Uploads from rsteup, tagged airplane, with geodata

North American B-25J Mitchell "Georgie's Gal" at Thunder Over Michigan

nobody@flickr.com (rsteup) — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 20:10:08 -0700

rsteup posted a photo:

B-25J from the Liberty Aviation Museum in Port Clinton, OH.
www.libertyaviationmuseum.org

The North American B-25 Mitchell was an American twin-engined medium bomber manufactured by North American Aviation. It was used by many Allied air forces, in every theater of World War II, as well as many other air forces after the war ended, and saw service across four decades.

The B-25 was named in honor of General Billy Mitchell, a pioneer of U.S. military aviation. By the end of its production, nearly 10,000 B-25s in numerous models had been built. These included a few limited variations, such as the United States Navy's and Marine Corps' PBJ-1 patrol bomber and the United States Army Air Forces' F-10 photo reconnaissance aircraft. The B-25 first gained fame as the bomber used in the 18 April 1942 Doolittle Raid, in which 16 B-25Bs led by Lieutenant Colonel Jimmy Doolittle attacked mainland Japan, four months after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. The mission gave a much-needed lift in spirits to the Americans, and alarmed the Japanese who had believed their home islands were inviolable by enemy forces. Although the amount of actual damage done was relatively minor, it forced the Japanese to divert troops for the home defense for the remainder of the war. The raiders took off from the carrier USS Hornet and successfully bombed Tokyo and four other Japanese cities without loss. However, 15 B-25 bombers subsequently crash-landed en route to recovery fields in Eastern China. These losses were the result of the task force being spotted by a Japanese vessel forcing the bombers to take off 170 mi (270 km) early, fuel exhaustion, stormy nighttime conditions with zero visibility, and lack of electronic homing aids at the recovery bases. Only one B-25 bomber landed intact; it came down in the Soviet Union, where its five-man crew was interned and the aircraft confiscated. Of the 80 aircrew, 69 survived their historic mission and eventually made it back to American lines.

Boeing B-29A Superfortress "FIFI"

nobody@flickr.com (rsteup) — Fri, 17 Aug 2012 04:48:52 -0700

rsteup posted a photo:

2012 Thunder Over Michigan Air Show.

P-51D Mustang "Moonbeam McSwine" at Thunder Over Michigan 2012

nobody@flickr.com (rsteup) — Tue, 14 Aug 2012 18:52:40 -0700

rsteup posted a photo:

Vlado Lenoch is the owner and operator of this beautiful North American P-51D Mustang "Moonbeam McSwine."

The P-51 was considered by many to be the finest fighter that the U.S. produced and flew in WWII accounted for almost half the enemy aircraft destroyed in Europe by U.S. fighters. The Mustang was equipped with six .50 caliber machine guns and incorporated the advanced K-14 lead computing gun sight. The unmistakable scoop on the underside of the Mustang is the air inlet for the coolant radiator and oil cooler.

The P-51 was designed and built by North American Aviation after the British government approached them to build P-40 Warhawks under license. North American believed they could design a better fighter, and the British government gave them 120 days to prove it. 102 days after the order was placed, the first Mustang was completed, flying for the first time on October 26, 1940. The prototype and subsequent P-51A utilized the Allison V-1710 liquid cooled engine. Lacking an effective engine supercharger, the Allison provided insufficient power for the high-altitude environment the P-51 was designed to operate in. By replacing the Allison engine with a Rolls-Royce V-1650 Merlin engine that had a two-stage supercharger, the necessary power and performance was gained. The Merlin engine, which was built in the U.S. under license by the Packard Motor Car Company, was installed in all further P-51 models from the B through the H versions.

A combined total of over 15,500 Mustangs were produced. The greatest number of Mustangs were built as the D model, with over 8,000 built. Today less than 150 Mustangs remain flyable or restorable to flying condition.

North American F-86F Sabre "Smokey"

nobody@flickr.com (rsteup) — Thu, 09 Aug 2012 06:08:06 -0700

rsteup posted a photo:

More from the F-86F demo at 2012 Thunder Over Michigan Air Show.

North American F-86F Sabre "Smokey"

nobody@flickr.com (rsteup) — Thu, 09 Aug 2012 06:08:03 -0700

rsteup posted a photo:

More from the F-86F demo at 2012 Thunder Over Michigan Air Show.

Republic P-47D Thunderbolt "Wicked Wabbit" at Thunder Over Michigan 2012

nobody@flickr.com (rsteup) — Wed, 08 Aug 2012 19:30:19 -0700

rsteup posted a photo:

Republic P-47D-40-RA Thunderbolt "Wicked Wabbit" (owned by John Shoffner and based at the Tennessee Museum of Aviation). The P-47 44-90438 (c/n 399-55583) at the end of WWII was sold by the US Gov't to the Yugoslav Air Force as 13021. After its service it was donated to the Yugoslav Aeronautical Museum in Belgrade. In 1985 it was sold to Doug Arnold (United Kingdom), and in 1986 then sold to John Whittington of Knoxville (Tennessee, USA). In 1994 it was sold to John Shoffner also of Knoxville, TN who had the aircraft restored to flying condition. It returned to the air for the first time since WWII after restoration in 1998 in civilian registry N647D. Wicked Wabbit today (2012) owned by Mr. Shoffner is one of approximately 10 flying P-47's remaining in the world and is housed at the Tennessee Museum of Aviation in Sevierville, TN. It can be viewed at the Museum and at air shows throughout the eastern US along with it's squadron mate P-47D "Hun Hunter" (owned by Neal Melton) also based at the Tennessee Museum of Aviation. Wicked Wabbit and Hun Hunter fly the markings of the 9th Air Force, 57th Fighter Group as they were when based in Corsica in 1944.

P-51D Mustang "Petie 2nd" at Thunder Over Michigan 2012

nobody@flickr.com (rsteup) — Wed, 08 Aug 2012 02:30:45 -0700

rsteup posted a photo:

Owner, Anthony Buechler, Waukesha, WI.
Assigned to 12th AF during WWII.
Sold as surplus for $755.00, 1957.
Arguably the most reliable, fast and most powerful all around aircraft, the North American P-51 Mustang earned the love and respect of its pilots during the dark years of the Second World War. Responsible for many victories against the German Luftwaffe, this aircraft was used as an escort, a fighter plane and a fighter-bomber. Needless to say, the P-51 Mustang had produced more aces than any other aircraft of the time.

Captain John C. Meyer of the 352nd Fighter Group, 487th Fighter Squadron, was among these P-51 Mustang aces. Meyer commenced his flying career flying P-47’s and on November 26, 1943, he earned his first victory. He would later score two more flying the Thunderbolt. But it was in the successful P-51 Mustang where Meyer earned his ace status. On January 1, 1945, approximately 50 German fighters, including Bf109’s and Fw190’s, attacked the Y-29 airfield in Belgium thinking they would catch the Allied airfields by surprise. Leading a group of 12 Mustangs, Meyer shot down one Fw190 just after retracting his landing gear. By the end of the day, his Fighter Group was responsible for 23 victories. The superb actions of the 487th Squadron earned them a Distinguished Unit Citation. By the end of his flying career, Meyer claimed 24 air-to-air victories including a German jet, and 13 ground targets for a total of 37 victories.

Boeing B-29 Superfortress "FIFI"

nobody@flickr.com (rsteup) — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 03:56:00 -0700

rsteup posted a photo:

The Commemorative Air Force, based in Addison, TX, owns and operates "FIFI," the only airworthy Boeing B-29 Superfortress in the world. "FIFI" lifts off of runway 9 at Willow Run Airport at the 2012 Thunder Over Michigan Air Show. The B-29 is most well known for two missions that occurred in August 1945, the missions flown over Hiroshima and Nagasaki that lead to the end of World War II.
www.cafb29b24.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=a...

Boeing B-29 Superfortress "FIFI"

nobody@flickr.com (rsteup) — Mon, 06 Aug 2012 19:37:26 -0700

rsteup posted a photo:

North American F-86F Sabre "Smokey"

nobody@flickr.com (rsteup) — Mon, 06 Aug 2012 04:44:55 -0700

rsteup posted a photo:

The Warbird Heritage Foundation's F-86F Sabre "Smokey," during a Friday afternoon demo flight.
www.warbirdheritagefoundation.org/WHF_AC_F86_0_Specs.html
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_American_F-86_Sabre

122nd A-10C Thunderbolt II

nobody@flickr.com (rsteup) — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 03:50:19 -0700

rsteup posted a photo:

One of the Indiana Air National Guard's A-10C's landing at Fort Wayne International Airport. The military has proposed removing these aircraft from several Air National Guard units, including the 122nd Fighter Wing based in Fort Wayne. Is this a good idea? Read the following information that is copied directly from the "The Air Force Handbook 2007," and draw your own conclusions.
The A-10/OA-10 Thunderbolt II has excellent maneuverability at low air speeds and is a highly accurate weapons delivery platform. Using Night Vision Imaging Systems (NVIS), A-10/OA-10 pilots can conduct their missions during darkness. Thunderbolt IIs are designed for survivability during close air support and can survive direct hits from armor-piercing and high-explosive projectiles up to 23mm. Sophisticated avionics equipment includes communications, inertial navigation systems with embedded GPS capability, fire control and weapons delivery systems, target penetration aids, and night vision goggles. Weapons delivery systems include a 30mm GAU-8/A Gatling gun that fires 3,900 rounds per minute. In the Gulf War, A-10s had a mission capable rate of 95.7 percent, flew 8,100 sorties, and launched 90 percent of the AGM-65 Maverick missiles used. These aircraft were responsible for 60 percent of Air Force fighter-destroyed targets in Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). All A-10s are being upgraded to A/OA-10C models by incorporation of the Precision Engagement modification, which extends through FY09. This modification integrates the A-10 avionics systems with a digital data link and a targeting pod. Other added capabilities include Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) and Wind Corrected Munitions Dispenser (WCMD) weapons employment, a MIL-STD-1760 data bus, a digital stores management system, and Hands On Throttle And Stick (HOTAS) controls.
Now, what do you think?

Threesome

nobody@flickr.com (rsteup) — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 19:07:58 -0700

rsteup posted a photo:

Indiana Air National Guard A-10's on the ramp following a training sortie, as a third aircraft fly's a low approach down runway 32 at Fort Wayne International Airport.

Rubber hits concrete....

nobody@flickr.com (rsteup) — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 18:49:24 -0700

rsteup posted a photo:

....and tires smoke, as this Indiana Air National Guard 122nd Fighter Wing A-10 lands at Fort Wayne International Airport.

A-10 Landing

nobody@flickr.com (rsteup) — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 04:59:50 -0700

rsteup posted a photo:

A-10 Thunderbolt II from the 122nd Tactical Fighter Wing of the Indiana Air National Guard lands on runway 5 at Fort Wayne International Airport.

Business end

nobody@flickr.com (rsteup) — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 16:22:29 -0700

rsteup posted a photo:

Business end of a Indiana Air National Guard A-10 Thunderbolt II "Hog" taxing at Fort Wayne International Airport.

Low pass

nobody@flickr.com (rsteup) — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 06:05:34 -0700

rsteup posted a photo:

A-10 Thunderbolt II from the 122nd Tactical Fighter Wing of the Indiana Air National Guard executes a low pass down runway 5 at Fort Wayne International Airport.

Landing gear going up

nobody@flickr.com (rsteup) — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 19:21:00 -0800

rsteup posted a photo:

The landing gear of an A-10 Thunderbolt II from the 122nd Tactical Fighter Wing of the Indiana Air National Guard goes up, as the pilot executes a low pass down runway 5 at Fort Wayne International Airport.

Overhead

nobody@flickr.com (rsteup) — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 19:19:42 -0800

rsteup posted a photo:

A-10 Thunderbolt II from the 122nd Tactical Fighter Wing of the Indiana Air National Guard roars overhead on a low pass down runway 5 at Fort Wayne International Airport.

P-51D Mustang "Petie 2nd" at Thunder Over Michigan 2012

nobody@flickr.com (rsteup) — Mon, 13 Aug 2012 18:53:14 -0700

rsteup posted a photo:

Captain John C. Meyer of the 352nd Fighter Group, 487th Fighter Squadron, was among these P-51 Mustang aces. Meyer commenced his flying career flying P-47’s and on November 26, 1943, he earned his first victory. He would later score two more flying the Thunderbolt. But it was in the successful P-51 Mustang where Meyer earned his ace status. On January 1, 1945, approximately 50 German fighters, including Bf109’s and Fw190’s, attacked the Y-29 airfield in Belgium thinking they would catch the Allied airfields by surprise. Leading a group of 12 Mustangs, Meyer shot down one Fw190 just after retracting his landing gear. By the end of the day, his Fighter Group was responsible for 23 victories. The superb actions of the 487th Squadron earned them a Distinguished Unit Citation. By the end of his flying career, Meyer claimed 24 air-to-air victories including a German jet, and 13 ground targets for a total of 37 victories.

P-47D "Thunderbolt" at 2012 Thunder Over Michigan Air Show

nobody@flickr.com (rsteup) — Mon, 13 Aug 2012 18:39:13 -0700

rsteup posted a photo:

Republic Aviation's P-47 Thunderbolt, also known as the "Jug" (because either it was shaped like a squatted milk jug, or it was short for "juggernaut"), was the largest, heaviest, and most expensive fighter aircraft in history to be powered by a single piston engine.[2] It was heavily armed with eight .50-caliber machine guns, four per wing. When fully loaded, the P-47 weighed up to eight tons, and in the fighter-bomber ground attack roles could carry five inch rockets or a significant bomb load of 2,500 pounds; over half the weight the B-17 bomber could carry on long-range missions. The P-47, based on the powerful Pratt & Whitney R-2800 Double Wasp engine, was to be very effective as a short-to-medium range escort fighter in high-altitude air-to-air combat and when unleashed as a fighter-bomber, proved especially adept at ground attack in both the World War II European and Pacific Theaters.

The P-47 was one of the main United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) fighters of World War II, and served with other Allied air forces, notably France and the UK, and the USSR. Mexican and Brazilian squadrons fighting alongside the U.S. were equipped with the P-47.

The sturdy and rugged aircraft was designed by Alexander de Seversky and Alexander Kartveli, emigres from the Russian Empire. The armored cockpit was roomy inside, comfortable for the pilot, and offered good visibility. A modern-day U.S. ground attack aircraft, the Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II, takes its name from the P-47