Whenever there was enough background noise from artillery, etc, he'd put his head up and take a shot then **** back off to a different side of the paddy. When the rescue bird arrived he'd run out of ammo and had to club to death another one of them with the empty rifle so he could get past and climb aboard the Huey. Great stuff! :ok:

Then there was the bloke (Al Quaife??) who ran out of noise on approach to Darwin and stepped out of the otherwise serviceable Mirage. The Mirage then landed smoothly by itself in a mangrove swamp outside of Darwin and was later recovered largely intact. I think it might still be in a hangar up there. No doubt he got a lot of razz!

The name on the brain bucket cannot be seen in that photo so naming him is inappropriate - if he wants to out himself that is one thing but you cannot

Much Ado

Further to A3-16 story..

Classic Jets Fighter Museum

Dog

The story goes that the (trainee) tower controller forgot to tell the pilot to "check wheels"...

MA, you could read his name in the original poster for, I think it was Avalon airshow - that's how I knew it was him! But ok, fair enough. Having had a beer or three with him (and his folks at the club) over the years, I didn't think he'd mind being mentioned. No harm meant...

Is that 'Classic Fighter Jets' restored Mirage airworthy? I've seen a few static displays about the place including one at Amberly and Darwin, but neither of those are airworthy (I think - the Darwin one definately isn't)

If not, does anyone know whether there's an airworthy Mirage about? I never got the chance to see one fly (it was retired the year I was born! :rolleyes:) and I've heard rumour that there is one that has been restored, but haven't found anything myself. Surely if someone has reworked a Sabre, there could be a possibility of a Mirage?

On a side note, anyone know of some good literature about the Mirage in RAAF service?

Airworthy III C in Switserland 2 seater you can buy a ride.

Ahh so it is the tower controller's fault.... that clears it up nicely.

I am pretty sure that the tower controller was not a trainee.

He was the scapegoat though..."ATC rushed the pilot" I think was the outcome. How can you rush a bloody knucklehead?

It was one of those accidents that changed the system. There was no "wheels check" prior to this prang. It brought about the gear check by ATC for mil aircraft which clearly absolves the pilot from ANY responsibility for a wheels up landing.