Heavy Metal

An incomplete fuselage was sitting in a hangar somewhere in Ukraine since the ‘90s I think. The operational one was destroyed
yes, i believe this is correct. the one/only operational plane was destroyed.

Ukraine Detains 2 Over Destruction of World's Largest Plane - The Moscow Times

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Hughes Aircraft/Raytheon makes the radar for the current U-2s in service.
I can neither confirm nor deny that I worked on it. ;^)

What does the 'U' stand for in the name of the U-2 spy/reconaissance aeroplane?

The U-2 spy plane is a high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft and is also known as the Dragon Lady, a nickname that reflects its sleek design and challenging flight characteristics. The U in the name of the U-2 stands for Utility, which is a designation given by the United States Air Force (USAF) to aircraft that are used for general purposes, such as transport, training, or liaison.

The U-2 was originally designed by Lockheed's Skunk Works, a secret division that specialized in developing advanced and experimental aircraft. This was given the Utility designation because it was intended to be a versatile and adaptable platform that could carry different types of sensors and payloads depending on the mission. The U-2 was also given a low-priority status by the USAF, which meant that it received less funding and attention than other aircraft projects.
It proved to be a remarkable spy plane that could fly above 70,000 feet (21,000 meters) and carry a variety of cameras, radars, and electronic sensors. U-2 has also been used for scientific research, such as sampling the upper atmosphere for nuclear radiation, and for humanitarian purposes, such as monitoring natural disasters and environmental changes.

The U-2 is still in service today, after more than 60 years of operation. It has undergone several upgrades and modifications over the years, resulting in different variants such as the U-2A, U-2C, U-2R, TR-1, and U-2S. The latest model, the U-2S, has improved avionics, engines, sensors, and stealth features. The U-2 is currently operated by the USAF and NASA for various missions around the world. The U-2 is expected to remain in service until at least 2025, when it may be replaced by unmanned aerial vehicles or satellites.

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Coming attractions. Kenworth Supertruck 2.

Diesel hybrid, 26K lbs, 7K lbs lighter than its best, Class 8 truck. Still a project.experimental vehicle but even old timers like me will see these on highways in the next 10 years I bet.

source: Kenworth Trucks

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Three minute video overview.

 
Just about everything the Air Force had in inventory in 1957!

Three of these aircraft are still in the active inventory in the USAF in modernized variants.

USAF image.

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Just about everything the Air Force had in inventory in 1957!

Three of these aircraft are still in the active inventory in the USAF in modernized variants.

USAF image.

This is at Eglin AFB in Florida.
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Lotta heavy metal here, a mix of "old" (by 1957 standards) and "new". I see a F102 delta wing in the foreground center, and a B36 and B52 in the background. The fighters are all surely retired.

As to what is still in service today (though modernizleed), I only know about the B-52.

Maybe one is that amphibious plane on the right middle, or a variant of the helicopter, or one of the BIGGER transport/tanker planes in the background?

Lotta neat photos here if one wants to nerd out on some vintage stuff at Eglin (opened 1935): VINTAGE PHOTOS: Eglin Air Force Base over the years

B-52 undergoing a climate test at Eglin (year unknown)
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This is controversial. Pics are in 1955 at Eglin, alleged to be Florida's then-oldest Civil War veteran at age 107.

Dunno if it got setlled. Some say he was born 1848, others say 1859 -- the former he would have been like 17 at war's end, the later more like 7 years old. One date sorta works, one clearly dont.

Anyway, it makes a cool pic of a 98 to 107 year old posing with machine - an airplane let alone a jet (F-100 Super Sabre) - invented during his lifetime.

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Dunno the plane, but this 1978 photo shows a four engine, prop (gotta be WWII vintage) plane (bomber) on display.
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Ejector seat test in 1960
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This is at Eglin AFB in Florida.

View attachment 667113
Lotta heavy metal here, a mix of "old" (by 1957 standards) and "new". I see a F102 delta wing in the foreground center, and a B36 and B52 in the background.

As to what is still in service today (though modernizleed), I only know about the B-52. Maybe one is that amphibious plane on the right middle, or a variant of the helicopter, or one of the BIGGER transport/tanker planes in the background.

Lotta neat photos here if one wants to nerd out on some vintage stuff at Eglin (opened 1935): VINTAGE PHOTOS: Eglin Air Force Base over the years

B-52 undergoing a climate test at Eglin (year unknown)
View attachment 667103

This is controversial. It is 1955 at Eglin, alleged to by Florida's then-oldest Civil War veteran at age 107. Dunno if it got setlled (some say he was born 1848, others say 1859 -- the former he would have been like 17, the later more like 7 years old. One date works, one dont.

Anyway, it makes a cool pic of a 98 to 107 year old posing with machine - an airplane let alone a jet (F-100 Super Sabre) - invented in his lifetime.

View attachment 667104View attachment 667105


Dunno the plane, but this 1978 photo shows a four engine, prop (gotta be WWII vintage) plane (bomber) on display.View attachment 667110


Ejector seat test in 1960
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B-52, C-130 and C-135 (707) still in use.
NASA is using a modified B-57 too.
 
that B-57 is cool, but as an aside, its an odd design.

Wing area/shape, engine placement "on top" of wing, fuselage shape ... must be some method to the madness.

neat rig ... It was a bomber.
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source: Martin B-57 Canberra - Wikipedia

General characteristics
  • Crew: 2 (pilot, navigator)
  • Length: 65 ft 6 in (20.0 m)
  • Wingspan: 64 ft 0 in (19.5 m)
  • Height: 14 ft 10 in (4.52 m)
  • Wing area: 960 sq ft (89 m2)
  • Empty weight: 27,090 lb (12,285 kg)
  • Gross weight: 40,345 lb (18,300 kg)
  • Max takeoff weight: 53,720 lb (24,365 kg)
  • Zero-lift drag coefficient: 0.0119
  • Drag area: 11.45 ft2 (1.06 m2)
  • Aspect ratio: 4.27
  • Powerplant: 2 × Wright J65-W-5 turbojets, 7,220 lbf (32.1 kN) thrust each
Performance
  • Maximum speed: 598 mph (960 km/h, 520 kn) at 2,500 ft (760 m)
  • Maximum speed: Mach 0.79
  • Cruise speed: 476 mph (765 km/h, 414 kn)
  • Stall speed: 124 mph (200 km/h, 108 kn)
  • Combat range: 950 mi (1,530 km, 825 nmi) with 5,250 lb (2,380 kg) of bombs
  • Ferry range: 2,720 mi (4,380 km, 2,360 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 45,100 ft (13,745 m)
  • Rate of climb: 6,180 ft/min (31.4 m/s)
  • Wing loading: 42 lb/sq ft (205 kg/m2)
  • Thrust/weight: 0.36
  • Lift-to-drag ratio: 15.0
Armament
  • Guns:20 mm (0.787 in) M39 cannon, 290 rounds/gun
  • Bombs:** 4,500 lb (2,000 kg) in bomb bay, including nuclear bombs
    • 2,800 lb (1,300 kg) on four external hardpoints, including unguided rockets
Avionics
  • APW-11 Bombing Air Radar Guidance System
  • SHORAN bombing system
  • APS-54 Radar Warning Receiver
 
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This is at Eglin AFB in Florida.

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Planes in photo identified (asserted). Many I never heard of, turns out the red one on left is the B-57.

"Major U.S. Air Force aircraft in 1957,

Outer circle, clockwise: Convair B-36 Peacemaker bomber, Douglas C-124 Globemaster II transport, Boeing KB-50 Superfortress tanker, Lockheed C-130A Hercules transport, Grumman SA-16 Albatross rescue amphibian, Northrop F-89D Scorpion interceptor, McDonnell RF-101A Voodoo reconnaissance plane, Convair F-102A Delta Dart interceptor, North American F-l00 Super Sabre fighter, Martin B-57B Canberra bomber, Douglas B-66B Destroyer bomber, Boeing B-47 Stratojet bomber, Boeing KC-135A Stratotanker tanker, Boeing B-52 Stratofortress bomber.
Inner circle: Boeing KC-97 Stratocruiser tanker, Republic F-84F Thunderstreak fighter, North American F-86H Sabre fighter, Cessna T-37A Tweet jet trainer, F-86D interceptor, Lockheed F-94C Starfire interceptor, Lockheed RC-121D Warning Star AWACS.


Center: Sikorsky SH-19A helicopter"

source: File:Major US Air Force aircraft in 1957.jpg - Wikimedia Commons
 
B-52, C-130 and C-135 (707) still in use.
NASA is using a modified B-57 too.
goofin' around at lunch. i seem to recall the helicopter at an airshow like 10 years ago.

got my attention cuz its engine is nose mounted. looked funny but seemed to get s lot of attention at this show.

first, i dont know one way or another ... didn't take time to locate multiple sources. really dont know helicopters that well at all ... we haven't done that many in this thread either

But, there is some indication that that helicopter .. the "Sikorsky SH-19", retired ca. 1970 .. lives on today in derivative form as the "H-34."

think so?

source: Sikorsky H-34 - Wikipedia
 
that B-57 is cool, but as an aside, its an odd design.

Wing area/shape, engine placement "on top" of wing, fuselage shape ... must be some method to the madness.

neat rig ... It was a bomber.
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source: Martin B-57 Canberra - Wikipedia

General characteristics
  • Crew: 2 (pilot, navigator)
  • Length: 65 ft 6 in (20.0 m)
  • Wingspan: 64 ft 0 in (19.5 m)
  • Height: 14 ft 10 in (4.52 m)
  • Wing area: 960 sq ft (89 m2)
  • Empty weight: 27,090 lb (12,285 kg)
  • Gross weight: 40,345 lb (18,300 kg)
  • Max takeoff weight: 53,720 lb (24,365 kg)
  • Zero-lift drag coefficient: 0.0119
  • Drag area: 11.45 ft2 (1.06 m2)
  • Aspect ratio: 4.27
  • Powerplant: 2 × Wright J65-W-5 turbojets, 7,220 lbf (32.1 kN) thrust each
Performance
  • Maximum speed: 598 mph (960 km/h, 520 kn) at 2,500 ft (760 m)
  • Maximum speed: Mach 0.79
  • Cruise speed: 476 mph (765 km/h, 414 kn)
  • Stall speed: 124 mph (200 km/h, 108 kn)
  • Combat range: 950 mi (1,530 km, 825 nmi) with 5,250 lb (2,380 kg) of bombs
  • Ferry range: 2,720 mi (4,380 km, 2,360 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 45,100 ft (13,745 m)
  • Rate of climb: 6,180 ft/min (31.4 m/s)
  • Wing loading: 42 lb/sq ft (205 kg/m2)
  • Thrust/weight: 0.36
  • Lift-to-drag ratio: 15.0
Armament
  • Guns:20 mm (0.787 in) M39 cannon, 290 rounds/gun
  • Bombs:** 4,500 lb (2,000 kg) in bomb bay, including nuclear bombs
    • 2,800 lb (1,300 kg) on four external hardpoints, including unguided rockets
Avionics
  • APW-11 Bombing Air Radar Guidance System
  • SHORAN bombing system
  • APS-54 Radar Warning Receiver
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A licensed built version of the English Electric Canberra by Glen L. Martin aircraft
 
Tangent alert.

Some more classic pictures

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Alleged to be (right side of photo foreground, left side shoulder in background) the QEW (near Toronto) in Canada summer of 1972. A flock of OVERheated cars.

Idle thoughts:

1. I have NEVER seen such a thing for that alleged reason. Seen/been in a group of cars with flat tires having encountered a common road hazard. But 20 folks on the shoulder hood up/some apparently overflowing/cleaking coolant?

2. I was not a vehicle owner in 1972. Its alleged that cars in that era often overheated (principally AC cars one very hot days) back in the day. By 1975 I was a vehicle owner, but lived in Michigan. Never had an overheating problem.

Arizona, or Florida, or Texas? Hot, with traffic jams? Maybe. But Toronto? 50 years ago?

3. Dont/Never did drive my vintage stuff with AC on/windows up. Most of the AC works if car has it, but takes the "fun" out of cruising for me. Guess if I did, and the AC worked, at say the Woodward Dream Cruise or something, I'd see this legendary overheating problem of the old iron?
 
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