The General Airplane Thread

[disinfected]

Speaking of the Boneyard, I think everyone needs to check out the pictures in this link.
http://www.businessinsider.com/photos-the-air-force-boneyard-2013-1?op=1

Here are a few of the examples. Some of the shots are pretty haunting.

 

[GregTheStig]

Touch down

 

[Jay]

I have a soft spot for MD-11's, and Martinair (MD-11CF). Fantastic shot!

 

[zedextreme8177]

^ This!

And I love the contrast between the person sitting down in a countryside, typifying a peaceful location, and the huge aircraft landing. It kinda seems to make a rather normal occurrence even more dramatic!

 

[Rage Racer]

F/A-18E of the Swiss Air Force on the MAKS-2013 air show in Russia.
The only American airplane on this MAKS.

 

[ExigeEvan]

I was really annoyed today when a guy who claimed to know a fair bit about planes couldn't tell the difference between a parked F-18 and a Hawker Hunter.

He said he'd seen one at the local airport, which would be astounding considering its size and lack of US Navy or airshows in the area. I suggested he might have mistaken it for the local Hunter but he was adamant he was right. Drove past myself, no F-18 in sight, just the Hunter!

 

[MarinaDiamandis]

How on earth do you mistake a Hunter for an F-18?!

 

[wfooshee]

Well, gee, they both have air intakes at the wing root.....

 

[Jay]

I suggested he might have mistaken it for the local Hunter but he was adamant he was right. Drove past myself, no F-18 in sight, just the Hunter!

Well... maybe it flew away... 💡

 

[ExigeEvan]

Well... maybe it flew away... 💡

If you can explain why an F18 would be in South Wales outside of airshow season then I'll buy you an F-18*




*Airfix

 

[GregTheStig]

Just posted this in the amazing/cool photo thread but I think it also belongs here.

37,000 feet put us in an area of moderate precipitation and heavy static charges. The St Elmo's Fire was just amazing. I decided to allow a 30 second exposure with all cockpit lights off. Amazing display!

Also, Hurricane :3

 

[Solo]

The local air show has been on this weekend and normally there is a good selection of war planes flying over, Lancasters, Meshersmits, Mustangs, Spitfires etc. Then on occasion they have something incredible, like the Vulcan nuclear bomber a couple of years ago or a Eurofighter Typhoon today.

My house is on the flight path for this show, where the planes all turn at the end of a run. A low flying Eurofighter doing a full aerobatic display over your house and nearby is something to behold. (Pics soon if they are any good)

 

[GregTheStig]

I'll be disappointed if we don't see any! That sounds really cool.

 

[Solo]

Ask and you shall receive. Apologies about the quality, I'm yet to get a telephoto lens for my Canon so these were on my Lumix.


_1100969 by NMC's Photos, on Flickr


_1100966 by NMC's Photos, on Flickr


_1100963 by NMC's Photos, on Flickr


_1100962 by NMC's Photos, on Flickr


_1100957 by NMC's Photos, on Flickr


_1100947 by NMC's Photos, on Flickr

Bonus shots from a few weeks ago that I've just found on my camera card. However I'm fairly sure the same three planes were at this weekends show too:

_1100097 by NMC's Photos, on Flickr


_1100100 by NMC's Photos, on Flickr

 

[lbsf1]

Not being a good year for Ethiopian Airlines this year in regards to damaging planes. First the 787 fire and now this.

http://theloadstar.co.uk/ethiopian-cargo-awaits-return-of-md-11f-after-tail-tipping/

 

[Mike Rotch]

Here are some pics from my recent trip to the War Museum in Johannesburg. I missed out on pics of a Spitfire, Me109 and Mosquito as I got a bollocking from some random museum staff person for attempting to take photos of exhibits indoors

The 262 is the only surviving nightfighter example in the world, although not airworthy any longer. I also had the chance to sit in both the FW and 262 about 10 years ago when the museum had a fundraising event (the thread is somewhere in the RS)...

 

[MarinaDiamandis]

It's a shame about not being able to take all of the pictures that you wanted, I can't stand museums that don't let you take photographs of the exhibits. The 262 looks very menacing in that shot, not something that you'd want to see as an allied tail gunner.

 

[wfooshee]

What possible reason could they have for prohibiting photography?!!!?!??!

 

[dxm8975]

Here are some pics from my recent trip to the War Museum in Johannesburg. I missed out on pics of a Spitfire, Me109 and Mosquito as I got a bollocking from some random museum staff person for attempting to take photos of exhibits indoors

What possible reason could they have for prohibiting photography?!!!?!??!

By any chance that's due to the disparaging quality of flashlights to damaging the varnished coats on the body of an airplane... and some fear that a single shot of camera without using a flash even has the possibility of deteriorating the crop of the paintings scattered on the face of exhibits.

 

[Exorcet]

It's a shame about not being able to take all of the pictures that you wanted, I can't stand museums that don't let you take photographs of the exhibits. The 262 looks very menacing in that shot, not something that you'd want to see as an allied tail gunner.

At least if the 262 was in that position, the tail gunner would have the advantage.

 

[BobK]

The tail gunner only has a pair of .50 cal. machine guns. He'd be staring down the muzzled of four 30 millimeter cannons.

Went up to Westover Airport in Westover, MA this morning to see some of the Collings Foundation planes in a static exhibit. Will have pics up later today or tomorrow after I get them off the camera and sort through them.

 

[Lizard]

First rule of engaging bombers is never sit on a bombers 6. BNZ is usually the best way.

But anyway I bring you Hamilton and Coulthard in the Red Arrows.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/23041147

 

[MarinaDiamandis]

First rule of engaging bombers is never sit on a bombers 6.

It's a 262, it physically is not able to sit behind a bomber. Not that a tail turret would be able to hit it even if it did...

 

[ExigeEvan]

First rule of engaging bombers is never sit on a bombers 6. BNZ is usually the best way.

It's a 262, it physically is not able to sit behind a bomber. Not that a tail turret would be able to hit it even if it did...

This.

An Me-262 against a heavy bomber is always going to have a rapid rate of closure, even at SLUF.

 

[Lizard]

It's a 262, it physically is not able to sit behind a bomber. Not that a tail turret would be able to hit it even if it did...

That as well. I was just pointing out that no matter what you are flying if you just sit around on the tail of a bomber you will have a bad time.

 

[GregTheStig]

Me 262 nightfighter looks sinister!

And speaking of bomber gunners, here's a gif of two waist gunners on a B-24 at work in 1944.

And as an added bonus, Heinkel He 177 111 launching Henschell HS 293 guided missile. (Thanks for the correction, BobK)

 

[BobK]

And as an added bonus, Heinkel He 177 launching Henschell HS 293 guided missile

http://img594.imageshack.us/img594/3294/s4w.gif

Interesting picture. Looks more like a He111 than a He177 though.

 

[GregTheStig]

Interesting picture. Looks more like a He111 than a He177 though.

Looking at it again, I think you're right. 👍


I've only ever seen one of these fly once, but I still miss it.

 

[Solid Lifters]

New Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner now in flight. Follow it on Google Earth and Map right here... http://www.newairplane.com/787/787-9/?v=2

About to reach Spokane Washingtong in just a few minutes.

 

[High-Test]

"ME 262 Prince of Turbojet, Junkers Jumo 004..."