Posted on 05/09/2023 5:48:49 AM PDT by DUMBGRUNT
No story on the SR-71 would be complete without an understanding and appreciation of just how valuable the KC-135Q model tankers and their crews were to the successful and safe completion of every mission.
“We had to refuel right after takeoff for only one reason, and it wasn’t because we leaked JP-7 fuel on the ground. Yes, the plane does leak fuel, but not enough to require refueling after takeoff.
“The JP-7 fuel reaches temperatures well over 300 degrees F. during Mach 3 cruise, making the fumes in each of the six fuel tanks very volatile and potentially explosive. The metal skin of the aircraft approaches 400 degrees F., adding to the volatility of the fuel inside the tanks. One of our aircraft limitations was a maximum speed of Mach 2.6 without an inert atmosphere inside the fuel tanks."
(Excerpt) Read more at theaviationgeekclub.com ...
I think I have that slide rule in my drawer
Pm
That's nothing. The F-35 was designed with a committee.
HOW TO USE A SLIDE RULE (C&D SCALES) ANALOG COMPUTER MULTIPLICATION & DIVISION
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJKmc4PVdh4&ab_channel=PeriscopeFilm
How does one defuel 15000 pounds of fuel?
Interesting link as to moving her from the Burbank to Area 51. Old pics. I thought it was intersting
https://www.roadrunnersinternationale.com/transporting_the_a-12.html
The RamJet was very inefficient at low speed, because it relies on compression of air to burn the fuel effectively. Takeoffs are ‘low speed’ subsonic events. The RamJet became very efficient at multiple Mach numbers.
You beat me by 36 sec.....LOL!
It was leaky until it got hot and tighten up ,LOL
Had to learn how to use a slid rule in high school science class. There were no computers. Desk tops, lap tops were far into the future.
Nicknamed Habu by Okinawans for a local ‘cobra’ snake.
Coolest. Plane. Ever.
Early in the morning................ And still on cup #1. 🤏👍
So was the Saturn V..................
B52’s had to refuel after takeoff. A full load of bombs and fuel were too much weight for takeoff.
In Israel we were all still trained with slide rules, and still are, assuming that, during our lifetime there will be a major EMP attack, destroying computers.
Can’t say people are proficient, but they are familiar enough the learning curve would not be so steep.
Sure. It got hot keeping up with a tanker.
Best assignment I had in the military. While in Okinawa it was my alarm clock when it was time to go to work and prep for its return.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.