The KC-135 is one hell of an aircraft.
Posted on 07/02/2005 1:07:16 PM PDT by The Other Harry
My personal favorites are the DC3 and the J3 Cub. Aeroncas weren't bad either.
I seem to like tail-draggers.
I have never piloted a DC3, but I have flown in one. That was down from Miami into Key West in the setting sun. They should still make them. There was an airplane.
I have piloted a J3. It was a bitch to taxi, but it was great fun to fly. If I could get one for a reaonable price (which is not possible these days), I would. I sometimes go out to the local airport just to look at the one they have. It's really nice.
An Aeronca would be fine also. Low and slow.
I suppose an F14 or a Warthog would be okay also. Those are a little over my head.
Same difference for it flys itself! : )
Oh, pawleeeese!
Both aircraft are excellent however I have never had the opportunity to fly in a P-38.
The KC-135 is one hell of an aircraft.
F-8 Crusader--- BOOM!
Affectionately nicknamed "Jug," the P-47 was one of the most famous AAF fighter planes of WW II. Although originally conceived as a lightweight interceptor, the P-47 developed as a heavyweight fighter and made its first flight on May 6, 1941. The first production model was delivered to the AAF in March 1942, and in April 1943 the Thunderbolt flew its first combat mission--a sweep over Western Europe. Used as both a high-altitude escort fighter and a low-level fighter-bomber, the P-47 quickly gained a reputation for ruggedness. Its sturdy construction and air-cooled radial engine enabled the Thunderbolt to absorb severe battle damage and keep flying. During WW II, the P-47 served in almost every active war theater and in the forces of several Allied nations. By the end of WW II, more than 15,600 Thunderbolts had been built.
If I remember my history some P-47s were sold to Central American countries after WWII. In 1969 Honduras went to war with El Salvador. while there were economic and political reasons it was during preliminary World Cup games that the Honduran Flag and National Anthem were INSULTED! War was declared and the "Jugs" were again used in war! Link:http://www.onwar.com/aced/data/sierra/soccer1969.htm
The "Wilga" was an excellent tail dragger for it could lift off in less than 300', had compressed air tanks to inject air into the engine to alleviate the issues of depending on a battery for starting.
Have you experienced the approach decent from 60,000' in an SR-71?
Ecstatically, it can't be beat!
Half power on take off always until enough airspeed is obtained to achieve rudder control.
I love planes and jets but Ive never been in either. I was on a chopper once but that was a life flight to UofM hospital so I don't remember that much. I don't think I could be a pilot because I'm nearly blind in my right eye.
Curious - who? The last ones who clipped and crashed were T6s. I don't remember P51s that clipped and crashed. My memory may not go back that far...
Feel free to answer via FReepmail if you prefer.
That looks hot. I'll take one. ;)
You have good taste.
The J-3 was actually designed by William Taylor of Taylorcraft fame who sold it to Piper. I once had an instructor prove that the Cub will fly backward if you have a headwind of 40 plus MPH. With a stall speed of 35, you can have an negative ground speed.
Personally, the one I never flew in that I most admire is Canadian: The De Haviland Beaver aka the L-20. On floats, it is said that regardless of the load, if the tops of the floats are not submerged, it will come off the water and fly.
Re:DC-3
The Gooney Bird Poem
"Tribute to the DC-3"
was written by Oscar Brand.
Our thanks to the folks from the
"Yankee Air Force "
who contacted Mr. Brand and he said
that he had indeed written the poem.
THE GOONEY BIRD
In '51 they tried to ground the noble DC-3,
And so some lawyers brought the case before the CAB,
The Board examined all the facts behind their great oak portal,
And then pronounced these simple words, "The Gooney Bird's immortal."
(chorus)
THEY PATCH HER UP WITH MASKING TAPE,
WITH PAPER CLIPS AND STRINGS,
AND STILL SHE FLIES, SHE NEVER DIES..
METHUSELAH WITH WINGS.
The Army toasts their SkyTrain now in lousy scotch and soda,
The Tommies raise their tankards high to cheer the old Dakota,
Some claim the C-47's best, or the gallant R4D,
Forget the claim, they're all the same, the noble DC-3.
(chorus)
Douglas built the ship to last, but nobody quite expected
The crazy heap would fly and fly no matter how they wrecked it.
While nations fall and men retire and jets get obsolete,
The Gooney Bird flies on and on, at 11,000 feet.
(chorus)
No matter what they do to her, The Gooney Bird still flies,
One crippled plane was fitted out with one wing half the size,
She hunched her shoulders, then took off, and I know this makes us laugh
One wing askew, and yet she flew ... The DC-2 and a half.
(chorus)
She had her faults, but after all, who's perfect in this sphere?
Her heating system was a gem, we loved her for her gear.
Of course, her windows leaked a bit when the rain came pouring down,
She'd keep you warm, but in a storm it's possible you'd drown.
(chorus)
Well now she flies the feeder routes and carries mail and freight,
She's just an airborne office or a flying twelve ton crate,
(chorus)
THEY PATCH HER UP WITH MASKING TAPE,
WITH PAPER CLIPS AND STRINGS,
AND STILL SHE FLIES, SHE NEVER DIES..
METHUSELAH WITH WINGS.
This page, and its contents are Copyright ©1995-2005, The DC3 Aviation Museum,
All Rights Reserved, and are protected by U.S. and International Law.
This thread reminded me of an old USAF song...
Make Me Operations
Don't give me a P-38 with props that counter-rotate
They'll loop, roll and spin but they'll soon auger in
Don't give me a P-38!
CHORUS: Just make me Operations
Way out on some lonely atoll
For I am too young to die
I just want to go home.*
Don't give me a P-39 with an engine that's mounted behind
It will tumble and roll and dig a big hole
Don't give me a P-39.
Don't give me an old Thunderbolt. It gave many pilots a jolt
It looks like a jug and it flies like a tug
Don't give me an old Thunderbolt!
Don't give me a Peter Four Oh, a hell of an airplane, I know
A ground loopin' bastard. You're sure to get plastered
Don't give me a Peter Four Oh.
Don't give me a P-51, it was all right for fighting the hun
But with coolant tank dry. you'll run out of sky
Don't give me a P-51.
Don't give me a P-61, for night flying is no fun
They say it's a lark. but I'm scared of the dark
Don't give me a P-61.
"What was term that was used for them? "Devils from the sky"? "
Forked Tail Devils
But wait... there's more...
Don't give me an F-82; that monster from out of the blue
You won't understand just who's in command
Don't give me an F-82
Don't five me an old Shooting Star; she goes, but not very far
She'll rumble and spout, and will surely flame out
Don't give me an old Shooting Star
Don't give me an F-84, she's just a ground loving whore
She'll whine & she'll wheeze; and make straight for the trees
Don't give me an F-84
Don't give me an 86D, with rockets, radar, and AB
She's fast, I don't care; she blows up in mid-air
Don't give me an 86D
Don't give me a One-Double-Oh to fight against friendly or foe
That old Sabre dance made me crap in my pants
Don't give me a One-Double-Oh
Don't give me McDonnell's Voodoo; there's nothing that she will not do
She'll really pitch up, she'll make you throw up
Don't give me McDonnell's Voodoo
Don't give me an F-104; she's faster than lightning fer shore
But after one pass there's no bullets, no gas
Don't give me an F-104
Don't give me an F-105, 'cause I like being alive
She's great for attack, she soaks up mach-mach flak
Don't give me an F-105
Don't give me an old F-4C, with a navigator flying with me
Her dihedral's neat, but she's got a back seat
Don't give me an old F-4C
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