Hi All,
Having read a few other ‘threads’ there is a burning question that I would love answered!
I was 13 in 1985 when my Dad took me to the IAT @ Fairford and I distinctly remember watching ‘The Vikings’ F-104 display in the clear blue skies. When they did the one slow, one (very) fast part of the display I clearly remember the fast aircraft was travelling very fast indeed – much faster than normal, and my Dad saying – ‘Blimey, he must have been pretty close to the sound barrier then’.
Funny the things that stick in one’s head!
Anyway, reading some of the previous threads many readers/writers claim that the pilot of the ‘fast’ F-104 did actually exceed Mach1 on ‘that’ pass.
Is this really the case? Is it documented anywhere as I cannot ever remember reading about it in any aircraft mag at that time? And I cannot remember The Vikings display being cut short as surely they both would have been told by ATC to land in no uncertain terms?
Thanks,
Nick
By: Flood - 6th February 2004 at 18:19
Were they the ones that did a fly-by with one of them upside down with the undercarriage up-er down?
Flood.
By: Firebird - 6th February 2004 at 15:28
Originally posted by Moggy C
One of the teams used to do a four-ship.
Wasn’t this the Canadian Team…..?
Can’t recall their name, but I think the last time I saw them was probably RIAT at Greenham Common……must have been ’79 or maybe ’81. They may have been there in ’83, but I haven’t convinced myself of that yet…..:rolleyes:
By: Moggy C - 6th February 2004 at 15:02
One of the teams used to do a four-ship.
They would cross one end of the display line in a vic with a trailer a long way back at modest speed. As they neared display centre the trailer would firewall it and ‘undertake’ the lead formation in a few hundred yards and a welter of ear-splitting noise.
It was just about the only trick they could do. But well worth watching all the same.
Moggy
By: Moggy C - 6th February 2004 at 14:58
Supersonic and them some. IIRC
Moggy
By: Firebird - 6th February 2004 at 14:58
I would’nt say exceeded…….
I think a better description is ‘nudge’…..:D
There certainley was a loud rapport, whether it could be described in the same way as a sonic bang is another matter.
I have a vague feeling this manoevere was thier ‘finale’ so they would have landed soon afterwards anyway. There might have been a ticking off afterwards with a
“Don’t do it again tomorrow, sonny..”
Anybody go on the Sunday…???
By: dhfan - 6th February 2004 at 14:54
I saw this mentioned in an earlier thread and thought no more of it.
Something has just come to mind. I know virtually nothing about the F-104, except it’s a large engine with small wings, but is it supersonic at sea level?
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February 6, 2004 at 2:44 pm