wrt the ordnance possibly used….

Most folks expect to see a crater when bombs are discussed. Not necessarily so (and probably most often not the case). Unless a delay is used there can be very little to no ‘crater’ effect. With an ‘instantaneous’ fuze (which is most typically used) even a 2000lb weapon makes just a very small depression in DIRT (max of a foot or two) much less when used on concrete (as in this example)

Using delays are usually specified against particular target types to cause more cratering ‘effects’ (e.g. runways, roads). As the target here was an aircraft, probably ‘instantaneous’ fuzing was used.

Yet then again…. Just a guess!!!!

Mark

wrt the TBirds pic….

This maneuver (as I recall) is performed flying 90deg to the show line towards the ‘audience’. Then the ‘cross over’ is performed wowing the crowd. This is done with ample nose to tail separation. Due to the orientation it appears that they almost collide (same can be said for this angle in the photo as well). If you looked at the 2 ship formation from the side it would look like they are flying in trail…

As to the speedbrakes… must admit don’t know why they would be out unless pilot forgot to put them back in (it happens, no bells or alarms in the cockpit, other than a very small, hard to see indicator which one does not look at… esp in this situation). Th SB take a while to go in/out and as they appear to be fully deployed suspect they’ve been out at least a second or two prior to the picture. Pilot would be using more thrust than normal to overcome the added drag, but again might not notice unless power was at the max and he was still being left behind… Then you’d get a ‘clue’

Moving on to the Viper video… Can’t speak to current recording systems as they may have moved on to new technology…. F-15 and F-16 both used 3/4 in video tape recorders. If the aircraft indeed crashes, sometimes portions of the tape survives. Wonder if they’ve moved on to using flash memory or other (not sure mini-disks would handle the g loads…) Costs may be competitive nowadays… But then again USAF is trying to save it’s nickels for the F/A-22…

btw in my opinion the F-15 is not ‘out of control’ prior to the impact. Looks more like he’s trying to pull up and get out of the way…

If you look closely you’ll notice that it starts out as a left to left pass, but the Viper driver looks like he misjudges the aspect and in an attempt to ‘deconflict flight paths’ turns left (very slightly) then stops. This unfortunately makes things even worse.

For those interested, the flashing X in the Hud is meant as a warning for impending collision!!!

Mark

ps This guy looks like he’s quite the collector of this sort of thing…

http://www.rob.com/matt/videos/

Old numbers (by a couple of years)

USAF Major (14 yrs or your most ‘experienced’ so to speak) $5000 base pay; plus $850 Fly pay per month. Doesn’t include any ‘bonuses’ etc.

Mark

btw No differences in what you fly in terms of pay 🙂 T-37 or F/A-22 same-same (also holds true for ‘status’, pilot, instructor, test, evaluation, etc etc)

Could be because it’s an AA-2c….

which is quite a bit longer. Would make sense to have mix of IR and radar AAMs (the AA-8 and AA-2c). Still kind of ‘funky’ looking

Mark

DJ,

Thanks for the pics…

btw the AAM the ground crew is tinkering with is an AA-8.

The other looks like an AA-2, but something not quite right about it (can’t figure out what, but the front end seems a bit odd)

Anyway… Thanks Again

Mark

Here’s a bit from my “AFM50-40”

Consolidated Vultee (Convair)

Wing span 145′
Length 142′ 6″
Combat Weight 165,000 lb
Max Range 3400nm Plus
Crew 5 Plus
Max Speed 300kts Plus
Service Ceiling 30,000ft Plus
4 x Turboprop (T40-10) Allison 5060 s.hp.

Can carry 80 passengers in backward-facing seats

Cargo loading door port side aft of the wings, with smaller personnel doors on either side of the hull

Hinged nose (as seen in Distiller’s pic)

Mark

ps Here’s some nice info which includes a bit more on ‘flying boats’ to include further links

http://www.vpnavy.com/aircraft_r3y_history.html

Found this on Usenet yesterday…

http://www.starfighter.no/web/life331.html

Intersting reading!!

Mark