Warbird Information Exchange

F-8 Crusaders and A-4 Skyhawks assigned to Fleet Composite Squadron (VC) 7 pictured in formation near San Diego, CA, #OTD in 1969.
A-4E Skyhawk with TDU-10B DART aerial gunnery target.

Vincent Berry Quote: "We always flew our A-4s with 2-300 gallon drop tanks under the wings (white object). When towing the “Dart” target (day glow orange) the port tank was replaced with a tow-reel system with Dart attached for carry. The starboard 300-gallon tank was replaced with a 150-gallon to maintain balance. When deployed the Dart was 1800 feet behind the aircraft and we performed a series of climbing and descending turns for the shooters to try and hit it with 20mm auto-cannon. Fun times at NAS Miramar “Fighter Town USA” just north of San Diego, CA!"

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[Thread title is ridiculous btw]

Great photo, and the photo location is directly over the Isthmus or Twin Harbors on Catalina Island, California.

The F-8 Crusader in the foreground is also a survivor with Chuck Gardner’s photo in the registry!

Thanks Mark!