Comments by "Gort" (@gort8203) on "THE SIX: The USAF's Ultimate Interceptor Was A Technical Marvel" video.

  1. For those who need fact more than drama, a couple of details about the throttle. The sequence begins with the throttle in the off position, which is behind the idle stop in the right hand normal range of throttle movement. After pressing the starter button the throttle is moved outboard to the start position, and held there until the starter motor fires. At that point the throttle is moved back inboard and supplies ignition to the engine, but not fuel. The throttle must then be moved forward past the off detent into the idle position to supply fuel to the engine and allow it to start. This sequence ensures fuel does not enter the combustion chamber prior to ignition. In runup for takeoff you do not hold the brakes with afterburner lit. After checking the engine in military power you release the brakes and ensure the airplane is rolling straight prior to lighting the afterburner. A nozzle malfunction can cause yaw that would be uncontrollable on the runway.
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  2. Opinions vary on vertical tape instruments. Despite the theory behind them, many believed it was easy to confuse one reading with another and spend more time scanning, because they all looked the same. When the F-15 came out in the 70s it had gone back to round dials for most instruments.
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  3. The purpose of the cambered leading edge was not to reduce transonic drag, it was to improve lift at low speed.
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  4. Air National Guard was comparatively loose on enforcing grooming standards back then.
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  5. The F-104 had better acceleration and a better supersonic combat radius. But it was also a lighter fighter designed for a different purpose, so its not a straight comparison. The F-104 was a much smaller lightweight day air superiority fighter with minimal avionics and armament. The F-106 was a heavier all-weather radar interceptor carrying a heavy avionics and fire control system as well as an internal weapons bay and missiles. Advantage in acceleration to the F-104, but advantage in bomber interception to the F-106. The F-106 is still listed as the fastest ever single engine fighter, but it couldn't hope to accelerate as quickly from the low speed regime as the spectacular F-104.
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