Highest Sustained Altitude
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
Joined: Dec 2002
Aviation Qualifications: Military (Retired)
Posts: 16,700
Likes: 54
From: Lincolnshire
LO, indeed the Mig 25 would qualify and probably the Foxhound.
On one occasion it completed a successful intercept of an SR71. It missed on the SR71 ingress to the Baltic but had more warning on the egress. The Foxbat was reported to have crossed about 10-12 miles astern in what was assessed as inside the launch envelope. On recovery to East Germany it violated Swedish, Norwegian, Danish and West German airspace.
On one occasion it completed a successful intercept of an SR71. It missed on the SR71 ingress to the Baltic but had more warning on the egress. The Foxbat was reported to have crossed about 10-12 miles astern in what was assessed as inside the launch envelope. On recovery to East Germany it violated Swedish, Norwegian, Danish and West German airspace.
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
From: UK
I got a Hunter FGA 9 up to an indicated 56,000 feet over Malaya once on a GH sortie. Only one to trail that day.
Tengah ATC wasn't too amused by 20 beeps in response to their request for one beep per 1,000 feet above 30k during the subsequent practice speechless flameout. But I did get in OK even though it took a long time.
Tengah ATC wasn't too amused by 20 beeps in response to their request for one beep per 1,000 feet above 30k during the subsequent practice speechless flameout. But I did get in OK even though it took a long time.
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 601
Likes: 0
From: Muscat, Oman
Unless my alcohol fuddled memory is playing tricks, I remember tanking a Lightning off a Victor at FL430 because I was fed up of bouncing around in cloud. Had to use reheat to stay in but never made it on top of the cloud.
Took another Lightning to VFR on top, but was definitely not in stable flight. Above FL500 was easily attainable (subject to fuel), but was also above the pressurization/oxygen regulator release to service.
Took another Lightning to VFR on top, but was definitely not in stable flight. Above FL500 was easily attainable (subject to fuel), but was also above the pressurization/oxygen regulator release to service.
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 5,307
Likes: 18
From: Southern Europe
According to my copy of the F4 history, an F4 managed to sustain 66,443 feet in 1961.
Typhoon claims a ceiling of 65,000', but I'd bet it could get a lot higher if they tried.
F3 engines didn't like it up there!
Typhoon claims a ceiling of 65,000', but I'd bet it could get a lot higher if they tried.
F3 engines didn't like it up there!
Hippopotomonstrosesquipidelian title
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,825
Likes: 1
From: is everything
Did 500 km in a MiG-25 at 22,700 meters, limited by the helmet. Followed by a Buran descent profile since that was an interest of mine at the time.
Last edited by Bushfiva; 21st August 2012 at 14:24.
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 24
Likes: 1
From: UK
Can't beat 22,700 metres, but:
15 Jul 86: Lightning F6 XS899 'AJ' - Binbrook TACEVAL. Clear and a million.
Fifth trip of the day, no trade. Post-AAR was recalled by Sqn - not allowed to tank on the 5th sortie - didn't know that GASO!
Accelerate abeam LUK to M1.95 (wouldn't go any faster - they were all a bit bent by then). Climb at 15 degrees to level at FL680, easing it back in the climb to 12 o'clock burner to keep them lit, and call VFR on top sustaining M1.6 with the fuel gauges hardly moving (which was very unusual). She would have stayed there all day.
Told Boulmer to tell the pair of F4s trailing at FL350 to scan up - very amusing!
And, yes, Courtney - lots more spies in (and out of) the cab these days, but Typhoon would easily beat that...
15 Jul 86: Lightning F6 XS899 'AJ' - Binbrook TACEVAL. Clear and a million.
Fifth trip of the day, no trade. Post-AAR was recalled by Sqn - not allowed to tank on the 5th sortie - didn't know that GASO!
Accelerate abeam LUK to M1.95 (wouldn't go any faster - they were all a bit bent by then). Climb at 15 degrees to level at FL680, easing it back in the climb to 12 o'clock burner to keep them lit, and call VFR on top sustaining M1.6 with the fuel gauges hardly moving (which was very unusual). She would have stayed there all day.
Told Boulmer to tell the pair of F4s trailing at FL350 to scan up - very amusing!
And, yes, Courtney - lots more spies in (and out of) the cab these days, but Typhoon would easily beat that...
