Exotic Aircraft Identification Thread

Hidden | 11/30/2010 | Self

[ccmay]

Just for fun, how about we stump each other with exotic or unusual airplane photos. Upload to Tinypic so no one can cheat by looking at the image source.

I'll go first. What is this aircraft?

[Army Air Corps]

Here is another view that allows you to see the profile of the aircraft including the exhausts. Because the engines are stacked, the main fuselage tank forms a bulge on the underside.

[Army Air Corps]

True enough. ;-)

[pfflier]

The ventral store is another fuel tank. The designers had to feed those hungry over/under engines. Incidentally I saw a version with AAMs on the wing pylons.

[ccmay]

Marks before the F.6 had the stacked engines, of course, but much smaller ventral tanks. The earliest prototypes had no such bulge under the fuselage at all.

[Army Air Corps]

Yep.

[alfa6]

if Burt Rutan had worked for Boeing back in the 30’s :-)

Regards

alfa6 ;>}

[OCC]

When I was in the USAF back in Desert Storm, I watched with interest how the British loaded AIM-9's on Jaguars using a small crane contraption while we man handled one on to a launcher in just a few minutes. Never did understand what the advantage was of mounting hard points on TOP of the wings.

[Lou L]

I applaud your enthusiasm, AAC! It's refreshing to see someone with that much passion about a particular field.

I only hope you have a job that allows you to explore and pursue your passion!

[Army Air Corps]

Here is a prime example of a Lightning F1.

[ccmay]

There is a tale of a joint USAF/RAF exercise held somewhere in Britain in the late 70’s or early 80’s, when the last RAF Lightnings overlapped in service with the first USAF F-15s.

An F-15 went vertical right after takeoff, with full afterburners. Once the runway was cleared, a Lightning F.6 started its roll and did the same. It PASSED the astonished Eagle pilot at 30,000 feet or so and left it in the dust.

Truly it was the pinnacle of British jet aviation.

[Army Air Corps]

The TSR-2 was another doozy of a Brit Jet.

[OCC]

One of the coolest designs that did not make it to production.

[pfflier]

Earlier I posted that I saw AAMs on the pylons. Bad call. That is what the years do to your memory.

[Army Air Corps]

Ah, the EWR VJ101C. It always looked like something from a sci-fi film.

[OCC]

The TSR-2 was another doozy of a Brit Jet

Actually, that is what I was trying to look up when I ran across the lightning. Saw a great documentary on the TSR-2 on the Military or History channel. Way ahead of it's time.

[Army Air Corps]

I am also reminded of the CF-105; another aircraft that nearly went into service.

[Atlas Sneezed]

I’m lovin’ watching you work, dude. It’s a thing of beauty!

[Army Air Corps]

It was an amazing aircraft. Many years after its demise, some called for its resurrection.

[Atlas Sneezed]

“And some dry white toast please.”

[Army Air Corps]

“They look like they’re from the CIA or somethin’.”