Aircraft pics

[427TJ]

Factory-fresh Lockheed F-104A Starfighter visiting George AFB near Victorville, California in 1958. You can see why the '104 was called "The missile with a man in it." In the left background are North American F-100D Super Sabres of George's 479th Tactical Fighter Wing. The '100 was the USAF's first fighter that could exceed the speed of sound in level flight but on this day in 1958 the 104 was the hottest bird on earth. You can see the southern Sierra-Nevada mountains in the distance.

[nuch_ss396]

Bill,

I think the F-104's were the hottest looking fighters of all
time. Didn't do much in the way of ordinance load though.

BTW, when I was a kid I was visiting the Jersey shore and
an F-100 flew over the beach ( very low ) and at a high rate
of speed. I believe it was the 4th of July weekend and that
particular fighter may have been one on the Thunderbirds....

If memory serves me right, that was the start of my life-long
fascination with military aircraft.

Nuch

[47Hammer]

I was sitting in my office at home working on my taxes and I heard that awesome, unmistakable sound of the four Cyclone radial engines of a B-17 Flying Fortress. As I run thru the house in route to the back yard the bird flies right over the house.

Wow! how cool was that. He looks to be headed to Van Nuys airport so I called my brother, the responsible party for the first F-16 put into Air Force service back in '79, 001 Balls one as he called it. He says it just flew over his house too as he (the pilot) had landed at Van Nuys.

Well I'm headed for a short putt over to his place with my camera and lets see if I can get a shot of this incredible piece of aviation history. I'll post pictures if I can get some.

[47Hammer]

This guy is just cruising the sky's over me all day, they must be giving rides from Van Nuys. I don't need to move he just keeps flyin by....

[SS427]

Quick action with the camera Bart. I am not sure who's airplane that is but it looks like a possible G model. The only G model with a Yellow tail that comes to mind is Pima Air Museums B17G "I'll be Around" though I am not positive that they ever fly that airplane but I believe it is airworthy. When you get pictures I will be able to see. The serial number for the above is 231892 with a Black square on the tail and the letter "J" inside it. Neat shot.

[47Hammer]

As it turned out while I was sitting in line with the kids at the local In "N" Out Burger an hour later it flew over again. About 5 minutes later it began to rain and I never made it to the airport, but I'll be home all day tomorrow and if this guy continues to cruise the sky's over the hood, I'll have the camera ready again.

[SS427]

"I'm seeing this guy everwhere"......

It's a sign Bart...... Better get to the airport and hitch a $400 ride today!

[427TJ]

Pretty sure that yellow-tail B-17G is "Fuddy Duddy" based at Orange County and I see it parked there all the time. Owned by a retired USAF general, William Lyons, who made his money building housing subdivisions.

[mssl72]

47Hammer, you must not be too far away from me. When I lived in Van Nuys I used to love when they had the air show and they'd buzz the house. I would always take the Monday off after the show to watch the bulk of the aircraft leave. I have some video of the last time a B-29 came through Van Nuys, fly overs of the B-2 and a B-1B and B-52 high speed pass. It's really cool to see them in action up close.

[nuch_ss396]

[ QUOTE ]
..... It's really cool to see them in action up close.

[/ QUOTE ]

Funny - I wonder of the Afgani & Iraqi armed forces feel the same way

Nuch