In the process of liquidating my fathers(Frank L. Bosch, Lt.Col ret) estate for my mother I came across a picture of the F89 signed by 67 airman. I have slowly transcribed as many of the signatures as possible and have that list. Believe the squadron was at Hamilton or Moody in the early 50s. Rather than sell it on ebay as I have sadly done other items, I am want to know if their is interest in this signed picture. Steven
I was in the 465 FIS at Griffis AFB from 1956 until 1959. I was crew chief of F89D 532649 initially and later of 850. I still listen for the screech of a taxiing F89 but I cant hear it. Went back to Griffis in 2008 for a reunion of pilots and ROs. I was the only crew chief there. The locals gave us a very powerful reception and welcome.
I was a Crew Chief on an F-89D at Thule, Greenland in 1956. Aircraft serial # 53-2590a. It was a great experience. This led to a test tech on the B-58 ejection program, then as a tech on the Titan 2, then 33 years A /C mechanic Trans World Airlines. Great Career.
I was stationed at Goose Bay from June 1955 to June 1956 with the 59 FIS . I was a RO and thought the 89D was a great aircraft.It was a very stable platform for firing rockets.
I flew the F-89 in the fifties with the 432nd Fighter Interceptop Sqd out of wold-chamberlin international airport. The aircraft was strong but overwieght. Lost two friends due to a mid-air collision. First aircraft I flew with decillerons.
Hi James. I'm writing a book involving the F-89 and would love to correspond with you. Thanks. -Jon Billman Professor of English, Northern Michigan University 906-373-7397
Was RIO in F-89H and J models 1958-1960 at McCoy AFB in the 76th FIS.. McCoy is now Orlando International. We waited for the Russian bombers for years and they didn't come---I wonder why?!. When the Boeing 707 began to transit the Atlantic in 1958 it kept us on our toes----we had never seen airliners fly at 35000 feet and 500 knots--Looked just like the bombers on radar!
A little update on my previous post. I found and spoke with Arnold Knack, Peter Hurtz, and Chuck Luther. Chuck and Peter stayed in th Air Force until retirement. Chuck retired as a Colonol with 137 missions over North Viet Nam. Chuck passed away on 15 July 2009. He had planned on visiting us in October. I never knew that he was a graduate of West Point class of 1952. We talked often his last few months about his assignments. I sure do miss him. Jan Luther sent me his going away mug from Korat, Thiland. Ray Ball and I talk almost every week. Arnold and Peter are now my email buddys. Sure wish I could find Tansey.
Finished restoring the pilots ejection seat from F-89J 52-1905. Aircraft was assigned to the 75thFIS,76thFIS,82ndFIS,84thFIS,78thFIG and 179thFIS. Looking for patches from the 76thFIS, 82ndFIS and 78thFIG can anybody help?
I was stationed at Presque Isle AFB 1954 thru fall of 1957 as a aircraft Electrician working on F89 aircraft. Got to have a ride in the F89 and loved every minute. Would like to hear from anyone from the 75th. I remember the winters as cold on the flight line.
Went to school for E-4,E-5, & E-6 at Lowry AFB in 53 & 54. Taught Electronic Fundamentals at Lowry for one Year. Went to Hughes A /C Co. school for E-9, MG-12 & Missile Auxillaries. Taught WCS Tech's and aircrew the F-89 D, H, & J at Wurtsmith, Hughes, Goosebay, Thule and Oxnard durin 55 thru 57 years. Did 58 thru 60 at Edwards and a career on many different AC to include, C-47, C-130, F-94, F108, F102, F-105, F-4 B,C,D & E, F-15, F-111E and FB-111. Retired as CMSgt and went on to an even better ride with Northrop Corporation. Live in Sun City West AZ where every day is Saturday and a handicap that swings like my drive. USAF was a greatr career and F-89 was a fine airplane for its time. I think I know Beidelman. I was one of your instrutors at Lowry.
Radar tech on the 89J, flew back seat for 2yrs, loved the 89J, at Eglin AFB.'57-59. Non-crew members received a whopping $55 /mo flt pay, cross trained to F101B, 4750th Test Sqd at Tyndall AFB, continued to fly back seat. How lucky was I ??
I was stationed at Elmendorf AFB 1953-55 in Radar Shop of the 65th. Would like to hear from any one in that group. During that time we worked on F-89 C & D.
SERVED AS CREW CHIEF ON 89D'S AT MOODY AFB 1952 THRU 1956.SERVED ON ROCKET TEAM 2YRS ATC.WENT TO MEETS AT TYNDALL.F86D'S COULDN,T HIT THE RAG OVER THE GULF.SO GEN. SPICER STARTED THE MEET ALL OVER.THEY WERE SO BAD THEY FINALLY RAN THE PITOT TUBE THRU THE RAG.THEY HAD JUST ORDERED 2000 86D'S AND HE THOUGHT THAT MIGHT NOT LOOK TO GOOD TO THE PUBLIC.94C'S AND 89D,S DID SCORE MANY HITS.OUR SQUADRON LEADER WAS COL.DEAN DAVENPORT WHO WAS LT.DAVENPORT,VAN JOHNSON'S COPILOT IN THIRTY SECONDS OVER TOKYO SUM IT ALL I HAD A BALL!
I was stationed at Ladd AFB 1955-1957. I was a crew chief assigned to the 18 FIS. Didn't they call the SSA "little Augy?" It was a durable aircraft. I didn't care about replacing the fuel valves in the wing root. It was too congested. We had several 18 FIS maintenance personnel reunions but finally ended them as people were getting up there in age.
I ADDED THIS PAGE TO MY FAVORITES .I CAN'T PULL IT UP AGAIN THRU THE NET.HOW DID I FIND IT? BY THE WAY THE V.A. PUT IN TWO SHOWER BARS FOR ME,NO CHARGE,WONDERFUL.MY PILOT AND RO AT THE ROCKET MEETS WERE CAPT.WACKER AND CAPT.BOSH,CANADIAN I THINK.GREAT GUYS!
I ADDED THIS PAGE TO MY FAVORITES .I CAN'T PULL IT UP AGAIN THRU THE NET.HOW DID I FIND IT? BY THE WAY THE V.A. PUT IN TWO SHOWER BARS FOR ME,NO CHARGE,WONDERFUL.MY PILOT AND RO AT THE ROCKET MEETS WERE CAPT.WACKER AND CAPT.BOSH,CANADIAN I THINK.GREAT GUYS!
I was at Thule, fresh out of tech school, from March 56 to Mar 57 assigned to the AFCS /Instrument shop, 74th FIS. Got there just as the rotations were starting for the old troops, I think more than half of them went right back to P.I. ME. At one point I was the only man in the shop. As an A3c, I was shop chief, chief cook and bottle washer, a nd authorized to sign off RED X conditions. The A /C was easy to wor4k on, except getting to the K-4A control box. Dropped a wrench down that hole, took us about 2 hours to find it,including help from the Pilot and R.O. That was a long cold morning (dark season at that)! !
Bill Reid
Hi James. I'm writing a book involving the F-89 and would love to correspond with you. Thanks.
-Jon Billman
Professor of English, Northern Michigan University
906-373-7397
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