Want to buy a windsceeen?
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Want to buy a windsceeen?
. You couldn’t make it up.Did you know a man bought all the spare B-2 windshields and used them in his daughter’s tree house? The USAF had to buy them back to replace a damaged Spirit windshield
The B-2 Spirit is a multi-role bomber capable of delivering both conventional and nuclear munitions. A dramatic leap forward in technology, the B-2 brings massive firepower to bear, in a short time, anywhere on the globe through previously impenetrable defenses.
The revolutionary blending of low-observable technologies with high aerodynamic efficiency and large payload gives the B-2 important advantages over existing bombers.
The B-2’s low observability is derived from a combination of reduced infrared, acoustic, electromagnetic, visual and radar signatures. These signatures make it difficult for the sophisticated defensive systems to detect, track and engage the B-2. Many aspects of the low-observability process remain classified; however, the B-2’s composite materials, special coatings and flying-wing design all contribute to its “stealthiness.”
Whiteman Air Force Base (AFB), Missouri, is the only operational base for the B-2.
Brion Edwards, former communications technician at Whiteman AFB and a reader of The Aviation Geek Club contacted us to share an interesting story regarding the B-2 Stealth Bomber.
‘I had the privilege of serving as a US Air Force communications technician at Whiteman AFB, which is the home of the B-2 Stealth Bomber fleet.
‘One day a maintenance NCO came in to pick up a laptop, because he was driving a few states away to pick up some spare B-2 windshields. He told me that over 20 years of service and thousands of hours flying transcontinental missions, a B-2 has never needed a windshield replaced. The windshields were believed to be indestructible. During a routine flight, a B-2 struck a Canadian Goose and the impact left a hairline crack on a windshield.
The maintenance squadron placed and order with the Air Force parts depot, but they replied back that there were none in stock. The spare windshields had been in the warehouse such a long time with no orders for them, that someone thought they belonged to a discontinued air frame. The windshields were sent to the Air Force DRMO [Defense Reutilization Marketing Office] program, which sells surplus items to the public.
‘The maintenance squadron reached out the company that manufactured the windshields to see if they had any spares, or could make a new windshield. The company stated they did not have any spares and the molds were disposed of a long time ago. If the Air Force wanted them to manufacture a new windshield, the company would need to retool an entire site, due to the windshields’ complexity. The cost would be astronomical.
‘In the meantime, the parts depot reached out to DRMO to try and identify anyone who may have purchased a windshield. It turns out, that the windshields were sold as a lot to one individual a few years prior. After much effort, the Air Force was able to locate the man and sent a representative to his residence. The man still had all of the spare windshields in his possession and through an undisclosed amount, agreed to sell them back to the Air Force.’
Edwards concludes;
‘I am sure you are wondering why someone would purchase surplus aircraft windshields? He used them in his daughter’s tree house. How stealthy is your tree house?’
The revolutionary blending of low-observable technologies with high aerodynamic efficiency and large payload gives the B-2 important advantages over existing bombers.
The B-2’s low observability is derived from a combination of reduced infrared, acoustic, electromagnetic, visual and radar signatures. These signatures make it difficult for the sophisticated defensive systems to detect, track and engage the B-2. Many aspects of the low-observability process remain classified; however, the B-2’s composite materials, special coatings and flying-wing design all contribute to its “stealthiness.”
Whiteman Air Force Base (AFB), Missouri, is the only operational base for the B-2.
Spare B-2 windshields sold as surplus
Brion Edwards, former communications technician at Whiteman AFB and a reader of The Aviation Geek Club contacted us to share an interesting story regarding the B-2 Stealth Bomber.
‘I had the privilege of serving as a US Air Force communications technician at Whiteman AFB, which is the home of the B-2 Stealth Bomber fleet.
‘One day a maintenance NCO came in to pick up a laptop, because he was driving a few states away to pick up some spare B-2 windshields. He told me that over 20 years of service and thousands of hours flying transcontinental missions, a B-2 has never needed a windshield replaced. The windshields were believed to be indestructible. During a routine flight, a B-2 struck a Canadian Goose and the impact left a hairline crack on a windshield.
The maintenance squadron placed and order with the Air Force parts depot, but they replied back that there were none in stock. The spare windshields had been in the warehouse such a long time with no orders for them, that someone thought they belonged to a discontinued air frame. The windshields were sent to the Air Force DRMO [Defense Reutilization Marketing Office] program, which sells surplus items to the public.
A stealthy tree house
‘The maintenance squadron reached out the company that manufactured the windshields to see if they had any spares, or could make a new windshield. The company stated they did not have any spares and the molds were disposed of a long time ago. If the Air Force wanted them to manufacture a new windshield, the company would need to retool an entire site, due to the windshields’ complexity. The cost would be astronomical.
‘In the meantime, the parts depot reached out to DRMO to try and identify anyone who may have purchased a windshield. It turns out, that the windshields were sold as a lot to one individual a few years prior. After much effort, the Air Force was able to locate the man and sent a representative to his residence. The man still had all of the spare windshields in his possession and through an undisclosed amount, agreed to sell them back to the Air Force.’
Edwards concludes;
‘I am sure you are wondering why someone would purchase surplus aircraft windshields? He used them in his daughter’s tree house. How stealthy is your tree house?’
https://theaviationgeekclub.com/did-...t-windshield/]
The DOE once sold a large portion of a nuclear material processing plant and provided, via FOI, the site plans - foundations, locations, et al. Mainly it was stainless steel, a scrappers great find. The scrapper tried to contact DOE when he found out what it was and was told "A sale's a sale. You bought it. No takebacks." Eventually some national security agency noticed and tried to pry it back for free. I think he held fast and made a small amount extra for his trouble. He was very concerned as it could easily have gone onto a ship to be reassembled and used as a step up to building a functioning plant in a less friendly country under a scrap metal export license.
Oh, and aviation wise - recall that the JAG TV show had their F-14 taken away a while ago: https://www.dailynews.com/2007/03/08...on-jag-seized/
Didn't they have to scrounge Vulcan parts from museums for the Falklands conflict?
Does beg the question how can any serviceable part be surplus when the aircraft it's for is still in service?
Does beg the question how can any serviceable part be surplus when the aircraft it's for is still in service?
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The display boards at various RAF Schools of Technical Training developed a few gaps too.
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Plus one Vulcan bit needed was being used as an ashtray and recovered.
Refuelling probes were removed from recently delivered aircraft to Cosford Museum.
Vulcan ptobes
Returning to the UK from the Eastern Pacific early in OP Corporate we were met at several american bases by teams from the det at Offut bringing us refuelling probes removed from Vulcans that had been donated to museums in the States. These I believe were used in the programme to fit Hercs for inflight refuelling.
Returning to the UK from the Eastern Pacific early in OP Corporate we were met at several american bases by teams from the det at Offut bringing us refuelling probes removed from Vulcans that had been donated to museums in the States. These I believe were used in the programme to fit Hercs for inflight refuelling.
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B2 windows also protect against Nuclear Flash since they are Photochromic!
Those windwhields are also VERY EXPENSIVE have 1 to 2 milliseconds and less fast response-time photochromic glass that protects against Nuclear Flash! When a nuclear weapon is detonated nearby, the windows on the B2 and the B1 bombers turn opaque White due to an exotic metal film embedded into the glass layers. It takes less than TWO milliseconds for the early models of the B2 glass to go from fully clear to solid opaque white when a nuclear bomb goes off! In later panels they got it down to less than ONE millisecond (i.e. down to around 500 microseconds response time) so as to NOT burn out the crews eyes upon nuclear detonation flashes!
That means that kid has a VERY EXPENSIVE tree house since each windshield was around $110,000 USD to make (i.e. in 1987 dollars which is around $306,000 USD today!) and that kid has a tree house that protects against nuclear flash!
Now You Know!
V
That means that kid has a VERY EXPENSIVE tree house since each windshield was around $110,000 USD to make (i.e. in 1987 dollars which is around $306,000 USD today!) and that kid has a tree house that protects against nuclear flash!
Now You Know!
V
I have to say I'm sceptical about this tale. I imagine a 737 screen, with which I am familiar, is considerably smaller and almost certainly nowhere near as substantial as a B2's, andthat is a really heavy chunk. A B2 screen must be like a dressing-table sized piece of granite kitchen-top - it must be immensely heavy - how and why would/could you possibly mount something that huge in a tree house of all thngs?
IIRC one probe was retrieved from the USAF Museum - to the bemusement of those watching an RAF team swarm all over it................
The spares recovery list for the Vulcans being reduced at Scampton did not include any in-flight refuelling parts that might have been still fitted - the recovery list was mainly for instruments and electronic kit common to the Victor which still had a few years service left. It was only after Op CORPORATE kicked off that someone realised that in-flight refuelling equipment was going to be required. I was on orderly sgt the weekend the directive was issued to recover any refuelling items and my orderly cpl spent the weekend over on the far side of the airfield recovering bits and pieces off redundant airframes. The re-purposed ashtray was recovered about the same time as was a probe that someone had blagged as a souvenir.
Not just B-2s or even Vulcans. In the early 1970's one of the 'new' AEW Shackletons on 8 Sqn developed a leak from the de-icing fluid tank (used to spread fluid from the leading edge of the wings in flight). There were none available through the stores system, and even the Mk1 on the fire dump had already had its tank removed earlier. However, one was eventually found - on the gate guardian Lancaster at Scampton. So yours truly took a small team down and they set about removing said tank (plus a few other parts that were unavailable through the system but would also fit the Shackleton). On return to Lossiemouth the tank was then fitted to replace the u/s item (exactly the same) and in the process it was noted that it had 'Manchester a/c' (the forerunner to the Lancaster) written on the ident plate. Only 30+ years old!
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Half a century ago we converted Thruxton Jackaroo G-APAO back into Tiger Moth R4922 as it left deHavilland in 1940. Resourceful owner Ken found a TM fuselage in the south of England but neither taximen nor Tube would allow it (about 10ft long) so Ken carried it on his shoulders across London to Euston. I had noticed a scrap TM section buried under a wartime brick building at Newtownards and unearthed the alloy boot floor pan which we had been unable to locate anywhere. Despite our seaside airfield the metal was perfect, so cleaned it up and in it went. Glad to see that APAO is still flying in Training Command colours as R4922. Given today's prices it would probably be worth its weight in gold ...
I understand it was a specialized fitment required to allow pressure testing of the fuel system.
On a positive note I recall reading that the new computerized supply system enabled the location of non-return valves at RAF Stafford to replace those on the aircraft that had previously been rendered permanently unusable.
On a positive note I recall reading that the new computerized supply system enabled the location of non-return valves at RAF Stafford to replace those on the aircraft that had previously been rendered permanently unusable.