Historic Aircraft from back in the day

el moto diablo 4/21/2021 4:07am
4/21/2021 4:07am
anniebertmojo wrote:
[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2021/04/20/488705/s1200_IMG_6857.jpg[/img] [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2021/04/20/488706/s1200_IMG_6856.jpg[/img] [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2021/04/20/488704/s1200_IMG_6855.jpg[/img] [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2021/04/20/488703/s1200_IMG_6854.jpg[/img]




G-man wrote:
WoW Awesome pictures! Woohoo
https://www.planesoffame.org/
1
indy_maico
Profile picture for user indy_maico
Posts
5102
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
Indianapolis, IN, USA
indy_maico 5/25/2021 10:39am
5/25/2021 10:39am

The Shop

See All »
PNWRider
Profile picture for user PNWRider
Posts
474
Joined
1/31/2021
Location
Stanwood, WA, USA
PNWRider 10/14/2021 8:06pm
10/14/2021 8:06pm
G-man wrote:
Skunkworks in Burbank was legendary 😎 [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2021/10/14/514343/s1200_Screenshot_20211014_055756_Facebook.jpg[/img] Anyone interested in purchasing this Widowmaker? It's right down the road from me. :woohoo: [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2021/10/14/514344/s1200_CF_104D_N104_6_1024x682.jpg[/img] https://warbirdsnews.com/warbirds-news/flyable-cf-104-starfighter-for-sale.html
Skunkworks in Burbank was legendary 😎



Anyone interested in purchasing this Widowmaker?
It's right down the road from me. Woohoo


https://warbirdsnews.com/warbirds-news/flyable-cf-104-starfighter-for-s…

Awesome!

My grandpa (dad’s stepdad, but always grandpa to me) worked there as well. He worked on several airplanes but was proudest of the SR-71. Years later, I really learned why when I learned more about just how amazing that aircraft was, especially given the available technology of the time.

Those F-104’s are more like a rocket with tiny wings than an airplane, lol…
1
plowboy
Profile picture for user plowboy
Posts
14614
Joined
1/3/2010
Location
Norwich, KS, USA
plowboy 10/15/2021 4:00pm
10/15/2021 4:00pm
G-man wrote:
Skunkworks in Burbank was legendary 😎 [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2021/10/14/514343/s1200_Screenshot_20211014_055756_Facebook.jpg[/img] Anyone interested in purchasing this Widowmaker? It's right down the road from me. :woohoo: [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2021/10/14/514344/s1200_CF_104D_N104_6_1024x682.jpg[/img] https://warbirdsnews.com/warbirds-news/flyable-cf-104-starfighter-for-sale.html
Skunkworks in Burbank was legendary 😎



Anyone interested in purchasing this Widowmaker?
It's right down the road from me. Woohoo


https://warbirdsnews.com/warbirds-news/flyable-cf-104-starfighter-for-s…

I was working a KC-135 on the ramp at Mildenhall in 1977. Changing a sighting glass actuator. Had 3 newbies on the ground. I was buried in the plane when I heard this tremendous boom...I asked the kids wtf had exploded. They were dumbstruck...no response. Then the second German F-104 streaked down the runway at +mach...giant boom. They were coming in for the Mildenhall airshow. Good times back then.
2
G-man
Profile picture for user G-man
Posts
9266
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
Mesa, AZ, USA
G-man 10/15/2021 7:38pm
10/15/2021 7:38pm
PNWRider wrote:
Awesome! My grandpa (dad’s stepdad, but always grandpa to me) worked there as well. He worked on several airplanes but was proudest of the SR-71. Years...
Awesome!

My grandpa (dad’s stepdad, but always grandpa to me) worked there as well. He worked on several airplanes but was proudest of the SR-71. Years later, I really learned why when I learned more about just how amazing that aircraft was, especially given the available technology of the time.

Those F-104’s are more like a rocket with tiny wings than an airplane, lol…
Very cool, yes the SR-71 is my favorite Aircraft and so far ahead of its time.

You're right about the F-104, looks VERY FAST and unstable with those stubby wings. Woohoo
G-man
Profile picture for user G-man
Posts
9266
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
Mesa, AZ, USA
G-man 10/15/2021 7:39pm
10/15/2021 7:39pm
plowboy wrote:
I was working a KC-135 on the ramp at Mildenhall in 1977. Changing a sighting glass actuator. Had 3 newbies on the ground. I was buried...
I was working a KC-135 on the ramp at Mildenhall in 1977. Changing a sighting glass actuator. Had 3 newbies on the ground. I was buried in the plane when I heard this tremendous boom...I asked the kids wtf had exploded. They were dumbstruck...no response. Then the second German F-104 streaked down the runway at +mach...giant boom. They were coming in for the Mildenhall airshow. Good times back then.
Haha, great story!👍
G-man
Profile picture for user G-man
Posts
9266
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
Mesa, AZ, USA
G-man 10/15/2021 7:42pm
10/15/2021 7:42pm Edited Date/Time 10/16/2021 12:44am
Amazing stuff, so innovative to hide the Skunk Works Factory and create a fake suburb. Smile







5
rhargrave431
Profile picture for user rhargrave431
Posts
857
Joined
12/7/2010
Location
Kalispell, MT, USA
rhargrave431 10/16/2021 7:18am
10/16/2021 7:18am
If you get the chance, read the book "Skunk Works" by Ben Rich. Kelly brought on Rich to help develop the U2, and then he stayed on and eventually replaced Kelly when he retired. Most of the book is pretty jaw dropping. The technology they were creating, with the technology they were working with is truly incredible. Definitely check it out
2
Sully
Profile picture for user Sully
Posts
9473
Joined
8/24/2006
Location
JP
Sully 10/16/2021 6:19pm
10/16/2021 6:19pm
rhargrave431 wrote:
If you get the chance, read the book "Skunk Works" by Ben Rich. Kelly brought on Rich to help develop the U2, and then he stayed...
If you get the chance, read the book "Skunk Works" by Ben Rich. Kelly brought on Rich to help develop the U2, and then he stayed on and eventually replaced Kelly when he retired. Most of the book is pretty jaw dropping. The technology they were creating, with the technology they were working with is truly incredible. Definitely check it out
That was a great book. How he figured out that adding the cones to the SR71 engines would slow down the air enough to not choke the engine requires a lot more brain power than I’m putting out, that’s for sure.
3
rhargrave431
Profile picture for user rhargrave431
Posts
857
Joined
12/7/2010
Location
Kalispell, MT, USA
rhargrave431 10/16/2021 6:23pm
10/16/2021 6:23pm
rhargrave431 wrote:
If you get the chance, read the book "Skunk Works" by Ben Rich. Kelly brought on Rich to help develop the U2, and then he stayed...
If you get the chance, read the book "Skunk Works" by Ben Rich. Kelly brought on Rich to help develop the U2, and then he stayed on and eventually replaced Kelly when he retired. Most of the book is pretty jaw dropping. The technology they were creating, with the technology they were working with is truly incredible. Definitely check it out
Sully wrote:
That was a great book. How he figured out that adding the cones to the SR71 engines would slow down the air enough to not choke...
That was a great book. How he figured out that adding the cones to the SR71 engines would slow down the air enough to not choke the engine requires a lot more brain power than I’m putting out, that’s for sure.
One of the craziest thoughts on time for me is that the SR71 flew closer to the Wright Brothers first flight, than it was to current times. All without fancy computers and simulators, and all with slide rules and smarts.
3
G-man
Profile picture for user G-man
Posts
9266
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
Mesa, AZ, USA
G-man 10/17/2021 10:48pm
10/17/2021 10:48pm Edited Date/Time 10/17/2021 11:00pm
rhargrave431 wrote:
If you get the chance, read the book "Skunk Works" by Ben Rich. Kelly brought on Rich to help develop the U2, and then he stayed...
If you get the chance, read the book "Skunk Works" by Ben Rich. Kelly brought on Rich to help develop the U2, and then he stayed on and eventually replaced Kelly when he retired. Most of the book is pretty jaw dropping. The technology they were creating, with the technology they were working with is truly incredible. Definitely check it out
It's on my checklist for sure, read the Yeager book about 30 years ago and it was a good read about my Buddy the FMOTP. Smile


A few guys on here have mentioned Ben's book, sounds good.
Thanks
1
HuskyEd
Profile picture for user HuskyEd
Posts
5217
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
Palmdale, CA, USA
HuskyEd 10/18/2021 7:55am
10/18/2021 7:55am
This beast would rattle and shake windows throughout the Antelope Valley when she took off



3
G-man
Profile picture for user G-man
Posts
9266
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
Mesa, AZ, USA
G-man 10/18/2021 10:28pm
10/18/2021 10:28pm
HuskyEd wrote:
This beast would rattle and shake windows throughout the Antelope Valley when she took off [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2021/10/18/514909/s1200_C3EA4882_8232_4DC9_A9BA_AA337D0320C0.jpg[/img] [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2021/10/18/514908/s1200_B4676D54_F9DB_4F65_95C4_014CD6249420.jpg[/img]
This beast would rattle and shake windows throughout the Antelope Valley when she took off



Bad Ass Aircraft for sure Ed.
While it seemed like a good idea, it never really was profitable and that one horrendous crash was the final nail in the coffin.....Sad
HuskyEd
Profile picture for user HuskyEd
Posts
5217
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
Palmdale, CA, USA
HuskyEd 10/21/2021 11:40am
10/21/2021 11:40am


This was such a gorgeous aircraft.
2
sumdood
Profile picture for user sumdood
Posts
9044
Joined
3/11/2013
Location
San Clemente, CA, USA
Fantasy
548th
sumdood 10/21/2021 9:41pm
10/21/2021 9:41pm
Missed this thread the first time around. My Dad worked on the X15, Gemini and Apollo projects. Here’s one of his signed pictures we have hanging in the hallway. You’ve probably heard of the second guy from the right 😎

6
sumdood
Profile picture for user sumdood
Posts
9044
Joined
3/11/2013
Location
San Clemente, CA, USA
Fantasy
548th
sumdood 10/21/2021 9:49pm
10/21/2021 9:49pm
X-15 Crash site monument near Randsberg


2

Pit Row

See All »
sumdood
Profile picture for user sumdood
Posts
9044
Joined
3/11/2013
Location
San Clemente, CA, USA
Fantasy
548th
sumdood 10/21/2021 10:06pm
10/21/2021 10:06pm
ShawdowGlen wrote:
Awesome thread. Wife and I visited Pima Air/Space Museum last October. So many cool birds. [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2021/03/05/481602/s1200_IMG_7482.jpg[/img] [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2021/03/05/481603/s1200_IMG_7357.jpg[/img]
Awesome thread.

Wife and I visited Pima Air/Space Museum last October.

So many cool birds.





My wifes uncle "Handsome" Jack Kelley flew Corsairs. He was a classic crusty old guy that used to cruise around Corona Del Mar smoking a pipe on his moped well into his 80's. He had shitoads of stories. One of them he told us was that the Corsairs could pull up out of a dive faster than any other plane (of the time) So when it got hairy and they had to scram they would fly straight towards the ground and then pull up at the last second. "You were called a pussy if you didn't come back with grass stains and mud on the bottom of the plane", We called it "Shit and Get" Blink He had that old school cool gentlemanly way about him, but he also had that kind of crazy in his eyes, you could tell he didn't bullshit and in his day he was fucking gnarly.
4
sumdood
Profile picture for user sumdood
Posts
9044
Joined
3/11/2013
Location
San Clemente, CA, USA
Fantasy
548th
sumdood 10/22/2021 9:02am
10/22/2021 9:02am
We did a "Tiger cruise" when our daughter was in the Navy. "Air show" day was beyond epic



Coming back into San Diego

4
HuskyEd
Profile picture for user HuskyEd
Posts
5217
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
Palmdale, CA, USA
HuskyEd 10/22/2021 8:36pm
10/22/2021 8:36pm
I've seen this NASA B-57 flying around a couple of times recently. They have a very unique sound. Had no idea we had one still in service


1
Wildeye511
Profile picture for user Wildeye511
Posts
772
Joined
10/1/2014
Location
Las Vegas, NV, USA
Wildeye511 10/24/2021 8:28am
10/24/2021 8:28am
sumdood wrote:
X-15 Crash site monument near Randsberg [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2021/10/21/515420/s1200_X_15_CRASH_SITE_2.jpg[/img] [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2021/10/21/515421/s1200_X_15_CRASH_SITE_1.jpg[/img]
X-15 Crash site monument near Randsberg


My buddy Rob (BLM employee) is the one that put that informational board together. I helped him with setting it up and putting it in the ground. I thought he did an awesome job getting all the info and putting it all together.
6
three9zero
Profile picture for user three9zero
Posts
1454
Joined
9/26/2010
Location
Kamloops B.C, CA
three9zero 11/3/2021 3:57pm
11/3/2021 3:57pm
These were in town a while back, you could pay to go for a ride in them, but I'm too cheap..











4
sumdood
Profile picture for user sumdood
Posts
9044
Joined
3/11/2013
Location
San Clemente, CA, USA
Fantasy
548th
sumdood 11/4/2021 10:08am
11/4/2021 10:08am
sumdood wrote:
X-15 Crash site monument near Randsberg [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2021/10/21/515420/s1200_X_15_CRASH_SITE_2.jpg[/img] [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2021/10/21/515421/s1200_X_15_CRASH_SITE_1.jpg[/img]
X-15 Crash site monument near Randsberg


Wildeye511 wrote:
My buddy Rob (BLM employee) is the one that put that informational board together. I helped him with setting it up and putting it in the...
My buddy Rob (BLM employee) is the one that put that informational board together. I helped him with setting it up and putting it in the ground. I thought he did an awesome job getting all the info and putting it all together.
Agreed, you guys did a great job !
Money
Profile picture for user Money
Posts
1903
Joined
1/18/2011
Location
Fresno, CA, USA
Money 11/4/2021 12:18pm
11/4/2021 12:18pm
G-man wrote:
Amazing stuff, so innovative to hide the Skunk Works Factory and create a fake suburb. :) [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2021/10/15/514458/s1200_Screenshot_20211015_192646_Facebook.jpg[/img] [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2021/10/15/514459/s1200_FB_IMG_1634351178566.jpg[/img] [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2021/10/15/514460/s1200_FB_IMG_1634351074519.jpg[/img] [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2021/10/15/514461/s1200_FB_IMG_1634351150761.jpg[/img] [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2021/10/15/514462/s1200_FB_IMG_1634351533790.jpg[/img]
Amazing stuff, so innovative to hide the Skunk Works Factory and create a fake suburb. Smile







This is unreal. So the facilities were all underground under the “fake” houses. Just think how far ahead the tech was way back then and how long them planes were developed before the public knew about them. Just think what kinda technology is going on today and what is out there flying around that no one knows about. Really neat stuff.

Know this is off subject but I remember seeing a photo of a sub going under ground in the china sea i believe. So they must have some kinda sub “world” under ground there as well.
1
Rawly
Profile picture for user Rawly
Posts
951
Joined
9/12/2019
Location
Simi Valley, CA, USA
Rawly 11/4/2021 4:25pm
11/4/2021 4:25pm
G-man wrote:
Amazing stuff, so innovative to hide the Skunk Works Factory and create a fake suburb. :) [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2021/10/15/514458/s1200_Screenshot_20211015_192646_Facebook.jpg[/img] [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2021/10/15/514459/s1200_FB_IMG_1634351178566.jpg[/img] [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2021/10/15/514460/s1200_FB_IMG_1634351074519.jpg[/img] [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2021/10/15/514461/s1200_FB_IMG_1634351150761.jpg[/img] [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2021/10/15/514462/s1200_FB_IMG_1634351533790.jpg[/img]
Amazing stuff, so innovative to hide the Skunk Works Factory and create a fake suburb. Smile







Money wrote:
This is unreal. So the facilities were all underground under the “fake” houses. Just think how far ahead the tech was way back then and how...
This is unreal. So the facilities were all underground under the “fake” houses. Just think how far ahead the tech was way back then and how long them planes were developed before the public knew about them. Just think what kinda technology is going on today and what is out there flying around that no one knows about. Really neat stuff.

Know this is off subject but I remember seeing a photo of a sub going under ground in the china sea i believe. So they must have some kinda sub “world” under ground there as well.
The Burbank facility actually had the false city built over the above ground buildings. The one picture shows all of the people and hanger under the tarps. I’m guessing that the nearby movie studios helped out there ??
SEEMEFIRST
Profile picture for user SEEMEFIRST
Posts
14057
Joined
8/21/2006
Location
Arlington, TX, USA
SEEMEFIRST 11/4/2021 6:10pm
11/4/2021 6:10pm
Dad's old ride... FNJ FURY.



4
Wildeye511
Profile picture for user Wildeye511
Posts
772
Joined
10/1/2014
Location
Las Vegas, NV, USA
Wildeye511 11/4/2021 6:15pm
11/4/2021 6:15pm
sumdood wrote:
X-15 Crash site monument near Randsberg [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2021/10/21/515420/s1200_X_15_CRASH_SITE_2.jpg[/img] [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2021/10/21/515421/s1200_X_15_CRASH_SITE_1.jpg[/img]
X-15 Crash site monument near Randsberg


Wildeye511 wrote:
My buddy Rob (BLM employee) is the one that put that informational board together. I helped him with setting it up and putting it in the...
My buddy Rob (BLM employee) is the one that put that informational board together. I helped him with setting it up and putting it in the ground. I thought he did an awesome job getting all the info and putting it all together.
sumdood wrote:
Agreed, you guys did a great job !
Thank you, I will let him know. He did 99% of the work, I just helped with digging the holes and standing it up.
2
SEEMEFIRST
Profile picture for user SEEMEFIRST
Posts
14057
Joined
8/21/2006
Location
Arlington, TX, USA
SEEMEFIRST 11/4/2021 6:24pm
11/4/2021 6:24pm
The trainer.


6
Money
Profile picture for user Money
Posts
1903
Joined
1/18/2011
Location
Fresno, CA, USA
Money 11/13/2021 9:59am
11/13/2021 9:59am
Know this is a bit off topic but something else i find very interesting is the Submarine’s that are out there today.

Post a reply to: Historic Aircraft from back in the day