Phantom Friday
The normal RAF paint scheme in my brief F-4 time was 'Barley Grey'....
That is, if you could actually see it under the general grubbiness of hydraulic stains, oil stains from the blowholes, unburnt fuel residue and erks' DMS shoe scuffs...
When the German Navy came with their F-104s, we asked how it was that even the interior of their aircraft panels looked almost brand new, compared to our shabby looking jets...
"Ve haff conscripts" was the simple reply. They did indeed - who worked long hours and were proud to keep the aircraft looking smart.
That is, if you could actually see it under the general grubbiness of hydraulic stains, oil stains from the blowholes, unburnt fuel residue and erks' DMS shoe scuffs...
When the German Navy came with their F-104s, we asked how it was that even the interior of their aircraft panels looked almost brand new, compared to our shabby looking jets...
"Ve haff conscripts" was the simple reply. They did indeed - who worked long hours and were proud to keep the aircraft looking smart.
That Phantom low level video shows the one thing that really struck me about flying in a fast jet.
Not so much rushing sound of air or roaring of engines (which I had expected as a civilian) but just the hum of electrics and other systems in your ears - much like the sound you hear in a helicopter headset.
And you sit still, as the world moves and rotates abruptly around you.
Then there's a point where your stomach suddenly catches up with your eyes and your ears - and you have that horrible, sweaty, sickly feeling.
Didn't throw up but came bloody close.
Only alleviated by trying to fly the damn thing.
A most uncanny experience!
Not so much rushing sound of air or roaring of engines (which I had expected as a civilian) but just the hum of electrics and other systems in your ears - much like the sound you hear in a helicopter headset.
And you sit still, as the world moves and rotates abruptly around you.
Then there's a point where your stomach suddenly catches up with your eyes and your ears - and you have that horrible, sweaty, sickly feeling.
Didn't throw up but came bloody close.
Only alleviated by trying to fly the damn thing.
A most uncanny experience!
Last edited by tartare; 10th Feb 2017 at 10:07.
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Over on the Tech Forum the question has been asked "why the tailpipes angled down".
http://www.pprune.org/tech-log/59085...-down-why.html
Thought this would be the best place to gain insight. Realise all designs are a result of compromises, but was there any overriding consideration. Pitching moment, structural reasons etc?
Did it reflect in the aircraft handling in any respect?
Thanks Folks.
http://www.pprune.org/tech-log/59085...-down-why.html
Thought this would be the best place to gain insight. Realise all designs are a result of compromises, but was there any overriding consideration. Pitching moment, structural reasons etc?
Did it reflect in the aircraft handling in any respect?
Thanks Folks.
Courtesy of the Cloggies
Once upon a time we (228 OCU that is) had a visit from a photographer from a Dutch aviation magazine. He sat in the back making happy noises and taking loads of pictures. Afterwards he gave me a few 35mm slides. Here's one I scanned.
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Incidentally, judging by the 'Q' on the fin, the photograph may well be a reverse image. That reminds me of the jape played by a certain RC who flew 'O' to Finningley for the BoB display there a day after 'Q' was lost. Judicious use of white tape (and black for the nosewheel door) meant that when it arrived back in Northern Dispersal at Leuchars it had a different identity. It spooked the groundcrew a bit, and I confess to being a little anxious when it was the only jet available for me and BM to do the last trip of the day at the Leuchars air show!
'Q' was at Gaydon for the 'Farewell to Gaydon' Air Show on 17 August 1975. As Saintsman rightly says, the aircraft was lost just a month later on 18 September. The photograph was taken just after the gear was retracted, the flaps still being lowered and the aux air doors open.
Incidentally, judging by the 'Q' on the fin, the photograph may well be a reverse image. That reminds me of the jape played by a certain RC who flew 'O' to Finningley for the BoB display there a day after 'Q' was lost. Judicious use of white tape (and black for the nosewheel door) meant that when it arrived back in Northern Dispersal at Leuchars it had a different identity. It spooked the groundcrew a bit, and I confess to being a little anxious when it was the only jet available for me and BM to do the last trip of the day at the Leuchars air show!
Incidentally, judging by the 'Q' on the fin, the photograph may well be a reverse image. That reminds me of the jape played by a certain RC who flew 'O' to Finningley for the BoB display there a day after 'Q' was lost. Judicious use of white tape (and black for the nosewheel door) meant that when it arrived back in Northern Dispersal at Leuchars it had a different identity. It spooked the groundcrew a bit, and I confess to being a little anxious when it was the only jet available for me and BM to do the last trip of the day at the Leuchars air show!
Akrotiri, I think 1972.. That will be me doing a BF.
reversed. The yellow "RESCUE" is on the starboard side of the forward fuselage. Here is one of me taken a fair few years back in Akrotiri, the big zap from our Italian friends in Grazzinese.
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I always liked that jet because the serial No. was the same as my then girlfriends phone number, 406! (Short numbers in Leuchars!)
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OK....it may well be the piccy/camera angle or my ageing eyes but that centreline tank doesn't quite look "right"...have I miss remembered?
Last edited by wiggy; 13th Mar 2019 at 21:54.
