Author Topic: A Different Kind Of Black Bird (Read 3252 times)

bill440cars · « **on:** December 15, 2007, 02:04:31 PM »

How about a "Different Kind Of Black Bird"!

I just couldn't resist!

Bob Wessner · « **Reply #1 on:** December 15, 2007, 02:26:21 PM »

I just happened to be at Bien Hoa airbase one day, literally, and saw one of these land. I had never seen anything like it before and was dumbstruck to say the least.

fuzzybutt · « **Reply #2 on:** December 15, 2007, 03:41:50 PM »

best looking airplane ever built IMHO

bill440cars · « **Reply #3 on:** December 15, 2007, 03:56:15 PM »

Quote from: Bob Wessner on December 15, 2007, 02:26:21 PM

I just happened to be at Bien Hoa airbase one day, literally, and saw one of these land. I had never seen anything like it before and was dumbstruck to say the least.

I'm envious Bob. $:-\$

I've never seen the actual plane but, Somewhere, I've got an information sheet that shows the specs on that puppy and they are really something! I do know that they can fly coast to coast in an hour and take pictures all the way!

Whoa, What an album that'd make!

I can totally understand your feeling on that one Bob. Once, while I was in the Army Reserves, we went to Barksdale AFB and we were allowed to go on the flightline and check out the B-52 Bombers and KC-135 Fuel Tankers. For being as old as they were, the B-52 still made me stand back in awe! I think part of the reason is that I have a good idea what kind of damage it can do with a full load of armament!

Quote from: fuzzybutt on December 15, 2007, 03:41:50 PM

best looking airplane ever built IMHO

It's definitely something else alright!

Later on, Bill

arbormystic · « **Reply #4 on:** December 15, 2007, 04:07:15 PM »

Here are a couple of pics I took of a blackbird parked under the wing of the spruce goose. it makes it look like a toy.

Bob Wessner · « **Reply #5 on:** December 15, 2007, 04:10:29 PM »

Actually, my thoughts at the time were, "What the hell is that?" It was either black or some sort of v-e-r-y dark blue and I don't recall it having any markings. Definitely not the usual AF insignias or stars and stripes. Pretty spooky looking actually. It was only later that I learned what it was, and when I did, it seemed like an awfully expensive asset to risk having at Bien Hoa in the summer of '68. Maybe it was just refueling or something.

mattcb350f · « **Reply #6 on:** December 15, 2007, 04:27:08 PM »

Interesting note on the SR-71, since the aircraft expanded and contracted so much in flight due to the heat of supersonic flight, they were never able to figure out a way to seal the fuel tanks which were integral to the aircraft. So, they let it leak. They'd fuel the plane up on the ground and it would taxi to the runway, leaking fuel all over the place and takeoff. Once it was airborne, the aircraft would expand and the tanks would tighten up. And since it either leaked out or burnt up nearly all of its fuel from either leaking or from takeoff, it was then refueled in the air with a tanker before setting of on a mission.

Matt.

HITMAN · « **Reply #7 on:** December 15, 2007, 05:09:19 PM »

I have seen the one at the Evergreen Aviation Museum during a wine festival last year, and regretfully missed out on a prior photo opportunity with my 2-wheeled Blackbird there at the museum a few years back [insert profane language here]. It's too bad the engines are gone on that one.

I have always been fascinated by them since I was a kid, now for most of them being grounded. I envy you Bob, that is a sight I will most likely never be able to see. At least I have Honda's (faux) tribute to them.

cb650 · « **Reply #8 on:** December 15, 2007, 07:01:00 PM »

The sr-71 would be a awsome site in person. The most impresive big aircraft (well besides the fighters) I have seen in person was the B-1
At peterson AFB we where working on the new (in 88) maintence bld and a roar comenced to happen. A B-1 took of right over head. He went around for a few touch and goes and left. The whole bld shook and everyone was out watching. Also fat albert (blue angels) on jato is cool. But for piston sound a B-17 is great. went and saw the liberty bell last spring. Well there is a v-12 screaming by that makes you shiver too.

Terry

okie · « **Reply #9 on:** December 15, 2007, 09:34:29 PM »

They are in museums all over the country.

http://www.sr-71.org/blackbird/sr-71/sr-71locations.php

rbmgf7 · « **Reply #10 on:** December 16, 2007, 09:17:47 AM »

i've seen a couple sr-71 at air shows. definately a cool plane. i was about 10 when i went to wright-patterson.

i live over here in missouri next to ft. wood. the most we get are the A-10s flying from st. louis for air-to-ground training. if you stand outside on the days they fly in, you can hear their cannons. just a low "vrrrr" sound and that's about 6 miles away. real cool. unleashing about 700 rounds in a few seconds. they do two runs and then they're dry. then it's time to head back to st. louis.

up north is whiteman AFB where the B-2s are kept. i was on my way back from KC and thought i could catch a glimpse of one. no dice. by the time i got there a storm crept through. once i get the cb running, i'll have to take another trip up there.

Rushoid · « **Reply #11 on:** December 17, 2007, 09:34:43 AM »

Quote from: cb650 on December 15, 2007, 07:01:00 PM

A B-1 took of right over head. He went around for a few touch and goes and left. The whole bld shook and everyone was out watching.

We have an air show over the Ohio River every year to kick off the Ky. Derby Festival. One year I was talking to a very drunk friend of mine when the B-1 flew over in afterburner. My friend ducked and yelled, "What the heII was that?" I yelled back, "A B-1." "A what?" I yelled louder, "A B-1!" He muttered, "Yeah, it was a big one."

Quote from: gearbot on December 16, 2007, 09:17:47 AM

up north is whiteman AFB where the B-2s are kept. i was on my way back from KC and thought i could catch a glimpse of one. no dice. by the time i got there a storm crept through. once i get the cb running, i'll have to take another trip up there.

My dad was stationed at Whiteman in the early 60's. he worked on these:

bill440cars · « **Reply #12 on:** December 17, 2007, 12:45:51 PM »

Hey Lee. Nice shot of that B-47 in takeoff!

Seems like they had those at Little Rock AFB back in the time (then the B-52s and later the B-58s) Not sure what's out there now except C130s. Pretty cool to be able to work on ACFT, IMHO.

Later on, Bill

ledbetter · « **Reply #13 on:** December 17, 2007, 01:31:18 PM »

Love the aircraft pic's,let's see some more.

Ledbetter

Sam Green Racing · « **Reply #14 on:** December 17, 2007, 02:38:08 PM »

Billy, you have a PM.

Sam.

cb650 · « **Reply #15 on:** December 17, 2007, 04:00:51 PM »

Fat Albert on JATO is cool to. Have a pic somewhere. Also cool seing the P-51 and F-15 flying together. Also went and seen the Liberty Belle B-17 last spring.

Terry

bill440cars · « **Reply #16 on:** December 18, 2007, 02:19:57 PM »

Quote from: ledbetter on December 17, 2007, 01:31:18 PM

Love the aircraft pic's,let's see some more.

Ledbetter

How are these?
B-58 Hustler (1st Supersonic Bomber built in the West.)

bill440cars · « **Reply #17 on:** December 18, 2007, 03:03:56 PM »

B-1B

B-52

F111A (Swing Wing)

Rushoid · « **Reply #18 on:** December 19, 2007, 07:34:07 AM »

A few of my favorites:

bill440cars · « **Reply #19 on:** December 19, 2007, 01:57:56 PM »

Good stuff there, Lee!

Here's a few of mine.

F-101 Voodoo

F-14 Tomcat

F-100, F-101, F-102 & F-104 "The Century Series In Flight"

Those are some of them, even though the shots aren't that good.

News:

Author Topic: A Different Kind Of Black Bird (Read 3252 times)

fuzzybutt

arbormystic

okie

ledbetter