This plane lands itself. AFTER the pilot has ejected!

[OldManC]

On 2 Feb 1970 a 71st FIS F-106A (S/N 58-0787) entered a flat spin forcing pilot Capt Gary Faust to eject.  Un-piloted, the aircraft recovered on its own and miraculously made a gentle belly landing in a snow-covered Montana field.  In some stories, as you'll read below, it became know as the "Cornfield Bomber".  At the time of the incident the tail markings belonged to the 71st FIS out of Malmstrom AFB, however the 71st FIS was later changed to the  319th FIS, Malmstrom.  Retired Colonel Wolford (Major at the time) was the Chief of Maintenance at the 71st FIS at the time.  His name was stenciled on the side of 58-0787 as the pilot, however, Major Wolford wasn't flying the bird at the time of the incident.  Read more accounts of this incident below.

http://www.f-106deltadart.com/71fis_PilotlessLanding_580787.htm

This is a pretty cool story that I'd never heard. I figure some of you guys might like this.

[TBird1958]

My grandmother used to live at the north end of Mc Chord AFB (Tacoma, Wa.) in the '60s and '70's - I can remember pairs of F106's just screaming over her house on takeoffs.......LOUD!

[godofthunder]

Wow ! I never knew a century fighter was capable of a glide ratio like that ! I remember reading in WWII that British Wellington bombers were so stable that after the crew had bailed out they could "land" themselves in a similar fashion. I can't believe a F106 was capable of such a soft unmanned touch down ! George thanks for the link excellent read!

[Barklessdog]

Amazing story!

Ah I remember the Delta Dart & Dagger. Two fighters that I believe that never saw combat.

[OldManC]

Here's another page I found. Some great photos here:

http://www.dhc-2.com/Monthan_Memories.html

Here's the main page:

http://www.dhc-2.com/Aird_Aviation_Archives.html

[Highlander]

Serious droolworthy collection of images... Aird is gaelic for up/upper/higher...

I could speculate that the blast from the ejector seat may have pushed the F106 out of her flat spin, and if well maintained and in trim, straight and level flight would be a strong possibility, or in this case, with a slightly downward trajectory...

Great story... DM is one of those places WAY UP THERE on my list of places I would so love to visit...

[godofthunder]

What a great set of pictures ! Love the Skyraiders and the P80B Shooting Star

[Hornisse]

Thanks for the links!  Great memories.  I was a USAF brat from 1961 until 1979.  We were at Perrin AFB, Howard AFB, Lackland AFB, back to Howard AFB.  I loved the photo of the C-133.  You didn't see many of those back in the day.

[Freuds_Cat]

cool story and a hell of a lot of pics on that link George.

[Chris P.]

Yeah, great! Great pics too! I love Dakotas and Connies.

[Barklessdog]

What a great set of pictures ! Love the Skyraiders and the P80B Shooting Star

Skyraiders were cool and I believe used in Vietnam. The Voodo & Crusaders were cool as well.

[Highlander]

My dad's first flight was on a Dakota - one way trip to Burma in 1944...

Second flight was a trip out on a Sunderland...

Never been in anything super-fast... first flight was in a Viscount...

Saw a Greek SLUF at an airshow a couple of years back...

[Lightyear]

........Saw a Greek SLUF at an airshow a couple of years back...

You mean Greek SLUT!? 

[Freuds_Cat]

My first Jon was cleaning the feathers and leftovers from bush turkeys out of the cowlings of Conair DC3's aged 10.  $2 per week , 5 planes.

[Highlander]

I presume Jon is code for some dodgy Aussie practices, Sport...?


Something to bring a tear to Bret's eye... (presently for sale in NZ... the postcard, that is...)

Buzz, you cheeky chappie...

John mentioned the Crusader, and her little horizontally challenged sister was commonly called a SLUF - Short Little Ugly F... ella, or something like that... bit like a BUFF, in reverse...


a Greek SLUT...?