The Airplane Thread

[M5Rick]

Latest on the RAF F-35B stealth jet that was trapped in Southern India for a month is that it has finally been repaired. It had hydraulic issues and a problem with its APU which were eventually rectified after a lot of head scratching by techs working on the complex strike fighter. Took off heading to a Brit aircraft carrier in Darwin.
https://www.euronews.com/2025/07/22/...rrage-of-memes

[vreihen16]

Esteban's private jet?????





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[Esteban]

Originally Posted by vreihen16

Esteban's private jet????? .

Nice... here's a different view. I want it.

[Llarry]

The initial group of Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning short takeoff/vertical landing stealth fighters are being readied for delivery to Japan, where they will be operated by the Japan Air Self Defense Force from two so-called "helicopter destroyers" of the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force. Those very large "destroyers" are de facto aircraft carriers and will help Japan resist encroachment by China in the Japanese islands in the Western Pacific. 42 of the F-35Bs will ultimately be delivered with perhaps 10 or so strike fighters operating from each carrier.

This creeping increase in military capability is a sensitive topic in Japan, which still has considerable pacifist sentiment as a result of the trauma of World War II. In addition, the F-35's extremely powerful engine is known for very high noise levels, making the fighter an unwelcome neighbor near Japanese air bases.

[M-technik-3]

Horrible propaganda... The Boomer refuels the reciever not the pilot as we know. Pilots job is to keep the aircraft level to provide Boomer and Reciever the best chance to take on all fuel. Love how the comments are locked so nobody can say where is the insane mid-air? Clear skys no weather no nothing pure fluff.

[Llarry]

The U.S. Navy bought two very large flying boats during the heyday of the type. Both were originally conceived as patrol aircraft, but were repurposed as large transports and were only purchased in small numbers.

The first of these was the Martin Mars, which first flew in 1942. The Mars, originally the XPB2M patrol plane prototype, became the JRM and was used for several years as a transport between California and Hawaii. Only seven were built. It was powered by four R-3350 or R-4360 radial piston engines. The 4360s, while more powerful, proved less reliable and were ultimately replaced by improved 3350s. The JRM served with the Navy from 1944 to 1956. After retirement, they found a new life in Canada as firefighting water bombers and gave distinguished service from 1960 to 2024.

https://en.wikipedia.org/Martin_JRM_Mars

The Navy did not give up on large flying boats and a second generation appeared. This time it was Convair that designed a flying boat of about the same size as the Mars but took advantage of technical advances in aerodynamics and propulsion. The resulting XP5Y-1 was powered by four large T40 turboprop engines. Unfortunately, the T40 proved to be unreliable, although the Navy decided to buy a dozen aircraft in transport form as the R3Y Tradewind. Like their JRM predecessors, they primarily flew between California and Hawaii. Several R3Ys were also outfitted for aerial refueling. Although the R3Y set a number of records, it also was retired prematurely. By this time, transoceanic travel via landplane was also proving practical, contributing to the end of large flying boat operations.

https://en.wikipedia.org/Convair_R3Y_Tradewind

Just for some context, both these flying boats had a maximum takeoff weight of about 165,000 pounds. The Navy's standard patrol plane of the 1960s-on -- the Lockheed P-3 Orion -- had a max takeoff weight of 135,000 pounds. The current Navy patrol plane, the Boeing 737-based P-8A has a max takeoff weight of over 189,000 pounds and has more range and is much faster.

[M-technik-3]

Just watched a YouTube video of one leaving Alaska or Maybe Pugent sound area flying to California for it's last time. Quite the large aircraft.

[Llarry]

The Boeing 737 has been around a long time. In addition to the thousands of 737s that have seen commercial service, a number have been used by the U.S. military.

The first of these was a version of the B737-200 that the U.S. Air Force ordered in 1971 as the T-43A. The T-43A was a trainer for USAF navigators; 19 were delivered in 1973-74 and the aircraft trained many Air Force navigators over decades. It was finally retired in 2010.

Three of the trainers were converted for other uses. Two were modified into VIP aircraft as CT-43As; one of these crashed with the loss of all aboard in Croatia in 1996.

The oddest military 737 has to be the NT-43A (N for test). This modified T-43A is used for radar tests, including testing the stealth qualities of other aircraft.

Later versions of the Boeing 737 included C-40A/B/C Navy/Marine Corps transports and USAF command and VIP aircraft and the P-8A patrol plane flown by the Navy. The C-40s were not bought in large numbers, but the Navy bought 128 P-8A patrol aircraft.

Yet another B737-based military aircraft is the E-7 Wedgetail airborne warning and control aircraft, which was ordered by the U.S. Air Force but now appears to be cancelled; Congress is pushing back on the cancellation and so the status of the USAF's E-7 is very much up in the air.

[Llarry]

As I have previously posted, the U.S. Navy is developing a unmanned air vehicle that will be integrated into carrier air wings and provide aerial refueling, freeing up F-18 Super Hornets to concentrate on their strike fighter mission and increasing the combat power of the wing.

I am not surprised that the program to bring this capability to carrier decks in the form of the Boeing MQ-25A Stingray air vehicle has suffered delays. The original in-service date was to be 2026, but the program is running at least two years behind schedule. It seems that every program is running behind these days.

The first squadron, the training unit VUQ-10, was established in 2021. That's a long time to have an aviation squadron without aircraft.

Ultimately, 67 operational MQ-25As will be delivered and operated by not only VUQ-10, but also two squadrons (VUQ-11 and -12) that will deploy detachments of 5 MQ-25As on each carrier. It's possible that the UAV will also be assigned additional missions in the future.

When not aboard ship, the UAVs will be based at NAS Point Mugu, California.

[flybigjet]

Originally Posted by Llarry

As I have previously posted, the U.S. Navy is developing a unmanned air vehicle that will be integrated into carrier air wings and provide aerial refueling, freeing up F-18 Super Hornets to concentrate on their strike fighter mission and increasing the combat power of the wing.

I am not surprised that the program to bring this capability to carrier decks in the form of the Boeing MQ-25A Stingray air vehicle has suffered delays. The original in-service date was to be 2026, but the program is running at least two years behind schedule. It seems that every program is running behind these days.

The first squadron, the training unit VUQ-10, was established in 2021. That's a long time to have an aviation squadron without aircraft.

Ultimately, 67 operational MQ-25As will be delivered and operated by not only VUQ-10, but also two squadrons (VUQ-11 and -12) that will deploy detachments of 5 MQ-25As on each carrier. It's possible that the UAV will also be assigned additional missions in the future.

When not aboard ship, the UAVs will be based at NAS Point Mugu, California.

Do you *really* want to enable SkyNet?

Because *this* is how you enable SkyNet.

R.

[vreihen16]

Originally Posted by Llarry

I am not surprised that the program to bring this capability to carrier decks in the form of the Boeing MQ-25A Stingray air vehicle has suffered delays. The original in-service date was to be 2026, but the program is running at least two years behind schedule. It seems that every program is running behind these days.

I wonder how much money and time they could have saved by purchasing these things from Tower Hobbies?????

[vreihen16]

F-15 Ride-Along Passenger Accidentally Ejects From The Jet While On The Ground:

https://www.twz.com/air/f-15-ride-al...-on-the-ground


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[Llarry]

Trade issues (tariffs, etc.) and cost increases have caused both Spain and Switzerland to reevaluate their planned purchases of American F-35 stealth fighters. Spain is evaluating other non-American alternatives, while Switzerland claims to be still committed to buying the F-35 but is facing significant price increases.

[M-technik-3]

Originally Posted by vreihen16

F-15 Ride-Along Passenger Accidentally Ejects From The Jet While On The Ground:

https://www.twz.com/air/f-15-ride-al...-on-the-ground


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They fly right over my house. Barnes is 4 miles as a crow flies.

[Llarry]

Originally Posted by M-technik-3

They fly right over my house. Barnes is 4 miles as a crow flies.

I realize the back-seater punched out on the ground, but can you imagine the damage a falling ejection seat could do to a house?

[M-technik-3]

Sure can!! or the Canopy that is not light either!!

[M5Rick]

Last day of the Eastbourne free air show today on the Sussex coast. I would have gone but strained my back a bit shifting tiles so staying put watching the BTCC
https://www.visiteastbourne.com/airshow

[Llarry]

After the introduction of the Boeing 747 jumbo jet, Pan Am and Iran Air approached Boeing with a requirement for a variant that would have longer range for the New York to Tehran route, which at the time (early 1970s) was the longest commercial route in the world. At the same time, these airlines would accept an airliner with fewer passengers.

Boeing responded with the Boeing 747SP, which was shortened by 47 feet and had a taller tail and simplified flaps. The 747SP had a slightly higher speed and cruise ceiling than the normal 747 and could fly farther. Both airlines placed orders and the 747SP was inducted into service in 1976. Only 44 747SPs were built from 1974 to 1982, as it was rather a specialized version. Several were outfitted as VVIP aircraft, and one additional VVIP SP was built in 1987, for a final total of 45.

A number of other airlines operated small numbers of 747SPs over the years, but they have all been retired from commercial service. Two are still operated by Pratt & Whitney Canada for engine tests.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_747SP

[ezaircon4jc]

Originally Posted by Llarry

After the introduction of the Boeing 747 jumbo jet, Pan Am and Iran Air approached Boeing with a requirement for a variant that would have longer range for the New York to Tehran route, which at the time (early 1970s) was the longest commercial route in the world. At the same time, these airlines would accept an airliner with fewer passengers.

Boeing responded with the Boeing 747SP, which was shortened by 47 feet and had a taller tail and simplified flaps. The 747SP had a slightly higher speed and cruise ceiling than the normal 747 and could fly farther. Both airlines placed orders and the 747SP was inducted into service in 1976. Only 44 747SPs were built from 1974 to 1982, as it was rather a specialized version. Several were outfitted as VVIP aircraft, and one additional VVIP SP was built in 1987, for a final total of 45.

A number of other airlines operated small numbers of 747SPs over the years, but they have all been retired from commercial service. Two are still operated by Pratt & Whitney Canada for engine tests.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_747SP

I flew back from Japan on the 747 Sport in '78.

[vreihen16]

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[Llarry]

Here's a photo that may be bittersweet for flybigjet ... in 2020, there were 57 C-5As stored at the boneyard in Arizona. Shortly afterward a contractor began to dismantle them.

[Llarry]

The U.S. Navy's Strategic Communications Wing One has three squadrons. Two of them fly E-6B Mercury aircraft (B707 airframes) to communicate with the nation's nuclear deterrent forces. A third squadron, VQ-7 is tasked with training the aircrews. With no suitable E-6B or other B707 version available, VQ-7 uses a Boeing 737-800 freighter for aircrew training: an unusual case of a military unit flying an aircraft without a miliary designation. I think the explanation may be that the 737 is a leased aircraft, not actually government-owed.