HuggyU2

It looks like no one here went to Nellis Airshow. However we got to bring in our A-37B (S/N 87921) after a 20 year restoration. It was the first public display of the aircraft, and it was a big hit. 1st photo is from the Nellis ramp this weekend. Two Vietnamese AF pilots that flew it stopped by and said hi... very interesting since the jet was delivered in '69 directly to the South Vietnamese AF. They flew it for 6 years and about 2200 hours of combat time. It has the 7.62 patches as a reminder. When Saigon fell 29 April 1975, it was captured by the North. We have pics of the NV crews with the jet 2-4 days after Saigon fell, and it actually flew combat missions against the South. The 2nd photo is of 87921 in NV hands. This is the only A-37B currently flying in North America. I think it is one of only 3 flying in the world. We are discussing having me fly an aerobatic routine in 2020 with it. However it will only be at a few select airshows on the West Coast. With full wing and tip tanks and 2 pilots, it weighs 9,000 lbs. The J-85's are putting out ~2750 lbs thrust each. Needless to say, for those of you that flew the T-37, there is no comparison. The acceleration is spectacular. The owner has done a fantastic job, and the cockpit is like new. The only additions are an Aspen unit and a new ADS-B and transponder. The ejection seats are cold. Side note: the Combined Arms Demo that the 57th Wing flew was unbelievable. ACC must have waived everything they've had in the AFI because for once I was blown away by an AF "display". The jets were puking flares like it was going out of style. Loud, fast, low. Nice job to Maj "Stranger" Davenport and the Nellis folks for a jaw-dropping display.

Who is going?

Good input. Thanks.

I don’t see any spoilers coming up at touchdown.

I need advice since my deployment to Afghanistan was 2011/2012. I recall that our squadron had more cookies, candy, toothbrushes, shampoo, etc... than we could shake a stick at. I also recall the military telling people that airlift and sealift was at a premium and their stuff was on a space available basis. My questions: - with the reduced presence now, are Care Packages still desired? Or are they still the unneeded/unnecessary pain in the ass that they were when I was there? - what do you advise people to send in a Care Package? I ask because people at church are going to send Care Packages. And if they are, I at least want to guide them with some suggestions from those of you that are/were downrange and that can help me advise what stuff to send that won't be a waste of space. Save the porn and lube jokes. Help me to help these folks that want to help you. Thanks.

Ghost of James Post? Hahaha!! I'm guessing there's a good story why you picked that.

They have RedHawks?? Diesel-powered C-172s? That’s surprising.

Well stated, M2.

Why don't y'all start an F-1 thread?

NTSB Preliminary report is out: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdfgenerator/ReportGeneratorFile.ashx?EventID=20191002X11326&AKey=1&RType=HTML&IType=MA&fbclid=IwAR2n3Fk-HkfU6T_b7gWwoQEH68r_ggWP1yAaOme9EJXVyG8jZHQU0V9Glek Generates conclusions no one wants to admit to thinking. Ugly.

I personally have seen something I cannot explain. And there are others I know that have seen even stranger things. There are some really interesting stories out there.

Which company provides the best quality custom helmet bags and visor covers? The bag I have has great embroidery, but the bag's nylon and zipper won't last. Also, my visor cover needs replacing.

I looked at a satellite image of PSAB (aka Al's Garage) and it looked like a lot of infrastructure had disappeared since I was there in 2003 for WW-G2.

Muscle, can you explain this statement? I don't think I'm understanding what you're trying to say, since it is counter to everything I’ve ever seen or experienced. .

I have a humorous request... A few years back (I think it was March 2012), Stuck was part of the crew that flew a B-52 to the El Centro Airshow in Southern California. Coincidently, I was the airshow announcer, and we had a great time at the Club both nights. If any of you were on that crew or know the guys that were, could you have them contact me? Long shot, I know. Or... if you happen to currently be in Stuck's old Barksdale B-52 squadron, that might work too. Drop me a note and I'll explain.

I suppose this shouldn't surprise me. I just found about about a Flight Safety instructor that had some clients ask "where the safe space in the building is?".

I'm not a test pilot. However, I have a fair amount of experience in a multitude of military powered-aircraft and can't think of one I've flown where this is the case. I've got about 6 sorties in the F-16, including a front seat flight where we did SFO's. Although it has been 10 years... and everything is done primarily in AoA... I recall that approach speeds were ~150 KIAS and L/Dmax is 200 KIAS... which puts it in the same category as the Hornet / Super Hornet you mention above. Again, I'm sure I'm missing something. Can you give some examples of military powered-airplanes where approach speed is above L/Dmax?

I'm very surprised by this statement. Notwithstanding those two jets, the others all flew approaches faster than L/Dmax? I think there is something I'm missing.

Can't wait for the lawyers and the pussified public to start screaming "we must outlaw these old, outdated war machines!". You know it's coming.

Which of the single-pilot airframes have ADS-B now? T-38C? T-6? Any fighters? If not, what are the plans? Separate question: If the T-6 doesn't have ADS-B, does it have some sort system to identify squawking traffic?

Weaponizing the unknowing youth.

Interesting article that I first read when it came out 15 years ago... https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2004-jul-02-et-hubler2-story.html

After "working" the show last year and getting almost no time in Box 102, it was great to go as a spectator and just enjoy. Friday and Saturday saw spectacular weather and great flying. U-2 pilot Popeye Thomson raced in the Bi-plane class and finished third in the Gold category. The final bi-plane race was cancelled due to winds on Sunday. Too bad as he wanted to race more. U-2 pilot Nova Beaubien's plane was out this year getting the engine rebuilt, but he was asked to fly the pace plane... pretty cool! Didn't see Hacker, but I'm guessing he was working hard like he usually does, and probably got some great photos. TBirds show looked to have a few new things, and overall I enjoyed it. Glad to see them make needed changes to make it look better and keep jets in front of the crowd more. STOL drag racing has become a big deal, and it was incorporated in to Reno this year. Unfortunately, Draco crashed departing Reno today and was destroyed. Mike Patey's ok thankfully. The Crash itself is about the 6:18 point in the video. Some very good lessons in "decision making" on Mike's very humble recollection of how he ended up in this situation.