And what country can preserve its liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms. The remedy is to set them right as to facts, pardon and pacify them. What signify a few lives lost in a century or two? The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.
Germans called them Flying Coffins. Last one I saw crash was at Kelly AFB in 1970. The wreckage stayed on site for more than 6 months. My father was stationed at Lackland, next door, but we rode the school bus along the southern perimeter of Kelly's runways.
The 104 was forced on USAF by bomber Generals who thought speed and climb was everything.
I was told when I was in AFROTC many moons ago that the F-16 was the first aircraft that could outfly a pilots ability to stay conscious. Sustained 9G capability. It also impressed me that the F-15 has the same engines as the F-16, just two of them. Which gave the F-15 a thrust to weight ratio greater than 1:1, meaning it can accelerate straight up!
I watched a F-15 take off from Kadena in Okniawa. As soon as the landing gear were up (looked like 6 inches after he lifted off) he stood that thing on its tail and went straight up! and fast!
then lockheed built the F-35 which can takeoff and land vertically, even with the engine running. You might say that I am not enamored with the F-35. If it could carry a decent bomb load, it would make a nice little bomber. not very chooch.
Looks to me like this picture has been rotated 90 degrees counter-clockwise.
ReplyDeleteThe F-104 Widowmaker, famous for banking with intent to turn.
ReplyDeleteGermans called them Flying Coffins. Last one I saw crash was at Kelly AFB in 1970. The wreckage stayed on site for more than 6 months. My father was stationed at Lackland, next door, but we rode the school bus along the southern perimeter of Kelly's runways.
DeleteThe 104 was forced on USAF by bomber Generals who thought speed and climb was everything.
I was told when I was in AFROTC many moons ago that the F-16 was the first aircraft that could outfly a pilots ability to stay conscious. Sustained 9G capability. It also impressed me that the F-15 has the same engines as the F-16, just two of them. Which gave the F-15 a thrust to weight ratio greater than 1:1, meaning it can accelerate straight up!
ReplyDeleteI watched a F-15 take off from Kadena in Okniawa. As soon as the landing gear were up (looked like 6 inches after he lifted off) he stood that thing on its tail and went straight up! and fast!
Deletethen lockheed built the F-35 which can takeoff and land vertically, even with the engine running. You might say that I am not enamored with the F-35. If it could carry a decent bomb load, it would make a nice little bomber. not very chooch.
ReplyDelete