Glad you and the skipper made out of the water safely. So far so good

Mr. Baranek, I am reading (and thoroughly enjoying) your book Top Gun Days, and just finished Chp 5 where you and Skipper run off the flight deck of the Constitution after the No. 4 wire fails. I'm just curious, why weren't you at MIL power? Maybe it has something to do with the F14, which I 'm not all that familiar with. However, my son is a WSO in the EA-18G (Growler--which I'm sure you know is basically a Super Hornet reconfigured for its electronic warfare mission), and my understanding is that they always go full power at touchdown on carrier landings in case of a bolter and the need to get airborne again. Thank you, and I look forward to finishing your book.

Craig Delk
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Mr. Delk - Glad you're enjoying the book and thank you for your question, it is very perceptive. Of course people asked CDR Switzer that at the time of our mishap. His reply was that when he felt the wire break, he pulled the throttles back to try and stop, as a reflex. I've examined the video and concluded we were going about 50-60 knots as we rolled off the angle: too fast to stop and too slow to fly, even in MIL power...or MAX A/B. So nothing would've saved 159623.
And thanks to your son for his service to this great country. Sincerely - Dave

I haven't read the book. I'll see if the library has it.

I don't know if I'm glad or sad that the movie "Top Gun" came out after I served in the Navy, including two WestPac cruises aboard USS Ranger, Top Gun of the Pacific Fleet. I did not like any of the actors portrayals of Navy pilots in the movie. I met and talked with lots of pilots - F-4s, A-7s, A-6s, A-4s. Not one of them had an attitude. Maybe they had attitudes when they strapped in and positioned on the cats, but they left it in the plane. Every one of them was a down to earth human being whom I was proud to serve with.

John Slaughter, USS Ranger 1968-'70.

Bio,
Between you and Heater, I'd say you guys have shot some of the nicest airborne photos taken in the last 30 years. Thanks for putting in the time to write the book, which WILL be in my library soonest.

Best,
Mongo
VF-301 Maint.

BIO,
Nice meeting you at the Air&Space Museum, great Web Site & videos !!!
v/r Eric

I WAS READING ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH THE SR-71 AND SPEAKING FROM HAVING SEEN THE AIRCRAFT UP CLOSE IS EXCITING. MY EXPERIENCE WITH THE SR-71 TOOK PLACE 10-15 YEARS AGO AT THE BATTLESHIP ALABAMA IN MOBILE ALABAMA AND AFTER WALKING THE UPPERDECK WE WALKED TOWARD THE HANGER AND THERE INSIDE WAS A SR-71 THEY WERE GETTING READY FOR A BANQUET AND WE WERE LEFT THERE BY OURSELVES WITH JUST US AND THE PLANE.
YES THE STAIRS WERE STILL ATTACHED SO I CLIMBED UP THE STAIRS AND TOOK PICTURES OF THE FLIGHT DECK AND PROCEEDED TO TAKE PICTURES FWD,AFT STARBOARD AND PORTSIDE OF THE PLANE. LIKE YOU I WAS AMAZED AT WHAT THE PLANE HAD DONE.
WHILE TAKING PICTURES I WAS WONDERING JUST WHAT THEY WERE COMMING OUT WITH NEXT

Guess I'd best read this. After all, I spent 5 years at Topgun. Just took a long time to get through the IUT program!!!

HAGD and Keep Smiling
Wigs

Dave
I just ordered your book. I am Dave Demery and in 1978 I was run over by a truck. After seeing Top Gun I wanted despertly to be a fighter pilot. My injuries kept me from doing that but I have flown with Air Combat USA like 12 times. It is incredible wish I could fly in a jet fighter. Here is my video on www.youtube.com Just type in deuce air combat usa to view.

Bio, how about posting some pictures of book signings?

Bio,

Great seeing you at the book signing yesterday. Another great accomplishment from the master!

Wishing you every continued success -

Brian

Mr Baranek,
I had the great pleasure working with you while serving onboard The Ranger and being in the same squadron (VF-24), I also had the great pleasure of loading all your AIM-7's.. AIM-9's.. AIM-54's & the 20mm cannon. I wish you all the best for you and your family. Hope to meet up with you again someday. Former AO2 Alan Higgins. My e-mail says it all..

Dave - best of luck with the Book tour. We hope you will come back to Toastmasters and still talk to us after you are rich and famous!

You Tom's twin brother? He used to tell me stories about you being in the movie. Don't look like him.

Congrats on the book BIO, you bet I'll buy it and add it to my Tomcat cruise box. You were a legend at Miramar, I'm sure it'll be a great read!

V/R,

Tom Livesey
Former Enterprise AO & VF-114 AV/ARM

Dave - how very exciting!!! I'm so proud of you and hope you will still talk to me now that you will be famous...

Hi Bio (^^)/

When do you come to Yokosuka!?

We are waiting in the Yakitori-bar !!!

Bio,

Awesome!!! You made flying fun!!! BULLETS/MUTHA!!! Hope to see you and Laura soon!!!

GOOBS

Bio,

Hard to believe it's been more than 30 years since we were "driving" intercepts in the parking lots of Pensacola.

Congratulations on the publication of your book! I know how much effort you put into it and I can't wait to read it.

All the best,
Jake

P.S. You really should have won the Topgun Trophy!!

Bio,

I am looking forward to the book. Best of luck on book 1. I am looking forward to the rest of the series!

E.T.

Hey Dave how 'bout posting some pics of the Change of command ceremony at your house in 97'-that was top notch!
Can't wait to get the book.
Stu

YOU
ARE
THE
MAN!!!

I'm buying the book Dave! Get in touch man, it's been since 1999 I believe!

Congratulation! For both the book and the great website!
It will be a truly pleasure to add it to my collection!

Ciao,

Tommy

Site looks great, can't wait to get the book into my collection!

Can't wait to read it Bio! Proof read fast!
Jim - F-14 Tomcat Association Member.

Looks like a GREAT BOOK! And one that will bring a UNIQUE and very cool in road to a period of people and machines that were ....well... "Best of the Best".