Randall Cunningham ("Duke"). Biography. Fighting. Ranks. Photo.
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Randall Cunningham ("Duke"). Biography. Fighting. Ranks. Photo.

Randall Cunningham ("Duke"). Biography. Fighting. Ranks. Photo.

 

 

The US Navy soon realized that the need of combat training. Postgraduate courses were opened tactics, there is also studied maneuvering in combat against enemy aircraft. Cunningham - his nickname "Duke" took out of respect for the principles of the American movie star John Wayne - he was at the forefront of graduates Top Gun, so began to call these courses, and after the war in the air reached its climax in 1972 was he great to use received courses lessons.

Randall Cunningham (Duke). Biography. Combat action. Ranks. A photo. 1

 

Randall won their first victory over the MiGs, 19 8 in January and May, both using rockets "Sidewinder". Heavier "Phantom" was superior in power and it was not difficult to climb ahead of the MiG. But in such cases it would have been ahead of blinking and it could easily be shot down! Cunningham talks about a similar situation in the battle:

Randall Cunningham (Duke). Biography. Combat action. Ranks. A photo. 2

 

"I found that I was overtaking the MiG and could be exposed to the attack. I turned off the engine, the enemy noticed it and tried to roll and go along an oblique trajectory to my tail. As soon as I saw and guessed his response maneuver, I added speed and locked the target while in a position at an angle of 7 o'clock, but having a minimum radius of action The enemy rolled over, trying not to let me and my wingman out of his field of view, we walked with scissors at an acute angle along the outer radius to his turn. He tried to turn around, his nose fell through, and he continued to move forward, "" The MiG flew to the ground, we fired an AIM-9 missile, which only slightly damaged the aircraft. But then a small flame appeared, and he, diving, hit the ground. "

Randall Cunningham (Duke). Biography. Combat action. Ranks. A photo. 3

 

Cunningham after the war served in courses Top Gun instructor, then he engaged in the same questions of military planning. The resignation came in January of 1987

 

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