Originally Posted by
rickair7777
Also consider that aerodynamic controls were insufficient for normal attitude control at altitude. Spacecraft attitude thrusters were used for at least yaw, you can see them on the nose during the preflight. Using those to control an F-104 has got to be a special kind of special.
In the video, they show the peroxide reaction ports during the preflight for roll AND yaw. I am assuming there were some for pitch as well. It shows the secondary stick for the thrusters...that had to be an unusual hand-eye-stick coordination drill...
An X-15 was lost in a spin in a similar incident (1967; Pilot Michael Adams, killed) at Mach 5; g-forces exceeded 15 vertical and 8 lateral, and it broke up.
It said either in the video, or the text below it, that the J79 was shut down prior to the zoom. I know this had to be done above about 65,000 with that engine; it was done so in the F-4 for record climbs. Accident report blamed it partially on gyroscopic precession during the rolldown. Seems questionable.
But it does appear he was recovered from the spin, and likely did not yet have an airstart...and possibly not enough windmilling rpm for flight controls to pull out of the dive.
Addendum: someone with more knowledge stated the spin WAS stopped, but the engine was down to 6%...not enough for an airstart in limited time.