1381
Combat Warplanes / Re: RIAT 2005
« on: March 28, 2007, 08:09:47 PM »
Thank you both for your comments 
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1382
Combat Warplanes / Re: Air to Air images
« on: March 28, 2007, 12:00:26 PM »So everything is realThank you for this never seen before images
They have never been published below as they are from my private collection, so another first for the forum
1383
Combat Warplanes / Re: Air to Air images
« on: March 28, 2007, 09:13:42 AM »Interesting-black and white
These were all taken from a recce aircraft, just after the first Gulf war, then the UN was patrolling the Iraqi skies
1384
Combat Warplanes / Air to Air images
« on: March 28, 2007, 12:26:26 AM »
Images of aircraft taken during opearations 10 years ago.
1386
Combat Warplanes / Photo Reconnaissance Spitfire Part-1 Type A to F
« on: March 25, 2007, 10:11:05 PM »
The Story of the Spitfire as a photographic reconnaissance aircraft starts at the end of 1939, by which time operational experience with Blenheims and Lysanders used on photographic missions had shown that an aeroplane capable of flying much faster and higher was needed.
A special flight, christened the " Heston Special Flight," was formed, and was equipped with two Spitfires specially converted at RAE. Farnborough. With one F.24 camera mounted vertically in each wing these Spitfires did not prove satisfactory. The first, unsuccessful, sortie was made from a French base against Aachen on November 18, 1939; after a few more sorties the Flight returned to Heston on January 11, 1940.
Re-named No. 2 Camouflage Unit, the Flight studied its mistakes and the shortcomings of the Spitfire as then converted, and there was evolved the first of a series of Photographic Reconnaissance Spitfires, forerunners of the Spitfire P.R.MkXI, probably the most successful photographic aeroplane in the world.
The original R.A.E. modification was designated the Spitfire A; the next model, a service conversion made at Heston was the Spitfire B. One of the disadvantages discovered with the Spitfire A was the lack of range, so a 29-gallon fuel tank was introduced into the rear fuselage, behind the pilot, on the Spitfire B. One vertical camera was carried in a fairing beneath each wing; only a few Spitfire Bs were produced. At his point, the Heston Aircraft Co., Ltd., was asked to under-take the development work on the Spitfire, and to that company must go the credit for the ground work which eventually enabled the RAF, to obtain complete photographic coverage of enemy territory.
The first Heston Aircraft conversion was the Spitfire C, which for the first time used a vertical camera in the fuselage. The wing blisters were retained, but carried two cameras under the port wing, and additional fuel under the starboard wing. Extra oxygen was carried for maximum high altitude flying, and the 29-gallon rear fuselage tank was also retained. Next in line came the first variant used in appreciable numbers.
The Spitfire D, as it was designated, incorporated several important modifications; a fuel tank of 66 gallons capacity was fitted in the leading edge of each wing, which gave a total fuel capacity of 218 gallons, there being no rear fuselage tank. No cameras were carried in the wings, but two F 8 (20-in.), F.24 (20-in.) or F.24 (14-in.) were mounted in tandem in the fuselage; these were "split,' i.e., both were slightly off vertical so that two overlapping photographs were taken simultaneously, Other features were hot air camera heaters, glycol cockpit heater and extra oxygen. The additional petrol necessitated more oil being carried, and this was provided in a 14-gallon tank in a small teardrop fairing beneath the port wing. Records of the Spitfire E are incomplete. It was a modification jointly evolved by R.A.E. and Photographic Development Unit (which the Camouflage Unit had now become) at Benson, and apparently mounted a camera in each wing, and one for oblique shots in the fuselage side behind the pilot.
Almost concurrently with the Spitfire D, Heston Aircraft produced the Spitfire F, which allowed for the installation of one vertical F.8 (20-in.) camera, or two F.8 (20-in.) vertical split cameras, or two F.24 (20-in.) vertical and one F.24 (14-in.) oblique cameras. Oxygen economizers were fitted for the first time, and additional oxygen bottles were carried, one in each wing and one behind the rear fuselage tank.
Next part to follow soon
Image is of a Spitfire PR Mk1D also known as a PRIV
A special flight, christened the " Heston Special Flight," was formed, and was equipped with two Spitfires specially converted at RAE. Farnborough. With one F.24 camera mounted vertically in each wing these Spitfires did not prove satisfactory. The first, unsuccessful, sortie was made from a French base against Aachen on November 18, 1939; after a few more sorties the Flight returned to Heston on January 11, 1940.
Re-named No. 2 Camouflage Unit, the Flight studied its mistakes and the shortcomings of the Spitfire as then converted, and there was evolved the first of a series of Photographic Reconnaissance Spitfires, forerunners of the Spitfire P.R.MkXI, probably the most successful photographic aeroplane in the world.
The original R.A.E. modification was designated the Spitfire A; the next model, a service conversion made at Heston was the Spitfire B. One of the disadvantages discovered with the Spitfire A was the lack of range, so a 29-gallon fuel tank was introduced into the rear fuselage, behind the pilot, on the Spitfire B. One vertical camera was carried in a fairing beneath each wing; only a few Spitfire Bs were produced. At his point, the Heston Aircraft Co., Ltd., was asked to under-take the development work on the Spitfire, and to that company must go the credit for the ground work which eventually enabled the RAF, to obtain complete photographic coverage of enemy territory.
The first Heston Aircraft conversion was the Spitfire C, which for the first time used a vertical camera in the fuselage. The wing blisters were retained, but carried two cameras under the port wing, and additional fuel under the starboard wing. Extra oxygen was carried for maximum high altitude flying, and the 29-gallon rear fuselage tank was also retained. Next in line came the first variant used in appreciable numbers.
The Spitfire D, as it was designated, incorporated several important modifications; a fuel tank of 66 gallons capacity was fitted in the leading edge of each wing, which gave a total fuel capacity of 218 gallons, there being no rear fuselage tank. No cameras were carried in the wings, but two F 8 (20-in.), F.24 (20-in.) or F.24 (14-in.) were mounted in tandem in the fuselage; these were "split,' i.e., both were slightly off vertical so that two overlapping photographs were taken simultaneously, Other features were hot air camera heaters, glycol cockpit heater and extra oxygen. The additional petrol necessitated more oil being carried, and this was provided in a 14-gallon tank in a small teardrop fairing beneath the port wing. Records of the Spitfire E are incomplete. It was a modification jointly evolved by R.A.E. and Photographic Development Unit (which the Camouflage Unit had now become) at Benson, and apparently mounted a camera in each wing, and one for oblique shots in the fuselage side behind the pilot.
Almost concurrently with the Spitfire D, Heston Aircraft produced the Spitfire F, which allowed for the installation of one vertical F.8 (20-in.) camera, or two F.8 (20-in.) vertical split cameras, or two F.24 (20-in.) vertical and one F.24 (14-in.) oblique cameras. Oxygen economizers were fitted for the first time, and additional oxygen bottles were carried, one in each wing and one behind the rear fuselage tank.
Next part to follow soon
Image is of a Spitfire PR Mk1D also known as a PRIV
1387
Combat Warplanes / Re: German jets in the UK
« on: March 25, 2007, 09:55:13 PM »MFG- do you have more info about the Me163?I will contact my friend at Cosford and find what is going on and hopefully get a reply back soon.
1388
Combat Warplanes / Re: German jets in the UK
« on: March 24, 2007, 07:46:36 PM »
The Messerschmitt Me163B Komet at Cosford seems to be in bits at this time, it looks like they are doing major work on it.
1389
Combat Warplanes / Re: Westland WAH-64 Apache
« on: March 21, 2007, 05:17:22 PM »
The British WAH-64 Apache Attack Helicopter (AH), a version of the US Army AH-64D, will replace the ageing Lynx Mk7 system in the anti-armour role. The aircraft is a developed version of the US Longbow Apache, fitted with the advanced Rolls-Royce RTM322 engine already used in the Royal Navy and RAF's Merlin helicopter. It is equipped with the Longbow Fire Control Radar; Semi-Active Laser and Radio Frequency versions of the Hellfire missile; CRV-7 ground suppression rockets; and 30mm cannon.
The WAH-64 Apache is fitted with a state of the art defensive aids suite from BAE Systems which allows it to detect enemy missile attacks and take countermeasures by firing chaff and decoys. Its Longbow fire control radar gives it its main edge, allowing it to detect over 1,000 targets at once and tell the pilot if they are tanks, trucks or air defence systems. Its Hellfire fire-and-forget anti-tank missiles can strike at heavily armoured tanks from nearly four miles away, and its CRV7 rockets, built by BAE Systems, can devastate light armour or unarmoured vehicles. Apache can fly at up nearly 200 mph, and can loiter for up to four hours over the battlefield out to a range of 40 miles.
As the backbone of the new 16 Air Assault Brigade, the WAH-64 is able to work alongside units like the Paras to hold and seize objectives and attack enemy tanks and other armor from a distance of more than four miles. 16 Air Assault Brigade is at the heart of the new Joint Helicopter Command, established October 1999 to bring together the Royal Navy's Commando helicopters, all operational Army Air Corps helicopters, and the RAF's support helicopters . The JHC has responsibility for some 12,000 personnel and some 350 helicopters.
The WAH-64 procurement strategy was based on an "Off-The-Shelf" buy of the complete weapons system through a Prime Contractor. Following an international competition, a Prime Contract for the supply of 67 WAH-64s and the integration of its weapons was placed with GKN-Westland Helicopters Ltd in March 1996. Boeing is the major sub-contractor. A separate contract for the procurement of munitions stocks was placed with Hunting Engineering Ltd on 29 March 1996. Equipment to meet key requirements were added to the Prime Contract in 1999 (i.e. Health and Usage Monitoring System and Communications upgrade). The first eight aircraft were manufactured in the United States by Boeing, who hold the design rights to Apache and are the key sub-contractor. GKN Westland's production line at Yeovil for the remaining 59 aircraft opened on schedule in September 1999. The first aircraft were delivered to the Army for flight trials at the Defence Evaluation and research Agency, Boscombe Down, commencing April 2000. Apache's in service date, defined as the delivery of the first nine aircraft, was December 2000.
Source - Globalsecurity WAH-64
The WAH-64 Apache is fitted with a state of the art defensive aids suite from BAE Systems which allows it to detect enemy missile attacks and take countermeasures by firing chaff and decoys. Its Longbow fire control radar gives it its main edge, allowing it to detect over 1,000 targets at once and tell the pilot if they are tanks, trucks or air defence systems. Its Hellfire fire-and-forget anti-tank missiles can strike at heavily armoured tanks from nearly four miles away, and its CRV7 rockets, built by BAE Systems, can devastate light armour or unarmoured vehicles. Apache can fly at up nearly 200 mph, and can loiter for up to four hours over the battlefield out to a range of 40 miles.
As the backbone of the new 16 Air Assault Brigade, the WAH-64 is able to work alongside units like the Paras to hold and seize objectives and attack enemy tanks and other armor from a distance of more than four miles. 16 Air Assault Brigade is at the heart of the new Joint Helicopter Command, established October 1999 to bring together the Royal Navy's Commando helicopters, all operational Army Air Corps helicopters, and the RAF's support helicopters . The JHC has responsibility for some 12,000 personnel and some 350 helicopters.
The WAH-64 procurement strategy was based on an "Off-The-Shelf" buy of the complete weapons system through a Prime Contractor. Following an international competition, a Prime Contract for the supply of 67 WAH-64s and the integration of its weapons was placed with GKN-Westland Helicopters Ltd in March 1996. Boeing is the major sub-contractor. A separate contract for the procurement of munitions stocks was placed with Hunting Engineering Ltd on 29 March 1996. Equipment to meet key requirements were added to the Prime Contract in 1999 (i.e. Health and Usage Monitoring System and Communications upgrade). The first eight aircraft were manufactured in the United States by Boeing, who hold the design rights to Apache and are the key sub-contractor. GKN Westland's production line at Yeovil for the remaining 59 aircraft opened on schedule in September 1999. The first aircraft were delivered to the Army for flight trials at the Defence Evaluation and research Agency, Boscombe Down, commencing April 2000. Apache's in service date, defined as the delivery of the first nine aircraft, was December 2000.
Source - Globalsecurity WAH-64
1390
Combat Warplanes / Re: Westland WAH-64 Apache
« on: March 20, 2007, 10:32:25 PM »Nice to see never published imagesI think its the same as the US AH64 longbow, but I will check and report back
1391
Combat Warplanes / Westland WAH-64 Apache
« on: March 20, 2007, 08:32:46 PM »
The UK military operates a version of the Apache, called the Westland WAH-64 Apache and is designated Apache AH Mk1 by the British Army. Westland has built 67 WAH-64 Apaches under licence with Boeing.
The Westland Apache replaces the Westland Lynx as the British Army's tactical attack helicopter. They will operate alongside amphibious forces as necessary and have a folding blade assembly for carrier operations. The WAH-64s are currently deployed in Afghanistan.
These images were taken during a visit to my unit in 2004 (c) mfg495
The Westland Apache replaces the Westland Lynx as the British Army's tactical attack helicopter. They will operate alongside amphibious forces as necessary and have a folding blade assembly for carrier operations. The WAH-64s are currently deployed in Afghanistan.
These images were taken during a visit to my unit in 2004 (c) mfg495
1392
Combat Warplanes / Re: Su-24 new image
« on: March 20, 2007, 08:19:20 PM »I have a lot of them mateYou are one lucky man my friend
1393
Combat Warplanes / Re: Su-24 new image
« on: March 20, 2007, 04:07:47 PM »
Excellent image, nice clean lines.
1394
Forums Works / Re: New articles
« on: March 19, 2007, 09:31:34 AM »
Have a quick look at these.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supermarine_Attacker
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messerschmitt_Bf_108
http://www.yumodel.co.yu/history_of_yugoslav_aviation/zucenko.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Werner_Voss
http://blindkat.hegewisch.net/voss/voss.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/F-104_Starfighter
http://www.jetplanes.co.uk/f104.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supermarine_Attacker
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messerschmitt_Bf_108
http://www.yumodel.co.yu/history_of_yugoslav_aviation/zucenko.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Werner_Voss
http://blindkat.hegewisch.net/voss/voss.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/F-104_Starfighter
http://www.jetplanes.co.uk/f104.html
1395
Let Let Let Announcment / Re: Luftwaffe Reconnaissance
« on: March 19, 2007, 01:21:31 AM »
Thank you