[Llarry]

Tomcat Thursday!

This is a shot of an F-14D of Fighter Squadron Two firing an AIM-54 Phoenix missile. A thousand pounds of bad-ass long range missile. There was even consideration given back in the bad old days of putting a nuclear warhead in the Phoenix. The missile ended up being retired slightly before the airplane.

[Llarry]

When the AIM-54 Phoenix was retired in 2004, the USN no longer had a long-range air-to-air missile. But there have been two developments since then:
1) Advanced versions of the AIM-120 AMRAAM keep getting longer legs; I suspect the latest versions come close to the 100-mile range of the Phoenix.
2) Just this year, an air-launched variant of the Standard SM-6 missile has become operational. The range of this AIM-174B missile is probably far greater than that of the Phoenix. It's carried by the F-18.

[Llarry]

E-2 Hawkeyes have four vertical tail surfaces and this 2015 photo of an E-2C of Airborne Warning and Control Squadron 115 shows all of them being used -- that's a lot of paint! The Japan-based squadron shows both U.S. and Japanese flags, a rising sun insignia, a tail code (NF) that is mostly obscured in this photo and more. Whew!

[M-technik-3]

Wow saw this on Yahoo this morning.


Quite the weapons load.

[sygazelle]

Originally Posted by Llarry

While I knew it was a MiG-23, I did not know which specific model. I think I've got a MiG book somewhere around here where I could've looked it up.

The -23, by the way, was the airplane that killed a USAF general who went to Nevada to fly it, and the plane got away from him. Three-star, if memory serves.

We are getting ready to move from our small llama farm to a house in town, so I will be getting dumb for a while.

I went to this Canadian Air Museum during a trip last week and I did not expect to see a MiG. What a surprise. There were several other plane on static display that were important planes in Canada's military history. I love seeing them, but I love watching them fly even more!

Good luck with your move. That's a big change for you. Hopefully you stay connected to the new owner and go back and visit your llamas from time to time.

Lastly, you definitely not be getting dumb. You will remain smart and simply not sharing your smartness for awhile.

[sygazelle]

Originally Posted by M-technik-3

Wow saw this on Yahoo this morning.


Quite the weapons load.

While it doesn't weigh the required 300,000 pounds to meet the ATC term, I would call this aircraft "Heavy" for sure.

[vreihen16]

Originally Posted by sygazelle

While it doesn't weigh the required 300,000 pounds to meet the ATC term, I would call this aircraft "Heavy" for sure.

With that armament load, is anyone going to argue with the pilot?????

[Llarry]

Originally Posted by M-technik-3

Wow saw this on Yahoo this morning.


Quite the weapons load.

To me that looks like a public relations photo rather than anything that would typically be seen in an operational sense. It is indeed quite impressive, though.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AIM-174B

[Llarry]

The Northrop XP-79B jet fighter has to be one of worst failures ever. The twin jet flying wing fighter's pilot flew while lying down in the nose of the airplane. On the XP-79B's first flight on September 12, 1945, the pilot lost control and bailed out. He struck the aircraft and was killed. The airplane was destroyed in the crash.

[M-technik-3]

Originally Posted by Llarry

To me that looks like a public relations photo rather than anything that would typically be seen in an operational sense. It is indeed quite impressive, though.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AIM-174B

I tend to agree being this was taken in the Gulf and it proximity to Iran would be a great hey lets reach out and touch someone.

[Llarry]

Originally Posted by M-technik-3

I tend to agree being this was taken in the Gulf and it proximity to Iran would be a great hey lets reach out and touch someone.

VX-9 (tail code XE) is a test squadron that operates from China Lake and Point Mugu in S. California and does not deploy overseas. Are you sure this was taken in the Gulf?

[M-technik-3]

Interesting because the Yahoo article said it taken one place but another article says it was Point Magu. Been to China Lake more than I care to remember.

Everytime we went there it was a Diego Garcia trip. Also the photo has Captive 174's on it according to https://www.twz.com/air/f-a-18-super...r-missile-load

So I would tend to agree with this site vs Yahoo.

[Llarry]

The F-15EX's official name is the Eagle II, but some have taken to calling it the Phoenix, as it has arisen from the ashes of the aging F-15 Eagle. Here's one of the test aircraft from Eglin Air Force Base, Florida.

[E92_William]

Old 727 thrown in a corner of MIA

[ezaircon4jc]

Originally Posted by E92_William

Old 727 thrown in a corner of MIA

Western had just received their 737-300's when the tower launched one 4 miles behind a 727 and I had 30 miles to build that 4 miles into 8+, Turns weren't an option as I was in the SLC valley with cumulogranite on either side, so my only option was speed. I told the 72 I needed fast as a 73 was catching him (yes, I baited him a little ) and restricted the 73's speed. His response was a sarcastic "Oh yeah?" Took about 15 miles before the 72 was 10+ miles ahead of the 73, though the 73 was MUCH higher. About that time the 72 asks, again sarcastically, "How's it look now approach?" I said no contest! I knew he'd take the bait and he was around 400 over the ground.