MCAS El Toro

Feel free to post your best military aviation photos in this forum. Attaching photos will not be allowed, they must be linked to a third party site to be accepted.
Forum rules
Post Reply
Angry_Anderson

MCAS El Toro

Post by Angry_Anderson »

Some images from waaay back when I was stationed at MCAS El Toro in the early 1990s.

One of the very first F/A-18Ds in the USMC inventory (VMFA-(AW)225, I believe) It's parked on VMFP-3's old flightline (sacrilege!)
Image

VMFA-323 Death Rattlers F/A-18A in for some heavy maintenance after Desert Storm
Image

Being so close to MCAS Tustin was nice. Every day, we'd get flybys like this from CH-46E, CH-53D, and CH-53E.
Image

A T-56 mounted on its Moon Buggy, ready to get towed across base to the outdoor test cell.
Image

Speaking of test cell, here's an F404 ready to go. The indoor test cell was right behind that big tree in the background. Nice swab ringer in the foreground (lots of swabbing in the Corps)
Image

A F/A-18B of VMFAT-101 in for some major work
Image

Triple nuts
Image

Image

All kinds of visitors this day. Note the TAC badge on the Falcon's tank. I'm old.
Image

Some CH-53E's taking gas from a VMGR-352 Herc.
Image

It was normal to get visitors from the other services. Notice anything special in this pic?
Image

A civil registered F-8 Crusader? Now THAT'S a nice ride!
Image

AV-8B VMA-211 "Wake Island Avengers" from MCAS Yuma, making a visit
Image

RF-4B of VMFP-3 "Eyes of the Corps"
Image

A collection of parts and pieces. Some things belonging to an A-4, F-8, and MiG-15, I believe.
Image

Yikes. It's me at age 19 in the driver's seat of a C-130A
Image
Last edited by Angry_Anderson on 07 Jul 2010, 19:43, edited 2 times in total.
Top
MIKE JG
MAIW Veteran
MAIW Veteran
Posts: 10976
Joined: 12 Aug 2006, 02:25
Version: MSFS

Re: MCAS El Toro

Post by MIKE JG »

Awesome! Thanks for sharing and an even bigger THANKS for serving! :wink:

Funny how the paint job on the Harrier is EXACTLY the same today as it was back then..... LOL!

Looks like those CH-46's have desert cammo on them? Is that from Desert Shield/Storm service?
-Mike G.

Recovering flight sim addict, constant lurker.

Check out my real life RV-8 build here: RV-8 Builder Log
Top
User avatar
kungfuman
Lieutenant Colonel
Lieutenant Colonel
Posts: 845
Joined: 01 Jun 2008, 18:21
Version: FS9
Location: EGGD

Re: MCAS El Toro

Post by kungfuman »

Hey, that's a cool set of pics :smt023
Dan
Top
Angry_Anderson

Re: MCAS El Toro

Post by Angry_Anderson »

Yes, the Phrogs were painted that way for Desert Shield/Storm. I think it suited them nicely. Thanks for the comments.
Top
User avatar
Victory103
Colonel
Colonel
Posts: 4072
Joined: 13 Aug 2007, 03:35
Version: P3D
Location: KPHX

Re: MCAS El Toro

Post by Victory103 »

Great shots, might need to do some research on the F-8!
DUSTOFF
ARMY PROPS
NAVY SAR

-Chris
Top
LEBTowerGuy

Re: MCAS El Toro

Post by LEBTowerGuy »

I grew up not too far from El Toro, I went to high school right under the approach path. I remember when a C-5 would go over we would have to stop class because it was so loud. I think the F-8 may have been from Raytheon or some other contractor. I think NG or Lockmart still have some A-3s hanging around up at Van Nuys.
Top
Angry_Anderson

Re: MCAS El Toro

Post by Angry_Anderson »

Here's the Crusader

http://www.airliners.net/photo/Vought-F ... 0098079/L/
http://www.airliners.net/photo/Untitled ... 1261102/L/
Top
Angry_Anderson

Re: MCAS El Toro

Post by Angry_Anderson »

VMFP-3 used this car as a pilot shuttle. I think it's actual MIL-SPEC paint.

Image
Top
Post Reply

Return to “Military Aviation Photography”