10 Percent True - Tales from the Cockpit

Steve Davies
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  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Interviews and anecdotes from military pilots and aircrew from across the globe. As the rule says, so long as it's 10 percent true, you're allowed to tell the story! Head over to the 10 Percent True YouTube channel to listen and watch at the same time.

  1. Shot Down Over Iran: The Rescue of Dude 44

    5H AGO

    Shot Down Over Iran: The Rescue of Dude 44

    The rescue of the crew of DUDE 44, an F-15E Strike Eagle shot down over Iran, is one of the most complex and dangerous combat search and rescue (CSAR) operations in modern warfare. Retired USAF Colonel and Special Operations pilot Buck Walker breaks down how it happened – from the shootdown to the high-risk mission that brought the crew home. This is how CSAR really works.

    1h 36m
  2. Why I Chose Mirage F1 over Rafale | Benji Prefontaine

    SEASON 86, EPISODE 1 TRAILER

    Why I Chose Mirage F1 over Rafale | Benji Prefontaine

    Get the full episode here: https://www.10percenttrue.com/pricing-plans/list 10PCT EP86 P1 – Benji Prefontaine Chapters 0:00 Intro Teaser – M1.3 Corner Speed, Avoiding the Merge, Low Level 3:00 Welcome, Benji 4:15 Subscriber Question (T-Stoff) – Super Étendard Carrier Ops 10:35 The Hardest Flying of His Career? 13:44 Route to the Air Force 16:15 Initial Flying & Training Curriculum 19:04 Early Impressions & Developing Mission Focus 23:48 Choosing a Platform & Mission 27:10 Explaining Career Choices 29:15 The Mirage 2000N Mission 31:32 Revisiting the Training Accident & Its Repercussions 36:14 Ready for That Conversation? 38:44 The Reward for That Risk 40:22 Alpha Jet 46:36 Air-to-Air Phase – How Formative? 49:18 Armée de l’Air Culture 56:00 Parents’ Opinions 57:37 Mirage F1CT – Introduction, Impressions & Capabilities 1:06:05 Electronic Warfare Suite 1:07:40 MATRA 530 – Fox 1 Capability 1:13:53 Were Export F1 Variants Better? 1:17:00 Diving Deeper into EW Capabilities 1:20:42 M1.3 Corner Speed – Avoiding the Merge at Low Level 1:23:34 “Cheating” in the F1? 1:26:10 DACT Opportunities 1:27:57 Taking on the Mirage 2000 1:30:48 Recce & Air-to-Ground Role 1:36:45 ELINT System Autonomy & Mission Planning 1:40:26 Datalink 1:41:50 Flying Qualities (and Vices) of the F1 1:46:04 Bird Strikes 1:48:20 Experience on the F1CT & Close Calls 1:50:58 Air-to-Air Refuelling – Tankers, Techniques & Night Ops 2:02:15 Geeking Out & Previewing the Next Episode

    32 min
  3. Will AI Replace Fighter Pilots? | F-35 Test Leader Explains

    APR 3

    Will AI Replace Fighter Pilots? | F-35 Test Leader Explains

    Cinco Hamilton | 10 Percent True | EP85Former USAF fighter pilot, F-35 test leader, and AI program director Tucker “Cinco” Hamilton joins the show to explain what artificial intelligence actually means for combat aviation. Drawing on his career flying the F-15C, standing up the MC-12 ISR platform, leading F-35 developmental test, and directing the Department of the Air Force–MIT AI Accelerator, Hamilton breaks down the difference between autonomy and AI, how machine learning is being tested in drones like the XQ-58 Valkyrie, and the ethical limits that should never be crossed. The conversation explores whether AI could ever control lethal weapons, how militaries test AI safely through millions of simulations, what AI could do inside aircraft like the F-35, and whether pilots risk becoming deskilled as automation increases. It’s a rare inside look at the future of autonomous combat systems from someone who helped build them0:00 Intro teaser – Drawing a Line 2:23 Welcome Cinco and Episode Outline 5:05 Quick Timeline Introduction 12:50 From Eagle to MC-12? 16:46 Outlining AI in Military Aviation and Defence 22:25 Thought Exercise Presentation 30:14 How Do You Ensure the AI Drone Doesn’t Hit the Bus? Should There Be Concern? 36:37 The Practicalities of Putting AI in the Driving Seat 40:22 How Nuanced Does AI Have to Be to Be “Good Enough”? 45:00 From Theory to Implementation 50:42 Can It Be That Simple? 53:22 Adversarial Developments and Excluding AI from Nuclear Decision-Making 1:01:00 AI Applications in the F-35 and Whether Loyal Wingman Is Possible Without AI 1:06:45 Deskilling of Operators 1:14:22 Audience Question (Nucks) 1:17:00 Audience Question (Matthew) 1:20:55 Audience Question (Biggles-Tintin) 1:23:20 Unlocking the Last 20% – Why Write It? 1:26:50 Balancing Risk in Test Flying and the Role of Faith 1:33:50 How to Get the Book 1:35:10 Thanks to Cinco (Plus the Callsign Story Bonus!)

    1h 42m

  4. TRAILER

    10 Percent True Channel Update March 2026

    10 Percent True Channel Update March 2026

    4 min
  5. Cold War Phantom: Nuclear Alert, Weapons School & Soviet Intercepts

    MAR 20

    Cold War Phantom: Nuclear Alert, Weapons School & Soviet Intercepts

    Pinbag Shaw | 10 Percent True | EP83 Part 3In the final instalment of my conversation with Thomas “Pinbag” Shaw, we close out his Phantom career.From Cold War nuclear strike planning in Europe to flying large-force exercises at Nellis and combat-ready deployments in the Pacific, Pinbag walks us through the evolution of the F-4E and the realities of fighter operations in the late Cold War.We talk about weapons school culture, the arrival of systems like Pave Tack and ARN-101, Sparrow missile performance, Soviet encounters in the Pacific, and what it was really like operating the Phantom at the edge of the Cold War.And he finishes with one of the most striking stories in this entire interview series.0:00 Intro Story – Cultural Differences 3:23 Welcome Back, Pinbag 4:24 Follow-on Assignment from Korea – Hahn (Germany) 9:59 TISEO “Qualification” 11:26 AGM-65 – In-Theatre Limitations 12:46 European Theatre – Differences from PACAF & Culture 16:10 B-61 & B-57, SIOP, Hard Crewing 19:52 Certification – Related Stories 27:15 Victor Alert Targeting & “The French View” on West Germany 28:38 Local Traditions & Low Flying 31:00 TISEO in Operation 33:50 To Nellis (Not Moody?!) 38:03 The Place to Be – Red Flag, RDJTF, F-15 Integration & “The Box” 45:58 Radar – Follow-Up 47:30 The Eagles 49:40 Personal Development Journey 54:45 Back to PACAF – Clark (F-4 Fleet, Weapons, Equipment & 3rd TFS History) 1:06:00 PAVE TACK 1:08:10 WESEP / Combat Sage – ORU-1 Radar Upgrade & AIM-7 Developments 1:17:00 Weapons School Experience – Culture Shift, Academics vs Flying, Staying Out of “The Box” 1:28:10 The Aggressor Problem 1:31:00 Fisher vs Glosson – Culture of the Time 1:34:10 Focus on North Korea & Shadowing the Russian Navy 1:38:15 Changes After KAL 007 Shootdown 1:41:58 Post-Weapons School – Taegu as Weapons Officer (PAVE TACK & Range Betting) 1:51:06 ROK Maintenance & Marshall Enforcement – Intro Story 1:55:55 Evolution of the Rear Cockpit 2:09:00 Battle Damage & Oddities 2:11:05 Thank You, Pinbag

    32 min
  6. From Germany to Korea: Cold War Life in the F-4E Phantom

    MAR 12

    From Germany to Korea: Cold War Life in the F-4E Phantom

    Get the full episode: https://www.10percenttrue.com/pricing-plans/list Pinbag Shaw | 10 Percent True | EP83 Part 2 In Part Two of our conversation, Thomas “Pinbag” Shaw takes us operational. From Korea to Germany, this is life in a Cold War Phantom squadron — where Victor Alert was real, nuclear strike planning was routine, and NATO air defence timelines were measured in minutes. In this episode we discuss: • What sitting nuclear Victor Alert actually meant • How QRA posture worked in Europe and the Pacific • Intercept geometry against Warsaw Pact aircraft • NATO strike planning and readiness discipline • The psychology of Cold War aircrew culture • Transitioning from Phantom to the Strike Eagle era This is Tactical Air Command at its most serious — a force built around the assumption that the next launch might not be an exercise. If you enjoy long-form, technical conversations with the people who flew the jets, subscribe and join the conversation. 0:00 Intro teaser – North Korean MiG-21 intercept 3:52 Welcome back, Pinbag 4:28 The Nellis influence 9:28 Leaving MacDill – SERE school 20:28 Korea and PACAF disposition 27:15 36th Fighter Squadron 33:35 Introduction to Korea 38:00 Areas of responsibility, command structure, and settling in 44:20 Training, digesting the vault, and other in-theatre assets and threats 49:10 Equipment – F-4E variants 53:25 Radar presentation, trade-offs, and features (TISEO, Combat Tree, Pave Spike) 1:04:44 Turnover of airframes 1:06:02 Operation Paul Bunyan – the axe-handle murders and redeployment of assets (including GBU-15 / AGM-65) for possible engagement with a tree 1:11:35 One year later – the Army’s turn and the lost Chinook 1:15:38 North Korean Air Force and South Korean MiGs (and Beagle) 1:26:12 AN-2s and skunk boats 1:27:30 How a prospective war would have unfolded 1:32:05 North Koreans in Vietnam; Soviets and North Koreans flying with the Egyptians 1:34:24 GCI and bullseye intercepts 1:36:50 Integration, improvement, and the prospective order of battle 1:40:40 Evolution in war planning and the birth of Large Force Employment 1:46:30 Lakenheath leadership influence and differences from PACAF 1:54:40 Battles over the Taiwan Strait and ROKAF checkouts – similarities and rumours 1:57:30 Alert story – possible SA-2 site 2:01:12 Peacetime Aerial Reconnaissance Program (including intro teaser story) and alert scramble

    28 min
  7. "You're in TAC, Now!" Flying the F-4 Phantom after Vietnam

    MAR 6

    "You're in TAC, Now!" Flying the F-4 Phantom after Vietnam

    Get the full episode: https://www.10percenttrue.com/pricing-plans/list Pinbag Shaw | 10 Percent True | EP83 Part 1 Thomas “Pinbag” Shaw flew the F-4E Phantom II at a pivotal moment in USAF history. Commissioned during the draft era, he entered Tactical Air Command just as the Air Force was absorbing the hard lessons of Vietnam and rebuilding its fighter culture from the ground up. In this first part of our conversation, Pinbag explains: • Why the J79 smoked — and how crews worked around it • What Red Baron reports actually taught young Phantom crews • How Fighter Lead-In training at Holloman reshaped post-Vietnam tactics • The reality of Sparrow employment before modern radar displays • AIMVAL/ACEVAL and what it revealed about missile combat • Combat Tree, radar geometry, and “hot” vs “cold” scope discipline • Nuclear delivery training in the F-4E • And how a loose ejection seat pin bag became a permanent callsign We also explore the cultural side of 1970s Tactical Air Command — from Aggressor briefings to the infamous “vulnerability period” at the O-Club — and how the Air Force transitioned from the Vietnam experience into the F-15/F-16 era. This episode is a deep dive into Phantom air-to-air tactics, radar intercept mechanics, and fighter culture in the years between Vietnam and the Eagle. Part Two will take us operational — Korea, Germany, Victor Alert, and real-world air defence. If you enjoy long-form, technical conversations with the people who flew the jets, subscribe and join the conversation. 0:00 Intro teaser – O-Club tale 2:32 Welcome Pinbag and episode outline 4:25 Matthew’s subscriber question – smoky J79s 8:03 Visual acquisition ranges 8:45 Pinbag’s background and route to the Phantom (nav school and dreamsheets) 23:30 Dual controls question 26:28 Back to Holloman and dreamsheets 35:00 Off to Holloman AFB 38:32 Uniform standards – TAC style 40:45 Mandatory formation – O-Club 43:10 The “Green Door” 45:15 Leaving Holloman 46:17 Osan → Hahn → Nellis → Clark → Taegu → Lakenheath (after staff job) 49:25 Learning from Red Baron reports (classified material?) 51:25 TAC rules, callsigns, naming ceremonies, and the Doofer Book 53:20 “Opinions are like assholes…” 55:00 Fridays at the O-Club – bell rules and intro story 1:01:00 McDill for the F-4 RTU – O-Club and games 1:07:43 F-4 “of the day” – equipment fit, avionics, etc. 1:15:01 Combat Tree 1:21:20 Back to the RTU and a callsign story 1:26:02 Through the training phases 1:29:49 Back to day one 1:36:32 Why the air-to-air preference? 1:44:50 Navy terminology – tough for WSOs 1:48:28 Nuclear strike? 1:50:15 What was going on in TAC 1:58:04 Pave Spike 2:00:20 USAFE realignment, Ready Eagle, and DOC taskings 2:06:30 Sparrow developments

    30 min
  8. Could You Land an F-35B? Test Pilot Says Yes

    MAR 1

    Could You Land an F-35B? Test Pilot Says Yes

    Jif Paines | 10 Percent True | EP82Chapters Get the full episode: https://www.10percenttrue.com/pricing-plans/list In this episode, former RAF Harrier pilot and X-35B test pilot “Jif” Paines explains how the F-35B’s revolutionary STOVL flight control system was born. From early Harrier night attack operations to experimental fly-by-wire research on the VAAC Harrier, Jif traces the technical and philosophical battle that led to Unified Flight Control — the system that made the F-35B dramatically easier to fly. Along the way he discusses: • Auto-eject systems and pilot safety philosophy • The lift-fan mechanics behind the F-35B’s STOVL capability • The X-35 concept demonstrations and engineering decisions behind them • Why automation can “de-skill” pilots — and why that may be necessary • How test pilots and engineers negotiate control authority • And why automation forces a fundamental rethink of the human role in combat aviation This conversation provides rare insight into test pilot culture, engineering decision-making, and the future of autonomous airpower. 0:00 “A stupid question?” 1:15 Welcome Jif 1:38 Auto-eject subscriber question (Sedlo) 4:24 Thanks to Super for the introduction 4:48 Jif’s introduction 11:40 Transferring TPS knowledge and skills to testing in the X-35 14:00 What decisions had been made before joining the program? 17:12 VAAC Harrier control laws and pilot resistance to the concepts being developed 20:15 Unified Flight Control explained 25:15 Engineering the “feel” for the pilot — reversion and safety features, de-skilling 31:10 “A stupid question?” 32:16 Integration of the control laws into the X-35 34:19 Lift-fan dynamics and operating process 37:00 Differences between flying the VAAC Harrier and the F-35 38:10 STOVL initially implemented in Harrier style — why? 40:22 Flying characteristics and aircraft feel 43:16 Exciting? 44:40 Transferring expertise to the X and F variants and defending Unified Flight Control 49:40 The Farley climb 53:50 The future of the pilot in military aviation 57:30 Thanks Jif (please return!)

    31 min
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Interviews and anecdotes from military pilots and aircrew from across the globe. As the rule says, so long as it's 10 percent true, you're allowed to tell the story! Head over to the 10 Percent True YouTube channel to listen and watch at the same time.

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