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LiberalFighter (1000+ posts) Tue Apr-22-08 07:06 PMOriginal message What is the thought about McCain's connection with the Forrestal fire? Advertisements [?]Surviving crewmen and those who investigated the Forrestal fire case reported that McCain deliberately 'wet-started' his A-4E Skyhawk to shake up the guy in the F-4 Phantom behind his A-4. 'Wet-starts', done either deliberately (the starter motor switch allowed kerosene to pool in the engine and give a wet start) or accidentally, shoot a large flame from the tail of the aircraft. In McCain's case, the 'wet-start' 'cooked off' and launched the M34 Zuni rocket from the rear F-4 that punctured the Skyhawk's fueltank, knocked the M-65 1000 lb bomb off it's 500 lb rated mount, and touched off the explosions and massive fire. The F-4 pilot was reportedly killed in the conflagration, along with 167 of his fellow Forrestal shipmates (including those who died later from wounds suffered). 'Wet starting' was a common practice among young 'hot-dog' pilots. McCain was quickly (they were still counting the Forrestal dead) transferred to the USS Oriskany (the only Forrestal crewman to be immediately transferred).John McCain And The USS Forrestal FireUSS Forrestal In 1967132 Dead Sailors, And Countless WoundedA Small Rocket Hit A Fuel Tank On Another PlaneWhere Is The Truth Here?I have heard five versions of the Forrestal fire, but this one makes sense.McCain Aviation CareerMcCain crashed 5 jets, plus was responsible for the Forrestal fire. Something made the plane behind McCain fired a rocket, which hit McCain's external center fuel tank, and caused a fire. McCain panicked, and dropped two bombs into the fire.Did He Start The USS Forrestal Fire?Surviving crewmen and those who investigated the Forrestal fire case reported that McCain deliberately 'wet-started' his A-4E Skyhawk to shake up the guy in the F-4 Phantom behind his plane.Incompetence Or A Stunt'Wet-starts', done either deliberately (the starter motor switch allowed kerosene to pool in the engine and give a wet start) or accidentally, shoot a large flame from the tail of the aircraft. 'Wet starting' was a common practice among young 'hot-dog' pilots.Zuni Rockets Were Volatile DesignIn McCain's case, the 'wet-start' 'cooked off' and launched the M34 Zuni rocket from the rear F-4 that punctured the Skyhawk's fueltank, knocked the M-65 1000 lb bomb off it's 500 lb rated mount, and touched off the explosions and massive fire.The Carrier OriskanyThe USS Oriskany came along side to treat the wounded.Wounded Flown OutThey were transferred to other ships.McCain Left With The WoundedWhen the carrier Oriskany came along side, and McCain was put in a chopper and whisked away. McCain was the only Forrestal crewman to be immediately transferredThe Forrestal CrewI have a hunch McCain left for his own safety, because the crew wanted blood.
Cooley Hurd (1000+ posts) Tue Apr-22-08 07:08 PMResponse to Original message 1. Of all the things we can hit McCain with... Edited on Tue Apr-22-08 07:15 PM by Cooley Hurd...the USS Forrestal accident is NOT one of them. Untreated PTSD, on the other hand, IS.
Crabby Appleton (1000+ posts) Tue Apr-22-08 07:14 PMResponse to Reply #1 2. You are completely correct. nt
RamboLiberal (1000+ posts) Tue Apr-22-08 07:33 PMResponse to Original message 15. That story is a piece of crap Go read the book Sailors to the End or watch the documentary on the Forrestal fire for the truth on this incident. 1 - The plane the Zuni was accidentally fired from was to the rear and across the deck from McCain's plane.2 - Flames exit the rear of a jet engine - there was no plane behind McCain's - only deck and ocean. His plane and the other plane hadn't been moved out toward the catapaults.BTW, the real culprit was McNamara, LBJ, and the Pentagon for being so all fired up about bombing North Vietnam there was a shortage of bombs and the previous night old thin-skinned, leaking WWII era bombs that had been stored in open areas of the tropics in the Phillipines were loaded aboard the Forrestal. The first bomb that fell off McCain's plane cooked off in 134 seconds. The toll was 134 killed in the end.How many times is this idiot story going to be posted on DU and debunked?Go find some other crap on McCain. This and the song bird POW crap doesn't wash here.
