Posted on 03/28/2006 8:39:34 AM PST by spetznaz
"The cockpit for the two man crew not only allows for tandem (side-by-side) seating, but is spacious enough for the pilots to stand up and, standing behind their seats, stretch a bit. There is also a toilet and cooking facilities back there as well. "
Sounds like an old RV I used to have. This would be somewhat faster though.
It would be nice to see a civilian version for executive courier duties when fast is just not fast enough.
Ping.
The A-6 Intruder, EA-6B Prowler and S-3 Viking all were designed for the aircrew to eject THROUGH the canopy. Yes it could be rough on the crew, many lacerations, etc.
What I find interesting is pressurized below 33K feet and the "normal flight gear" above. That "normal flight gear" above 33K is the same as what one wears below 33K.
Aircrew routinely fly above 40-45K with only an Oxygen mask, pressurized suits aren't required until you transition to the SR-71 Blackbird altitudes.
Cool show, and it had the same effect on me.
Good one! Flushki.
That's not exactly what I meant. I meant as far as high altitude specialized gear, not flying "au natural"....
Like the pakistanis, they can use the gas from the toilet to cook on. Yum!
It would look even better in the gunsight of my F22.
I wonder if this thing is designed that way (opens the door to landing at large family picnics)
Actually, the Russians liked the "kitchen" concept so well on the Su-34 that their next design, the Su-3400, has a shower, two bedrooms, dining area and a walk-in closet. The prototype design is below:
(The frontal view shows why it is also known as the Winnebago.)
Yep ....if you mean the numbered vehicles (my fave was the number 2 plane, as well as the number 4 sub). I loved that show. Also liked StingRay (same concept ...as in string puppets, only this time they have a Captain Nemo-ish sub and a sub-base).
F-117 Fleet Faces Early Retirement
Aviation Week & Space Technology 03/27/2006
President Bush wants to retire the F-117 stealth fighters, sending most to the boneyard over the next year, rather than by 2011.
The fighters, which cost about $45 million each, were a revolution in technology when they were unveiled in 1988 following a classified development program. Their radar-evading technology and ability to drop precision-guided bombs at night were a major asset in the 1991 Persian Gulf war. Bush's plan would retire 10 F-117s in 2007 and the remainder in 2008. The Pentagon is trying to save money by accelerating retirement of several key aircraft--nearly half the B-52 bombers and all U-2 spy planes--while increasing funds for the F-22 fighter.
Winslow Wheeler, senior fellow and director of the Straus Military Reform Project at the Center for Defense Information, says the plan amounts to what some call "Washington Monument Drills"--proposed budget reductions the Pentagon knows Congress will add back to the budget.
Yes indeed, the Russkis can build planes (and ships!) that are very pretty as well as effective. Smart engineers over there. The helmet mounted missile aiming was a helluva invention that would cause grave problems in a close-in dogfight.
I do hope these are the Thunderbirds (from the show) you were referring to. Thunderbirds go!
Does it come with a hot tub in the trunk as an option?
Interesting looking bird.
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