Joyride: 1986 Theft of a Marine A-4 Skyhawk

In 1986, a Marine with dreams of becoming a pilot received some bad news. In the early morning hours of July 4, he made an impulsive decision. The History Guy remembers when a Marine ground crewman stole an $18 million military jet.
This is original content based on research by The History Guy. Images in the Public Domain are carefully selected and provide illustration. As very few images of the actual event are available in the Public Domain, images of similar objects and events are used for illustration.
You can purchase the Voyage bow tie worn in this episode at The Tie Bar:
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All events are portrayed in historical context and for educational purposes. No images or content are primarily intended to shock and disgust. Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it. Non censuram.
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Script by THG
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[@joeh470]

You are awesome history guy. I listen as i drive my semi. Thx

[@studinthemaking]

You should do the one story of the guy. Who stole a army Huey helicopter and landed on the Nixon white horse lawn TWICE.

[@cyclingnerddelux698]

History guy: In 1943, Felice Benuzzi, an Italian climber being held in a British Prisoner of War camp in Kenya was becoming increasingly bored with being held in captivity. So, he and two others came up with a crazy plan and began hoarding supplies and manufacturing necessary equipment. On the appointed day, he and his comrades escaped the camp and began treking across Kenya. But this was no ordinary escape. As ill equiped as they were, they walked to the distant Mount Kenya (5199 meters), climbed it, left a flag to prove it, descended from the summit and secretly broke back into the POW camp 18 days later. All because they were bored. Thought you might be interested.

[@mikecorleone6797]

The History Guy: History Deserves to Be Remembered just signed up for magellan tv. Thank you, looking forward to your next episode 😬

[@Scaliad]

@@MartinSpamer Yeah, I was thinking this was more like borrowing without permission...

[@manofchaitea6904]

He didnt steal, he borrowed it, and returned it right back. I cant fault this guy, he is a legend.

[@Guangrui]

can't argue with you on that

[@oldcremona]

Need to pay for the fuel

[@rhill374]

i was in the marines when this happened this guy was a hero to all of us aircraft mechanics

[@ei513563854]

robert hill me too! Was a PC at HMS-13 at the time

[@rhill374]

I was in vmfa 232 in Hawaii

[@jonathanwright5550]

The mechanic that could :)

[@stuart5811]

I was at MCAS El Toro when this occurred

[@2pikbone]

I was at Camp Pendleton. I heard this story soo many times.

[@firebrony101]

"I was wondering who had the *huevos* to do a closed field departure" Easily the best quote.

[@majordickhardin7746]

I was excited to hear this ...and my name mentioned. This is the best compilation of ALL the information ever done. I was a Corporal at the time. Foote was a member of Station Operations & Maintenance Squadron (SOMS), as was I at that time. I'm honored to be a part of one of your always fabulous presentations!

[@billoverman8258]

Didn't General Miller get him simulator time as well? I was on guard duty at Tustin the night that this happened and could hear the plane circling overhead.

[@michaelbaldridge7812]

He's clearly a Marine. He improvised, adapted, and overcame. Semper fi

[@Underwaystudios]

ns!...give the man the keys, he earned 'em! Semper Paratus

[@CaesarCassius]

He was lucky they let him go free, but that could also set up a precedent

[@parapsychologist5402]

Yeah, not to bright !

[@Borzoi86]

Whatever his aviation skills may have been, he is most clearly NOT a Marine because he operated an aircraft without authorization. Period. Marines follow orders.

[@cristobalcardona5592]

People he was very inmature taking risks when flying without the pressure suit, also I blame his downfall on the people that let him fly without it! That said I still feel that if he makes enough money they will sell them an A4 so he can fly it around he knows how to fix them and they are pretty reliable having done work on them! Check out The Falklands War! Those A4's were on fire!

[@zerotrace000]

I personally knew Lcpl Foote as he and I became friends. I very much remember this event. We both served in VMA-242 as Plane Captains on A-6 Intruders at MCAS El Toro. I helped train him when he first came to the squadron and we became friends. Thereafter, I learned he was a gifted and talented high altitude glider pilot with aspirations to be a Marine pilot. The upper leadership on base got introduced to him and began grooming him to be a future pilot. But as this video correctly reports, he flew too high in his glider and had an embolism. After finding out he was no longer qualified to be a Marine pilot, he stole the Skyhawk and became a legend on a small scale. I rarely spoke about him to others because I thought people would not believe the story. As for me, I made it to the grand rank of Corporal and left the Corps honorably after my four year tour. It's kind of funny seeing a KZbin video about Foote over 30 yrs later.

[@SkyCoreLLC]

I went to Los Alamitos High with him. Good guy.

[@goonigoogoo5868]

liar

[@stretchmfe4913]

@@goonigoogoo5868 State your reference.

[@RyanLovesReds]

Good story mate, always cool reading this comments

[@stuart5811]

I TAD at El Toro when this occurred

[@kilo-mn5md]

Marines lost a good fighter pilot. Should've gave him a waiver.

[@sealy3]

The Marines seem to have a history of passing over on people who would latter prove themselves to be worthy. (Maj. Audie L. Murphy U.S. Army Reserves and Medal of Honor recipient)

[@billd.6847]

@@sealy3 Audie didn't weigh enough to get in, neither did my dad. My dad ate 10 lbs of bananas and got in the Army Air Corp instead.

[@waynestafford6031]

I saw the article about Cpl Foote in the paper including his facing the death penalty. The media was having too much fun with it so I called his attorney about getting this thing settled and out of the papers. The captain said he was being contacted by many other Marines about the mess and he recommended I write to the commanding general. Months later I received a thank you letter from Cpl Foote. Good to hear he did well.

[@usalives2562]

As a US Marine and Naval Aviator this story was legend when I was in flight school most of us had nothing but sympathy for this young man.

[@GiantSavage117]

Im curious, is there any way this guy could have flown his dream plane legally while remaining in the service, despite his injury? Because I get the impression from this video he had no other choice but to do what he did, to fulfill his life long dream. I feel the military should have at least let him fly one on request, after his unfortunate accident. They could have easily written it off as pilot instruction, or anything really. In my opinion it wasn't him who failed his career it was his career that failed him.

[@usalives2562]

GiantSavage117 Short answer is no. He had a hard downer that no flight surgeon would have signed off for.

[@CaesarCassius]

He was lucky they let him go free, but that could also set up a precedent

[@misein1]

I was working at the 3rd MAW in the ops dept. I was a ch-46 helo pilot and we heard about it the next day..we all laughed and said GOOD for him but we also thought he would be in jail for YEARS. The helo pilots of course said that the kid could jump in an A4 and fly but he would NEVER be able to get off the ground trying to fly a helicopter..It is funny that Helo pilots can fly jets but no Jet pilot can just fly a helo.

[@bestoutcomes]

@@GiantSavage117 I'm a former Navy corpsman (medic) and what this guy suffered (an embolism) could easily have been fatal at the time or any subsequent time, not just in the pilot's seat but any time 24-7 due to the nature of what this is. When an embolism gets sent through the heart into the lungs many times it's sudden death. I have done testing on some pilots in the stress test lab whereby we put the guy on a treadmill and ramp it up at high incline and high intensity gradually but fairly quickly for pilots, and some guys have suffered badly during this test, yet were highly experienced, some of them high ranking fighter pilots with the Navy, Marines or Air Force, or the Air Guard, yet that one negative testing result grounded them, putting an end to their career as a pilot literally immediately. Someone whose body is shooting blood clots from within the circulatory system is extremely high risk when in the air, to themselves and their back seater and wingman and all others in the air and on the ground. So no way could he have been cleared.

[@TactualSLAYER]

Flyings more addicting than the sweetest drugs, I can’t imagine getting to fly your dream bird, this guys a legend.

[@cheerdiver]

Then try the mammalian dive reflex, imagine being the plane and so relaxed that not breathing is not a problem. PS 7hr helo PIC

[@natewatl9423]

Apropos the Corsair -- as always, a good story always contains pirates!

[@davidthompson6099]

Most fun you can have with your pants on.

[@ShainAndrews]

You have a direct comparison? If so the FAA would like to run some tests...

[@jmmartin7766]

@silverbird58 Unfortunately now, things were a bit different when "Pappy" was defending U.S. airspace...

[@MrEvanfriend]

This guy is a Marine Corps legend, and a king among Lance Corporals.

[@MarkHayes-ue7hs]

3/5 Comm, 95 - 99. You?

[@MrEvanfriend]

@@MarkHayes-ue7hs 2/7 G Co. '03-07

[@enjcuta4774]

@@MarkHayes-ue7hs did you deploy to Nairobi Kenya when the embassy was hit. I was in boot camp when my friend in Lima 3/5 was sent there. Don't remember if they were already on float or just deployed.

[@joshuahertz4108]

Crazy kid steals an A-4, has all charges dropped, goes on to break aviation records, fly Russian jets as a hobby, and then proceeds to develop space tech. That's wholesome as anything I've ever seen.

[@MarkHayes-ue7hs]

He needs a movie and a couple of action figures.

[@williamsaltiel-gracianmph613]

Actually, Foote's so-called "space tech" development was exposed as a scam years ago. According to the FAA's Airman Certification Registry, he never attained any airman certificate or rating beyond a private pilot certificate with a category rating on gliders. Any further claims of his subsequent "successes" were fabrications, exaggerations, outright lies or whatever else one wishes to call it.

[@MarkHayes-ue7hs]

@@williamsaltiel-gracianmph613 But he is famous and you are talking about him 30 something years after the fact. That is successful. Winning!

[@williamsaltiel-gracianmph613]

@@MarkHayes-ue7hs ​ @Mark Hayes actually, no. His record still shows nothing ever attained beyond a private on gliders to this very day. No other category/class ratings, no instrument rating, no type ratings, and no instructor certificates of any description. Re: his so-called JPL "experience", he was there briefly as a very lowly positioned undergraduate intern while attending ERAU (from which no evidence has ever emerged that he ever actually graduated). The supposed LA Times (little better than a tabloid, BTW) write-ups on his supposed "experience" as a corporate pilot are complete fabrications, published as "factual" despite the fact that there has never been any evidence whatsoever to show the slightest degree of truthfulness in the matter. His record back then shows he was a spoiled "rich-kid" with a sense of entitlement, and his actual track record since has only demonstrated him going from one seemingly gradiose scam to another, with each fizzling away into nothing along the way. The fact that he felt being a ground officer or moving up the NCO chain to be "beneath" him (a bit megalomaniacal for a mere first-term lance corporal who earned a less-than-honorable before even completing his initial enlistment) only emphasizes his selfish, "entitled" attitude. It isn't leadership, and it ISN'T "winning". The Corps did the right thing getting rid of that punk.

[@MarkHayes-ue7hs]

@@williamsaltiel-gracianmph613 Yeah the other guy said something similar. Did you read my answer? You know nothing about the Corps. I can tell by the words you used and how you used them. He is famous still 30 something years later and you are still talking about him. It doesn't matter what you dug up. You wouldn't have the balls to do what he did much less enlist. Stop the bullshit.

[@jllucci]

Does anyone else appreciate the irony that his stole a VMA-214 "Black Sheep" plane? Gregory Boyington must have been smiling.

[@BenState]

how the f is this irony?

[@rickl.7084]

Boyongton was a talented brilliant pilot with a plan to fight a war by breaking some rules worth breaking. This marine just went temporarily crazy.

[@RCAvhstape]

In the fictionalized TV series (Baa Baa Black Sheep) version of the story VMF-214 (now VMA-214) was created out of thin air when Boyington scammed the paperwork and stole a shipment of factory new F4U Corsairs from some Navy squadron that was due to get them. That never happened in real life, but it makes for a great sea story. If you've never watched the pilot episode for the show it's worth a look.

[@cmdraftbrn]

@@RCAvhstape the books a great read though

[@OhMySack]

@@RCAvhstape My dad and I met Boyington AND the Japanese pilot that shot him down. They were both guests at the "Gathering of Eagles" airshow at Chino, CA back in the early '79, IIRC. It was an awesome WW2 tribute to the aircraft of the time. Steve Hinton flew the P51 'Red Baron' at that show and a few months later, took the world speed record for a prop-driven aircraft @ 499.018 mph! A month later he stuffed it at Reno and it was destroyed. It was a miracle he survived!

[@PrivateMemo]

I don't think he made a stupid mistake. Sounds more like he made a decision that would've haunted him for the rest of his life, had he not grabbed the opportunity.

[@stavrosteve]

He flew for a couple hours. Cost of that flight in real money was many many times what he could have earned in his time in the brig. Seems like a wise choice to me.

[@brendancarlson1678]

He's a madlad.

[@hedgehog3180]

And he really only risked his own life since he spent most of his time over the sea. So it's kinda hard to really fault him much.

[@saltservice4024]

Yeah it's like that "exception to the rule" scenario where it wasn't immoral, it wasn't a impulse 'what the hell' I don't know what I'm doing move', he could of been in the position to fly military aircraft and knew it was about to fall through and never happen. The dude was just an opportunist, with the right capability, who knew they weren't going to do the real thing as a job, but could get just one mega life-time experience. It's a really rare thing but it's great to have this one documented.

[@phillipbrewster6058]

Yeah he made a mistake- landing in the same spotand giving it back

[@ramosel]

I was a Navy Pilot.... flew the Scooter. Amazing he did so well with only self indoctrination on the controls and flight settings. It was an extensive training course. That said, it is always better to leave this world regretting the things you've done rather than the things you didn't get to do.

[@Istandby666]

I over heard a pilot friend talking to his other friends about ..... If I knew then what I know now, I would have done thing's I wanted while I was young enough to have enjoyed it. The best advice I ever heard as a teenager.

[@SebastianWoodard]

The scooter had wild flight characteristics. It's roll rate, especially unloaded, is insane. She acted kinda sluggish when you loaded her down and she definitely let you know she didn't like it, but empty, the thing was basically an aerobatic team's dream jet. (At least from what I understand)😊

[@lorireed5291]

Once a Marine, always a Marine. Semper Fi, and thank you for your service!🇺🇲💙

[@telesniper2]

Even Lee Harvey Oswald and Charles Whitman?

[@joeh470]

You know, as a former army Sgt. I have to say id have recommended that he stay some time in the brig then bring him on as a pilot instructor. Virtually no training, and still managed to put a broken plane through its paces in the dark from an unlit runway and land it successfully. Marines are generally crazy so id say he would have fit just fine.

[@SkylersRants]

He had a lot of training from the pilots in his squadron putting him in the simulator.

[@bradfordeaton6558]

As a former Marine Plane Captain, I can attest to the verity of the statement "Marines are generally crazy..."!

[@Riceball01]

@@SkylersRants But he had no actual flight hours in the cockpit, just simulator time and hours in gliders. Iimpressive, but still largely untrained though.

[@kwhp1507]

We had a saying in the Fire service about the pilots of the medical helicopters. We called them all "crazy ass nam pilots" For a while the only people willing to fly the rotorwing ambulances was the crazy ones that flew in Vietnam. They was asked and requested to fly into and through some of the absolute worst weather and conditions one could think of.

[@SkylersRants]

@@Riceball01 He had a lot of flight hours in other aircraft, he was a known skilled pilot. He had training in this specific aircraft type in the simulator. They are very effective at teaching. So, he had flying experience, and specific aircraft experience. His feat was not that amazing, except that it was illegal, and it was sadly not sufficiently punished.

[@neskyz4259]

I was stationed at MCAS El Toro when this happened. We absolutely could not believe that someone would have the balls to do something like this.

[@mcammy]

I remember this night clearly! I was a young boy living in Lake Forest which happens to be about 3 miles from El Toro MCAS. I too was an aviation enthusiast and was so excited having moved to that area with my family just a few years earlier. I recall waking up in the middle of the night to the sound of a jet flying over us. It was loud enough to wake me up and I remember it flying over several times. I distinctly remember wondering what the heck was going on!? They never flew at that time and their normal departure and approach paths were never over our house yet this jet was doing exactly that. It wasn't until the next day that the news reported that a plane captain had stolen an A-4 Skyhawk and was in jail. I was so excited and bewildered that this story popped up on my feed and I'm glad I got to share my little story. Thank you! I'm a subscriber now!😁

[@JohnS916]

Fortunately, his joyride ended with a safe landing, but consider the fact of what could have happened if he lost it in the dark and crashed into Mike's neighborhood. I wonder if Foote's 15 minutes of fame clouded the minds of the Marine Officers that sentenced him?

[@ke6nber]

I served the Corps from '89-'94 and I knew a Lt. Col. who was at El Toro when this happened. Never saw or heard an Officer laugh as hard as he did recounting to a few of us young Marines, this story. Kept referring to him as "Good ol' Buddy." A fond memory of my younger days... Thanks, History Guy, for telling the story here.

[@Deuce02339]

That's on the most "US Marine" type stories I've ever heard lol. He truly sounds like an extraordinary gentleman , with a story that is not yet finished.

[@Deuce02339]

@Patrick Brennan agreed. His defense should have been that he tactically acquired the jet, not stole 😆

[@MrSGL21]

had it been ww2 and a corsair they would have sent him pilot training. How many times did Jack Lucas go awhol to get into combat? 3 i think it was?

[@Jim-ie6uf]

Way back in 1975, I worked at a small airport as a lineman, and was taking flying lessons. At this point I was 17. One Friday evening, after work, the mechanic said he had the keys to the office and the key safe. We “borrowed “ a 150 and took off, and flew around for 20 minutes or so. After landing, we put the plane on the wrong tie down, a fact not missed by the operator of the FBO the next morning. I made myself scarce, while he and the mechanic, who couldn’t fly had a long discussion. The mechanic made up same Wild ass story about having to take care of an issue with the plane, in the hanger, after work Friday. The operator could not figure out what had really happened, and it was never brought up again. I got my license a couple of months later.

[@glennrauch1499]

How do you not sit back and admire this guy? Everybody knows that "one upper" guy that always has a better story...would love to be in the crowd when he meets this guy!!

[@PeteCourtier]

Sounds like a decent guy who had one chance to fulfill his dreams. He did it, served his time and made a good life.

[@pentagramprime1585]

Now I can tell the kids that "Iron Eagle" is a documentary.

[@jmmartin7766]

That movie came out in 1986-- and, if I remember correctly, the movie producers couldnt get the USAF to advise on it, because the AF didnt want to encourage what that kid did... I'd be willing to bet hard currency, that movie was what "inspired" him to do it... lol!

[@RINGMASTER75]

I was thinking the same 🤣🤣🤣

[@troyjohnston1700]

Lol!

[@edwin3928ohd]

If he makes tons of money with the other businesses, he can buy a demilitarized Skyhawk and fly that!

[@edwin3928ohd]

@Michael Nickname exactly. it's not the same. having something hanging down there is a big bonus in my book :)

[@gcb345]

@@edwin3928ohd I THINK, I see what you did there?

[@CryhavocMike]

@Michael Nickname You had me at "Philippine", land of the LBFMs!!!

[@Xergecuz]

They sell for 250k.

[@GaryMCurran]

Just $1.6M www.controller.com/listings/aircraft/for-sale/list/category/10072/turbine-military-aircraft/manufacturer/douglas

[@kennysherrill6542]

I remember this story, still have the news paper clipping. I was a Marine chaser at Camp Pen. While at the Brig. One day someone pointed him out, yes he was well known to the staff there. Glade things are going well for him, some people will let setbacks destroy them. I have my own story of flying a C130 at night over the Sea of Japan all alone in the cockpit for 20 min. I was a LCPL in the Corps at the time. I had a plane load of Marines and our gear heading back to Okinawa. The Airforce Pilots thought I was a buddy of their's that was on board who was a Marine Pilot who was a C130 jockey, we Marines were all dressed the same and they had no idea I wasn't him. Everytime we crossed paths he would stop me and laugh at those two Pilots and remind them that any Marine LCPL could do there job. It took many years for me to see the humor in it. How did I know at least a little on how to fly that bird? That would be along story!!!!😁😁😁😁

[@rael5469]

I believe you Kenny. Similar story in a B-52. I was a Crew Chief....but as you said, the flight suits all look alike. Especially in the cramped cockpit of a B-52. So the co-pilot gets up for a break and the EW sits in his seat. He wanted to move into a pilot job so they let him sit up front from time to time. So next the Aircraft Commander gets up from the left seat. The EW motions for me to sit in the AC's seat. In reality the Radar Nav downstairs was flying the plane through the autopilot. But as I sat there the RN started to put the aircraft through a turn but as the plane banked the autopilot kicked off. There was a set of clunky old solenoids to engage the autopilot up there on the center console, I think. I had seen the autopilot kick off before so I was somewhat familiar with it even though I wasn't a pilot. As the plane rolled sharply and the autopilot kicked off I instinctively countered with the control wheel and looked shocked over at the EW. He said to reengage the autopilot and I did. Right about then the AC tapped me on the shoulder and as I moved aft past him his eyes kind of got big. I think he realized I wasn't a pilot at that point. Right around that time an airliner had crashed somewhere because the flight engineer was flying it and nobody checked the stab trim before takeoff. True story.

[@Wolfmots]

Great story, thank you. I feel for this person for I also grew up wanting to be a fighter pilot just like him. December 6, 1985 I had just turned 18 and was ready to go when on that fateful night a drunk driver ran a red light doing almost 60 mph and t-boned my car on the drivers side. It took 35 surgeries now to cobble me back together, extensive brain damage has me quite limited in scope but my dreams have not diminished. My eyes are still looking skyward for one day, I'm sure, I'll have that dream one way or another.

[@reconty2133]

I remember this. I was stationed in Pendleton when this happened. This was the talk of the town for months. Yes he was a “hero” of sorts and there wasn’t a young Marine who faulted Foote one bit. Reading his apology letter in Leatherneck magazine months after the incident was like reading one of those POW confessions. I’m glad he got that whole A-4 thing out of his system. Sounds like he recovered pretty well.

[@CaesarCassius]

He was lucky they let him go free, but that could also set up a precedent

[@AdMan-The-LabRat]

I often fantasized about stealing the AV8B off of the DC Mall when it was there for the Desert Storm "Victory" Parade and after reconning the area, I quickly realized that this was not a probability. Still eager and too young to know any better, a few years later I attempted to enter the USMC in the hopes of being a pilot. MEPs flagged me for "color deficiency" my dreams of flying dissipated. With a desire to still be a US Marine I left the USMC recruitment office with a 6 Year "Comms" Contract and a poster of that very same AV8B taking off from the Mall, which was immediately laminated and to this day hangs on the wall in my basement. Thank you History guy for letting me know I wasn't the only one crazy enough to steal a plane Just one of the many lacking either the proper motivation or As in Foote's case justifiably the entitlement.

[@kishascape]

Should've give him a A4 to keep in his system :3

[@Defossion1]

The only time I ever took off and flew by myself was when I stepped on a Lego.

[@bigblue6917]

Not what you would call an exclusive club. Membership of millions.

[@alitlweird]

Defossion thanks for your service. 🇺🇸

[@0cujo0]

Ow! Ow! Ow! *Full Flaps* lol

[@jamesferris4573]

Thank you sir for bringing all of us veterans of the Lego war to the limelight. The flight never harmed anyone it is the sudden stop. Never in the history of mankind, has so many suffered so much, for so few, for no cause.

[@seafodder6129]

@Comment from under the rock. Legend has it that it sounds surprised, angry and pained all at the same time.

[@noonedude101]

All of this could have been avoided had the Marines given him a flight in one of their 2 seaters.

[@jimhughes1070]

Yeah we had a squadron of A4E's next door (trainers)

[@zacharybigger4144]

I was in VMA 214 through 2014-15. Dude is a legend

[@xaenon]

"What's the word, Admiral?" "The word is NO. I am therefore going anyway."

[@Cydonia2020]

xaenon Star Trek lll😀

[@Cydonia2020]

Admiral Kirk: “Taxi!”

[@MothaLuva]

eedd sdsd In other words: fun.

[@jstrat121]

Admiral?........you mean General,right?....Marines dont have “Admirals”

[@MrEvanfriend]

General. Admirals are only Navy. The Corps has generals.

[@spacecatboy2962]

i remember that time clint eastwood stole firefox from the russians

[@wjcrabtree]

I'll bet that DOCUMENTARY isn't on Magellan TV.

[@JasonLambek]

Space Catboy 🤣😆😂👏👏

[@pentagramprime1585]

Right up there with Jan-Michael Vincent stealing Airwolf from the Libyans.

[@thetrumpnewsnetwork7503]

roflmao ... me too

[@thanksfernuthin]

A much better movie than it had any right to be!

[@SGTSnakeUSMC]

I was stationed in Yuma in 86 and remember this. We all wanted to steal one of our Harriers after hearing about it. That crazy bastard was a hero to us enlisted men!

[@knutdergroe9757]

As a MARINE stationed ar Camp Pendleton when this happened (believe me all of us MARINES Corporal and below, where laughing and Cheering him on). On my second enlistment I was stationed at MCAS ElToro with VMFA314. It was one of those Great MARINE Sea stories that could never be told too often. SEMPER FI MARINES, And NEVER let the zeros hold you back !

[@ssmt2]

My guess is that most civilians don't know what you're referring to with your "And NEVER let the zeros hold you back !" statement. My thing was to never let the zero's catch me!

[@Skyhawks1979]

The Black Knights. "Once a Knight is Never Enough".

[@josmo1363]

I love how the charges of misappropriation of the airplane included a charge of misappropriation of the truck It's like being charged with not using your indicator when you went around the corner on a drive-by Sounds like a pretty chill dude and glad to hear that he got his life back together after the incident

[@dwlopez57]

That's an old episode of the TV show cops where they're chasing a crook he's speeding around blowing thru stop signs and traffic lites running cars off the road but everytime the guy signaled before he turned. Damnest thing I ever saw.

[@kishascape]

@@dwlopez57 I remember that. That was a great episode. It's been rerun a few times.

[@robertphillips6296]

I remember something about a technician for the simulator company flying an F-16 with out permission. Apparently he gained the flying experience by repairing and maintaining the simulators. When I was in college one of my instructors was Vietnam veteran who had served in the army as a noncom and worked on helicopters. He told the story of how he and a friend had gotten drunk one night and decided to fly one of the helicopters from one side of base to the other and land it safely in a revent meant. The next day the entire squadron was called out on to the tarmac. The base commander made a speech praising the actions of whoever had flown that helicopter and wanted of them to step forward so they could be promoted. They stood at attention for hours with a hangover, until about noon when they had to break the formation so that required maintenance could be performed.

[@realityhitsmehardbro]

So they didn't step forward? Did they feel it was a trap, and that the end result would in no way be desirable?

[@robertphillips6296]

@@realityhitsmehardbro They we’re smart enough to know it was a trap and stood there fighting their Hangovers until noon.

[@MrJscottpd41]

I’m proud to say that I went to High School with Buddy. We had a lot of classes together and we both had a love of airplanes. So, we had a lot to talk about. Great memories of those times! I’m glad that he became successful in his life endeavors!!

[@blueseanomad7435]

I know the feeling. The number of times I looked at a Harrier and thought, "I signed up to fly that."

[@MyAvitech]

I was stationed at Both Tustin an El Toro in the early 90's and remember hearing about this, although not to this detail. Marines have a saying - Adapt and Overcome. I guess LCpl Foote did just that.

[@dannyjones3840]

OOHRAH! 6154 here

[@garymckee8857]

Outstanding

[@philiplee8330]

I was stationed in El Toro 93 to 95 before we moved to Miramar and I heard the same story.

[@531greyghost]

iI was stationed there when he did it. In fact i was at a house in Irvine and actually heard him fly over. It was an unusual time and location to hear that even by a military base.

[@ei513563854]

I was stationed there when he did it. It was an awesome time at El Toro then. I didn't know him personally, but I did work with some guys (Rosey and Fauch) who did know him well. LCpl Foote was in a sister squadron. We both were mechs on A4s. And know how to start and steer the aircraft on the ground. I heard about his joy ride the next day. Good on him! FTS! You only live once-he made it count.

[@haydnbreecarruthers3935]

The Australian Navy flew A4s and when our last aircraft carrier decommissioned we sold the A4 to New Zealand . I joined the RAN in 1989 and by then Australia were paying New Zealand to train with our Navy. Those Kiwi Pilots were incredible! Scared the living daylights out of me on numerous occasions. They would fly so close to the ocean and fly over deck so close it would blow your ear drums out 😮fond memories.

[@oceanhome2023]

That was when the Kiwis still had an airforce

[@jameskwaka]

I went to an airshow at HMAS Albatross near Nowra many moons ago. Part of the display were those very same Kiwi pilots in A4s doing mock ground raids. You are right, they were crazy. And exceptional pilots.

[@jettstorm2253]

I would’ve loved to have seen our A-4’s. It’s one of my favourite naval jets

[@badlaamaurukehu]

They were just surfing.

[@michaelgriffiths504]

The Stinky Dwarf , I was there too and remember the same thing! Highlight of the day.

[@bisbonian1183]

When I was 16, a friend and I were ramp rats...washing planes, pumping gas, etc. We took payment in flight time, in a Cub. One day, my friend and I were talking about how it would be so easy to just take the Cub up for a little pattern work. Then he got serious, and insisted we did it. I bowed out. The next morning, he was in jail. A couple years later, I had an invite to the Air Force Academy. Turned out to be the better choice.

[@erwinschmidt7265]

Another great video Sir History Guy!! Buddy the Marine reminded me of Buddy the Army PFC in WW2. He was my Dad & during Battle of Bulge on recon trapped for 2 days behind enemy lines holing up w/2 others in church steeple after Dad cleared German Spotters. When future replacements sent, Dad cleared them so could stay & use their provisions. Dad spoke perfect German so misdirected artillery changing his voice for each "shift change"! When asked about word on "Der Gost", some GI that would sneak in at night slitting their throats ear-to-ear, he told the truth "I think he's active in this area so better not sleep", as Der Gost was PFC Dad! He used German's spotter maps & ID'd location of all vehicle groups, artillery emplacements, HQs, plus troop concentrations, then cleared kid about 14 washing halftrack. Dad stole halftrack, picked up his 2 squad members on the fly, heading for U.S. lines at warp speed (for a halftrack)! Bob Fish from Endicott NY found he was born to be turret gunner as Dad said he cleared everything in sight, while 3rd GI passed the ammo. When out of town used zig-zag pattern as Germans shooting everything they had at them. They only had a little over 4 miles to go, but years later Mr. Fish told me that was the most terrified he had ever been with the constant rain of heavy ordinance just missing them. They got back to hopefully U.S. lines when on road at full speed challenged by GI w/extra large attachments jumping out in front of halftrack. He said "Halt...what's the password?", so Dad gave it to him but was told "That's 3 days old...what's current password?". Mr. Fish said Dad growled "Get the _uck out of our way you stupid SOB...hop on and take us to your CO". GI said "Close enough" and hopped on guiding them to CO with map of all German emplacements for miles around. That intel critical as sht weather had grounded all fighter bombers for days. Dad had worked out coordinates for each target clearly labeled on 4 maps, so CO passed to G-2 who had artillery chew the hell out of the Germans who had been afraid of a ghost when on that mission they should have been afraid of Buddy The Car Thief!!! I can truly feel for Buddy in your video with "The Need For Speed" stealing the A-4 Skyhawk!!!!

[@pg1171]

That's one H**L of story! Hopefully your Dad was awarded a medal and a promotion! I would have loved to have been a fly, buzzing around him at the time, just to enjoy watching what was going on! WOW! Very cool! Take care!

[@erwinschmidt7265]

@@pg1171 - Thanks for your comment. Dad had went 4 days w/o sleep as others didn't speak German, so wasn't at his best but got another Silver Star for that action as enemy got wiped out. He was point man in his squad which was chosen to lead. He got Distinguished Service Cross for taking bridge over Rhine w/ammo carrier by themselves while rest of 1st Army went to town at Remagen on W. Bank. Took 2200 rnds of 30.03 for BAR & about 115 rnds for Russian Tokarev pistol, took bridge, rounded up stragglers in RR tunnel as E. end. 45 min later rest of 1st Army noticed bridge not blown up & still standing. GIs came up behind Dad yelling at his tunnel prisoners in German. A lieutenant shouted "Who are you and what are doing here", so Dad answered "PFC Erwin Schmidt 1st Army and just killin' other Germans Sir". Ofcr asked "Where is your weapon?", so Dad said " BAR melted and lyin' over there, do you have an extra weapon I could use?". Ofcr ordered one of his men to take Dad into custody, but Dad yelled into tunnel for soldiers & civilians to drop their weapons, hands up, and I will guarantee your safety. He had actually saved their lives as Lt. Tough Guy had ordered his men to kill them, but couldn't do it after Dad translated what had told his prisoners. As they filed out Ofcr complimented Dad on his perfect English realizing he was royally screwed as not being charged for AWOL being on wrong side of bridge, but rather as a German infiltrator in U.S. Uniform. Ike saved Dad next day when in front of General of The 1st Army Hoge as filling out order of execution. Hoge pissed off Ike making him wait couple minutes, but then shocked it was Ike instead of General Bradley. Ike asked why attack had stopped, and what was disposition of infiltrator you captured. Then Hoge relayed evidence....yes General fake dog tags actually look real...uniform not new but pretty torn up (bridge tower had blown up in Dad's face)…weapon actually laughable as it was a beaten up melted BAR and Russian pistol obviously obtained on The Eastern Front, that's how we knew he was an infiltrator...yes real good English Sir...yes he does speak German which was good thing as my men were ready to clear prisoners in tunnel when Infiltrator ordered them to come out...ah, does he speak English like they would teach in Detroit...just a moment General. Hoge asked Dad if he was from Detroit to which Dad replied affirmative. Hoge told Ike he was from Detroit....yes Sir tearing up Execution Order...good meal...new uniform...new BAR...Distinguished Service Cross...get on with attack...keep Germans away from your bridge...What do you mean this is Buddy I loan to you and Monty...I had thought he was an Officer...oh God!!! Hoge continued "Thank you for your call General...yes you can count on me this time...I'll see Buddy is back in action in a little over an hour...thanks again for your call General". Hoge near collapsed, took pistol out of his desk, Dad thought he was dead as Hoge pissed, but he handed the Tokarev over to Dad and dug out his 6 extra mags for it surprising the MPs who were guarding him! Ike said taking that bridge at that time ended war for him at least 6 months early!

[@wakda]

Every good story have pirates in it.

[@artcamera5514]

I'm surprised that he didn't mention it during the corsair comment.

[@seafodder6129]

@@artcamera5514 Oh, but he did. You need to rewind the video. :)

[@artcamera5514]

@@seafodder6129 he said corsair means pirate but he didn't say the complete phrase that he usually says.

[@dougjb7848]

Well, since Marines didn’t fly the A7, this story doesn’t really involve pirates.

[@sincerelyyours7538]

Yes, but only great stories have airplanes in it. Grammar's better too.

[@grosseileracingteam]

A good friend of mine was a crew chief in the Corps on A4's back then and told me about this guy. Didn't know he went on to be so successful.

[@doddgarger6806]

Some people are just determined

[@takaogibson845]

I don't remember Marines and Sailors use the term "Crew Chief" before and during my time in.

[@SkyCoreLLC]

I went to Los Alamitos High with him. Good guy.

[@Skyhawks1979]

@@takaogibson845 We use the term "Plane Captain" although he or she is not assigned to a particular airplane.

[@takaogibson845]

@@Skyhawks1979 Duh. I was in the Navy for over 10yrs on LHA-1, NAF Atsugi AIMD, CV-63, MMF-C. I'm very aware.

[@roberthaugen9871]

I remember that incident. I was in the Navy at the time on board USS Ogden LPD-5. stationed out of Long Beach. The whole crew was rooting for that guy and his sheer audacity. Most military people understand the deep, deep commitment to flight ALL pilots have.

[@senior_ranger]

I very nearly did the same thing. In 1967, I was a 20-year-old Air Force T-38 jet aircraft crew chief in Selma, Alabama. I had a runup and taxi license to take aircraft out to the runup pad. One night I was taxing an aircraft out to the runup pad to test a brake repair. I had taken flying lessons so I knew how to control an aircraft, and I had read the T-38 flight manuals. I can still recall the takeoff directions saying to take the aircraft to a particular speed, "and the aircraft will fly off the runway." What could be simpler. Sitting on the runup pad with both engines at 100% I knew all I had to do was shift into afterburners and go down the runway. I was severely tempted, but to this day I do not regret my return to the flight line that night. I wonder how many other ground crew guys have nearly gone for a joy ride!

[@ssmt2]

I was still on active duty (Navy)when this happened. I read about in the Navy Times. There was a list of UCMJ charges on him that was a mile long. I hope for his sake that the flight was worth it.

[@pg1171]

Apparently it was. It seems that he is living his dream, to this day. How many others can really, truly say that. I can't...

[@williamvia119]

When I was stationed in Okinawa in 1977, I remember a crew chief took an aircraft, I think it was a C130, on a joy ride. If I remember correctly, one of his duties was to taxi the aircraft to the runway, staging it for the pilot. One day he hit the runway and kept going. Japanese Defense Force fighters were scrambled and bracketed it and escorted the aircraft to an auxiliary landing strip on one of the smaller smaller islands between Oki and mainland Japan without incident. There were some concerns as to his intentions at first but he said he got tired of just taxiing the aircraft and wanted to prove he could actually fly it. By all reports he did really well. I think he was a Marine but could have been Air Force. As a comm guy I was privy to the reporting on the incident and I think there might have been a Navy Times article on it. Not sure of the fate of the crew chief but I'm sure there was some jail time.

[@bradfordeaton6558]

If he was a Marine jail time is pretty much guaranteed.

[@tl5606]

ColtDeltaElite10mm while that is true in the civilian world, and may be true in the military now, specific maintainers, and crew chiefs were trained and able to taxi all sorts of military aircraft. It was exceedingly common back during the Cold War. Do research before you jump to absolutes.

[@rockhopper01]

T L um no. I was a USMC A-6E/EA-6B maintainer 1989-1996. Ain’t no enlisted taxiing anywhere. If someone claims that they’re freaking lying.

[@evox786]

@ColtDeltaElite10mm current AF crew chief. It used to be common for crew chiefs to taxi aircraft. It's not authorized anymore, but it used to be.

[@shawnmalone9711]

@@rockhopper01 Thank you for your service sir !🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸👍👍

[@johnwwest8407]

This needs to be made into a movie.

[@eddieconroy212]

That guy seems to squeeze more into a weekend than most people do in a lifetime!

[@anttitheinternetguy3213]

"Leadfoot" is a great nickname For race driver, but given his record he really should've been called "groundhawk" 👏

[@jjeherrera]

A pilot through and through who had no place in the Marine Corps. I'm glad everything turned out right by the end.

[@mitzyismad]

What a wonderful story. I find it hard not to admire the man for setting his sights on his passion and getting there.

[@usedcarsokinawa]

I remember this. I was stationed at Tustin Air Base, California near El Toro Air Base. We all knew he was connected when he was released. I respect him for the decision, not that I would have had the drive to do that. I like my freedom and I’m not connected. ;)

[@justinpearson9170]

Love this story. Perfect example of someone who is so obsessed with his passion that he wouldn't let anything get in the way of it. I think I can say with great confidence that if he had gotten the death penalty he would've died with no regrets. I think a good amount of people, including myself, grew up with something we obsessed over as a kid and remember saying to ourselves "This will be what I will do for the rest of my life" but we let life get in the way of it.

[@CoondawgPD]

A Legend. Yes, Foote over stressed the aircraft, by conducting high G maneuvers. We all sat around and made bets on what “Safety Brief” was coming down from HQMC.

[@randycollins9698]

As a Cobra/Blackhawk Crewchief, many a pilot overtorqued the rotors, hard landings, excessive gas turbine temps, etc............ Yes we performed the checks and maintenance for these, but they never saw the logbook. Too many careers at stake. My point is, this happens regularly so of course they wouldn't bury this if they needed to charge him with some kind of damage.

[@beefeekeefee]

I had a patient years ago who reported a history of back problems dating back to an airplane crash 50+ years ago when he was 18. I assumed it was service related but, no, he and a buddy decided to "borrow" an airplane from a local airstrip in rural Mississippi. They got it off the ground and had a fine time cruising around the county but when it came time to land, every other airstrip they knew of had Sheriff cars parked there. They finally found a riverbed with a sandy bank on one side and tried to land but the soil was too soft and the plane dug in and flipped. They both survived but were pretty banged up. I still recall the sparkle in his eye as he retold the escapade to me...

[@hinz1]

Crazy that he did it at night. With daylight and a bit of training, it's not that difficult, but flying at night, in a plane that you've never flown before, and even landing it safely, quite amazing stuff!

[@kingjames4886]

"the aircraft isn't damaged... but lets charge him with it anyways."

[@828enigma6]

The authorities always feel they have to make an example out of someone who does something outstanding even if no one was hurt or property damage done. Especially when, in this case, it highlights a lack of security around military aircraft.

[@artcamera5514]

I'm sure that they improved security measures that same day.

[@kellyrayburn4093]

That got me as well. I could see him being charged with flying an aircraft that was not airworthy. But damaging the aircraft? The inspection showed no damage that wasn't already present upon takeoff. I had no problem with them charging him with theft of the aircraft. He did steal it after all even though he brought it back. But hazarding a vessel? Damaging the aircraft? Sounds like military jurisprudence run amok.

[@JTA1961]

He smoked the tires on touchdown. String him up.

[@johnny1893]

Can I steal you car? No damage!

[@unclemuir]

I remember Buddy, we used to fly gliders at the same glider ports quite often. At that time everyone was trying to break the record of 50 angels (50 thousand feet). That record has now been broken a few times. This kid seemed as if he was born with wings, things came very easy to him. This was the first time I have heard about this and at the time I lived about 5 miles from El Toro Marine base.

[@gregshafer3653]

I loved this story so.much I had to read the comments . It reminded me there is a wonderful world out there and the politics that goes on today is forgotten for a few . Thank you. The history guy for.president

[@chrisalexander2478]

As a young Lance Corporal my self at the time, who also had an obsession with aviation, I remember understanding his motivations and having a good bit or admiration for the guy.

[@spacecatboy2962]

1986-----same year the movie iron eagle came out, where a teenage boy with lots of simulator time steals an F16

[@mainepants]

Hollyweird script writer reads the newspaper and comes up with a completely original idea!

[@anthonyC214]

F15 is an Eagle not F16 is a Falcon

[@spacecatboy2962]

@@anthonyC214 i get your point, and it makes sense but in the movie they are flying F16s

[@YZJY]

@@anthonyC214 The movie's name was Iron Eagle..after the young pilot's call sign, I believe. He borrowed the plane, with a little help, for an unauthorized rescue mission. Impossible, of course, but mildly entertaining for youngsters in '86. However, the aircraft used in the movie were F-16 fighters borrowed from the IDF. www.imdb.com/title/tt0091278/ There are tons of errors and whatnot in the film, but it was a fun diversion for a few minutes as a youngster.

[@_WillCAD_]

@@anthonyC214 Yes, but the kid's callsign in the movie was Iron Eagle, even though he flew Falcons. I've always suspected that the original script called for the planes to be Eagles, but when they arranged with the IDF to borrow planes for filming, there were no Eagles available, so they went with Falcons (and Mirages to stand in for MIG 23s). But the name Iron Eagle sounded cool, so they kept it, even though no F15 Eagles appeared in the film.

[@hankoscarprice]

That's the kind of guy you have one or three beers hearing his story's.

[@nathanjones6638]

Who was it, Yeates? "Tread softly, for you tread on my dreams." Woe to those who crush the dreams of those who dare, because those who dare, will continue to dare.

[@ludvigtande1236]

I remember that. Was a navy pilot for 30 years. When we heard about his flight we thought it was cool! Still do.

[@filster1934]

You were a Navy "pilot"?

[@ludvigtande1236]

filster I guess I should have said Naval Aviator😅

[@brianpatton3765]

I worked on FA18’s while in the Navy, I’m sure I could have gotten one off the ground. Landing? Maybe not so much. Definitely a Legend!

[@TruthNerds]

Don't worry, the Martin-Baker greatly simplifies the process…

[@johnhanson9245]

Could have "gotten one off the ground" by jacking it up? Tell me that working on an F-18 for any length of time doesn't get you the experience, knowledge and proficiency skills to be able to start, taxi and takeoff a high performance jet that Naval Aviators spend literally 2 years in flight school just to get their wings.

[@singleproppilot]

@@johnhanson9245 Of course it does. Mechanics know all the systems on the airplane. Most know far more about how the airplane works than the pilots that fly it do. Learning how to power it up, start the engines, and taxi it around are pretty basic requirements to perform maintenance. They just don’t know what to do once they get it in the air.

[@Cartoonman154]

An RAF pilot stole a Hawker Hunter in the 60s and flew it under tower bridge

[@dirtyeric]

I believe that was not a 'stolen' aircraft but that he departed from a training flight to stage a protest against drastic budget cuts (or something of that affect) to the RAF.

[@nemo6686]

@@dirtyeric If they did that for every budget cut there'd be planes backed-up to Putney Bridge.

[@kevinw3671]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/lZ6cdJashcitmbs

[@robertthomas5906]

@@dirtyeric It's amazing how people think that'll do any good. Money isn't there, the money isn't there.

[@randyrick8019]

@@robertthomas5906 just print more. In the age of electronic transfers, don't even need to print it.

[@0311Mushroom]

I was at El Toro when that happened. The entire base went nuts afterwards, and it was the talk at the NCO club for weeks.

[@michaeljohn8905]

Foot ... I feel your pain. 2 eye surgery’s before 11 years old kept me out of flight school. I’m now an A@P at a flight school and I love my job.

[@billnu]

I just had one eye surgery as a kid but same result. A&P on 727s and DC-10s. Did get to taxi and do engine runs which was kinda satisfying.

[@peterfinucane8122]

Dont forget Taffy Holden, the accidental Lightning pilot. Done here on the History Guy site previously.

[@TheHistoryGuyChannel]

Thanks! kzbin.info/www/bejne/jWXHaImBq6xksJI

[@kishascape]

@@TheHistoryGuyChannel Welcome

[@dannyjones3840]

I was a H-1 (Huey and Cobra) airframes and hydraulics mech in my 20 years in there Corps. I've been fortunate enough to have a little stick time in both, and hours on the Huey simulator. I'd be lying if I said the temptation never crossed my mind to pull a Foote lol. God love the Marine Corps!!

[@steaton165]

I was a 53 cc, RVN w/ HMM165, 1972/73.@ end of hostilities. Then to RNVN ,Mine sweeping in Haiphong Harbor. Served on 4` LPH's, most of 73. Lots of time in P.I> ??

[@helomechjmc]

I was a CH-53E Crewchief based in nearby Tustin at that time. I remember the story spread like wildfire on both bases. There's a lot here that I didn't know back then, I do have the article from the "flight Jacket" newspaper somewhere. After my time in the Marines, I moved over to the AirNational Guard where I was a crewchief on the F-16. At least with the 53, I didn't get left on the ground when the aircraft flew.

[@jon-nolanacousticsingerson9920]

I remember when this happened. Hearing you tell the story made me smile.

[@mytmousemalibu]

The ride of a lifetime in more ways than one!

[@wrencher1998]

mytmousemalibu that’s what she said!😜

[@jds6206]

I was an active duty Marine at the time, stationed at Camp Pendleton, just down the road from El Toro. Times were different back then, 34 years ago. This young Marine got the opportunity to pursue a new career as a civilian for this minor stunt. It was pretty funny; wouldn't have been had he crashed the plane. But he didn't....so it WAS pretty funny. Seems to me El Toro's flight line security tightened up shortly after this episode.

[@desertodavid]

Flightline security. That was a joke. I remember being on the flight line security watch one night at Cherry Point in 1977. They gave me a 12 gauge shotgun but no shells.🙄

[@knutdergroe9757]

Not noticeably.... At least when I was there 1990-1993.

[@jackobite4346]

Theres a saying that "There are old pilots and there are bold pilots but there are no old, bold pilots" I'm happy things worked out for this man he sounds like quite a guy.

[@mariahaug4515]

Cheers from Hazelwood Mo. My husband is a Navy vet from the carrier CV 62 USS Independence now facing possible bladder cancer and Asbestos exposure and Loves your history stuff. Cheers!

[@nbt3663]

"He had some fun out there!"

[@julianneale6128]

Once in a lifetime!

[@PatrickNyc83]

Awesome story, sounds like he never stopped following his heart with all his achievements.

[@captsam54]

A True Individual with Balls... Something good to hear in this day and age....

[@MrTryAnotherOne]

That's the kind of guy that legends are made of.

[@michaelcondon5456]

Being a crew chief on CH46’s in the Marines. I think every one dreamed of going for a joy ride, especially in a high performance aircraft.

[@janveit2226]

The history guy definitely has a talent, I love his shows.

[@Kamugin1]

I admire this guy, life denied him his biggest dream and he answered it by literally stealing it back.

[@reggiemassey6003]

I heard about his exploits while stationed in Okinawa back in 1986. He was a Hero to many.

[@broccodoggo8363]

My grandpa worked on the Blues Angels A-4 Skyhawks as a crew chief, even rejected a warrant officer commission so he could still have his job to work with his men

[@torgeirbrandsnes1916]

Great vlog as always! The same happend in Norway when a guy who had never flown an airplane in life stole a polish crop duster, flew for 30 mins to the center of Oslo, and flew in between the towers of the city hall! It is not a lot of space between the tower. Flew back to the take off airport and landed the plane kinda OK.... he won the bet. It was in the news for many days.

[@soundknight]

Foot is a legend. A big 'You can't ignore me' to those in command.

[@usmcmma]

I was an Air Traffic Controller at MCAS New River in the mid 90's. This guy was a legend. We'd always joke about taking a joy ride in an AH-1 but none of us had a clue how to fly Helo's. Probably a good thing because we weren't any smarter than Lcpl Foote!

[@laserbeam002]

"Dad, what did you do in the Marines"? "Well son"......

[@VroomBox42]

As a teen growing up in the 1980s I remember reading about this young man and his grabbing a once in a lifetime opportunity. I was envious to say the least. The other two aircraft thefts you noted were completely different situations. I know that the man who stole the commercial plane had serious mental health issues and was suicidal. After quite a bit of time conversing with ATC he eventually and deliberately ended his life by crashing the plane. As for the other theft you mention, I am not nearly as familiar with the story but, I believe it was a suicide as well. Very unfortunate and tragic but, much different than the joyride in an A-4. Thank you for the wonderful work you do and the fantastic stories you present.

[@heywoodjablowme8120]

My dad was an avionics tech at NAS Lemoore in the late 60s and was part of a A4 squadron. One night they stole an A4 from another squadron and dismantled the entire plane over the course of the night and had extra parts. Next morning the plane was missing and nobody knew nothing. Loved that story.

[@foxsecret]

I was a teenager at the time when my father was stationed at MCAS El Toro and remembered him coming home after work saying "Someone stole an A4!" If I'm not mistaken, long afterwards, Hollywood came forward to offer this marine a movie contract but the government put the kibosh on that...but can't confirm.

[@markslima1557]

What a great story. After I completed my first intro flight, curious about the Private Pilot rating, I knew I had to go all the way to Commercial IFR. Flying is the most glorious addiction. Can't blame that kid.

[@raydunakin]

Thanks for another fascinating story!

[@loganpe427]

When I was in college for my A&P mechanics license (airframe & powerplant) I worked for a small local airport servicing planes in the evenings. One night I nearly....! It was close but I thought better of it! Hats off to Buddy!