Post amazingly cool pictures of aircraft (Volume 2)
Discussion
Dr Jekyll said:
Eric Mc said:
Not sure they are really to scale. The F-80 is bigger in the picture than the F-94 immediately below it. In reality, the F-94 was a bit bigger because it was essentially an F-80 with added radar and radar operator.
Am I going blind or are the Spitfire, Hurricane, Tempest and Typhoon missing?
+1Am I going blind or are the Spitfire, Hurricane, Tempest and Typhoon missing?
MartG said:
A pair of Argentinian A-4 Skyhawks photographed from HMS Coventry during the attack which sank her
Photographer unknown
Trivia - Coventry's Captain at the time is Miranda Hart's dad
I wonder what caused that splash? A bomb from a previous wave? If so looks like it was dropped from a higher altitude and was a bit close to the second wave. Photographer unknown
Trivia - Coventry's Captain at the time is Miranda Hart's dad
And are they still carrying underwing fuel tanks? Probably needed for the long trip back but I guess not ideal for agility.
Dr Jekyll said:
Eric Mc said:
Not sure they are really to scale. The F-80 is bigger in the picture than the F-94 immediately below it. In reality, the F-94 was a bit bigger because it was essentially an F-80 with added radar and radar operator.
Am I going blind or are the Spitfire, Hurricane, Tempest and Typhoon missing?
+1Am I going blind or are the Spitfire, Hurricane, Tempest and Typhoon missing?
Eric Mc said:
The F-105 was actually designed as a tactical nuclear bomber. It even has a proper internal bomb bay. However, it was used as a fighter and even managed a fair few kills during the Vietnam War.
It is not what you might call a handsome aircraft; there is something aesthetically jarring about it, especially that fin. 
FourWheelDrift said:
Dr Jekyll said:
Eric Mc said:
Not sure they are really to scale. The F-80 is bigger in the picture than the F-94 immediately below it. In reality, the F-94 was a bit bigger because it was essentially an F-80 with added radar and radar operator.
Am I going blind or are the Spitfire, Hurricane, Tempest and Typhoon missing?
+1Am I going blind or are the Spitfire, Hurricane, Tempest and Typhoon missing?
(From a Concorde pilot) “The SR71 was told over radio to move out of the way, 30 degrees right, for us. To think they were at 50,000 ft Mach 2 with what were close to spacesuits on and we were doing the same but whilst drinking champagne and in our suits and ties. That is when it hit me how revolutionary the Concorde really was”
OK, so these aren't amazingly cool in terms of composition or an action sequence.
But still, I thought you might appreciate them because of the subject matter!
I've been extremely privileged recently to be selected as part of a working party organised by the British Phantom Aviation Group. Our task was to reassemble "Black Mike", the RAF's most famous Phantom, after its move by road from Leuchars to a new home for the 2018 RAF Centenary celebrations.
Most of the working party and BPAG management are time-served ex-RAF Phantom fitters - so for a civvy enthusiast like me, who was only just born when the last RAF Phantoms were retired, to get the chance to do such stuff is....... amazingly cool!
For those who don't know the history, Black Mike is famous on multiple levels.
XV582 was the aircraft that, in 1988, set the outright speed from Lands End to John O Groats at 46 minutes and 44 seconds.
It was later transferred to 111 squadron, where it became M "Mike" . The squadron boss at the time had been looking for a way to mark the anniversary of the 111 Black Arrows - of the record breaking 22-ship Hunter Loop. Permission was granted to paint one aircraft in the famous gloss black scheme, and XV582 was chosen. Although this was only intended to be for static display, the powers that be relented and the aircraft went on to fly in this livery for the rest of its life, becoming a favourite at airshows. In the process, it became the highest houred Phantom Airframe, with over 5000 hours in the air. Not bad for an aircraft originally designed for a 1500 hour service life in typical American throwaway fashion!
It's probably fair to say that Black Mike is the second most famous Phantom in the world.
The most famous? That would be another all-black 'toom, 3783 "Vandy 1" of the US Navy's "Black Bunny" test and evaluation squadron. Which, coincidentally, also survives (although currently derelict) in the private collection of a friend of mine. Small world!
But still, I thought you might appreciate them because of the subject matter!
I've been extremely privileged recently to be selected as part of a working party organised by the British Phantom Aviation Group. Our task was to reassemble "Black Mike", the RAF's most famous Phantom, after its move by road from Leuchars to a new home for the 2018 RAF Centenary celebrations.
Most of the working party and BPAG management are time-served ex-RAF Phantom fitters - so for a civvy enthusiast like me, who was only just born when the last RAF Phantoms were retired, to get the chance to do such stuff is....... amazingly cool!
For those who don't know the history, Black Mike is famous on multiple levels.
XV582 was the aircraft that, in 1988, set the outright speed from Lands End to John O Groats at 46 minutes and 44 seconds.
It was later transferred to 111 squadron, where it became M "Mike" . The squadron boss at the time had been looking for a way to mark the anniversary of the 111 Black Arrows - of the record breaking 22-ship Hunter Loop. Permission was granted to paint one aircraft in the famous gloss black scheme, and XV582 was chosen. Although this was only intended to be for static display, the powers that be relented and the aircraft went on to fly in this livery for the rest of its life, becoming a favourite at airshows. In the process, it became the highest houred Phantom Airframe, with over 5000 hours in the air. Not bad for an aircraft originally designed for a 1500 hour service life in typical American throwaway fashion!
It's probably fair to say that Black Mike is the second most famous Phantom in the world.
The most famous? That would be another all-black 'toom, 3783 "Vandy 1" of the US Navy's "Black Bunny" test and evaluation squadron. Which, coincidentally, also survives (although currently derelict) in the private collection of a friend of mine. Small world!
Edited by ChemicalChaos on Sunday 17th December 23:19
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