Rocky, I need some help.

[BILLY D.]

What the )(*& &&^%$$ did they call that God forsaken piece of pipe that was located under the nose of an F-100 and stuck out about 4 feet. I recall something about a PITO(SP) tube. Seems it had something to do with instrumentation?

Still got a scar on the top of my head from one of those little boogers. If you were between 5'9" and 6' one of those puppies could do a number on ya. I walked into one while doing a checklist at night and it seemed like I woke up 3 days later. No loss really.

Also seen Pilots catch them about mid breast bone and almost hang them selves. Heck of a way to start a mission.

Thanx for any help.

[Rocky Raab]

It's the pitot tube. It is used to collect clean (unaffected) air for the airspeed system. The airspeed system takes two sources of air, the "ram" air from the pitot tube and a source of static air from somewhere on the fuselage where there is no local turbulence or air impingement. Comparing the ram to the static air source gives an airspeed readout.

More than one pilot or ground crewmember has nearly impaled himself on one of those dang things. On the T-37 it stuck out just a few inches below belt level. Yeah, you imagine correctly what THAT felt like. The end of the pitot tube is also heated to prevent ice buildup. Grab it at the end of a flight and you get a whole different surprise.

[BILLY D.]

Thanx bud. I had the facts right, just the spelling was wrong. The subject came up at another forum.

Thanx again.

[muledeer]

Heck I could have told you that Worked on 100's for 3 yrs then got stuck in SAC on 52's
muledeer

[BILLY D.]

Originally posted by muledeer
Heck I could have told you that Worked on 100's for 3 yrs then got stuck in SAC on 52's
muledeer

Sorry Pardner

Rocky was the first one to come to mind. I'm glad after I left Phu Cat I never seen another F-100 again. I left there and went to George and worked F4's. Now there was a flying garbage can. Carried everything in the inventory, including you know what.

We had one dimbulb working nights that backed up over a fire extinguisher and while backing the actuator handle unscrewed itself and the body of the extnguisher launched just as pretty as you please and went right through a hanger.

Made a big impression on the guys working a phase inspection inside. I guess there was folks bailing out of that hangar like no tomorrow. They thought it was Dr. Pepper time again.

Ah, shades of 'nam. I don't know about your area of operation, but whenever charlie decided to launch a rocket attack it was at 2200, 0200 or 0400 in the morning. 10-2 4 Doc Pepper time.

Remember that big beautiful maintenance hangar they built there? then Charlie blew it up. So CE/Red Horse rebuilt it and painted a big bullseye on the roof. Never did get hit again. Ya just had to be there.

Those were the days.