F-4E Phantom II, Brenda 01, 58th TFS "Gorillas," 432d TRW, Udorn RTAB Print
Images are reduced fidelity for copyright protection.
The first supersonic gun kill in aviation history occurred on 2 Jun 72 during the Vietnam conflict. In the early afternoon, Brenda flight, led by Maj Phil “Hands” Handley, was performing a CAP for a SAR mission northeast of Hanoi. While egressing because of Brenda 2’s fuel state, Brenda 01 spotted and engaged a MiG 19. After jettisoning his remaining external tanks, Hands tried to engage the MiG with both AIM-7E missiles on the jet… one failed to ignite and the other failed to guide. May Handley switch to the AIM-4 infrared missiles and fired two… both of which missed the target. After maneuvering to keep the target in sight and maintain nose-tail separation, Hands pulled down inside the bandit’s turn circle, established lead while settling into the target’s plane of motion, and pulled the trigger to fire the 20 mm cannon. With Brenda 01 traveling at approximately Mach 1.2 at less than 1,000 ft AGL, the MiG failed to perform any out of plane guns defense and flew directly in front of Hands at about 300 ft slant range and 90 degrees heading crossing angles. The MiG immediately began trailing fire and smoke and impacted the ground shortly after.
Brenda 01 is depicted with her AIM-7, AIM-4 loadout as well as her three external tanks. She carries an AN/ALQ-87 ECM pod in the forward, port AIM-7 missile well.
Any Fighter Studios print can be customized with different squadron marking, different store configurations, names on the nose or canopy rail. To get yours started, click Personalized Print for more information or click Email with questions.
Images are reduced fidelity for copyright protection.
The first supersonic gun kill in aviation history occurred on 2 Jun 72 during the Vietnam conflict. In the early afternoon, Brenda flight, led by Maj Phil “Hands” Handley, was performing a CAP for a SAR mission northeast of Hanoi. While egressing because of Brenda 2’s fuel state, Brenda 01 spotted and engaged a MiG 19. After jettisoning his remaining external tanks, Hands tried to engage the MiG with both AIM-7E missiles on the jet… one failed to ignite and the other failed to guide. May Handley switch to the AIM-4 infrared missiles and fired two… both of which missed the target. After maneuvering to keep the target in sight and maintain nose-tail separation, Hands pulled down inside the bandit’s turn circle, established lead while settling into the target’s plane of motion, and pulled the trigger to fire the 20 mm cannon. With Brenda 01 traveling at approximately Mach 1.2 at less than 1,000 ft AGL, the MiG failed to perform any out of plane guns defense and flew directly in front of Hands at about 300 ft slant range and 90 degrees heading crossing angles. The MiG immediately began trailing fire and smoke and impacted the ground shortly after.
Brenda 01 is depicted with her AIM-7, AIM-4 loadout as well as her three external tanks. She carries an AN/ALQ-87 ECM pod in the forward, port AIM-7 missile well.
Any Fighter Studios print can be customized with different squadron marking, different store configurations, names on the nose or canopy rail. To get yours started, click Personalized Print for more information or click Email with questions.