Aircraft seen via Google Earth

[wolfee]

Re: Aircraft seen via Google Earth

Thank you very much SpinB. Those are great

When did they change the signs to brown and white?

Last time I was there (all be it a very long time ago) the signs were the standard green with white lettering.

[a4gturn]

Re: Aircraft seen via Google Earth

Check out all of the sailplanes at Minden, Nevada.....

[SpinB]

Re: Aircraft seen via Google Earth

When did they change the signs to brown and white?

Last time I was there (all be it a very long time ago) the signs were the standard green with white lettering.

I guess it's been about 10 years or so. All the buildings were painted to match as well. Must have been 'cause some General saw an HGTV show...

[Hawker 73]

Re: Aircraft seen via Google Earth

Here's a quiz for you. Go to Duxford UK on Google Earth and see how many of the airplanes you can recognise. Ten points for each. There's a B-17 parked on the grass, "Sally B" I presume. But can you find the Bristol Blenheim (or Bolingbroke?) and what about that 4-prop taildragger and the huge jet-bomber?

Have fun.

Chris

[p51flyby42]

Re: Aircraft seen via Google Earth

Beale AFB in CA is kind of fun. there are several T-38s, tails of tankers sticking out of a few hangars, "U2" on the tarmac, one just took off!, and one that appears to be missing it's tail... there are also a couple A-10s out in the sticks and maybe the chase vehicle cruising the taxiways! always cool to see a/c caught in the air. there is a 737 on final at San Diego/Montgomery Field. just "fly" the approach and you might catch it...

[Apteryx]

Re: Aircraft seen via Google Earth

I don't have 'Earth' but when using 'Maps' I found some unusual roofless hangers HERE at Palmdale, does anyone know the purpose of the configuration?

Paul

[Hawker 73]

Re: Aircraft seen via Google Earth

The roofless hangars are probably engine running bays. Put the whole airplane inside, chain it to the ground and run the engines up to max power. The long chute arrangement at the back collects the exhaust and the ramp at the end deflects it skywards. The walls and doors muffle the noise. There will be technicians labs, services and equipment in the shelters around the sides. Doors, walls and screens are also important to keep debris "FOD" from being sucked into the engine intakes.

Some other variations on this arrangement can be seen at other manufacturers' facilities. For AV-8A/B the engine running bays have a metal grid floor with a shaped cavity underneath to collect and redirect the exhaust blast with the jet nozzles vectored downwards (see Dunsfold airfield UK). Some bays have large metal silencers that fit right up against the back of the airplane. Photos of F-35 thrust vectoring at Palmdale show the airplane sitting on a raised metal grid out in the open with no FOD protection and no sound muffling.

Keep looking for those curiosities!

Chris

[Propellerhead]

Re: Aircraft seen via Google Earth

I guess it's been about 10 years or so. All the buildings were painted to match as well. Must have been 'cause some General saw an HGTV show...

"Tonight on 'Curb Appeal,' Edwards Air Force Base..."

[SpinB]

Re: Aircraft seen via Google Earth

I don't have 'Earth' but when using 'Maps' I found some unusual roofless hangers HERE at Palmdale, does anyone know the purpose of the configuration?

Paul

I found out that was where they used to run-up SR-71s back when they
had the XB-70s at Plant 42. They would run the Valkyrie '6-Pack' to mask Blackbird engine runs! That's some real 'Get Smart' action!!!!!
They really could have used a cone-of-silence!

[BadIdea]

Re: Aircraft seen via Google Earth

Here's a quiz for you. Go to Duxford UK on Google Earth and see how many of the airplanes you can recognise. Ten points for each. There's a B-17 parked on the grass, "Sally B" I presume. But can you find the Bristol Blenheim (or Bolingbroke?) and what about that 4-prop taildragger and the huge jet-bomber?

Have fun.

Chris

Is this your 4-prop tail tragger?

[Tin Man]

Re: Aircraft seen via Google Earth

I found out that was where they used to run-up SR-71s back when they
had the XB-70s at Plant 42. They would run the Valkyrie '6-Pack' to mask Blackbird engine runs! That's some real 'Get Smart' action!!!!!
They really could have used a cone-of-silence!

Great story, I think they only built 2 B70's one crashed, the other is at the Air Force Museum Dayton Ohio.
Tom

[Tin Man]

Re: Aircraft seen via Google Earth

I found out that was where they used to run-up SR-71s back when they
had the XB-70s at Plant 42. They would run the Valkyrie '6-Pack' to mask Blackbird engine runs! That's some real 'Get Smart' action!!!!!
They really could have used a cone-of-silence!

Great story, I think they only built 2 B70's one crashed, the other is at the Air Force Museum Dayton Ohio. Seen them both.
Tom
Edwards Air Force brat 1960's

[Apteryx]

Re: Aircraft seen via Google Earth

Thanks Chris & SpinB, I figured it was for run-ups, and likely the SR-71 with the shape. It just seemed counter-intuitive with the ramp on the pointy end.

Paul

[BJH]

Re: Aircraft seen via Google Earth

Anyone know what is going on to the North and East of the Tunica Airport? Check out the jet in the field, by itself with another weird ariplane shape next to it.

[race21]

Re: Aircraft seen via Google Earth

That jet northeast of Tunica looks like a Canadair CL600 regional flight....must have just taken off and heading east....the other shape under it is the shadow...flying pretty low....