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1022
Combat Warplanes / Re: Engine switch in Hurricane
« on: November 25, 2007, 05:28:42 PM »
Here you go leo
image 1 Spitfire V under evaluation with the DB 601 engine
see - http://www.unrealaircraft.com/hybrid/spitfire.php
image 2 Zmaj-built Hurricane 1 of the Royal Yugoslav Air Force (JKRV), at Zemun, April 1941
see - http://www.unrealaircraft.com/hybrid/hurricane.php
image 1 Spitfire V under evaluation with the DB 601 engine
see - http://www.unrealaircraft.com/hybrid/spitfire.php
image 2 Zmaj-built Hurricane 1 of the Royal Yugoslav Air Force (JKRV), at Zemun, April 1941
see - http://www.unrealaircraft.com/hybrid/hurricane.php
1023
Combat Warplanes / Re: Tornados
« on: November 23, 2007, 01:23:21 PM »
Great images Wingman81 
I found this on the web about RAF female fast jet pilots.
Nearly a third of the female pilots who have qualified to fly RAF jets since 1990 have left before their contracts were up.
Their departure is thought to represent a loss of training that cost the taxpayer nearly £100m at today's prices.
In 14 years, 70 women have won their wings. But 19 have left prematurely - including one who won a six figure payout at an industrial tribunal which heard the culture of her squadron was "macho, male and almost tribal".
Flt Lt Salter – now a lecturer in business studies - claims the sexist attitudes of her male comrades was obvious from her first day on a fighter squadron.
She said: "I did have one navigator who came up to me and said 'We're going to make sure we get rid of you from this squadron'. I don't believe there's such a thing as a man's job or a woman's job but the RAF has traditionally been a man's world."
Flt Lt Salter quit after completing her first tour on Tornado GR1 strike jets, eventually becoming a pairs leader – a senior role on any squadron.
But she says when she tried to return to work after having her first baby at the age of 30 she was not offered a job that reflected her skills or experience.
It's sad in this day and age that they look at the sex of the person doing the job and not if that person can do the task right.
I found this on the web about RAF female fast jet pilots.
Nearly a third of the female pilots who have qualified to fly RAF jets since 1990 have left before their contracts were up.
Their departure is thought to represent a loss of training that cost the taxpayer nearly £100m at today's prices.
In 14 years, 70 women have won their wings. But 19 have left prematurely - including one who won a six figure payout at an industrial tribunal which heard the culture of her squadron was "macho, male and almost tribal".
Flt Lt Salter – now a lecturer in business studies - claims the sexist attitudes of her male comrades was obvious from her first day on a fighter squadron.
She said: "I did have one navigator who came up to me and said 'We're going to make sure we get rid of you from this squadron'. I don't believe there's such a thing as a man's job or a woman's job but the RAF has traditionally been a man's world."
Flt Lt Salter quit after completing her first tour on Tornado GR1 strike jets, eventually becoming a pairs leader – a senior role on any squadron.
But she says when she tried to return to work after having her first baby at the age of 30 she was not offered a job that reflected her skills or experience.
It's sad in this day and age that they look at the sex of the person doing the job and not if that person can do the task right.
1024
Combat Warplanes / Re: First bomb drop for RAF Typhoon
« on: November 22, 2007, 03:51:47 PM »
The Typhoon has a top speed of Mach 2 and a max alt of 65,000ft.
The airframe is largely constructed of carbon fibre composites and light alloys to save weight while the aircraft is equipped with the advanced ECR90 radar, which can track multiple targets at long range. The pilot can carry out many functions by voice command while aircraft manoeuvre; weapon and defensive aid deployment is done through a combined stick and throttle. All of these innovations dramatically simplify operation of the aircraft in combat. Combined with an advanced cockpit that is fully compatible with night-vision goggles, the pilot is superbly equipped for air combat.
The airframe is largely constructed of carbon fibre composites and light alloys to save weight while the aircraft is equipped with the advanced ECR90 radar, which can track multiple targets at long range. The pilot can carry out many functions by voice command while aircraft manoeuvre; weapon and defensive aid deployment is done through a combined stick and throttle. All of these innovations dramatically simplify operation of the aircraft in combat. Combined with an advanced cockpit that is fully compatible with night-vision goggles, the pilot is superbly equipped for air combat.
1025
Combat Warplanes / First bomb drop for RAF Typhoon
« on: November 22, 2007, 11:51:42 AM »
The RAF's newest and most versatile multi-role fighter, the Eurofighter Typhoon, has dropped its first in-service bomb scoring a direct hit on a target at sea off the Welsh coast.
The weapon, a 1,000lb (454kg) Paveway 2 laser guided bomb (LGB) was dropped by a Typhoon of No 11 Squadron who are based at RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire.
The RAF Typhoon carried out the trial alongside a BAE Systems twin-seat Typhoon carrying a Rafael Litening lll laser pod which illuminated the target. The laser guided the Paveway 2 dropped by the RAF Typhoon straight to the target.
Trials are continuing to perfect its bomb-dropping techniques with a view to achieving an initial air-to-ground attack capability by the summer of 2008. This follows on from the aircraft being declared operational in the air-to-air role, defending UK air space from aerial threats, on 29 June 2007.
Source & copyright - UK MoD
The weapon, a 1,000lb (454kg) Paveway 2 laser guided bomb (LGB) was dropped by a Typhoon of No 11 Squadron who are based at RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire.
The RAF Typhoon carried out the trial alongside a BAE Systems twin-seat Typhoon carrying a Rafael Litening lll laser pod which illuminated the target. The laser guided the Paveway 2 dropped by the RAF Typhoon straight to the target.
Trials are continuing to perfect its bomb-dropping techniques with a view to achieving an initial air-to-ground attack capability by the summer of 2008. This follows on from the aircraft being declared operational in the air-to-air role, defending UK air space from aerial threats, on 29 June 2007.
Source & copyright - UK MoD
1026
Warplane Art / Re: Italian Paratroopers
« on: November 19, 2007, 07:13:43 PM »Were italian air force units involved in ethiopia?
Italy invaded their former African colony of Ethiopia on October 3, 1935, and their planes, tanks and troops dominated their nearly defenseless enemy. Following the Ethiopian incursion, Mussolini sent 660 planes and 75,000 soldiers in October of 1936 to aid the Nationalist movement of Francisco France at the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War. The Regia Aeronautica, outfitted with generally inferior and consistently underpowered airplanes, gave a mediocre performance in Spain
Source - http://www.ww2wings.com/wings/italy/italymain.shtml
Some very good information here.
1027
Warplane Art / Re: XP-72
« on: November 16, 2007, 12:37:05 PM »
The XP-72 was a modification of the basic P-47 airframe redesigned for the Pratt & Whitney Wasp Major radial engine. The aircraft had a close-fitted engine cowling and a supercharger placed behind the cockpit. The supercharger air inlet was moved to the wing root and gave the aircraft its distinctive "large-belly" shape. The XP-72 was capable of accelerating to 490 mph. at 25,000 feet and was to be used to intercept German V-1 "Buzz" Bombs.
The maiden flight of the first XP-72 built (S/N 43-36598) was on Feb. 2, 1944. This aircraft had a conventional four-bladed propeller, but the second aircraft (S/N 43-36599) featured an Aero Products contra-rotating propeller. The excellent performance of the prototype aircraft resulted in a contract for 100 P-72s. These aircraft were to be armed with four 37mm cannon instead of the machine guns on the prototypes; however, the Army Air Force canceled the production contract before any aircraft were built because of the greater need for long-range escort fighters in Europe.
Number built/ converted - 2
Remarks - Improved P-47; V-1 interceptor
SPECIFICATIONS:
Span: 40 ft. 11 in.
Length: 36 ft. 7 in.
Height: 16 ft. 0 in.
Armament: Six .50-cal. machine guns (production version designed for four 37mm cannon and two 1,000 lb. bombs)
Engine: One supercharged Pratt & Whitney R-4360 of 3,500 hp
Crew: One
PERFORMANCE:
Maximum speed: 490 mph
Cruising speed: 300 mph
Range: 1,200 mi.
Service ceiling: 42,000 ft.
Source - USAF
The maiden flight of the first XP-72 built (S/N 43-36598) was on Feb. 2, 1944. This aircraft had a conventional four-bladed propeller, but the second aircraft (S/N 43-36599) featured an Aero Products contra-rotating propeller. The excellent performance of the prototype aircraft resulted in a contract for 100 P-72s. These aircraft were to be armed with four 37mm cannon instead of the machine guns on the prototypes; however, the Army Air Force canceled the production contract before any aircraft were built because of the greater need for long-range escort fighters in Europe.
Number built/ converted - 2
Remarks - Improved P-47; V-1 interceptor
SPECIFICATIONS:
Span: 40 ft. 11 in.
Length: 36 ft. 7 in.
Height: 16 ft. 0 in.
Armament: Six .50-cal. machine guns (production version designed for four 37mm cannon and two 1,000 lb. bombs)
Engine: One supercharged Pratt & Whitney R-4360 of 3,500 hp
Crew: One
PERFORMANCE:
Maximum speed: 490 mph
Cruising speed: 300 mph
Range: 1,200 mi.
Service ceiling: 42,000 ft.
Source - USAF
1028
Combat Warplanes / Re: Aircraft photos
« on: November 11, 2007, 12:15:41 AM »
The carrier's history and fate after Germany's surrender was unclear for decades after the war. However, the Soviets decided to repair the damaged ship. It was re-floated in March 1946. The last known photo of the carrier shows it leaving Swinemünde on April 7, 1947
For many years after this there was no information about the ship's fate. There was some speculation that it was very unlikely that the hull made it to Leningrad, as it was argued that the arrival of such a large and unusual vessel would have been noticed by Western intelligence services. This seemed to imply that the hull was lost at sea during transfer between Swinemünde and Leningrad.
One account concluded that it struck a mine north of Rügen on August 15, 1947, but Rügen, west of Swinemünde, is not on the sailing route to Leningrad. Further north, in the Gulf of Finland, a heavily-mined area difficult for Western observers to monitor, seemed more likely.
On July 12, 2006 RV St. Barbara, a ship belonging to the Polish oil company Petrobaltic found a 265 m long wreck close to the port of Leba which they thought was most likely Graf Zeppelin.
On July 26, 2006 the crew of the Polish Navy's survey ship ORP Arctowski commenced penetration of the wreckage to confirm its identity, and the following day the Polish Navy confirmed that the wreckage was indeed that of Graf Zeppelin.
She rests at more than 86–87 meters (264 feet) below the surface.
"The sunken aircraft-carrier Graf Zeppelin is Russia’s property," the Defense Ministry of Germany states.
"Berlin will not claim any rights in connection with the decommissioned WWII vessel," Germany’s news agency DDP reports with reference to the military that Germany will not claim its right to the vessel’s hull.
Source - Internet
For many years after this there was no information about the ship's fate. There was some speculation that it was very unlikely that the hull made it to Leningrad, as it was argued that the arrival of such a large and unusual vessel would have been noticed by Western intelligence services. This seemed to imply that the hull was lost at sea during transfer between Swinemünde and Leningrad.
One account concluded that it struck a mine north of Rügen on August 15, 1947, but Rügen, west of Swinemünde, is not on the sailing route to Leningrad. Further north, in the Gulf of Finland, a heavily-mined area difficult for Western observers to monitor, seemed more likely.
On July 12, 2006 RV St. Barbara, a ship belonging to the Polish oil company Petrobaltic found a 265 m long wreck close to the port of Leba which they thought was most likely Graf Zeppelin.
On July 26, 2006 the crew of the Polish Navy's survey ship ORP Arctowski commenced penetration of the wreckage to confirm its identity, and the following day the Polish Navy confirmed that the wreckage was indeed that of Graf Zeppelin.
She rests at more than 86–87 meters (264 feet) below the surface.
"The sunken aircraft-carrier Graf Zeppelin is Russia’s property," the Defense Ministry of Germany states.
"Berlin will not claim any rights in connection with the decommissioned WWII vessel," Germany’s news agency DDP reports with reference to the military that Germany will not claim its right to the vessel’s hull.
Source - Internet
1029
Combat Warplanes / Re: Handley Page Victor B(SR)2
« on: November 09, 2007, 12:42:06 PM »
Bruno
Thanks for your help, I have seen one or two from this site. However, there are others I have not
That has to be one of the longest hyperlinks I have ever seen.
Thanks for your help, I have seen one or two from this site. However, there are others I have not
That has to be one of the longest hyperlinks I have ever seen.
1030
Combat Warplanes / Re: Handley Page Victor B(SR)2
« on: November 08, 2007, 08:47:34 PM »I will ask for the images but I thought that you have it...
I have only one shot of this great aircraft, if possible I was looking for an image showing the camera bay
1031
Combat Warplanes / Handley Page Victor B(SR)2
« on: November 08, 2007, 04:57:46 PM »
Has anyone seen any images of the Handley Page B(SR)2, this was the reconnaissance of the Victor bomber and had cameras installed within the bomb-bay.
I have seen one very small image of the Victor with it's bomb-bay open showing the cameras ports, but it's too small for me to carry my research out on.
Thanks.
I have seen one very small image of the Victor with it's bomb-bay open showing the cameras ports, but it's too small for me to carry my research out on.
Thanks.
1033
Combat Warplanes / Re: Small Aircraft Museums
« on: November 06, 2007, 08:23:08 PM »
well I know one aircraft, the Canberra at the center top. Greta find
1034
Combat Warplanes / Re: Photo Reconnaissance Spitfire Part-2
« on: November 05, 2007, 07:53:05 PM »
About time to add the rest: 
The alphabetical designations were not in accordance with the standard form of notation of mark numbers. So the two models for production, the Spitfire D and Spitfire G, became in production. The Spitfire P.R.MkXI and Spitfire P.R.Mk.Vll (since D and G are the fourth and seventh letters of the alphabet respectively). Whereas the Spitfire A-G series had been powered by Merlin II, III or XII motors (being Spitfire I or II conversions), the Spitfire P.R.Mk.Vll, 229 of which were produced, had variously a Merlin 45, 46, 50, 50A, 55 or 56, and also provision was made in the production versions for an oblique F.24 camera.
Provision was made for tropicalization and a number of Spitfire P.R.Mk.IV's was used in the Middle East. The Spitfire P.R.Mk.Vll, which had no provision for tropicalization, was powered by a Merlin 45 or 46. The last Spitfire for which Heston Aircraft was responsible was the Spitfire P.R.Mk.XIII, a low-level fighting scout generally similar to the P.R.Mk.VII. Prior to starting conversion of Spitfire V's to XIIl's, Heston Aircraft modified the last two Spitfire Gs up to XIII standard, but fitted them with Merlin 45 motors.
The P.R.Mk.XIII was powered by a 1,620 h.p. Merlin 32 motor, driving a four-blade Rotol airscrew, and was armed in all cases with only four 0.303-in, machine-guns. It was the first P.R. type to have provision for a flat belly drop tank of standard Spitfire type, a 30-gallon tank being applicable, camera installation was two independent vertical F.24 (5-in.), (8-in.), (14-in.), (20-in.) or (20-in. Telephoto), and one port or starboard oblique F.24 (5-in.), (8-in.). (14-in.) or (20-in,). Instead of the cockpit teardrops, a balloon hood was fitted, and the windscreen was bullet proof. Only twenty-live Spitfire P.R.Mk.XIII's were produced, these all being converted by Heston Aircraft Co., Ltd., the first seven from Spitfire VAS and the last eighteen from Spitfire VBS.
Spitfire PR XI
The last and the greatest photographic reconnaissance variant of the Spitfire was the PRXIX.
It was powered by the Griffon 66 engine, with a max ceiling of 42,000ft. Its normal safe range was 1,160 miles, but this was extended to 1,550 miles by adding a 170 gallon overloaded drop-tank.
She could have a number of camera fits, listed below are the common ones:
1. Split pair of vertical F24 cameras with 14in or 20in lenses, one oblique F24 camera, fitted with either 8in or 14in lenses
2. Spilt pair of vertical F8 or F52 20in lens cameras.
3. Spit pair of vertical F52 36in lens camera
Some 225 models came off the assembly lines with production ending early 1946, but the aircraft was used in front-line photo reconnaissance service with the RAF until April 1954.
Spitfire PR XIX
In fact the last time a Spitfire PRXIX was used to perform an operation act was in 1963 when one was used in battle trials against an English Electric Lightning to determine if a RAF Lightning could take on a piston engined aircraft.
This information was required because the RAF jets might have to engage P-51 Mustangs in the Indonesian conflict of the time.
The alphabetical designations were not in accordance with the standard form of notation of mark numbers. So the two models for production, the Spitfire D and Spitfire G, became in production. The Spitfire P.R.MkXI and Spitfire P.R.Mk.Vll (since D and G are the fourth and seventh letters of the alphabet respectively). Whereas the Spitfire A-G series had been powered by Merlin II, III or XII motors (being Spitfire I or II conversions), the Spitfire P.R.Mk.Vll, 229 of which were produced, had variously a Merlin 45, 46, 50, 50A, 55 or 56, and also provision was made in the production versions for an oblique F.24 camera.
Provision was made for tropicalization and a number of Spitfire P.R.Mk.IV's was used in the Middle East. The Spitfire P.R.Mk.Vll, which had no provision for tropicalization, was powered by a Merlin 45 or 46. The last Spitfire for which Heston Aircraft was responsible was the Spitfire P.R.Mk.XIII, a low-level fighting scout generally similar to the P.R.Mk.VII. Prior to starting conversion of Spitfire V's to XIIl's, Heston Aircraft modified the last two Spitfire Gs up to XIII standard, but fitted them with Merlin 45 motors.
The P.R.Mk.XIII was powered by a 1,620 h.p. Merlin 32 motor, driving a four-blade Rotol airscrew, and was armed in all cases with only four 0.303-in, machine-guns. It was the first P.R. type to have provision for a flat belly drop tank of standard Spitfire type, a 30-gallon tank being applicable, camera installation was two independent vertical F.24 (5-in.), (8-in.), (14-in.), (20-in.) or (20-in. Telephoto), and one port or starboard oblique F.24 (5-in.), (8-in.). (14-in.) or (20-in,). Instead of the cockpit teardrops, a balloon hood was fitted, and the windscreen was bullet proof. Only twenty-live Spitfire P.R.Mk.XIII's were produced, these all being converted by Heston Aircraft Co., Ltd., the first seven from Spitfire VAS and the last eighteen from Spitfire VBS.
Spitfire PR XI
The last and the greatest photographic reconnaissance variant of the Spitfire was the PRXIX.
It was powered by the Griffon 66 engine, with a max ceiling of 42,000ft. Its normal safe range was 1,160 miles, but this was extended to 1,550 miles by adding a 170 gallon overloaded drop-tank.
She could have a number of camera fits, listed below are the common ones:
1. Split pair of vertical F24 cameras with 14in or 20in lenses, one oblique F24 camera, fitted with either 8in or 14in lenses
2. Spilt pair of vertical F8 or F52 20in lens cameras.
3. Spit pair of vertical F52 36in lens camera
Some 225 models came off the assembly lines with production ending early 1946, but the aircraft was used in front-line photo reconnaissance service with the RAF until April 1954.
Spitfire PR XIX
In fact the last time a Spitfire PRXIX was used to perform an operation act was in 1963 when one was used in battle trials against an English Electric Lightning to determine if a RAF Lightning could take on a piston engined aircraft.
This information was required because the RAF jets might have to engage P-51 Mustangs in the Indonesian conflict of the time.
1035
Combat Warplanes / Re: Moslty Savoia
« on: November 05, 2007, 04:39:49 PM »
Excellent set of images by friend