There are "airplanes" and then there are "National Treasures"
- Thread starter Fisherdude
- Start date
About 20 years ago, a guy who used to work for me lived next door to a B-52 pilot, just outside Merced, California, and Castle AFB. To get right to the point, after much conversation and getting-to-know each other, my buddy was offered a chance to take a friend (me!!) and get a ride.
Unfortunately, you know how things go, it never happened. While the discussions were going on, my wife told me: "Are you insane?? You could get killed!!".
Woulda been worth it.:yes:
Unfortunately, you know how things go, it never happened. While the discussions were going on, my wife told me: "Are you insane?? You could get killed!!".
Woulda been worth it.:yes:
Believe me, that's what I was doing.
Mark W.
Nut house of the Universe
Don't you love how they have the display in the American Museum there in Duxford? We saw it in 2004. And after we got back to the car completley wore out after 8 hours of walking around everything 2-3 times I looked at the map and realised we had miss the ground warfare museum!!!!! Oh well something for next time we get to tak a once in a lifetime trip to England.
dread31
Addicted Member
The SR-71 was a magnificent aircraft, way ahead of it's time.
And Kelly Johnson truly was a genius. Sure the technology has advanced
since 1962, but the Blackbird is a legend, and for damn good reason.
The only thing that bugs me is that we have some great people
designing great aircraft to this very day-----but we don't know their names.
And that's an effin' shame. (And the same could be said about many industries.)
Dave
And Kelly Johnson truly was a genius. Sure the technology has advanced
since 1962, but the Blackbird is a legend, and for damn good reason.
The only thing that bugs me is that we have some great people
designing great aircraft to this very day-----but we don't know their names.
And that's an effin' shame. (And the same could be said about many industries.)
Dave
M Jarve
Audio Geek and NGE Freak
A flying machine unlike any other. Somewhat of a kludge at sub-mach speeds, once it was in it's "zone" it was without peer in grace pure aesthetic beauty. Its simple understated design just screams of "catch me if you can 
".
It is my opinion that had it never even flown, just to look upon it would have been a joy. Truly, modern aircraft, though it is much more functional and practical, is overly utilitarian- even the B-2 looks more like a toy than a serious plane.
Then again, I've always had a soft-spot for the Dreadnaught's, old stream-lined steam-engines, and what not. The most beautiful ship to sail the seas, in this young punk's view, is the incomparable IJN Yamoto. There's just something awe inspiring about a boat with nine 18-inch guns, even if it would not last 10 minutes against even a modern patrol ship armed with advanced missiles and torpedoes.
".It is my opinion that had it never even flown, just to look upon it would have been a joy. Truly, modern aircraft, though it is much more functional and practical, is overly utilitarian- even the B-2 looks more like a toy than a serious plane.
Then again, I've always had a soft-spot for the Dreadnaught's, old stream-lined steam-engines, and what not. The most beautiful ship to sail the seas, in this young punk's view, is the incomparable IJN Yamoto. There's just something awe inspiring about a boat with nine 18-inch guns, even if it would not last 10 minutes against even a modern patrol ship armed with advanced missiles and torpedoes.
crackerkorean
Striving for Polymathdom!
Growing up in the air force I got to see my fair share of planes. Espcially when I lived at Randolph AFB where the Air Force's flight training school is.
The one plane I never got to see was the SR-71, to me that was and probably still is the holy grail of air planes for me and made me want to work for Lockheed when I was in middle school. (Might get the chance afterall once I am done with school).
One of these days I will get to see it. And to think we had technology like this back in the 60s, whats being worked on behind closed doors now? Granted spy planes arent needed as much with the invention of satellites.
I did get to see a F-117 in person, didnt realize how big that was.
But the most impressive thing I have ever seen was a b-52 taking off. I was on my bike and about the cross the run way (legally the road crossed the end of the run way) but the lights were on to stop. So I got the watch the show and a good one it was.
The one plane I never got to see was the SR-71, to me that was and probably still is the holy grail of air planes for me and made me want to work for Lockheed when I was in middle school. (Might get the chance afterall once I am done with school).
One of these days I will get to see it. And to think we had technology like this back in the 60s, whats being worked on behind closed doors now? Granted spy planes arent needed as much with the invention of satellites.
I did get to see a F-117 in person, didnt realize how big that was.
But the most impressive thing I have ever seen was a b-52 taking off. I was on my bike and about the cross the run way (legally the road crossed the end of the run way) but the lights were on to stop. So I got the watch the show and a good one it was.
onepixel
.
Cool story Pete!
Stoffie
Sony afficionado
It sure is a great museum, lots of stuff to see there. Spent the most time at the American part of the domain, for obvious reasons, because we were coming from London, which took two hours, and closing time in winter is 1600hrs, so there wasn't much time and the Blackbird is just a childhood dream.
Definitely going back there though, to see everything again, and take my time to marvel over all the great birds sitting there!
It is my understanding that the BlackBird leaked like a sieve until at speed when the expansion from the heat integrated all the panels! What a masterpiece of design that was totally out of the box at that time.
I'm very fortunate to live 30 minutes from Dulles, Va. and have visited the museum in the first picture in the slide show. That plane is amazing to be around period! They also have many planes and exhibits there - The Enola Gay, a Concord, a Space Shuttle, and more. It is free just pay $12.00 for parking. It is just a great way to spend a morning/afternoon, and is very near the Airport, so if you ever have a long layover grab a cab and spend some time there. :thmbsp:
Regards,
Jim
I'm very fortunate to live 30 minutes from Dulles, Va. and have visited the museum in the first picture in the slide show. That plane is amazing to be around period! They also have many planes and exhibits there - The Enola Gay, a Concord, a Space Shuttle, and more. It is free just pay $12.00 for parking. It is just a great way to spend a morning/afternoon, and is very near the Airport, so if you ever have a long layover grab a cab and spend some time there. :thmbsp:
Regards,
Jim
Stoffie
Sony afficionado
That leaking is usually pretty exaggerated though. It did leak, and even when heated up there were still some minute leaks, but it's not like there were gallons pouring out every second.
I've read the three books Richard Graham (retired Blackbird pilot and much more in the program itself) wrote, very good technical info there, and great stories. There's so much stuff floating around on the web, about top speeds in excess of mach 4 and all that, in those books you'll find some real info.
2010 I'm doing a trip through the states, definitely stopping in Dulles (probably renting a car there and go cross country) !
I've read the three books Richard Graham (retired Blackbird pilot and much more in the program itself) wrote, very good technical info there, and great stories. There's so much stuff floating around on the web, about top speeds in excess of mach 4 and all that, in those books you'll find some real info.
2010 I'm doing a trip through the states, definitely stopping in Dulles (probably renting a car there and go cross country) !
That leaking is usually pretty exaggerated though. It did leak, and even when heated up there were still some minute leaks, but it's not like there were gallons pouring out every second.
I've read the three books Richard Graham (retired Blackbird pilot and much more in the program itself) wrote, very good technical info there, and great stories. There's so much stuff floating around on the web, about top speeds in excess of mach 4 and all that, in those books you'll find some real info.
2010 I'm doing a trip through the states, definitely stopping in Dulles (probably renting a car there and go cross country) !
Let me know when and I'll join you for the day!
Regards,
Jim
Sandy G
Retired Member
I saw a P-51D at the Warbirds Over Hickory show in North Carolina about 10 yrs ago. It was Somebody's Baby, it was in IMMACULATE shape, even the wheelwells looked like they'd been polished...If you're lucky enuff to have a plane like that, whaddya do ? Do you fly it, enjoy it, & run the risk of boogering a priceless artifact up, or do you just love it, pet it, polish it, 'n' call it "George" ? Well, I'll never know, 'cause I think the goin' rate on a P-51 is prolly a cool million or so...A tad above MY pay grade...And while I THINK I could prolly get a Cessna up & back down, & hopefully walk away from it, I think I'd rather play w/a loaded, cocked .44 Magnum than try to fly a Mustang...It would be over quicker, & hopefully wouldn't hurt nearly as bad...(grin)
bigstereo
Super Member
I saw an SR71 in flight one time when I was in the military. We had just pulled away from the pier at White Beach, Okinawa. The bird must've just taken off from a base in Japan for it to be so low that it could be seen.
What an awesome sight, I'll never forget it.
I've always been fascinated by this aircraft.:yes:
What an awesome sight, I'll never forget it.
I've always been fascinated by this aircraft.:yes:
Mark W.
Nut house of the Universe
Interesting thing about technology. Sometimes it just comes to a point where improvement is a counter productive force. Such may be the case with the SR-71.
Like the Radar that the US NAVY uses in it's newest ships. Was designed in the mid 1950's and it still uses Vacuum tubes in the transmitter and receiver sections. It is really only the user interface part that is modern electronic's. My Son is an ET2 in NAVY and his first 2 ships the USS Chancelorsville and the Shiloh (Guided Missle Cruisers) he was in charge of maintaing both the near and the far Radar systems. And he told me about all the vacuum tubes they use.
Some times you just can't improve on something.
Like the Radar that the US NAVY uses in it's newest ships. Was designed in the mid 1950's and it still uses Vacuum tubes in the transmitter and receiver sections. It is really only the user interface part that is modern electronic's. My Son is an ET2 in NAVY and his first 2 ships the USS Chancelorsville and the Shiloh (Guided Missle Cruisers) he was in charge of maintaing both the near and the far Radar systems. And he told me about all the vacuum tubes they use.
Some times you just can't improve on something.
Stoffie
Sony afficionado
They were actually stationed at Kadena AB on Okinawa for a good part of their life. Det1 is was I believe.
I feel envy towards those that have seen this gracious bird in action.
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