Off Topic but Cool

[c.rainford73]

Here's some more photos from a wonderful family day at the airport I will also post a nice short video of the P-51 on the tarmac....

Carl

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[c.rainford73]

Here's the Mustang

https://youtu.be/0ibDudGEFUk

[silversurfer1947]

There's only one airworthy B17 in Europe, the Sally B. It was saved by a Danish lady, Elly Sallingboe and has been flying now after restoration for 41 years. Based at Duxford, though not part of the IWM. CAA regulations prevent the carrying of passengers.

[43rdRecceReg]

Now here's a real rarity: a ME bf109 parked on a playing field in the Scottish Highlands (only 2 hundred yards from my house, in fact ). Loch Ewe was where the Arctic Convoys set off from in WW2, to Equip the Russians with Planes and Tanks, and other essentials. Thousands of sailors paid a heavy price keeping the supply lines to Murmansk open. We now have a Museum here to commemorate them.
Loch Ewe was also the temporary home of the Home Fleet at times, after the U-Boat attack on Scapa Flow...

ME Bf 109 at Loch Ewe May 2017

I also managed to get a snap of this seductive (non-airworthy) Mk IX Spitfire. I wish they'd parked it in my garden The Mk IX could outperform the Messerschmidt and the FW190, and was pretty well unmatched until ME 262 came along... Damned clever Jerries. Pity we hadn't got the Meteor sorted by then

Spitfire Mk IX Loch Ewe may 2017

To my mind, this is the most alluring and beautiful plane ever made. I laughed at the guy on Gerry Springer who married his horse, but if i were forced to choose anyone- or any thing -other than a female to marry, it would be the Spitfire

[Raminator]

I've always thought that the Spitfire is one of the most beautiful machines our species has ever produced, Roy. Most of the prop-driven fighters of the war (when they were really at their peak!) are some of the most aesthetically pleasing marriages of form and function ever built, and I doubt we'll ever see their like again. Modern military equipment is so uniform and dull, there's no heart.

A beautiful collection of photos and videos, Carl. It's one thing to see these fine machines, and quite another to hear them too!

[jarndice]

I think of the Military aircraft of the 50 and 60s and Brutalism rules,
I remember hearing an RAF Tech describing an English Electric Lightning as the worlds fastest flying filing cabinet which seemed to be most apt,
And for all that the Mcdonnel Douglas Phantom F4 was the greatest all rounder in service at the time it was no beauty although the Handley Page Victor had some very pleasing lines but as the design for it was an almost exact copy from looted mid 40s German plans I don't think it meets the criteria of 50s and 60s designs.
Shaun.

[43rdRecceReg]

I think of the Military aircraft of the 50 and 60s and Brutalism rules,
I remember hearing an RAF Tech describing an English Electric Lightning as the worlds fastest flying filing cabinet which seemed to be most apt,
And for all that the Mcdonnel Douglas Phantom F4 was the greatest all rounder in service at the time it was no beauty although the Handley Page Victor had some very pleasing lines but as the design for it was an almost exact copy from looted mid 40s German plans I don't think it meets the criteria of 50s and 60s designs.
Shaun.

F4? F111? If Harold Wilson's comrades hadn't cancelled the shapely TSR2- partly because of US pressure, and because of financial constraints (It has also been suggested that Wilson was a Russian spy.. ...long before Trumpski came on the scene ), then this truly elegant and super speedy strike aircraft could have been a world beater. Many contend that it was years ahead of its time, and Its cancellation signalled the end of British leadership in the military aviation sphere. Hmmm..but then there was the Harrier hovering in our Aviation sunset Oh well... what goes up, generally does come down..

TSR2 in flight- 1965

[jarndice]

Thank you Roy, I had to my shame forgotten TSR2 parts of which are on display at the IWM at RAF Duxford,
The disgraceful demise of that world beater is paralleled by the almost identical end of the Canadian Avro Arrow project again an advanced potential world leading aircraft which just as the British TSR 2 committed the cardinal sin of not being an American design.
Shaun.

[silversurfer1947]

TSR2 XR220, the second prototype was actually due to fly its maiden flight on the day the project was cancelled. According to the Deputy Director of IWM Duxford, the pilot was virtually on his way to the aircraft when it was all stopped. The complete aircraft can be seen at the RAF Museum, Cosford.

[43rdRecceReg]

While we're on a big nostalgia (and appreciation) trip into WW2 warbirds, here's a nicely shot clip from inside the cockpit of the 'Wooden Wonder", as it takes off and does some circuits. Later on, it's joined by a Hawker Hurricane. Enjoy the Merlin roar, and the unique ride-along experience in what was one of the most feared (by the Germans..not he crew ) fighter-bombers of WW2.

phpBB [video]