Topic: Red Bull Air Race

[Lostboy Steve]

This morning I got up and switched on the news as I always do before work, but I was bored, so I did a little channel surfing and "Red Bull Air Race" caught my eye. When I was a kid, MIG29 was my favorite PC game, and Tail Spin was my favorite show. I wanted to be a fighter pilot, but those dreams were smashed when I was told I wouldn't meet the sight requirement. I don't know why I am so afraid of heights now because as a child I never was. Anyway, watching this, I can only think how much fun it must be. The other day, I could have sworn Flight 19 passed over my shop. Obviously it wasn't, but it was a small grouping of 6 what looked like Grumman TBF Avengers passing overhead. The sound was awesome, like a low hum. Like everything else these days, the glory days of flight are over. Hell, at this point we hitchhike rides into space with Russia. The point is, good for Red Bull for keeping agile prop aircraft alive and well.

[BomberMann650]

Oh look, disney pixars next kid movie on an....unfrozen lake?!

[Lostboy Steve]

lol I specifically didnt go see Ice age 5? for this reason.

[BomberMann650]

lol I specifically didnt go see Ice age 5? for this reason.

I remember the glory days of disney on ice. 

Global warming pisses me off.

[cb650]

Speed  used to show about all the races.   FS1 only shows a couple a year. 

[Lostboy Steve]

Speed  used to show about all the races.   FS1 only shows a couple a year.

It was on msg of all stations. This is what happens during the hockey off season.


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[RevDoc]

"The point is, good for Red Bull for keeping agile prop aircraft alive and well."

I certainly second that sentiment, Steve!

Back in the '80s I was flying out of the N.E. Philly airport getting more time logged for my Private Pilot license. Had just sat in my car to leave when I heard the most amazing sound coming from the taxi-way between the T-Hangers. Sure enough out rolls an absolutely magnificent restoration of a P-51 Mustang that a member of the Confederate Air Force had. Looked like it had just rolled off the end of the production line. I don't care what your physical condition was, or even if you were female!, you didn't need any "little blue pill" when you heard the rumble of that 600 horse powerplant as he taxied on by!

[demon78]

No mate, that's a Merlin one of the nicest sounding piston engines of all time and it's 1760 hp, how do I know, I used to work on them. As an edit, nicest sounding engine piston or any thing else.
Bill the demon.

[RevDoc]

Thanks for the info, Bill! I was obviously misinformed by 1,160 horsepower!  But I fully agree that is the most fantastic sounding engine I've ever heard.

[Mr. Mike]

For a real thrill Steve, come on out to Reno Nevada any mid September and catch a weekend of National Air Races at Stead Field. Talk about adrenalin, speed, power and plenty of vintage (as well as modern) aircraft etc., these races have it all.

[BomberMann650]

These little airplanes are something else

[Don R]

Bill, other than the place of manufacture, is there a difference between a Packard Merlin and a Rolls Royce Merlin?  Just wondering.

[demon78]

Don as far as I know/remember there are minor differences but it's been 40 ? years since I last worked on one and I was using a Packard Merlin manual for specs I had to change valve guides, our little shop was doing a top end for a Dr's Mustang I think ? The rest is hazy except what joy it was to change guides with a tea kettle full of hot water, you know flip the head upside down pour hot water on the head take the wooden dowel and ball peen give the guide a little tap hear it hit work bench sigh the way all engines should work.
Bill the demon.