McDonnell-Douglas A-4 Skyhawk

Joe Copalman · October 03, 2011, 10:07:19 PM

Was this the same shoot-down you were telling me about years ago with the guy almost getting hit by another aircraft while descending in his 'chute? Outstanding work on the painting, btw.

Scott Youmans · October 04, 2011, 09:58:05 PM

Joe, yes that's the one.

His flight had been diverted to help rescue an A-6 crew that was in the water just off the N. Vietnamese coast. As he was coming off the target he got hit behind the cockpit by AAA. HIs A-4 was on fire and he had to eject. As he was descending in his chute, two Skyhawks from another squadron flew past, one on each side of him. He gave me a cassette tape with about 45 minutes of radio transmissions and you can hear the wingman asking if the lead pilot sees the chute but there is no answer. He asks again, same thing. Then he says did you see the chute go by!

Unfortunately one of the A-6 crew was killed by mortar fire from the beach. The other A-6 crew member was rescued as was Hugh.

Joe Copalman · October 16, 2011, 08:53:18 PM

Bekaa Valley Bird of Prey

Ned Harris · October 16, 2011, 09:25:37 PM

Spectacular image Joe. Love your composition.

josephea6 · October 17, 2011, 06:20:19 AM

Beautiful shot JOE!!!

cpasley · October 17, 2011, 06:56:33 AM

Perfect - Perfect - Perfect, my favorite Skyhawk angle and with gear retracting, id buy a poster of that

Chetan · October 17, 2011, 09:12:28 AM

Great capture. I love the light. Very well done.

Joe Copalman · October 17, 2011, 10:19:18 AM

Wow, thanks guys. Wasn't too sure about this one, but I'm glad I posted it. Wish I could get a poster-sized image out of it, but I already squeezed quite a bit of blood from the original stone just to get a 1200x image. Thanks again!

jslugman · November 22, 2011, 03:57:56 PM

Big Alice meets the Scooter.

Big Alice is the name of Ned's 500mm f4 that he graciously loaned me for a couple of days. Marana A-4 rotating and looking big as hell in the viewfinder!

McDonnell Douglas TA-4J N518TA KAVQ by James O'Rear acm2342 by James "JSlugman" O'Rear, on Flickr

Scott Youmans · November 22, 2011, 04:08:17 PM

Joe, Just noticed your "Bekaa Valley Bird of Prey". Very nice work. I like that you left all the open space to the right. Very refreshing! Of course the light was unbeatable as well.