Re: —–> > > > > The April Q U I Z < < < < <—–
Cool!
#1 — the ABL YAL-1
1.1. What are “COIL”, “BILL” and “TILL”?
COIL: Chemical Oxygen Iodine Laser. The actual shooting laser.
BILL: the beam-sharpening laser.
TILL: the targeting/tracking laser. Don’t know the acronyms unfortunately.
1.2. Who builds the big mirror?
Brashear LP, they usually build large telescopes and such.
1.3. Who builds the turret assembly?
Lockheed Martin? I’m not sure if it’s for the full monty AL-1A, but the current YAL-1A should now have a LM-built ‘surrogate turret’.
#2 — What are the differences between the F-84F and the RF-84F?
Obviously, the RF-84F has two side intakes in the wing root, while the F-84F has a single nose intake. I don’t think that’s the full answer though, otherwise i don’t think it would have made it to this quiz 🙂
#3 — What was the first carrier based jet photo reconnaissance aircraft?
I would guess the F2H-2P Banshee. It was the first true carrier recce bird, without armament, just cameras. It was delivered to the USN from 1950 to 1952.
#4 — What was the first manned supersonic photo reconnaissance aircraft?
RF-100A, first flown in september 1954. I don’t think any of the RF-86 variants were ever pushed past M1, and the MiG-19 recce versions came later.
#5 — When was the last operational Grumman F9F retired? Country, unit, date
Do you want Panthers (F9F to F9F-5) or Cougars (F9F-6 to F9F-8), or (if you’re really picky) the first Tigers (XF9F-9)?
For the Panthers, these are the Argentinian F9F-2 Panthers with 3 Escuadra Aeronaval, which were retired in 1969. The last Cougars were also Argentinian, two F9F-8Ts with the same unit which retired in 1971.
#6 — There was one USMC fighter unit outfitted with Lockheed single engine jets. Type, dates, unit and base
These were TO-2s, better known as the Navy/Marines variant of the T-33. The Marines unit was VMF-311 as an interim jet before the Panther became available. It was based at Yokosuka at the time.
#7 — The first British air combat mission of the Korean war. Date, aircraft, base, perhaps target
Those were Seafire F.47s from 800sqn, and Fireflyes of 827sqn aboard the HMS Triumph, on July 3rd, 1950. The target was the North Korean airbase Haeju.
#8 — Name the last biplane operational on a carrier. Type, unit, approx date of retirement
You mean operationally deployed on a carrier, or carrier-based biplanes without being actually flown from a deck? The Swordfish did survive with the RN until at least 1953, but it didn’t fly off any decks during the later years.
#9 — Name at least 10 aircraft that fly/flew with a disk on top (like the AWACS)
E-1 (the Roof on the Stoof is a disc, even though it doesn’t rotate), E-2, E-3, A-50, 976, An-71, Adnan-1, EC-130AEW&C, P-3AEW&C, WV-2E (the Constellation).
#10 — Name at least 5 aircraft that fly/flew with two or more GE-J79 engines
A whole symphony of J-79s? Ummm…. F-4, B-58, A-5, the F12F was to have two, and the X-21 (those vastly modified laminar-flow B-66s).
#11 — A couple of code names
Sean covered this perfectly, i think.
#12 — What was the last USAFE Tactical Fighter Wing to leave their French homebase? Unit, type flown, date
The 366th TFW based at Chaumont (and deployments at Chamblay and Etain) which stayed in France until July 1962 with it’s F-84Fs. Recce and transport units stayed in France until the final kick-out, in 1966/1967. Which conveniently freed up some aircraft and units to send to Vietnam.
#13 — What was the last USAF unit to leave their French homebase and where did they go? (the activities of the 9th SRW at Le Tube don’t count, as Beale is the homebase, not Le Tube)
Don’t know which one was actually the last, but these were the remaining units by 1966:
25TRW, RB-66s, Chambley: deactivated (the bulk of aircraft and crew being sent to Vietnam).
26TRW, RF-4C, Toul: to Ramstein / Zweibrücken.
66TRW, RB-66, Laon: to Upper Heyford.
513TCW, deployed C-130s, Evreux: to Mildenhall.
#14 — What was the first American military aircraft to make a scheduled landing in the People’s Republic of China?
Well, Kissinger went to China in July 1971 to pave the road for Nixon’s trip in 1972. I don’t know how Kissinger actually went to the PRC, so let’s just say Nixon’s Air Force One (either 26000 or 27000, both VC-137s) was the first, on February 21, 1972.
#15 — What are THEEESE?
Il-102 and the Il-40 with the stretched intake ducts.
Sign In
