Washington Air Museum 25-11-12

[Jimbuna]

http://img838.imageshack.us/img838/9340/37340375.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/838/37340375.jpg/)

http://img839.imageshack.us/img839/3997/17844633.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/839/17844633.jpg/)

http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/912/77830447.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/13/77830447.jpg/)

http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/285/18295666.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/341/18295666.jpg/)

http://img839.imageshack.us/img839/1327/98880640.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/839/98880640.jpg/)

http://img543.imageshack.us/img543/4679/84435788.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/543/84435788.jpg/)

[Herr-Berbunch]

A great start :yeah:

[Jimbuna]

In truth, not the best museum I've visited and a lot of the exhibits were in need of some tlc but it was local and put an afternoon in.

For all that, still testament to the fact I believe it is run by one guy and relies on lottery handouts and a small group of volunteers.

Got to see my first Pucara anyways.

[Jimbuna]

http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/9181/93965750.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/210/93965750.jpg/)

http://img87.imageshack.us/img87/9837/19552592.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/87/19552592.jpg/)

http://img594.imageshack.us/img594/5006/51143641.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/594/51143641.jpg/)

http://img31.imageshack.us/img31/8933/58502141.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/31/58502141.jpg/)

http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/607/11407494.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/231/11407494.jpg/)

[AVGWarhawk]

The first aircraft posted...it just looks fast sitting there on the pad. What is it?

[Jimbuna]

An English Electric Lightning....high speed interceptor:

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

[AVGWarhawk]

Mach 2...yeah....it's fast! :o

[Jimbuna]

Certainly was in its day but her AAM were mediocre at best.

[Herr-Berbunch]

And as for fuel load . . . :nope:

Lovely to watch them go vertical after take off though. :yep:

[Oberon]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_CDLbokf9sg

Only thing that could come close for that level of climb after take off is the F-15, was capable of intercepting a U-2 at previously thought safe altitudes too. :salute: Beautiful aircraft. :yep:

[Stealhead]

I would argue that the Lighting was as good as any other first generation Mach 2 fighter.Given the technology available at the time it was a good it got.

At least the Lighting was not a flop like its US counterpart the F-102 that plane could not exceed Mach 1.25.The F-102 had to be completely redesigned and the F-106 came along and did a better job starting in 1959.So the English Electric Lighting has the honor of being the first operational and successful Western Block Mach 2 fighter.

EDIT: Sorry the F-106 entered service in June 1959 and the Lighting on December 1959 so the US edges out the Brits.Of course both aircraft had rather lousy missiles so they would have most likely only been able to wave a TU-95 crews.Interestingly the F-106 and the Lighting both stayed on active service until 1988.

[Herr-Berbunch]

. . . so they would have most likely only been able to wave a TU-95 crews.

And that's pretty much what they did, the Lightnings at least. And take photos. :yep:

[nikimcbee]

Now I read on the internetz that BAC and MiG had hooked up for a holiday weekend. After dinner, movie and a bottle of wine, they went back to the cottage on the beach for a quiet evening.


Nine months later, BAC had a baby and it looked like this:


http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/912/77830447.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/13/77830447.jpg/)

[nikimcbee]

http://www.richard-seaman.com/Wallpaper/Aircraft/Fighters/Russian/VietnameseMig21Taxying.jpg

I'm not paying child support, the kid doesn't look at al like me!

[AVGWarhawk]

Whatever the case the Electric Lighting is built for speed and she did not disappoint in her prime. Great aircraft.

[Stealhead]

Florida Air National Guard (Jacksonville) F-106 circa 1976(bicentennial)
from a Tu-95 point of view.It must have been the Naval aviation version off the coast of FL they used to fly from Cuba sometimes.
The F-106 had nuclear tipped missiles perhaps to make up for things.

http://i1162.photobucket.com/albums/q527/datsun260zyojimbo/58-0760_bear-escort.jpg

Lighting and Tu-95 sorry don't know anything about this unit.Maybe one of you Brits does.

http://i1162.photobucket.com/albums/q527/datsun260zyojimbo/zwcrw.jpg

[Herr-Berbunch]

Off the top of my head it's either 23 or 29 Sqn, both have a red eagle like that but one has a yellow bird victim.

I can search later for a precise history for that a/c and Sqn.

[Oberon]

I think 29 Squadron has the victim bird.

Found this website last night regarding 29 Squadron and their dances with Bears and Argies, makes for good reading, features the Brick/Rhino rather than the Frightening, but it's got some nice snippets of info, like this:

In order to take a picture of our F4 Phantom, one of the Bear's crewman would have to position a massive camera, on a cart or something, in the window appropriate to the side on which we were flying. He would have to hook it up to the power supply, aim it, focus it and... ...just as he was about to take his happy snap, we'd move to the other side. He, presumably muttering some Marxist curse, would have to start all over again. We could have hours of fun with that guy. Above all, however, despite the hazardous and occasionally light-hearted side of it, this was real operational work and I was proud to be a part of it.

EDIT: Funnily enough, the Lightning in that pic, XR753 is preserved at RAF Coningsby now. :yep: http://www.thunder-and-lightnings.co.uk/lightning/survivor.php?id=215

[Herr-Berbunch]

Thanks Jamie, I always got confused between those two Sqns. :doh:

There is an ex-Saudi F53 dressed up as XR753 at Tangmere, too.

[Jimbuna]

Could be wrong but I think the one I posted is ex-Saudi as well.

[Herr-Berbunch]

Yep, another F53 from Saudi. Did we Brits not keep any UK ones? :/\\!!

(Yes, I know we did really - Charles Ross has XR725 in his garden only about 13 miles from me :yeah: )

[Jimbuna]

Supposed to be a real beauty at East Fortune.

[Jimbuna]

http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/963/32678855.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/96/32678855.jpg/)

http://img811.imageshack.us/img811/9990/51648575.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/811/51648575.jpg/)

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http://img607.imageshack.us/img607/482/30682754.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/607/30682754.jpg/)

http://img163.imageshack.us/img163/1424/16111551.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/163/16111551.jpg/)

[Herr-Berbunch]

Supposed to be a real beauty at East Fortune.

Indeed, a quick check shows they've really looked after her. The whole airfield in fact - shame most in the rest of the UK didn't get the same regard.

The rest of the collection looks great too. :yeah:

[Jimbuna]

Indeed, a quick check shows they've really looked after her. The whole airfield in fact - shame most in the rest of the UK didn't get the same regard.

The rest of the collection looks great too. :yeah:

Possibly the first trip of 2013....we're having a curry night in the town next week where we'll draw up a list of the tours and dates.

If we stay sober long enough :)

[Gerald]

If we stay sober long enough Today is Thursday, and we know what it means,:smug:

[Jimbuna]

Today is Thursday, and we know what it means,:smug:

You a gambling man?

You'll lose that bet tonight :yep:

[Gerald]

You a gambling man?

You'll lose that bet tonight :yep: You a gambling man, not at all, but I could be wrong, so you are at home or work....:arrgh!:

[Jimbuna]

I'll be home studying for an exam and keeping an eye on you :)

[Gerald]

I'll be home studying for an exam and keeping an eye on you :) I hope that these studies have a good outcome, good luck,it was a long time since I need a bodyguard,:yep:

[Jimbuna]

I hope that these studies have a good outcome, good luck,it was a long time since I need a bodyguard,:yep:

From what I hear (another thread derailment) it's a psychiatrist :O:

[Gerald]

From what I hear (another thread derailment) it's a psychiatrist :O: Hey...Twenty years ago, when I was involved in organized crime, I worked "undercover" when I had a constant courtship of just backup, but I now understand that they were not psychiatrists,if they had been there, I would have still been playing in the sandbox,:arrgh!:

[Jimbuna]

If you were the organiser pity help that criminal fraternity is all I can say :)

[Gerald]

But my help, it was so that different countries' crime was mapped in Sweden ... and a benefit to the police who in many cases have to clean up after their operations, so this was a plus,:cool:

[Jimbuna]

Indeed, a quick check shows they've really looked after her. The whole airfield in fact - shame most in the rest of the UK didn't get the same regard.

The rest of the collection looks great too. :yeah:

Yes, she certainly looks well worth going to see.

http://www.thunder-and-lightnings.co.uk/lightning/survivors/xn776-eastfortune-9705.jpg

[Gerald]

What are they for opening hours,:hmmm:

[Jimbuna]

They have a website:

http://www.nms.ac.uk/our_museums/museum_of_flight.aspx

[Gerald]

Thanks,:)

[Jimbuna]

http://img23.imageshack.us/img23/2774/jaguarw.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/23/jaguarw.jpg/)

[Jimbuna]

Thanks,:)

You going?

[Gerald]

You going? Yes, next week

[Jimbuna]

What day?

[Gerald]

What day? But not to the museum, to London at Thursday,:)

[Jimbuna]

But not to the museum, to London at Thursday,:)

Then pop into the IWM or Duxford.

[Gerald]

This,http://www.iwm.org.uk/visits/hms-belfast

[Herr-Berbunch]

Nice 54 Sqn Jag up there Jim.

Here's one (not 54's) the lolwaffles parked earlier -

http://simotron.files.wordpress.com/2012/02/le-jaguar-du-cev-apres-la-tempete-du-24-01-09.jpg?w=1024&h=682

[Oberon]

I approve of this landing! :yep:

[Gerald]

H-B Tried to land.......again,:hmmm:

[Jimbuna]

Been there and got the t-shirt

[Jimbuna]

http://img849.imageshack.us/img849/3227/99722651.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/849/99722651.jpg/)

http://img39.imageshack.us/img39/7421/43707822.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/39/43707822.jpg/)

http://img593.imageshack.us/img593/4366/24105834.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/593/24105834.jpg/)

http://img37.imageshack.us/img37/536/93071967.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/37/93071967.jpg/)

http://img838.imageshack.us/img838/1426/46839909.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/838/46839909.jpg/)

[nikimcbee]

Nice 54 Sqn Jag up there Jim.

Here's one (not 54's) the lolwaffles parked earlier -

http://simotron.files.wordpress.com/2012/02/le-jaguar-du-cev-apres-la-tempete-du-24-01-09.jpg?w=1024&h=682

Landing. You're doing it wrong.

[Jimbuna]

http://img51.imageshack.us/img51/6163/91442704.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/51/91442704.jpg/)

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[Jimbuna]

http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/4224/30854813.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/201/30854813.jpg/)

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http://img547.imageshack.us/img547/2428/46268560.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/547/46268560.jpg/)

[Jimbuna]

http://img805.imageshack.us/img805/2237/86530800.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/805/86530800.jpg/)

http://img507.imageshack.us/img507/6500/20187321.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/507/20187321.jpg/)

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http://img528.imageshack.us/img528/5706/36bd.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/528/36bd.jpg/)

[Gerald]

Glad to see them again,:)

[Herr-Berbunch]

All good. :yeah:

I found out the other week that there is a company at Scampton trying to get a Buccaneer back in the air, they also have an Su-22 to compliment their 15 Hunters. :yeah::yeah:

I'm not far from Scampton, but I've not seen them, yet.

[Jimbuna]

First Danish Hunter I've seen and Scampton is on our list of places to visit.

[Herr-Berbunch]

Didn't know Scampton had a museum. :oops:

An old CRO/PRO from Scampton has his own website - it's a great read of his whole career. http://www.tonycunnane.co.uk/

Whilst you're in the Scampton area, that museum doesn't look like it'd take too long to view, you might want to go to Coningsby to the BBMF/museum (again, doesn't take forever), or head to the bunker at http://www.rafholmpton.com/ . :yeah:

[Oberon]

FYI, at Kemble they're looking to make a Canberra PR9 flyable again.

This one, to be precise: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atHEDbZDgPw

[Jimbuna]

Didn't know Scampton had a museum. :oops:

An old CRO/PRO from Scampton has his own website - it's a great read of his whole career. http://www.tonycunnane.co.uk/

Whilst you're in the Scampton area, that museum doesn't look like it'd take too long to view, you might want to go to Coningsby to the BBMF/museum (again, doesn't take forever), or head to the bunker at http://www.rafholmpton.com/ . :yeah:

Rgr that, Coningsby is already a dead cert...looking forward to seeing the BBMF, Tonkas and Tiffies :cool:

[Jimbuna]

http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/9821/36cns.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/9/36cns.jpg/)

http://img21.imageshack.us/img21/2166/36dt.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/21/36dt.jpg/)

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http://img694.imageshack.us/img694/2923/88241143.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/694/88241143.jpg/)

[Jimbuna]

http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/7472/64625471.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/402/64625471.jpg/)

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http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/7056/54454456.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/341/54454456.jpg/)

[Herr-Berbunch]

Is that a Link Trainer to the right of the 1000 lb bomb?

[Jimbuna]

IIRC yes but not 100% sure.

[Jimbuna]

http://img803.imageshack.us/img803/7695/63375085.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/803/63375085.jpg/)

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http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/3157/69000975.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/24/69000975.jpg/)

[Jimbuna]

http://img191.imageshack.us/img191/9473/34091504.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/191/34091504.jpg/)

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http://img51.imageshack.us/img51/3853/84742572.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/51/84742572.jpg/)

[Oberon]

For a smallish and relatively unknown place, they have a lot of kit. :yep:

[Herr-Berbunch]

That poor Vulcan needs a lot of TLC. :cry:

Edit - nearly missed seeing that Bloodhound next to the Vulcan. Spent a lot of my teens at North Coates in the compound waiting for one to fire (disappointingly never did) - over Mach 1 by the time it left the rails.

[Jimbuna]

For a smallish and relatively unknown place, they have a lot of kit. :yep:

Aye that but everything seems to be cramped together.

[Jimbuna]

That poor Vulcan needs a lot of TLC. :cry:

Edit - nearly missed seeing that Bloodhound next to the Vulcan. Spent a lot of my teens at North Coates in the compound waiting for one to fire (disappointingly never did) - over Mach 1 by the time it left the rails.

Aye that....the ground was too waterlogged to get any nearer and it was far too cold to trust my fingers with changing to a zoomed lens.

[Gerald]

Good,:salute:

[Jimbuna]

Danke