Question being, after a stern conversion at M2.0 in a Lightning, did he land on fumes or use the chute to get back to Earth. They weren't noted for endurance, even subsonic.

GF

So a bit of a walk down memory lane here. That's great; us old farts love that stuff.
Here's some of that, a bit more mundane than shooting down satellites but a little history nonetheless.
In the early 50's I was an Air Force brat (Father was AAF during the war) stationed at Langley AFB (Field) and used to lay out off the approach end of the runway with the aircraft landing overhead, I think they were F-80’s and F-86’s. We were however somewhat influenced by the fact that we used to run around every week in the cloud of fumes coming out of the DDT jeep not quite understanding why it was so much fun.
In 1953 my father was transferred to England and a few months later “the dependents” were to follow. So in the early summer of 53 it was time and my Mother and the kids were to fly over. We flew from McGuire AFB NJ to Blackbush England in what I’m pretty sure was a C-54 (MATS). They entire flight took 24 hrs. 17 in the air with stops at Gander and Shannon for breakfast and dinner. Arriving in Blackbush in a severe storm. The aircraft was basically full of women and kids with all the guys waiting on the ground. Later my Dad said they were scared to death, we were brought in on a GCA with the approach piped down to all the guys waiting in the terminal.
We were to stay in London until we found a house. London was a madhouse, I heard at some point they were getting a new Queen, I thought it happened all the time.
Returned to the States in 58 going to some new base called Vandenberg and spent the next 3 yrs watching missiles blow up (one piece as big as a car came right through the NCO Club roof), we used to sneak out near the Pads on our motor scooters (which we could drive at 14, talk about fun). We did get caught a couple of times but hangin out with the Base Commanders and Provost Marshals sons helped a bit.
Even saw some Snarks and Bomarc’s. Well enough; just some old stuff.

Used to be that way at SWA, fwiw.

This is true.

I was across the channel from you living in Paris from 1952-1956. Dad worked for the CAA (FAA).

I remember seeing Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis live on the US side of Orly Airport. (1955 or 1956?)

All good times. :)

Always thought the Snark was one cool looking bird.

No, United would hire a person that had zero time if he had a 4 year degree, and was not subject to the draft. I had a student at the FBO I worked at that had a class date with United. He had some sort of medical problem, that excluded him from military service. He was required to get his FAA Commercial with his own money. TWA had a similar program but required a FAA Private.

If you're trying to visually ID and kill the guy with papas and guns, then yes it is a tough problem. BVR weapons free with current weapons, not so hard.

Papas, for the uninitiated =early generation heat-seeking missile, had to be shot from almost directly behind, very short range

Actually all the airlines hired PFEs. When the jets first came ALPA took the position that all jet aircraft should be flown by three pilots. During the early days of the B707 and DC8 the normal crew was Captain, First Officer, third pilot, and the Flight Engineer. There was a turf battle between ALPA and FEIA. The situation of the three pilots and the PFE could not last. American Airlines left ALPA over the issue. FEIA was on strike at EAL and the ALPA pilots broke the strike. The PFEs that crossed the picket line were put on the pilot seniority list. The guys that stayed on strike were spread to the winds, never to return to EAL. The lock out still existed the day they shut the doors.

Plus the fact the requirements of the day were White Male, age 32 or under, 20/20 vision without glasses, Military obligation complete or not eligible for Selective Service(Draft Army/USMC).

I received a rejection from NWA because I was too short. I'm 5'9" and the requirement was 5'10".

FoxHunter

Indeed, a case of union busting by ALPA. I flew with a lot of those PFEs, who got their pilot's licenses and had a special code on their DOH. Many were good pilots, too. One could not make a bad landing on 727.

GF

thats saying something, the old 3 holer even bit 10,000 hour vets on occasion .