Having watched a documentary on the DH Comet it set me thinking how modern airliners are monitored for metal fatigue…..is it based on destructive testing at the prototype stage or some sort of constant monitoring…..?:confused:

Back in the 60’s when I was an apprentice, I got talking to a chap who was
putting a big water tank together in a school.
Turned out that he worked on the tank they tested the Comet in.

Watching a programme on Discovery a few years ago, they showed the wings of the 777 being tested to destruction.
They also do extensive testing on the B-52s. Taking the wingtips up and down 15 – 20ft then doing X-Rays.

I think somebody has been watching too much Star Trek. 🙂

This question came up in an episode of TNG.

……….Like many I thought the first 20 minutes of saving private Ryan was very good, the rest descended into schmaltz.

Exactly my view of that film…… In the main (yes there are exceptions) British
war films tend to concentrate on fighting the enemy, and are often in a semi
documentary style. US war films usually have their servicemen in conflict with
each other, more that with the enemy.

Forgive my ignorance, but what is the device on the wing of G-EDGY ?

Thanks for posting that. The paintwork has been looking a little faded recently.
I look forward to her getting back into shape.

He isn’t the first to do this, and I doubt he will be the last. 😡

A bit more info

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marilyn_Gillies_Carr