Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => The O' Club => Topic started by: Saurdaukar on November 10, 2003, 06:32:12 PM
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Didnt have time to run inside and grab a camera.
Really weird aircraft - dark outside, couldnt make out everything.
It appeared to have a delta-wing configuration - but it was very large - 737 size at least - no more than 800 feet up - relatively quiet engines - didnt sound like a military jet - not even as loud as a civilian airliner - considering the altitude it should have been very loud I would think. Very slow too - I'd guess 150-200 MPH max.
Normal lighting as you would see from an airliner - red white and blue lights (wing, center, wing respectively) but I didnt recognize it.
Willow Grove NAS is about 25 miles away, but Ive only seen 130's, 18's and A10's fly out of there.
Anyone got any idea what it might have been? Ive never seen a 737 size aircraft that looked like one of the F16 delta wing concepts.
EDIT: Better example - a Concorde like shape, but with a wingspan far exceeding the fuselage in length.
:confused:
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A visiting Vulcan?:)
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Sounds like a B-2.
Quiet engines and all.
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Originally posted by muckmaw
Sounds like a B-2.
Quiet engines and all.
Dont think so - duel vertical stabs from what I could see against the moonlight.
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u sure you wasn't dreamin' ???:D
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Originally posted by udet
u sure you wasn't dreamin' ???:D
I think so... I mean the Vulcans came last week so that rules them out (they usually call first).
This ones got me stumped.
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Could it have been a B1b with wings swept back? Wouldnt make any since for it to be going so slow though (plus only single tail). Most likely something foreign. Maybe an antique aircraft.
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Perhaps a Klingon "Bird of Prey" that was decloked....
ummm..I was wondering if you have been drinking some of that strong Canadian Beer... :D
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Sure it wasn't a Tomcat with wings swept back?
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Tomcat would have been cooking to have the wings back too.
So we've got a delta wing design, twin vert Stabs and about the size of a 737, but quiet and slow...
Thant about it?
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The B2 might be stealthy on radar, but there's no way you can call those F118-GE-100 low-bypass engines QUIET. The B2 is a loud plane, same with a Tomcat.
Are you sure the wing was filled in? Is it possible it was a commercial jetliner and it was an optical illusion that it had a single delta?
Also, it was dark out, what's your reference for how far away it was?
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F-117 maybe?
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It was probably an F-14.
:D
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sigh, it was a flying lawn mower you TARDS! :mad:
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did it look like one of these
(http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/ah_162_1068519145.jpg)
(http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/ah_162_1068519128.jpg)
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Or did it look like this...
(http://www.chittychittybangbang.cwc.net/autocar.jpg)
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There's been an F-18 sitting up at Willow Grove for a couple of days. As I'm sure you know, none are based there and they are rear in this area.
Is it possiable that's what you saw and it was just lower than you thought. OTOH, F-18 are not quiet :p
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Did the toys in your children's bedrooms start going nuts?
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Was it Chitty Chitty Bang Bang?
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First guess sounds like a B-2. Second guess is that you misjudged the size and it was an F-117. Those do have two vert tails, although they're angled.
And Chairboy, you're right, most of the time the B-2 makes as much noise as anything else, but they can make the engines very very quiet when they want to. Saw one do a flyby at a football game one time, sounded like a slight wind was blowing, nothing else. Really freakin' weird.
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Aurora ;)
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The B-2 doesn't have vertical stablizers.
Could it have been an Aurora? Or maybe a Raptor?
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(http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/ah_162_1068519145.jpg)
It looked similar to this one in shape only - the thing was airliner size. And definately low - absolutely no higher than 1000 feet.
I suppose it could have been an optical illusion in the dark and the thing was in fact a 737 - but the only aircraft I see over my home are military and small private planes - the flight paths for Philly are nowhere near me - especially that low.
Dunno though - its rare I cant ID an aircraft - normally I would chalk this one up to my eyes playing tricks on me but the engines were like a whisper.
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(http://www.xb70.free.fr/mono/Texte/xb-70/TN_3.jpg)
(http://www.xb70.free.fr/mono/Texte/xb-70/TN_7.jpg)
(http://www.boeing.com/history/bna/images/xb-70.gif)
Twin tails, large airliner size, delta wing. I'm not sure if any are flying anymore, but I know there is at least 1 flyable XB-70.
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Coulda been this:
"There appears to be an increase in deployment of these vehicles," Kelleher said. "The only time you see these things are when they are leaving or coming in. A lot of these sightings are at night. Our information is that they spend a long time aloft, weeks at a time. They can be thought of as ocean-going ships, rather than aircraft," he said.
Over the years, the BBDs appear to fall into different size categories. "The ones that dominate our database are very, very large. They are low-flying, silent, and are reported to be about the size of a football field," Kelleher said.
The BBDs have been seen accelerating very rapidly from a hovering position. "They can look as though they are leaping across the sky. Being silent, it's almost spooky," Kelleher said.
Here's a link:
http://www.space.com/businesstechnology/technology/black_triangle_020805.html
(http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/ah_177_1068546906.jpg)
Les
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Saurdaukar.....
Looks like a job for Mulder And Scully.
You can reach em at 202-324-3000...Ask for the x-files.
Here is the address:
Federal Bureau of Investigation
J. Edgar Hoover Building
935 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C.
Their office is in the basement.
If you can't get em interested, then try here: http://www.addiction-rehabilitation.com/
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It was ET
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Was it one of these?
F-36 JSF
(http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ac/jsf-rn.jpg)
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*Psst! Replicant...its F-35 JSF*
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I'm thinking SR-71 throttled down for landing.
(http://www.wvi.com/~lelandh/cc3207a.jpg)
Clinton retired them from military, but hey, I think NASA still uses one as a test bed and who knows, maybe they're being re-activated for spy flights overseas.
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Or maybe this:
(http://www.space.com/images/h_joinwing_02.jpg)
A blended Wing/Body Transport is on the drawing boards. credit: Lockheed Martin
Culled from "UFOs and Classified Aircraft: Shedding New Light on Dark Secrets" (http://www.space.com/businesstechnology/technology/classified_aircraft_010815-1.html) a link off of Leslie's site recommendation.
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C'mon, Saurdaukar, tell about the grey skinned aliens and the anal probe too!
:p
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If there were little grey men running around outside and strange metallic objects sticking out of my rectum, LePaul, you can bet I wouldnt be posting about it here.
Still stumped. Kinda like David's picture - but the wingspan was longer than the total length of the aircraft.
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The XB-70 does not exist anymore.
If memory serves me, there is only one left and that's as a display somewhere.
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The one flyable YB-70 is safely tucked away in a hangar in Dayton. The only reason why the CiC would haul that out would be if fuel prices were dangerously low. A couple of sorties in a YB-70 and they're back to $2/gallon.
The size and altitude of flying objects is notoriously hard to determine, since our eyes are pretty much focused on infinity. So a 737-like object that looks like it's at 800 feet and going 150-200 kts, could very well be a 747-like object at 1600 feet, going 700 kts, or a RJ-like object at 400 feet going 100 kts (look out below!)
but the shape, well, that's unmistakable.
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Originally posted by Leslie
Coulda been this:
"There appears to be an increase in deployment of these vehicles," Kelleher said. "The only time you see these things are when they are leaving or coming in. A lot of these sightings are at night. Our information is that they spend a long time aloft, weeks at a time. They can be thought of as ocean-going ships, rather than aircraft," he said.
Over the years, the BBDs appear to fall into different size categories. "The ones that dominate our database are very, very large. They are low-flying, silent, and are reported to be about the size of a football field," Kelleher said.
The BBDs have been seen accelerating very rapidly from a hovering position. "They can look as though they are leaping across the sky. Being silent, it's almost spooky," Kelleher said.
Here's a link:
http://www.space.com/businesstechnology/technology/black_triangle_020805.html
(http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/ah_177_1068546906.jpg)
Les
I bet they keep them secret cause anybody with a gun could shoot one down :)
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You're sure it wasn't one of these?
(http://www.holloman.af.mil/photos/f-117/000710.jpg)
(http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/ah_166_1068579394.jpg)
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What about a C-17? I have never seen one up close with the engines going but it doesn't have the tail assembly he describes.
(http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ac/c-17-image6-s.jpg)
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Neg on the C-17..
He said it had dual Vert. Stabilizers.
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Originally posted by Dinger
The one flyable YB-70 is safely tucked away in a hangar in Dayton. The only reason why the CiC would haul that out would be if fuel prices were dangerously low. A couple of sorties in a YB-70 and they're back to $2/gallon.
The size and altitude of flying objects is notoriously hard to determine, since our eyes are pretty much focused on infinity. So a 737-like object that looks like it's at 800 feet and going 150-200 kts, could very well be a 747-like object at 1600 feet, going 700 kts, or a RJ-like object at 400 feet going 100 kts (look out below!)
but the shape, well, that's unmistakable.
I don't think an aircraft that sat outside on display for 20+ years with no maintenance and then sitting in side for another 14 years in a museum is in any condition to fly.
The XB-70 would cost as much as they did to make new to return to flying condition, and would have no purpose if it did.
Sorry I vote that there are no flyable XB-70 anymore, only a shell to look at.
F-22 could be what he saw.
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Could it have been...
(http://www.flash.net/~swikel/GaylaBat.gif)
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was it this? (http://startrekpics.cc/excelcior.jpg)
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B2 is really quiet indeed. Maybe he 'thought' he saw 2 vertical stabilizers because of the peculiar zigzag pattern on the trailing edge of the B2. That is, he could have mistaken those triangular edges for vertcial stabilizers. Also, it was dark outside.
I'm pretty sure that's the explanation.
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Well if i got to know one thing about Saur ill bet he was smoking crack when he looked up! This expalins that lack of effort onhis part to get the camera!:rofl
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(http://www.eideticscorp.com/images/newweb/NS01041.jpg)
Ok - this is the only shape I could find that closely matches the shape I could make out - only what I saw had a larger wingspan.
Clearly visable forward fuselage, basic delta wing configuration, and two vertical stabs.
Wingspan wasnt large enough to be a swept 14, two vertical stabs cross out a bunch of other aircraft, the quiet engines, and the (as I percieved) low and slow flight path.
Wait... I think I hear a helicopter outside...
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Still stumped. Kinda like David's picture - but the wingspan was longer than the total length of the aircraft.
I know its a long shot, but the YB-70 can extend its wings! It bends its wings downward (at up to a 65 degree angle) for extra lift. When I say the wings can bend, I dont mean like an F14s either. They bend vertically.
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Originally posted by davidpt40
I know its a long shot, but the YB-70 can extend its wings! It bends its wings downward (at up to a 65 degree angle) for extra lift. When I say the wings can bend, I dont mean like an F14s either. They bend vertically.
It's NOT a YB-70 as much as we would like to see one in the air.
Saur, you really got me on this one. Been looking at watermelon on the net now for a while. Thanks for doing this to me!! :)
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Here'a an idea, what airport did it come into, and what time?
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YB-70 is very longshot, but not impossible.
How about a TU-144? Nasa was flying them a few years ago.
(http://www.dfrc.nasa.gov/gallery/photo/TU-144LL/Small/EC98-44749-24.jpg)
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David-
If she's anything like the concorde, she's anything but quiet. I grew up by JFK and you knew when the concorde flew over, without looking up!
ANd would you get off the XB-70 already!!!;)
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Maybe I will drive to Wright Patterson AFB Museum tommorow and make sure the XB-70 is still in the hangar....
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Maybe F-111?, do the americans even use these anymore?
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Originally posted by KanadianKrusty
Maybe F-111?, do the americans even use these anymore?
EF-111 Ravens. I believe we do..but it has a single vert. stabilizer.
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Originally posted by DiabloTX
It's NOT a YB-70 as much as we would like to see one in the air.
Saur, you really got me on this one. Been looking at watermelon on the net now for a while. Thanks for doing this to me!! :)
LOL! Great - Im responsible for decreased work productivity!
"Yeah Boss... this guy... on this website for that flight sim video game? He saw some weird plane last night and we cant figure it out... we think maybe its a YB70 but we're not sure... I think it could have been..."
-Blank stare-
"Nevermind."
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Originally posted by muckmaw
Here'a an idea, what airport did it come into, and what time?
Like I said, I dunno - the traffic patterns dont normally go right over my house.
There are three fields within 50 miles:
Willow Grove NAS
Philadelphia International
Wings Airfield
WG NAS is all military - mainly C130's and A10 - the occassional F18. During airshows we see more exotic stuff, but this time of year there is very little activity.
Philly Intl traffic lanes dont come anywhere near me and if they did the airport is far enough away that the aircraft would still be between 10,000-12,000 feet I would think.
Wings is a small field - private planes and the occassional twin prop or Lear jet.
The aircraft flew overhead from East to West at roughly 7:00PM IIRC - about 2 hours after dark give or take 30 minutes.
The only other thing I can think of are helicopters at the local hospitals - and the thing was definately not a helicopter.
Its a conspiracy I tell you - oh well - if the Fed takes me for a blindfolded drive in a black van maybe Ill get the answer.
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(http://www.dcs.shef.ac.uk/~ajhs/hobbies/images/tbird2.jpg)
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In all seriousness, I think Udet had the right idea. He wasn't talking about logical aliens... he was talking about the Avro Vulcan.
(http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/mongsoft/images/xh558-6.jpg)
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Dux - does it have dual vert stabs? Looks like the right shape.
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No, it has a single vertical fin.
(http://www.thunder-and-lightnings.co.uk/vulcan/thumbs/65597123.jpg)
But as you say, it was dark. :)
ps. this was the plane they stole in Thunderball, if you remember that movie.
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Originally posted by davidpt40
I know its a long shot, but the YB-70 can extend its wings! It bends its wings downward (at up to a 65 degree angle) for extra lift. When I say the wings can bend, I dont mean like an F14s either. They bend vertically.
The XB-70 wingtips did indeed cant downwards. This is what gave the a/c the ability to cruise at mach speeds (not entirely sure how fast, thinking mach 2+ with an ability dash to mach 3). The a/c used the effects of compressibility to sustain high mach speeds, hence the wings canted downwards at high speeds. Not that this has anything to do with Saurdaukar's original post :p
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YB70 could cruise at Mach 3. Mach 3 'sprint' was original design, but it was very easy to sustain that speed with a few modifications.
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Saur, u sure it wasn't the B2? Read my previous post in this thread.
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There isn't a Vulcan flying anywhere in the world. There is one which is taxi-able over here and another which needs a few million quid to get it air-worthy. But there are definitely none flying anywhere.
Oh, and it doesn't do 'quiet'. It's either loud or off.
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Dowding, I don't know about the flyability status of the Vulcans, but you are mistaken about the noise: the noise is very directional. If you're not in the 'right' place the Vulcan is actually quite quiet.
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there are no vulcan's flying
Was it one of these?
(http://www.robert.weikel.us/bolton_images/fishing_rod.jpg)
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LOL - no not a troll. :D
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Possibly? Although this thing is not known for being quiet. It only has one vert stab, but the split elevator acts as ailerons when the wings are back, and that might have given the illusion of two vert stabs.
(http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/ah_166_1068777085.jpg)
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Occurred : 10/13/2003 21:30 (Entered as : 10/13/2003 21:30)
Reported: 10/14/2003 12:43:11 AM 00:43
Posted: 10/15/2003
Location: Trenton, OH
Shape: Other
Duration:2.5 to 3 minutes
Strange "Passenger Jets"
One night last week - and again,later this evening,or more appropriately yesterday evening since it is now 4:00 AM by my clock(I'm a night owl),I have seen low flying "Mystery Planes" Passing over my nieghborhood at a somewhat low altitude...
Now my area is literally SURROUNDED by small,modest,municipal airports - and why not? - It's the birthplace of aviation.
These airports service small aircraft mostly,such as small propeller prop personal aircraft,small business jets,etc..
The nearest airport to me is in Middletown Ohio and services a private airline comprised of vintage WW2 C47 / DC3 aircraft,the type of gull winged,dual propeller prop aircraft used to drop paratroopers at the D-DAY and the Normandy invasions.These planes are pretty good sized,I am aware of their shape and lighting configurations.
They are NO WHERE NEAR the size of a large passenger jet liner such as a Boeing 727 or an L10-11,The DC3s are designed to require less of a strip stretch / tarmac length to land on also.
What I saw tonight,and once last week - appeared to me to be a normally flying,albiet oddly quiet,low,and slow moving large passenger jet liner type of airplane - according to it's light configurations and colors.
It was too dark to see these aircrafts shapes or silouettes on both occassions.
Both "mystery planes" I have seen had the typical flashing red landing / belly lights,wing tip lights,flood lights,etc..
So what's so wierd about that-and why are bothering us reporting PLANES here instead of little silver balls and flying saucers from mars?-You might be asking? WELL-THESE planes that I observed slowly passing low over my nieghborhood had several very wierd characteristrics...
#1 - NO SOUND OF A DISERNABLE JET ENGINE,even though they were low enough to where the engine drones SHOULD have been quite obvious.
I may have heard a very VERY low "humming roar" or drone sound - but not at the proper volume that it should've been logically / normally - I'de probably have to strain myself to hear it clearly over normal background noise coming from barking dogs,vehicles on the highway near me,etc..
#2 - They appeared to be flying so low as to be coming in on a relatively close landing approach,yet the two airports nearest me that are large enough to land a passenger jet of THAT size are in Cincinnati and Dayton - which are quite a ways away from Trenton.Large passenger jets CAN fly somewhat low over my area on final approach to either of these locations - but NOT AS LOW as these "mystery planes" I have observed.
There are NO airports that can service that type of plane or accomodate it's landing near my home - even though the one I observed last night WAS heading in the direction of Middletown's field.The strips that are operated by the local municipal fields are simply too small,too tightly taxable,and far too short!Trying to land a large passenger jet on one of them would be catastrophic! #3 - The plane I observed last night had it's wing tip lights TOO FAR BACK,as if it's fuselage tapered into a "Delta" wing configuration such as the shape reminiscent of a British Dehavilland Vampire fighter jet,a french SAB fighter,or the Concord.I know of no passenger planes - even small ones - that fly around here that have wings of that type.
So maybe you wern't the only one to see it.
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Wow - good find Otto - that sounds like a similar experience. Do you have a link for where ever you got that?
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check this out http://www.monmouth.com/~bcornet/pardelta.htm
People in NewYork spotting large delta wing aircraft low and slow in 1999.
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C-47s are gull-winged...? hmmmm.
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Saur,
It's a UFO site located here (http://www.ufocenter.com/) .
They take in unedited reports from around the world but mostly in the USA. The Database is probablity the best part because you can sort by State, Type, and Date.
A word of warning. The site is like this board. It goes from excellent to total B/S. You have to be the judge.
The "Flying Triangles' started back in the late '80's' in Westchester NY and then to Belgium where they were chased by their Air Force for a couple of nights. Now they seem to be everywhere.
Unfortunately I've never seen a UFO. I envy you.
Good luck...
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Otto: I ended up reporting it.
Very interesting site - I was particularly interested in the reports filed on the same day by different people describing the same thing - fascinating.