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Chris Woodul

@aerospace_escapes

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All Photos are mine except for a few from special friends. My life in Aviation, Aerospace, Travel and Family. Repost is fine just please Credit me.

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“I’m a Hunter”
While deployed on the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) in 1985. These plane captains (brown shirts) are going through an instrument check on one of their McDonnell Douglas F-4S Phantom II from Navy Reserve Squadron VF-201 “Hunters” attached to CVWR-20 (Carrier Air Wing Reserve Twenty). After the photo in frame one was taken, they will spend another two years in the Phantom before moving into the Grumman F-14A Tomcat in 1987.

VF-201 was established at NAS Dallas, Tx. on July 25th, 1970 after VF-124D1 was decommissioned. The “Hunters” flew the Vought F-8H Crusader six years, getting their first Phantoms (N model) in 1976. They transitioned to the “S” model in 1984 which only lasted for three years. The Navy in the mid eighties said that reserve squadrons should have the same equipment as active fleet squadrons. So VF-201 moved into the Tomcats and was the last Navy squadron to fly F-4s. Some of their F-14As came directly from Grumman and they received the last F-14A to come off the assembly line.
The Tomcat was a great fit for them, earning them a Battle “E” and Safety “S” awards. They also became TARPS qualified in 1994 when their sister squadron VF-202 “Superheats” was decommissioned. In 1999 they were pulled out the Tomcat and given the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18A Hornet. The “Hunters” supported the early stages of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003 earning awards from the SECNAV (Secretary of the Navy). They also got the axe in 2007 and all of their billets and equipment went to VFA-204 “River Rattlers” at NAS/JRB New Orleans.

I received a DM from @aerospace_escapes and he sent me some pictures of his father CDR Jack Woodul (Ret.) while he was with VF-201 flying F-8s. After serving active duty time with VA-86 “Sidewinders” during the Vietnam War off the USS Independence (CV 62). He left active duty and became a new hire pilot for Delta Airlines in 1967. He joined the Naval Reserve and was probably in VF-124D1 first in 1967. Not only was he an aviator, but also was the Maintenance Officer. He served with VF-201 from 67 to 76. Thank you Chris for the pictures and history of your father. Hope this post was a great tribute. #tribute #vf201hunters by @aerospace_escapes

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2 months ago

Nightscene Viper Office.
Video by aerospace_escapes on TikTok & @aerospace_escapes IG 🫡🫡🫡

#cockpit #cockpitview #f16C #aviation #aviationlovers by @aerospace_escapes

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8 months ago

Room with a view.Italian Marchetti S-211A Jet
🎥 @aerospace_escapes 🫡

#fly #marchetti #s211 #sky #skylovers #flying #life #room #view #views #cockpit #cockpitcrew #cockpitview #sunset #sunsets #sunsetlove #aviation #aviationlovers #foryou #foryoupage #reels #viral #fypシ #aviationdaily #fighterjet #monday #mondaymotivation by @aerospace_escapes

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a year ago

when the sun sets at the airport ☀️🛩️☀️
Video by my friend @aerospace_escapes 🤝🫡

#f16 #f16fightingfalcon #f16viper #life #sunset #sunsets #sunset_pics #sunsetlove #cockpit #cockpitcrew #cockpitcrew #pilot #airport #airportlife #aviation #aviationlovers #foryou #foryoupage #reels #viral #fypシ #aviationdaily #fighterjet #instaaviation #plane #planeporn by @aerospace_escapes

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a year ago

Martin-Baker SJU-5/A F/A-18A by @aerospace_escapes

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2 years ago

Raj of AQRD prepares for his Flypast Routine at the JRB Cowtown Airshow earlier this year. Strapped into one of his two Northrop F-5B Tigers, the team readies his jet for the flight. He makes a comment about the BAE Systems WAC (Wide Angle Conventional) Heads Up Display that his Tigers had modified into them during their service as Norwegian Airforce Assets for use on integration of the Penguin Anti-Shipping Missile. Now the HUD system just makes overall flying and operating the Tiger that much easier. #Northrop #F5 #Tiger #HUD #warbird #KAFW #AQRD #jet #Airshow #demo #mro #pilot #fly #keepemflying by @aerospace_escapes

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AQRD's F-5B Ship 244 Returns after a Test and Checkout Flight at Alliance Airport Earlier this year. RAJ put it through it's paces and it's post Annual Checkout process and subsequent Test Flight came back Code One! This 1966 Tiger with lots of modern modifications still looks contemporary in 2024. AQRD is an F-5 Rework Specialist among countless other types of Corporate, Commercial and Ex-Military Aircraft like this Northrop Tiger. "KEEP EM FLYING". #warbird #tiger #Northrop #F5 #F5B #jet #AQRD #KAFW #pilot #restoration #MRO
#flying #Texas by @aerospace_escapes

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2 years ago

Tiger Face to Face. AQRD Ship 244 F-5B. KAFW.
@philippetondeur1
@jetting_off
@aeroqrd by @aerospace_escapes

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2 years ago

Tiger Den and then some. KAFW Hgr 3 AQRD and Apache Fighter Company Warbird enclave. NORTHOP F-5B Up close.
@philippetondeur1
@@jetting_off by @aerospace_escapes

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AQRD F-5Bs 243 and 244. 243's Cockpit Update 99% complete. Tigers lair.
@philippetondeur1
@@jetting_off by @aerospace_escapes

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2 years ago

AQRD Northrop F-5B Cockpit work coming along nicely. Night work means less interruptions and more concentration...but then I hear something interesting taxi up outside! Ahh the joys of A.D.D. : ). #warbird #Tiger #Northrop #AQRD ##KAFW #jet #restoration #COCKPIT #pilotsview #hangar #Norway #Texas ##Fortworth #AIRPORT #sme #specialist #flying
@philippetondeur1
@jetting_off by @aerospace_escapes

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2 years ago

After breakfast at the WingIt Cafe here at Hicks I was able to fly over to Alliance Airport with Raj of ARQD to look at the work being done on the first of the two F-5Bs I'm doing cockpit work on. He is a fixed and Rotary wing pilot and this BO-105 twin engine helicopter is the fastest I've ever been between Hicks Airfield and nearby Alliance Airport! I have always enjoyed flying in helicopters!
@philippetondeur1
@@jetting_off by @aerospace_escapes

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2 years ago