When aircraft had style plus just cool aircraft

Grizz · Post by **Grizz** » Tue May 31, 2011 12:24 pm

speaking of cowl flaps back in the day at Phx Sky Harbor a hotshot BAL copilot who bought a P-38 with the plan of converting to a photo plane loaded a BAL mechanic into the back for a test hop.

radios off apparently because he didn't acknowledge the frantic calls from the tower trying to inform him that his cowl flaps were closed.

he ran up the engines on a hot hot day, released the brakes and got high enougn to cartwheel into the stockyards that used to be off the end of the runway, when an engine seized due to lack of cooling air.

Dad said he didn't care that the careless pilot killed himself, but he thought it was criminal that he also killed the mechanic.

must have been early 60s, someone here might remember it..... ?

Grizz

awp101 · Post by **awp101** » Thu Jun 02, 2011 8:04 am

June 2, 2011 - North American XB-28
The order for a high-altitude medium bomber was put out on 13 February 1940; the XB-28 first flew on 26 April 1942. The XB-28 was based on North American Aviation's highly successful B-25 Mitchell, but as it evolved it became a completely new design, much more reminiscent of the Martin B-26 Marauder. The overall configuration of the B-25 and XB-28 were fairly similar; the most important distinction was that the twin tail of the B-25 was changed to a single tail on the XB-28. It was among the first planes with a pressurised cabin.

CREDIT

bdhold · Post by **bdhold** » Thu Jun 02, 2011 8:12 am

here's a flying RC model of my all-time favorite, the Grumman F-5F Skyrocket

tomtex · Post by **tomtex** » Thu Jun 02, 2011 8:34 am

bulldog1935 wrote:here's a flying RC model of my all-time favorite, the Grumman F-5F Skyrocket

How long is the landing gear on that bulldog?

C. Cash · Post by **C. Cash** » Thu Jun 02, 2011 8:50 am

Since we have diverged to cool planes, can't leave out the F-104 Starfighter. This is one my Dad had care of while our family was stationed in San Juan, Puerto Rico in the late 60's. It's the two seat version and he got to ride along at times. It now resides at the Pima Air Museum in Arizona.
http://www.tinfeathers.com/Museum/USA/P ... a_3148.jpg

bdhold · Post by **bdhold** » Thu Jun 02, 2011 9:00 am

that one doesn't have any, the builder is noted for light

but here is the iso for the original

Grizz · Post by **Grizz** » Thu Jun 02, 2011 11:00 am

F5F eh?

I knew Grumman made an ugly airplane, but couldn't remember the name!

There must be a "rest of the story" on this "idea".... maybe a catch-up to the P-38; or an ancestor?

Grizz

bdhold · Post by **bdhold** » Thu Jun 02, 2011 12:08 pm

for starters, it was built to land on carriers
next it was rated with a top speed of 383 which does match the P38.
When the Navy finally bought a version, the 460 mph F7F it was too late - they were already going into jets

Grizz · Post by **Grizz** » Thu Jun 02, 2011 12:23 pm

Thanks for the history. Looks great in the photo. Resembles the A-20 to me.

It's a beaut.

Grizz

bdhold · Post by **bdhold** » Thu Jun 02, 2011 1:03 pm

The Navy bought 313 F-7F Tigercats after 1946, and flew them into Korea, but were already starting to move them into storage and eventual scrap in 1949.
It's predecessor, the experimental Skyrocket, first flew in 1940, and by 1943 had already evolved into the Tigercat prototype.
And it's a Grumman - they take a lot of punishment.

Grizz · Post by **Grizz** » Thu Jun 02, 2011 2:16 pm

Yeah I always liked riding in Grummans. They exude quality workmanship. Look as right on the insides as on the outside.

Grizz · Post by **Grizz** » Thu Jun 02, 2011 7:21 pm

Grizz wrote:Yeah I always liked riding in Grummans. They exude quality workmanship. Look as right on the insides as on the outside.

speaking of Grummans:

you can have this one for 11$

from this site:

http://www.fiddlersgreen.net/models/Air ... Goose.html

back up the URL and look at the rest of their offerings. they have a very good collection of Grumman aircraft.

COSteve · Post by **COSteve** » Thu Jun 02, 2011 7:57 pm

Deleted

Grizz · Post by **Grizz** » Thu Jun 02, 2011 8:07 pm

That's awesome Steve.

thanks for posting; it's hard to appreciate how big REALLY BIG really is...

jfg_4 · Post by **jfg_4** » Thu Jun 02, 2011 9:28 pm

Never knew about the ICBM launches out of the back of a C-5!

Here is a YouTube of it...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96A0wb1O ... ata_player

olyinaz · Post by **olyinaz** » Thu Jun 02, 2011 11:35 pm

Curtis-Wright XP-55:

Japanese Shinden:

Oly

COSteve · Post by **COSteve** » Fri Jun 03, 2011 10:19 am

Deleted

Ben_Rumson · Post by **Ben_Rumson** » Fri Jun 03, 2011 7:12 pm

As a kid I thought the Pogo was a cool VTOL ac... It wasn’t until I saw it on the TV show “WINGS” as an adult that the weakness of the design became apparent...LOL

awp101 · Post by **awp101** » Sun Jun 05, 2011 10:57 am

For the A20 fans:

June 5, 2011 - Douglas A-20C Havoc
Photo: Taken at Langley Field, Virginia in July 1942.
Thanks for the photo, Reddman!
CREDIT

Some additional info I just found on the above pic:
A Douglas A-20C-BO Havoc at Langley Field, Virginia (USA), in July 1942. Since the aircraft wears the number "635" and is painted in a British camouflage scheme this aircraft is most probably the A-20C-BO s/n 41-19635. This Havoc had been license built under the Lend-Lease-Agreement for the Royal Air Force, but most of these aircraft were diverted to the USAAF.

I prefer the hardnose versions myself (same with the B25 as well):

January 17, 2010 - Douglas A-20 Havocs
CREDIT

This one makes a cool comp background.

gak · Post by **gak** » Sun Jun 05, 2011 12:13 pm

[quote="awp101"]For the A20 fans:[Quote]

Tied with the B-17, my father's favorite of the bombers--and the most "fun" to fly. Many hours spent in the left-hand seat, second only to the B-17 then the 24, 29. I have an A-20 shot of my father in flight somewhere in the archives.

damienph · Post by **damienph** » Sun Jun 05, 2011 5:28 pm

olyinaz wrote:Curtis-Wright XP-55:

Oly

Wasn't this one called the Acsender, not so affectionally known as the "Azz-ender" by the test pilots? (PC spelling; substitute s for z)

6pt-sika · Post by **6pt-sika** » Sun Jun 05, 2011 7:23 pm

While this isn't what the title meant about cool aircraft ...................................

I kinda think a cool aircraft is any plane that takes off on time , is comfortable and arrives on time especially when I'm one of the passengers

awp101 · Post by **awp101** » Mon Jun 06, 2011 7:57 am

In honor of the event 67 years ago today:

Pre-invasion recon pic of one of the beaches to check the defenses. taken by an F4/F5 Lightning IIRC. Note the German troops and French workers scattering.

awp101 · Post by **awp101** » Mon Jun 06, 2011 7:59 am

June 6, 2011 - de Havilland DH.100 Vampire

CREDIT

olyinaz · Post by **olyinaz** » Mon Jun 06, 2011 3:24 pm

I took this shot:

I've always found the 757 to be a sexy machine. Slender body, long legs and big jugs -- what's not to like?

Cheers,
Oly

awp101 · Post by **awp101** » Tue Jun 07, 2011 8:03 am

olyinaz wrote:I've always found the 757 to be a sexy machine. Slender body, long legs and big jugs -- what's not to like?

I've always thought the 767 had better proportions.

Cool shots BTW!

COSteve · Post by **COSteve** » Tue Jun 07, 2011 11:48 am

Deleted

awp101 · Post by **awp101** » Tue Jun 07, 2011 1:25 pm

COSteve wrote:Not a true 'airplane' per say, but the Russian WIG (Wing in Ground Effect) craft did 'fly' in ground effect over the water.

On a trip to St. Petersburg and Moscow last August, I saw a troop / vehicle transport version mounted at 'flying' height in a Moscow waterway and snapped a couple of pictures. Turbine engines at the front (exhaust nozzles visible behind and below the cockpit) as well as a tail mount turboprop.

Cool! Google "Caspian Sea Monster"...

I've got a number of Ekranoplan pics on my home comp I'll have to post Wed/Thurs night.

GonnePhishin · Post by **GonnePhishin** » Tue Jun 07, 2011 1:44 pm

[img]mystery0168.jpg[/img]

mystery0168.jpg

Rare picture of an experimental P-51 Mustang that was intended to counter the new German ME-262 fighter.

awp101 · Post by **awp101** » Mon Jun 13, 2011 11:17 am

How about an Ultralight?

http://www.buildaircraft.com/ultralights/cloudster.htm

Personally, I'd like a little more "structure" around me.

Pretty much the same reason I don't ride motorcycles...

Grizz · Post by **Grizz** » Mon Jun 13, 2011 12:36 pm

Here's a vid of my all-time favorite ultralight sailplane:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzNKEhVKtJA

Here's the web page:

http://m-sandlin.info/goat/goat.htm

and here's the money shot:

the detail building plans are on the site and they are free

Grizz

olyinaz · Post by **olyinaz** » Mon Jun 13, 2011 1:53 pm

That's really nice Grizz and it harkens back to Otto Lilienthal and the first true flying contraptions.

Here's a great shot of one of the best looking fighters ever produced (in my view). The Curtiss P-36 Hawk:

As much as I love the performance of the later round engine fighters, it's hard to beat these lines!

Oly

Grizz · Post by **Grizz** » Mon Jun 13, 2011 7:47 pm

Lots of class for sure. Lots of elbow grease or compressed air loved that fuse.

Looks kind of short coupled, is that just the angle? Or is it a smallish plane?

Usually they are a lot larger than they look in pics.

Ji in Hawaii · Post by **Ji in Hawaii** » Mon Jun 13, 2011 8:07 pm

They ain't pretty but the STOL performance of these Slepcev Storch are amazing. Based on the WWII German Fieseler Fi 156 Storch but built to 3/4 size. Due to extreme short takeoff & landing distances and slow landing speed a nice bush plane.
http://www.slepcevstorch.com/

awp101 · Post by **awp101** » Mon Jun 13, 2011 8:20 pm

Grizz wrote:Looks kind of short coupled, is that just the angle? Or is it a smallish plane?

Usually they are a lot larger than they look in pics.

The P36 and P40 aren't as big as they seem.

Here's one from my collection, a Curtiss P6E:

Since we're looking at 1930s US stuff, here's a Boeing P12 (another from my collection):

Grizz · Post by **Grizz** » Mon Jun 13, 2011 8:21 pm

Yup the Storch is a completely awesome aircraft. The modern day sport class equivalent:

take some time to watch the videos. it's a kit!

http://www.zenithair.com/stolch701/index1.html

they have others and larger ones, but this one would get you a long ways from here for a not unreasonable fare.

awp101 · Post by **awp101** » Mon Jun 13, 2011 8:27 pm

Someone mentioned they didn't know seaplanes were still around. Here's a Russian Beriev A40 in use as a water bomber:

Grizz · Post by **Grizz** » Mon Jun 13, 2011 8:45 pm

drifting into more general aviation. this is similar to a plane I had some dual time in:

http://www.hangar9aeroworks.com/stinson ... anding.JPG

the image is too big for the thread.

http://www.hangar9aeroworks.com/stinson ... llery.html

Differences were, continental engine, leading edge slats, LARGE tundra tires, enlarged vertical stab to control the torque. it took full rudder to stay straight on full power take off. it would take off across the Juneau runway. from the threshhold it was at pattern altitude, 800, well before passing the tower.

With the leading edge slats you could fly about 40 with full aileron control, just floating along. With the engine at dead slow idle you could trim it to porpoise, flying near stall and recovering by itself.

I got to practice flying a box over an island and I once flew it to Skagway in high winds, except for take-off and landing.

I helped recover the plane after it stalled on take-off from a gravel beach. He ditched as close to the shore line as he could, swam in, and spent a cold night just surviving with his son. A diver got a line on it and I ran my boat down and picked up the fuselauge and flying surfaces. The plane was totally rebuilt to fly lots more hours.

my friend died in the plane when he got hit by a viscious downdraft on final over a dirt strip. the windsocks at each end were hanging straight down. miss that guy a lot. the guys waiting for him said he got slammed straight down and very hard. zero rollout.

Ji in Hawaii · Post by **Ji in Hawaii** » Mon Jun 13, 2011 10:05 pm

Seamax by Airmax (I love flying boats)

gak · Post by **gak** » Mon Jun 13, 2011 10:22 pm

Anyone know the P-39? IIRC, many saw Russian duty.

awp101 · Post by **awp101** » Mon Jun 13, 2011 10:43 pm

gak wrote:Anyone know the P-39? IIRC, many saw Russian duty.

Yup. Do some reading on the P63 Kingcobra and Operation Pinball (IIRC).

awp101 · Post by **awp101** » Tue Jun 14, 2011 8:32 am

COSteve wrote:Not a true 'airplane' per say, but the Russian WIG (Wing in Ground Effect) craft did 'fly' in ground effect over the water.

Here's some of the WiG pics I've run across over the years.

Orlenok (I don't recall if that's the class name or manufacturer name):

Lun guided missle/troop carrier:

KM3 "Caspian Sea Monster"

I don't have any pics offhand, but they even make "personal size" WiGs. They generally use two props and ductwork and are really neat looking.

Grizz · Post by **Grizz** » Tue Jun 14, 2011 8:44 am

gak wrote:Anyone know the P-39? IIRC, many saw Russian duty.

An uncle died in one in a training accident. Pilot error. The P 400 variant.

Here's an article on the gun, 1.46cal Browning built by Colt that fired thru the nose cone.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M4_cannon

olyinaz · Post by **olyinaz** » Tue Jun 14, 2011 2:00 pm

I've always really liked the P-39. It has tricycle gear as well which is kind of interesting for a WWII prop-fighter.

Here's a P-63:

Very sadly, one crashed in the UK in 2001: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=727Q2fDV ... verified=1

Oly

stretch · Post by **stretch** » Tue Jun 14, 2011 2:47 pm

A couple of many sites with information on this crashed P-39
recovered from a Russian lake. It's fascinating how the Russkis
adapted the airplane to their specific needs. Note lunch in the
ammo racks in the wings!!!

http://www.eaa.org/news/2010/2010-10-21_p-39.asp
http://lend-lease.airforce.ru/english/a ... /index.htm

And you know who is said to have liked the P-39?

Chuck Yeager, of all people!

-Stretch

jhvaughan2 · Post by **jhvaughan2** » Tue Jun 14, 2011 6:18 pm

Did I miss it. I cant belive it went for 13 pages without the Electra 10

GonnePhishin · Post by **GonnePhishin** » Fri Jun 17, 2011 10:05 am

I remember seeing an article years ago on the P-63 and how Bell made a version that had a full blown bubble canopy and put a Packard-Merlin engine into it like the Mustang's had. It was equal in all aspects to the Mustang and could even out turn it but by that time it wasn't needed (late '44) so it never went into production. Wish I still had that magazine.

olyinaz · Post by **olyinaz** » Fri Jun 17, 2011 7:37 pm

Easily one of the coolest jet aircraft to ever fly, the iconic British Vulcan bomber!

Cheers,
Oly

J Miller · Post by **J Miller** » Fri Jun 17, 2011 8:52 pm

Oly,

That Vulcan looks more like a Manta Ray that's missing it's tail than anything else.

Pretty neat though.

Joe

Ji in Hawaii · Post by **Ji in Hawaii** » Sat Jun 18, 2011 12:24 am

Did somebody say "Vulcan"?