Originally Posted by
Adlerdriver
Don't get me wrong, I loved raging low. Low in my world is 300-500 feet - enough breathing room to be able to look at the radar or RWR for longer than .01 seconds at a time and where a second of distraction doesn't risk digging a mile long furrow. I'd be down there all the time if there was someone to kill down there or I was defensive.
My point was, in some of those videos, those guys are lower than 50 feet (big difference from 300, as you know). Less than 100 was never a comfy altitude for me (especially since the Eagle had no radar altimeter).
I've thought the same thing about Korea but for different reasons. Gun only jets with a willing adversary who came up to tangle on a regular basis. Fighter pilot heaven.
I didn't even know the grey Eagles went that low except to takeoff and land!
I certainly never saw any down there!
No....I agree with you on the world of difference between 500' and anything much lower for a prolonged time. I only spent a little time at 100' (mostly from the backseat instructing and that was just demo), but I spent quite a bit of time at approx. 200'+/- and 500kts chasing other low altitude training flights during dynamic maneuvering.
As far as my Korea comment - it works as well in both realms. Like you said - dogfighting with guns only and dropping dumb bombs and strafing! I disliked carrying/and employing a load of JDAMs at FL300 as much as I disliked those BVR duels.