Something Strange... The X Planes

[Tigeress]

Something Strange... The X Planes

Which is your favorite, and least favorite? and why?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2IU1NpQsqU

TIGERESS

PS: Mine is the SR-71 Blackbird. I have touched one; it touched me back.
It's skin is like the touch of glass sanded to an ultra-smooth matt finish.

It is on permanent ground-level open display at a San Antonio, Texas, Air Force base... or was.
It is sooo big... to stand next to it is unbelievable.

[AKIron]

Originally posted by Tigeress
Something Strange... The X Planes

Which is your favorite, and least favorite? and why?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2IU1NpQsqU

TIGERESS

PS: Mine is the SR-71 Blackbird. I have touched one; it touched me back.
It's skin is like the touch of glass sanded to an ultra-smooth matt finish.

It is on permanent ground-level open display at a San Antonio, Texas, Air Force base... or was.
It is sooo big... to stand next to it is unbelievable.

They (Habu) flew out of Kadena when I was there. You should see/feel one takeoff while standing ~50 yards from the runway, unforgettable.

[lasersailor184]

YF-23.  I always felt it should have won, not the F22.

[Tigeress]

Originally posted by lasersailor184
YF-23.  I always felt it should have won, not the F22.

It is quite sexy looking... that's for sure.

TIGERESS

[lasersailor184]

Originally posted by Tigeress
It is quite sexy looking... that's for sure.

TIGERESS

It should have won the competition for that reason alone.  Now all the fighter pilots will have a lack of confidence as they pilot wimpy looking aircraft.

[Tigeress]

Originally posted by AKIron
They (Habu) flew out of Kadena when I was there. You should see/feel one takeoff while standing ~50 yards from the runway, unforgettable.

I can only imagine... probably shook the ground you were standing on.

The one I touched:


"Lackland AFB is home to the Air Force History & Traditions Museum. It is also the first base that most USAF recruits are stationed at to under go basic training. There are retired Air Force aircraft stationed all over the base, at the museum, and all around a vast parade grounds area. The SR-71 is located on the parade grounds."

Above and below photos and quote credited to:
http://www.visi.com/~jweeks/sr71/lackland.html

My Dad showed me all the warbirds on display at Lackland.

For example:
The F-82E Twin Mustang


Another display at Lackland AFB, A beautiful P-38


TIGERESS

[Gunslinger]

Tigress,

I'm an instructor at lackland and I see those planes all the time.  Not only are they at the parade grounds but also on the way out the valey high gate there are some great static displays to include a B52 and a bunch of others.

On the parade grounds they have a great B17 and P47 as well as the black bird just to name a few.

[crockett]

I hate when they paint the glass on the cockpits.

[Chairboy]

For Cali-folks, there's Blackbird Park in Palmdale, on the west side (I think) of the Lockheed plant.  Public access, and you can touch an A-12, SR-71, and even see the high mach recon drones that were designed to be launched from 'em.

[AquaShrimp]

I do too.  And I prefer to see the planes on the ground, not up on a pedestal.

[xbrit]

The P38 on a stick looks like one of Dan/Corkyjr's normal landings .

[Tigeress]

Originally posted by AquaShrimp
I do too.  And I prefer to see the planes on the ground, not up on a pedestal.

I totally agree with this also. I want to touch them... to look down their lines at eye-level.

TIGERESS

[Tigeress]

Originally posted by Gunslinger
Tigress,

I'm an instructor at lackland and I see those planes all the time.  Not only are they at the parade grounds but also on the way out the valey high gate there are some great static displays to include a B52 and a bunch of others.

On the parade grounds they have a great B17 and P47 as well as the black bird just to name a few.

Hiya Gunslinger!

What do you teach?

Goodness... Valley High Gate... brings back memories. Mom and Dad retired to SAT. They had retiree AF IDs. Visited often.
Lots of good memories of SAT. Actually... Step-Dad, but I call him Dad too.
My blood Dad passed away long ago. Both Dads retired from the AF.

TIGERESS

[midnight Target]

Originally posted by Chairboy
For Cali-folks, there's Blackbird Park in Palmdale, on the west side (I think) of the Lockheed plant.  Public access, and you can touch an A-12, SR-71, and even see the high mach recon drones that were designed to be launched from 'em.

Also one at the air museum at March ARB.

[Halo]

Although most aircraft progress through X (experimental) and Y (prototype) prefixes, the term X by itself refers to Experimental by itself -- purely test aircraft never intended to go into mass production, e.g., X-1, X-4, X-15.  
Of the pure X's, the X-15 is probably the most impressive. Some X's are largely unknown, but some were stars of their day, however briefly, such as the X-1 being first to break the sound barrier in level flight.