Libyan Mirages at Malta

[mrloudly]

Went into Malta a couple of weeks ago in a private twin turbo-prop





Managed to snap these:



Now had they flown to my airport, I'd be out playing :-)

Edited by mrloudly on Wednesday 11th May 15:20

[Eric Mc]

I doubt they be will be flying anywhere anytime soon.

The Rockwell Commander is nice too

[mrloudly]

The Commander is awesome! Nearly a two thousand mile range @ 30,000' They were looking at a jet but bought the Commander
because you can get into MUCH shorter strips. UK to Malta in 3hrs 50min, I'd have sooner it been 10 hrs !!! It's like a private airliner,
brilliant experience for a PPL holder! Came back and started looking into an IR rating, then reality hit home, wouldn't be much use in my Tanarg :-(

[Eric Mc]

Don't look up what happened to EI-BGL then

[mrloudly]

That wouldn't be the dodgy wing would it?

[Eric Mc]

Structural break up at around 19,000 feet over Eastbourne - back in November 1984. It was a national tragedy for Ireland as three well known journalists died.

[mrloudly]

There's been several weird break ups on type. Wouldn't stop me from flying in it though, when your number's up it's up

[Total loss]

Next time your on the Commander, see if the pilot can do the same as Bob Hoover in one, any one for tea ?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xp2Uc9XvmjY
And don't worry if you lose an engine or two.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZBcapxGHjE

[mrloudly]

Ahh you mean this guy? That's me after meeting him @ Reno Air Races in 2002 Sorry about the shorts, what was I thinking LOL

[Pot Bellied Fool]

Eric Mc said:

The Rockwell Commander is nice too

Looks a nice example. I've spent a good few hours (but not enough) over the last 20 years in the back of several of those operating survey kit.

The Company I rented them from said they were a great platform for aerial photo/survey work, stable, long legged etc. They had quite a few of them at one time but they seem to have dwindled these days. Sadly I no longer get paid to go flying & I can't yet afford lessons. One day...

[Silent1]

Is it me or is the plane only about 6" of the floor?

[mrloudly]

About 3" with us fat fckurs in it

[Eric Mc]

They sit very low to the ground.

I always liked the Commander family. Aero Commander as a company were very inovative. Omnce they were subsumed into North American/Rockwell they more or less ceased to do anything.

I often wonder what the purpose of these large corporate takeovers are. They just seem to completely kill inovation and style.

[Total loss]

mrloudly said:

Ahh you mean this guy? That's me after meeting him @ Reno Air Races in 2002 Sorry about the shorts, what was I thinking LOL

You lucky bug*er, not only going to Reno (been on my wish list for about 10 years now and still not made it, one day though) but meeting Bob as well. Was he flying his P-51 (same colour as his flight suit), he used to fly as the starter/marshal plane for the unlimiteds.
P.S. The F-104 tail of Starfighters Inc in the background of you Reno pic.has just been joined by 5 more giving them a total of 9, ahh the good old days of the Greenham Common air tattoo when there were dozens of them almost coming back.

Edited by Total loss on Thursday 12th May 19:06

[mrloudly]

Yup he led 'em down the "chute". A sea Fury took a Mustangs rudder off with it's prop on the first attempt!

An awesome experience!





A simulated bombing run by F16's and they moan about BP!

Edited by mrloudly on Thursday 12th May 21:13

[mrloudly]

They don't always get it right... This one was after "Tommy Rose" RIP went in at about 300mph straight in front of us, flying the same type... A Questair Venture



If you go, pay the extra for the "Chequered Flag Club" They make you so welcome it's not true!

[Fat Albert]

Total loss said:

The F-104 tail of Starfighters Inc in the background of you Reno pic.has just been joined by 5 more giving them a total of 9, ahh the good old days of the Greenham Common air tattoo when there were dozens of them almost coming back.

ahh yes the 4 ship display team that would finish with a 3 ship slow flypast, with the 4th doing a near-supersonic run over the crowdline!