DoctorEvil
·Spot on with Concorde 👍 The clock I picked up from a good friend many years ago over on MWR
Spot on with Concorde 👍 The clock I picked up from a good friend many years ago over on MWR
That pic of the sub-floor between the deck and the skin reminded me of an issue I was involved in when serving in 75 Squadron RAAF in Butterworth Malaysia.
The squadron had approx 12 single seat fighters and two twin seat (tandem) trainers, nicknamed "The Duals".
Pilots had consistently complained about one of the trainers having "shit handling". Eventually, after a couple of write-ups of "Rapid Uncommanded Pitch Manoeuvres" the aircraft was hangared and put on jack for a full inspection.
I had to safe and remove all of the crew ejection systems (canopy/seats etc).
While crouching in the fwd cockpit I noticed a lot of moisture/condensation toward the rudder pedals and told the engineering supervisor.
To cut a long story short, a couple of holes were drilled in the skin at the lowest point of the cockpit floor and over 200 litres of rainwater was drained from the sub-floor. It seemed a drastic solution, but at a forward airbase without the facilities to do a complete fwd fuselage disassembly it was the only solution. I think the aircraft was flown back to Australia for a full remedial servicing.
It was concluded that canopy rain covers had blown off in a monsoon one Friday evening after the squadron secured and two days of rain took their toll.
While the Mirage IIIO was a bitch to work on, they were and impressive and beautiful aircraft to see in the sky. It was basically and engine with wings, and a tiny spot for a driver.
............. One wonders how a 6ft tall pilot could fit inside and not lose their legs if they had to eject.
Thanks for sharing and welcome. Keep 'em flying!
Just wondering what's so terrible about the BE1900D and SA227? Are they bad to fly or bad to maintain, or both?
Pardon my ignorance but what's MWR?
..............Just wondering what's so terrible about the BE1900D ................................
I saw a newsreel at the local movie theatre when I was a young kid, it had a B-52 as well as other US aircraft, I think it was something to do with the Cold War, but I only remember the aircraft.
The next time I saw one was about 25 years later as it approached a strip I was duty crew on. I could tell it was a B-52 by the trails of black smoke it was pumping out of the old P&W J57s.
It doesn't have enough winglets/strakes/spoilers 😉.
I'm just surprised as to why Beech didn't fit canards as well, just to balance out the external appendages.
I saw a newsreel at the local movie theatre when I was a young kid, it had a B-52 as well as other US aircraft, I think it was something to do with the Cold War, but I only remember the aircraft.
The next time I saw one was about 25 years later as it approached a strip I was duty crew on. I could tell it was a B-52 by the trails of black smoke it was pumping out of the old P&W J57s.
They just signed an agreement with Rolls Royce to re engine the aircraft thus extending its life well beyond 2050. The KC135 and all other 707 based equipment can use the engines from the B52s with some fairly minor modification or case changes.
Wow! The B-52 in service till 2050? That's at least 70-80 years for some airframes. Won't there be problems with metal fatigue etc?
Ah yes, the black smoke trails. It's an incredible aircraft isn't it? I wasn't even a twinkle in my father's eye when it first entered service.
Most of the ones we see here in Oz are based in Guam I believe.
I was lucky enough to have a close look at one at the air museum in Darwin during the early 1990s. The aircraft was a gift from the USA. Apologies for the poor quality of the pics as they're "pictures of pictures":
B-52G. Aircraft no. 59-2596. USAF 43rd Bomb Wing.
The aircraft was purchased in fiscal year 1959 so it was already over 30 years old when this pic was taken.
Tail art. Note the bombs on the palm tree masquerading as coconuts. The inscription says "No Buff Too Tuff - 43rd Maintenance"
Nose art "Darwin's Pride"
The next time I saw a B-52 again was some years later at the Australian International Airshow at Avalon.
Did you get inside? It's VERY cramped and small, at least if you are a normal sized human being. I have been in a lot of military aircraft over the years, so all kinds of fighters (F4, F14, F15, F16, etc.) plus different transports, and even other bombers like the B1, but this thing was terribly cramped and felt like you had to be part contortionist to get into the cockpit area. More room for bombs and gas I suppose...
How'd you get the chance to get into in all those aircraft? I would have loved it.
A lot of dusting off clothes and "Yeah, I wasn't scared, just being safe" talk, and then a bit of a laugh.