Airplanes I wish I could fly but probably never will
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Polzin,. .you like to fly the F-104? There are still some around flying in Taiwan, Turkey and even Italy as far as I know. Also NASA still using them for astronaut training. The most stable weapons platform you can imagine. We flew them in the Germ.Navy as recce-aircraft over the Baltic sea to watch and photograf those powerful russian warships during the so-called cold war. Another role was to carry air-to-ship missiles and we had those AC for air-to-ground missions.. .To fly the F-104 Starfighter over the desert in Arizona, around the island of Sardinia at sunset or 1.5 inch west of the polish, east german or russian border just nearly on deck over the Baltic approaches was always something very special even for a prof. fighter pilot, something I always kept in mind, even many years later spending 13 and more hours to fly a 747 from A to B, while sipping my 24th cup of coffee.
<img src="wink.gif" border="0">
<img src="wink.gif" border="0">
Thread Starter
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The canadian government donated a 2 place to the EAA in the USA several years ago. They decided it didnt really fit into what the EAA was about, a decison that astounds me, and sold it to a guy in Phoenix. Last tine I saw it was at the old Williams AFB.
When I was in high school,1955-59, my dad was the Chief Design Engineer of design for the first ejecton seat of the 104 at Stanley Aviation. It went down! The Air Force didnt think a pilot could survive an ejection at Mach 2 if it went up. Spinal injuries were the main concern. However, the problems were not occuring at Mach 2 but at much slower speeds so eventually an upward seat was designed by Martin-Baker, I believe.
Wonder what is the highest speed of a successful ejection ?
When I was in high school,1955-59, my dad was the Chief Design Engineer of design for the first ejecton seat of the 104 at Stanley Aviation. It went down! The Air Force didnt think a pilot could survive an ejection at Mach 2 if it went up. Spinal injuries were the main concern. However, the problems were not occuring at Mach 2 but at much slower speeds so eventually an upward seat was designed by Martin-Baker, I believe.
Wonder what is the highest speed of a successful ejection ?
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Should have donated the TF to Luke AFB not far away from Williams, because there the F-1o4 roared many years in all those advanced fighter training courses.. .Succesful ejection at highest speed, I dont know.
The problem with F-104 ejection seats in the mid-sixties was not at speeds of Mach 2, as you mention correctly, a big problem was positive seat-man seperation and missing capability of 0 speed and 0 height ejections. Your father probably knew the subject very well. Was it in summer 66, I forgot, a very sad disaster occured at Luke AFB, when a higly respected american IP was killed in the air after seperation by a tumbling seat. Than high brass decided to switch to Martin-Baker GQ7 at least for all german F- 104's. It saved many lives <img src="smile.gif" border="0">
[ 04 February 2002: Message edited by: Captain104 ]</p>
The problem with F-104 ejection seats in the mid-sixties was not at speeds of Mach 2, as you mention correctly, a big problem was positive seat-man seperation and missing capability of 0 speed and 0 height ejections. Your father probably knew the subject very well. Was it in summer 66, I forgot, a very sad disaster occured at Luke AFB, when a higly respected american IP was killed in the air after seperation by a tumbling seat. Than high brass decided to switch to Martin-Baker GQ7 at least for all german F- 104's. It saved many lives <img src="smile.gif" border="0">
[ 04 February 2002: Message edited by: Captain104 ]</p>
Dog Tired
Genghis:. .rare shame on you! was not the F4 real?
Captain104:. .ah.deccimomanu watching those lunatix at the range getting better scores than we did....buggah <img src="frown.gif" border="0">
Captain104:. .ah.deccimomanu watching those lunatix at the range getting better scores than we did....buggah <img src="frown.gif" border="0">
Join Date: Aug 1999
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Tony,
You might see some F-4's if you go plane spotting in Greece <img src="wink.gif" border="0">
My wish list would be:. .Bleriot Monoplane. .Spitfire. .Single seat Hunter. .Concorde
&
The Space Shuttle
(Well....I can dream!)
You might see some F-4's if you go plane spotting in Greece <img src="wink.gif" border="0">
My wish list would be:. .Bleriot Monoplane. .Spitfire. .Single seat Hunter. .Concorde
&
The Space Shuttle
(Well....I can dream!)
Dog Tired
despair not D.there is still time. it is lotty nite tonite..you never know your luck.. .trust you have not 'had it' otherwise there will be one fewer left to bait.. .anyway, you do not want a trip in the back of an F4, you want a trip in the front. <img src="tongue.gif" border="0">
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Flap 40,. .why should Tony go to Greece? He might also go to Hamburg, than drive 2 hrs east to Laage. (South of Rostock). Phantoms are flying all day and night like 'bizzi bees'at the 73rd Luftwaffe Squadron together with the impressive MIG 29's. At least for the next 2 years. . .So, no reason to die. Easy for spotters. <img src="tongue.gif" border="0">
[ 08 February 2002: Message edited by: Captain104 ]</p>
[ 08 February 2002: Message edited by: Captain104 ]</p>
Pilot Officer PPRuNe
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I never put in my first post what I would love to have had a go in, so:
A WW2 fighter (Spit/Hurricane/P51etc). .Mosi. .TSR2. .Twin Otter float plane around Canada. .The Shuttle. .Grob Tutor (oh god no, only jocking)!!!
That'l do for starters
Tonks <img src="smile.gif" border="0">
A WW2 fighter (Spit/Hurricane/P51etc). .Mosi. .TSR2. .Twin Otter float plane around Canada. .The Shuttle. .Grob Tutor (oh god no, only jocking)!!!
That'l do for starters
Tonks <img src="smile.gif" border="0">
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The AC130 Spectre, with that big ol 105 mm gun .Just a trip out to a range somwhere to lose off plenty of rounds and to feel the power, after that maybe a ride in a Combat Talon. Have to agree with Tony Draper to a ride in the back of an F4 would be marvellous . None here taht work though <img src="frown.gif" border="0">
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polzin, there was a thread on highest speed ejection a while ago, military forum i think. A search should find it. F-15 i believe, can't recall the speed. Pilot very knocked around, but survived. Come to think of it, the post contained a web link. I'll see if I can find it.
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polzin, I think this is the one I remember, try this web site, avweb.com/sponsors/avspeak/b-udell says 800 mph ejection (supersonic) The original website i saw was a bit more detailed though.
I stand by what I've said, but should explain myself. My understanding is that the Tornadoesntgo is unique in that both crew are constantly essential because many basic aircraft systems are not duplicated in the other cockpit. In other words, the pilot and nav need to operate as team, just to operate the aircraft. All other 2-seaters that I know off, such as the F4 or F15, the main systems are duplicated and the aircraft can be operated fully (if not necessarily fought) from either cockpit if required. I'd like to see how it all meshes together when there's no choice but to operate constantly as a team, just to keep the thing in the air.
G
G
Dog Tired
Genghis:. .take the point but mine was that the RAF edition of the F4 did not allow me to undertake anything but the basics - and then only if the nav had set it up for me. all of the important stuff was at the rear and we were a team alright, unless I upset him..... <img src="tongue.gif" border="0">
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Mine include the usuals: Spitfire, P51 etc
Also would like a go at an Me262, Fw190, DH Hornet, JU88, Hunter, Gnat and so on.
For those who want to fly the Space Shuttle, did you know that your PPl entitles you to do just that: As the holder of a UK PPL, you are entitled to fly "aeroplanes in group A (i.e. single-engined landplanes up to a max T/O weight of 5,700kgs) and.....self-launching motor gliders"!!! What the hell is the Space Shuttle if not a self-launching motor glider?
Get those applications off to NASA immediately!!
Also would like a go at an Me262, Fw190, DH Hornet, JU88, Hunter, Gnat and so on.
For those who want to fly the Space Shuttle, did you know that your PPl entitles you to do just that: As the holder of a UK PPL, you are entitled to fly "aeroplanes in group A (i.e. single-engined landplanes up to a max T/O weight of 5,700kgs) and.....self-launching motor gliders"!!! What the hell is the Space Shuttle if not a self-launching motor glider?
Get those applications off to NASA immediately!!