It is quite interesting to observe the fluctuations in forum quality; but I guess there are good days, same as there are bad days. We have to accept that. It’s a fact of live. But to stem the relentless onslaughter of ignorance, incompetence and mediocrity a few good men have to step forward, regardless of dangers present to their bodily and mental health and kick their fellow men asses into immediate action. And it doesn’t get easier with time.
Some say quizzes are booring stuff and only good for the quizmaster to show off his supreme knowledge, googeling skills and vast library. That is a lot of bull****. Enlightened experts, such as you are, absolutely love quizzes – traditionally. All real experts love the sting and clash of duelling minds and googeling skills. When you were kids, you all admired the champion marble player; the fastest runner; the big league ball players; the toughest boxers. We all love a winner and will not tolerate a loser. We despise cowards who don’t show up for quizzes. We all play to win – all the time. I wouldn’t give a hoot in hell for a man who loses and laughes. That’s why you have never failed to give the right answers to questions untold, not ever will fail to do so, for the very thought of failing is hateful to a true enlightened expert.
The relentless quest for truth and perfection continues today. On your screen. The May04 quiz. As usually everything is military and post 1945. (PS: This time there are two or three questions I’m not completly sure I have the correct answers, we’ll see. PPS: I know it is not May yet, but I won’t have time for this during the next days.)
Did anyone recognise my spoofed Patton speech? 😀
Correct answers.
#1 — What is the projected “Sea Serpent” missile?
A tube-launched AIM-9X for subs.
#2 — Where is the final assembly of the F/A-22A taking place?
Marietta, GA – seahawk
#3 — Who was the first woman to break the sound barrier? Pilotesse, date, location, aircraft
Mrs. Cochran on 18May1953 (Arthur typo I guess) in the only Canadair Sabre Mk.3 ever produced (http://www.aviation.technomuses.ca/pdf/SabreMk6.pdf) above Muroc.
And no, it was not Hanna Reitsch in a supersecret Messerschmitt!
#4 — We know about the first British jet landing aboard an aircraft carrier, but about the first carrier landing of an U.S. jet? Name pilot, date, aircraft, vessel
Lt. Cmdr. James Davidson, 21Jun1946, XFD-1, CVB-42 – Arthur
#5 — What was the last manned piston-engine twin in service with the U.S. Navy? What was its job? Where was it based and when was it retired?
This is one of the answers I’m not sure about. It might have been one of the six or seven ES-2D Tracker, based at the Kwajalein PMRF and retired in March 1986. They were there to scare away eco-wackoes I think, otherwise for telemetry stuff. But Arthur says there are still some Navy Seminoles flying somewhere, so I can’t tell.
#6 — What was the last manned piston-engine “quad” in service with the U.S. Navy? aircraft, unit, date of retirement
NC-121K ” Project Magnet” (BuNo.145925), VAQ-33 (Key West), 25Jun1982 – Arthur. Was the last Conny, the last piston-quad, the last R3350 in active service, last Wright engine in service, etc. That particular plane had quite a story to tell, but that is another story. Last usage was to simulate Tu-95 for intercepts by some VF and VFM units.
#7 — Name at least two supersonic jets with 2wheel tandem main landing gear.
I was nice, asked only for two. JAS37, Su-34, CF-105 (tricky!), TSR.2, plus the MiG-31
#8 — Name at least one modular cargo plane that actually flew.
XC-120 of course. Modular helicopters were a bit more popular.
#9 — Name the dates of the closure of the USAF’s North African Bases.
Libya — Wheelus AB 11Jun1970, (French) Morocco — Sidi Slimane AB, Nouasseur AB, Ben Guerir AB all May1963. All these bases were terribly important one time or the other as SAC bases (fully equipped with nuclear warhead storage, etc) or later as training facilities.
#10 — On Thanksgiving eve of 1971 two F-106A of the 318th FIS scrambled from McChord AFB. Why?
Yes, “D.B.Cooper”. Was he the only one ever jumping out of a commercial flight? Really have to ask the folks at the commercial forum about that. Btw it was Northwest Flight 305 from Portland to Seattle and the two F-106 pilots were Randy Plumb and Harve Wallace.
#11 — No other western fighter jet carried as many different visually distinguishable “noses” during their life as the McDonnell Douglas FH-1/F-4. Name the number of noses and if you’re really good name all the versions. (Hint: Number is between 15 and 20)
Answers below. Arthur and seahawk did nice lists.
#12 — A quite fascinating story: The (at one time in its life) three engined F-106B, the last manned F-106 to fly. That particular aircraft was used for five R&D projects. What were those? When was its last flight?
Answers also below.
Sign In
April 29, 2004 at 3:00 pm