Retired Aggressor

-

     F/A-18A 162879 approximately one month after being retired to AMARC. With the limited preservation that had been done thus far it provided an opportunity to document the paint scheme in a "walk around" style. It was a cool, crisp December morning on the ramp which provided some excellent blue Arizona skies for the photos. The major deviation from the operational paint scheme is the addition of the production control number of ANIA0079 on the forward and aft fuselage.












Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Howard DBA NASA Aircraft

-
Image
     Here is a design that is seldom mentioned the Howard DBA. The photos come from low speed wind tunnel at Vought. The photo sleeve has Howard Aero written on it and typical of the LSWT photo sleeves does not reveal a model or make for the design. Nor is there a date for the project. It also appears that the test report and the negatives are separated.       This was a design from Howard Aero of San Antonio Texas the same fine folks that created the Howard 500 version of Lockheed's Ventura bomber to meet NASA's need for rocket component transportation. Howard Aero   (VAHF Collection)      The aircraft features 10 engines and two sets of wings along the bulbous fuselage. It also appears to have large clam-shell doors on the front below the cockpit area. Howard Aero   (VAHF Collection)      A model and the LSWT report are on display at USTA. Links: University of Texas San Antonio More about Vought's LSWT Here More about Howard Aero Here
Read more

VF-213 F-14D 164602 Color To The End

-
Image
2006 saw the last of the F-14D Tomcat fighters leave US Navy fleet service. VF-31 and VF-213 were the last two squadrons to deploy with the F-14. The VF-213 Black Lions painted F-14D 164602 AJ-213, in full colors for the retirement. I had the good fortune to see F-14D 164602 two days after arrival and prior to spraylat being applied for it's storage in AMARG in 2006.  With the exception of the AMARG inventory number ANIK0195, and the yellow 7 indicating an accountable inventory inspection has been completed, the aircraft's markings are untouched.  Some preliminary work to start covering openings has been completed.  Twin tailed Lion that evolved with the squadrons transition from the F-4J Phantom II to the F-14A Tomcat.  AMARG technicians added blocks to the top of each rudder to keep the surfaces from blowing back and forth in the wind potentially damaging hinges and actuators. Foil paper and tape have been used to cover the engin
Read more

Rockwell Ranger 2000

-
Image
JPATS (Joint Primary Aircraft Training System) a 1990's competition was a joint USAF and USN contest to find aircraft to replace the T-37 and T-34 aircraft operated by the services. The winner was the Raytheon T-6A Texan II.  A recent visit to the Tulsa Air and Space Museum & Planetarium netted me a few photos of the Rockwell Ranger 2000 JPATS entry.  http://www.tulsaairandspacemuseum.org/   The only "down" side, the aircraft is currently being used as an attraction for kids to sit in and "fly". This has caused some wear  and tear along with the fitting of wooden mock up seats. The overwhelming "good" side is the aircraft has been saved and is available  for viewing. A true survivor from the JPATS competition. All photos Bill Spidle ©2016
Read more