Official Aviation Thread...

[NZM3]

M3 VIP srevice.

Hi Guys,
Seen this recently, looks like VIP service.
New A320 and 1987 BMW M3.
Dave

[Joe G]

Very Cool pic!

[Albuquerque30]

The one on the right is the first A12, Its where it all began. http://www.habu.org/a-12/06924.html

the cart under the wing is one of the "Buick" Start carts. Originally there were two Micky Thompson built V8s in there used to spin the J58 engines up to 3000 rpm where they would light off. Eventually they blew up all the Micky Thompson motors and replaced them with big block Chevy motors. The program used these up into the mid '80s as the main power source to start the engines, then at the three bases (Beale, Kadena Okinawa, and Mildenhall in England) the hangers were equipped with an air start system. The start carts were kept around for use at airshows and when ever they needed to fly one from a remote operating location.

The SR-71 on the left is #973 and I think its one of the hand full of airworthy airframes (In other words one that didn't have the wing spars cut.) I thought I heard that it suffered some sort of structural damage at an airshow in Europe, but I haven't been able to verify this.

I've got some other pictures that show the differences between the A12 and the SR. I'll post them when I get home later tonight.

No, I don't work at Palmdale, but I have to admit, it would be pretty darn cool to be working in Plant 42.

Will

Nice. I actually meant Travis, not down in Palmdale.

[FLYNAVY]

Good eye, FLYNAVY!

http://roadrunnersinternationale.com/a-12s.html

I may or may not be a giant airplane dork :)

Cool info Blackbird. They were really impressive aircraft

[Albuquerque30]

I may or may not be a giant airplane dork :)

Cool info Blackbird. They were really impressive aircraft

QFT.

I'm still pretty new to the airplane world, but I love learning about different airframes.

[gkurey]

Congratulations! That is bad-ass. Let me guess- 5'10" 1/2, 183 Pounds, 20/10 vision, high IQ? Super coordinated? Have you landed on air-craft carriers?

Haha, thanks MAXELHOFF! You got my figures pretty good, but you're generous on the eyes. My IQ is unknown...I appear smart typically when my mouth is shut. Carrier qual is coming in February! Will definitely have the camera floating around for that one. Guys like FLYNAVY, hoveringuy, Ral etc make me look like a clown still...I appreciate the props though!

[gkurey]

OH, and that collection of black bird stuff in Palmdale is cool! Saw it earlier this year!

[FLYNAVY]

Guys like FLYNAVY, hoveringuy, Ral etc make me look like a clown still...I appreciate the props though!

You can take the clown out of the clownjet, but you can't take the clownjet out of the clown...... :)

Seriously though, I'm sure you will do fine. Be consistent, don't scare paddles (ie your happy place should be somewhere *above* the datums), and don't argue with paddles. If you stick to those rules, it will be a fun painless time. I didn't do much very well in T-45's, (slower learner than some I guess) but I rocked the boat that way.

[BlackbirdM3]

Nice. I actually meant Travis, not down in Palmdale.

I've been over there a couple times. I have a friend with a Datsun roadster who is stationed over there. I've come over a couple times to give him a hand with this or that.

Will

[Albuquerque30]

Gotcha. I saw that video of your two's roadsters. Clean cars, for sure.

[BlackbirdM3]

Gotcha. I saw that video of your two's roadsters. Clean cars, for sure.

The guy in the video is another friend with one. His is a 1600, the one at Travis is a 2L like mine but in stock form. (Mine is stock from the outside, very much not stock inside.)

Will

[MAXELHOFF]

Birdy

Haha, thanks MAXELHOFF! You got my figures pretty good, but you're generous on the eyes. My IQ is unknown...I appear smart typically when my mouth is shut. Carrier qual is coming in February! Will definitely have the camera floating around for that one. Guys like FLYNAVY, hoveringuy, Ral etc make me look like a clown still...I appreciate the props though!

Ya man! I wish you paddle success with your carrier qualifying. Looking forward to the video. Any of you folks fly one of these gyrocopters ever? Runway action stars at 1:30

[BlackbirdM3]

Here are a few random shots I've taken over the past couple years that I don't think I've posted.












Enjoy,
Will

[Albuquerque30]

Worked on 6015 last night, and blocked out 5010 earlier in the week. Great shots all around.

[BlackbirdM3]

Haha, that's kinda funny, very cool. One of these days I'd love to go see the Museum at Travis, its just kinda hard to get on base.

Is there any word of an airshow at Travis this year?

I keep my eyes open for things flying into and out of Travis, seems like a few KC10s flying out of there lately. I hear the C5s quite often, sort of an unmistakable sound.

Will