Mike,

Just a little additional info on the F-4E crash on 15 Apr 1981.  The aircraft I don't know, but the unit was the 526TFS/86TFW Ramstein AB, FRG.  The 526TFS was deployed to Eglin AFB for WSEP (before the move to Tyndall).  The aircraft (Lead) was shot down with a Aim-9 from his Wingman.  As Leader, this was "Ruddy" Dixon's first trip up the rails.  For Charlie Sallee, his second set of Martin Baker test pilot wings.

I know because I was going through F-4 Weapons School at Nellis at the time.  Our Air-to-Air Instructor and us had somewhat of a laugh about the incident.  A week later, this same instructor and I had orders to the 526TFS at Ramstein - OOPs.  I ended up crewed with "Ruddy" and heard the story several times.  We sat alert (Zulu) and I was often with Charlie and Ruddy.  I won't go into the "Shooters" - that's another story

Charlie Sallee, AKA "Puff & Toot" hurt his back on his previous ejection, an air refueling accident in SE Asia, I believe.  Ruddy had to argue with Charlie - "Charlie, we've gotta eject - we've lost both PC's".  Charlie kept crying "NO"!  His back hurt, he walked hunched over, had cronic back pain, etc etc, and he didn't want to make it worse.  Finally he agreed.  The ejection was more successful than Martin Baker ever knew - a medical miracle as it may be - The second trip up the rails for Charlie fixed his back or undid what the first trip caused. 

Ruddy is alive and well, flies for SWA.  Charlie is alive and well, I guess.

Hope this helps

Carter

in email 30th-May-2006