VX-4 Toys & Becoming a Test Pilot 1976-78

In Part 2 of my discussions with former Lockheed-Martin Chief Test Pilot Tom Morgenfeld, we wrap-up the “MIG’s at Groom Lake” tales and discuss some of the other famous VX-4 Toys such as flying the “Black Bunny” (‘VANDY 1’) and “Spirit of 76” (‘VANDY 76’) F-4 phantoms. We also learn how Duck and Tom both made their way out of the US Navy and into the Test Pilot world in the private aerospace industry.
I’m joined on this episode by Duck’s VX-4 camping buddy and former Lockheed Martin Chief Test Pilot Capt. Tom ‘Trees’ Morgenfeld, US Navy (Ret). Tom spent 3 years at Pt. Magu in the late 70’s with Duck exploiting Russian aircraft at the Nellis & Groom Lake ranges north of Las Vegas. All this paved Tom’s way into the Black World of the famed Lockheed Martin “Skunk Works” as a Test Pilot on the F-117 & YF-22, and Chief Test Pilot of the X-35.

We discuss both their desires to work in the flight test community, how they exited the Navy in late Seventies, and both went to work as Aeronautical Engineers & Test Pilots in the civilian world. Along the way, Tom shares some great stories & some special insights about my dad. I was so fortunate to be able to capture these moments between us - thank you Tom!

The raw audio has been heavily edited & compressed for time proposes.

All Material Copyright 2024 Mad-Duck Production LLC.

Music
“Eternal Garden” - Daniel Henig
“Long Road Ahead” - Kevin MacLeod

Please Like & Share, Subscribe + Notifications to not miss any future content!

Share this video
👉 https://youtu.be/fE0iTLD6Eqk

Subscribe on YouTube: 6-zero-alpha
👉 https://youtube.com/channel/UC9wNeKXW4AMiWL0vjgM8VNQ

Find me on Rumble: @6ZeroAlpha
👉 https://rumble.com/account/channel/content?channelId=2508670

Like me on Facebook: @6ZeroAlpha
👉 https://www.facebook.com/@6ZeroAlpha

Follow me on Instagram: @6zero_alpha
👉 https://www.instagram.com/@6ZeroAlpha