[Steely Tom]

Fast-forward to 15:40 on this video to watch an F-105 try this sort of low-speed rendezvous with a B-29, during the early days of experimental air-to-air refueling.

Just a guess, but I think the B-29 was probably moving quite a lot faster than the Herky-bird in your video, yet observe how unstable the F-105 is at that speed.

I assume a big difference between then and now is computational aerodynamics used in the design of the F-18. The F-105 was designed by guys with slide rules.

[GMMC0987]

Then again, the SR-71, and Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo space craft were all designed by guys with slide rules.

[nickedknack]

Thanks, good stuff. Navy was my service (F-14s), and we of course use the probe & drogue system, now with a retractable probe on the right side of nose. Does require some skill to hit the basket without tipping it and sending it whirling! Worst is night tanking after a blue water bolster.

[Tallguy]

Modern aircraft use blended wings so they generate lift at a range of speeds and angles-of-attack when older aircraft would simply quit flying. Witness an F-15C that had a wing sheared of in a midair and was able to keep it together and safely land. Savvy pilot kept the airspeed in the range where the fuselage was generating lift. Missouri air guard, IIRC.

[indcons]

BTTT