Aviation Pictures Part Trois

[ANS Kamas P81]

And I'm not sure what this is meant to be (apart from a hoax), but Wierdo wants ten in 1:285 scale

Some CGI plane crash video from Russia, apparently.  There's a very short (15 seconds or so) shot of it flying, turning, and suffering the same fate as the '94 B-52 crash at Fairchild.

[sadlerbw]

There have been studies about replacing the B-52's eight coal-burners with four high-bypass turbofans, but it comes down to the cost of recertifying, apparently.

Honestly, at this point it would probably be easier to fit a bomb bay to a 777, than to try to replace the engines on a B-52 with modern, high bypass turbofans. Much as I respect those old birds, there is so very much in their design that could stand to be updated, that it probably makes sense to generally leave them alone till they fall apart. Save the money to convert a cargo design into a new bomb truck, and let the stealth stuff handle any nuke triad duties.

[Sharpnel]

And I'm not sure what this is meant to be (apart from a hoax), but Wierdo wants ten in 1:285 scale

That looks like the Megafortress from the novels by Dan Brown

[Weirdo]

And I'm not sure what this is meant to be (apart from a hoax), but Wierdo wants ten in 1:285 scale

He's not wrong... :)

(Fortunately(or not, depending on who you ask) I already have suitable proxies for Torrents. Gotta tell you, it took a while to get used to seeing B-1Bs with Marian markings...)

[I am Belch II]

A An-225 with a bunch more engines and canards.

[chanman]

I think one issue with the B-52 is that the ground clearance for the wings limits the size of the replacement engines. Check out the wing droop on a fully fueled BUFF. Those outriggers aren't there for show

[JadeHellbringer]

I think one issue with the B-52 is that the ground clearance for the wings limits the size of the replacement engines. Check out the wing droop on a fully fueled BUFF. Those outriggers aren't there for show

Oh for sure. Then again, if we're doing a refit on the engines to keep 60-odd-year-old planes flying for another few decades (and it's a good idea to), might as well do a full mid-life upgrade (yes, that's tongue-in-cheek). The A-6 got new wings just prior to their sudden retirement- why not the BUFF? Newer materials used in the primary wing spar not only would lighten the airframe but strengthen it as well, getting rid of the droop- now your wings can handle bigger engine nacelles. Between the new spars and stronger engines, you might even be able to increase the underwing payload.

Dale Brown be damned, I'm not looking to do his stupid Megafortress thing here and add AAMs, a pointy nose, Klingon disruptors and all that crap. But if these are going to fly for another 30 years or so, it's time to give them the overhaul they need to do it. New wings and new engines are the least one could do here.

[I am Belch II]

That big engine that was attached to the B52 was for a early model 747. A engine that is a little larger then the engine that would replace. The engine would replace is the same as on the C17 and the 757. It is quiet and more efficient and newer so easier to fix and get parts for.

[snewsom2997]

Dale Brown be damned, I'm not looking to do his stupid Megafortress thing here and add AAMs, a pointy nose.

See B-1R concept, just about a Megafortress, just with smoother Lines.

[Kidd]

the BUFFs are useful like an old car is - because it'd cost you a lot more to get a brand new vehicle to run about in. Putting anything new on the BUFFs would first require serious cost-benefit analysis. They are the lo part of a hi-lo bomber force. So while they're still excellent (and cheap!) at doing all the workhorse stuff, the most important missions are probably going to go to Bones, Spirits and the new B-3s.

[Easy]

California National Guard C-130 MAFFS (Modular Airborne FireFighting System) Air Attack over Northern California

[Giovanni Blasini]

have they picked the T-x winner yet?


the other contestants:

Lockheed Martin/Korea Aerospace Industries

My wife was actually involved in the T-50 program before Pratt & Whitney moved their APU production.

[Sabelkatten]

California National Guard C-130 MAFFS (Modular Airborne FireFighting System) Air Attack over Northern California

The best kind of close air support! :D

[Easy]

The California Guard performs the wildlands firefighting mission with gusto. They nearly lost one of those hot pink painted Black Hawks last year. Maybe they figure the firestorms aren't as accurate as terrorist RPG teams.

Don't forget to pack in some lunch.



And an extra set of eyes couldn't hurt.



Although a quick peek by the food truck might do in a pinch.



Team Hot Pink Squadron is on the job.

[Feenix74]

Nice, I assume that they do that with Plasti Dip or another removable paint, so it can be easily washed off with a high pressure washer.

Aviation types are smart enough to always pack an esky or portable fridge. An old boss of mine used to fly Chinooks in the 70s and 80s and he would tell stories of carrying a second-hand bar fridge in the back and a portable generator so that they could have cold drinks at the bivouac.

[DoctorMonkey]

all this talk of close air support reminded me of these...


for those of you unaware, the real British sense of humour is vicious and sarcastic

[Sabelkatten]

The last one is SO Through the Ages! Thought it should have been Napoleon in the foreground. ;D

[DaveMac]

all this talk of close air support reminded me of these...


for those of you unaware, the real British sense of humour is vicious and sarcastic

We prefer to think of it as just funny  :D

With a decent line in sarcasm

[Sharpnel]

My wife was actually involved in the T-50 program before Pratt & Whitney moved their APU production.

I expect this aircraft to be the winner as it is a proven airframe and is in service in several air forces in one form or another

[DoctorMonkey]

We prefer to think of it as just funny  :D

With a decent line in sarcasm

shhhh


you'll confuse the septic tanks

[I am Belch II]

Love that F14!

[SethsMatches]

I didn't know Chuck Norris fought in the American Civil War  :P

[HobbesHurlbut]

I didn't know Chuck N >:(orris fought in the American Civil War  :P

I suspect General Sherman is the granddaddy of CHuck Norris.

[JadeHellbringer]

Back on topic, have a Rafale M!

[Fat Guy]

Scaled Composites flew its Model 401 experimental prototype aircraft for the first time on 11 October.

The single-seat single-engined aircraft is one of two that have been built to demonstrate advanced, low-cost manufacturing techniques and provide aircraft for research flight services.

[sadlerbw]

Back on topic, have a Rafale M!

Gah! Someone, PLEASE, figure out how to make that stupid refueling probe retractable! You want to use probe-and-drogue, I get it. Fine, but pretty please get rid of these hideous snorkels sticking out of these beautiful planes! I think the Rafale is generally a beautiful object, and even the ordnance under the wings doesn't change that. The big bendy-straw appendage growing out of its nose? Yuck!

[JadeHellbringer]

Yeah, I'm not a fan of that either, but it's hardly the only- or even worst-offender in that regard. The A-4, A-6, Etendard, CH-53, all have that odd quirk going for them. I suppose there's something to be said for not having it fold inward (and thus not requiring a hinge that could jam up or something like that), but it does spoil the lines of an otherwise gorgeous aircraft.

[sadlerbw]

Ahh, the CH-53. One of the most blatantly phallic of all appendages on a military vehicle! Not only does it stick out of the front, but it actually EXTENDS even further for actual refueling! It's obscene! The MH-60 is the same way



Again, it's a shame, as I otherwise dig the CH-53's. Also, the length of this hideous thing can present some *ahem* other problems...

https://youtu.be/tO0sRWCf9k4

[Luciora]

Some photos taken on board CV-12; USS Hornet.  They had just restored a F1 Wildcat and it looks gorgeous.

[Sharpnel]

Here's the latest addition to our local aviation museum here in Colorado Springs, an SBD-4 Dauntless



and a picture of the cockpit