B17 pics (for those that like war birds)

[Old Dude]

Simply breathtaking. I've been a big fan of these lumbering giants since I was young.

Now I feel like watching Memphis Belle again!

Jeez, I had that on Laserdisk, used to blow everyone away on my very big rearPro TV back in the good old days!

If you liked Memphis Belle have a look at this video clip

http://voxvocispublicus.homestead.com/morrow.html

its about a modifed lone B17 bomber on a mission over Bouganville against a pack of zeros

Cheers
Dale

[deviant]

Amazing. I had a number of B17 models hanging from my roof as a kid.

Of the 12,732 B-17s produced, 4735 were lost in combat. That's madness.

Brave does not even come close to describe some of the things people do in war. It is still complete madness that we keep doing it to ourselves though.





Yes this is the real deal...they had several and apprently could have 5-7 serviceable at any one time.

[GP]

Always amazes me how lucky we were that the nazi's leaders were such idiots.
The germans were so advanced technologically that they should have won. They had the Condor 4 engine transport that was under utilised but the amount of incredible machines they built was amazing.
Junkers 287
Note the forward swept wings, the 4 jet engines and the rato units for short take off

Arado AR234
A favorite of mine

[OurCognitiveSurplus]

The germans were so advanced technologically that they should have won.

If you look at the production numbers and GDPs for the axis an the allies, the outcome was never really in doubt. I'd guess the Wiki has an article on it.

The daylight bombing of Germany didn't reduce its production capacity that much, but the cost of production went through the roof (making things in small backyard operations and bringing the parts together rather than using big factories etc). Technology is great, but when you're outnumbered 5 to 1, there's only so much technology can do.

[GP]

Technology is great, but when you're outnumbered 5 to 1, there's only so much technology can do.

During the battle of britain it was a much more in germanys favour. They actually had the poms on their knees and if it wasn't for an accidental bombing of a city which brought about the bombing raids over germany they would have taken england. Hitler went mental over this and irrationally decided not to invade england but russia instead. This gave the yanks a base for the war.
As I said thank god for hitlers insanity.
ME163 Comet
A lovely replica with a brave pilot

[miata]

Simply breathtaking. I've been a big fan of these lumbering giants since I was young.

Now I feel like watching Memphis Belle again!

Jeez, I had that on Laserdisk, used to blow everyone away on my very big rearPro TV back in the good old days!

If you liked Memphis Belle have a look at this video clip

http://voxvocispublicus.homestead.com/morrow.html

its about a modifed lone B17 bomber on a mission over Bouganville against a pack of zeros

Cheers
Dale

The fact that I still hear new stories from WW2, never ceases to amaze me. Incredible stuff.

[Old Dude]

What about this one Twin fuselage Mustang


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Amer ... in_Mustang

http://www.fiddlersgreen.net/models/air ... n-P82.html

http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsh ... sp?id=2293

Cheers
Dale

[davekmoore]

Not a warbird but if you love aircraft, this isn't too bad either.

http://www.dhc-2.com/Red_Bull_DC-6.html

Now that is gorgeous. Memo to self - make heaps more money.

What is something like this worth and how much would it cost to run if I limited operations to Australia?

[JBT]

It would cost a fortune to buy and maintain let alone operate.

[deviant]

Not a warbird but if you love aircraft, this isn't too bad either.

http://www.dhc-2.com/Red_Bull_DC-6.html

Now that is gorgeous. Memo to self - make heaps more money.

What is something like this worth and how much would it cost to run if I limited operations to Australia?

You can buy this one from Namibia for US$2.1mil http://aerocontroller.com/aircraft-for- ... bi2Id=3632

I can not find many / any other DC6 for sale so they might not actually be worth that much.

There are lots of DC3 / C47 for sale and they are quite cheap to buy. US$80-$200,000. They are 'cheap' to run to, there were so many built in the 40's and so many still flying that they are quite well supported.

Running costs on an aircraft vary a massive amount. The RAAF Roulettes use the Pilatus PC9, figure $2000-$3000 per hour in running costs on those.

Component maintenance is expensive. Some of those gauges in that DC6 cockpit would cost you an easy $10,000 to repair. Overhauling a landing gear strut can be upwards of $50,000 on a smaller aircraft.

It just goes on and on with aircraft, this is why people go in to flying clubs or group ownership. Spread the costs and let someone else track your maintenance.

Oh yeah routine maintenance is VERY routine and needs to be done. No skipping anything on aicraft.
Owning an aircraft is a full time job pretty much...so many laws and regulations to comply with to.

You think all this sounds expensive / hard work you should look in to running a helicopter!!

[davekmoore]

Yup, looked at helicopters. A charter at $600 per flying hour seems to be a good way of getting 500 kms out, spending 2 hours with a client, then getting 500 kms back. Except that this is $4,200 for the day so it only works for clients spending $100,000-250,000 with me and who are pretty much pre-sold.

But it does mean, assuming 200 kmph, I do roughly an 8 hour day and get all the paperwork done while in the air. Whereas it would be 13 hours plus 2 hours paperwork time by car.

[Guran]

Connie lives about 1km from my house and I get to watch her fly over every year during Wings Over Illawarra and the odd flight in between. She's the pinup girl for HARS. A fabulous sight! Sunday 6th May is the next one if you're keen.
http://hars.org.au/category/aircraftnew ... tellation/

Connie and friends are out and about this afternoon. Took a few photos from my balcony.

Take-off


Fly-by


Dakota C47 ?

[Buckshot]

I recently purchased an MX5 NC LE so I took it for a run from Sydney down to Temora for one of their Showcase Days.



If you haven't been there yet get down there, it was a great day and Temora is a lovely town.

[bruce]

I think if you like cars, you will like planes.
I actually went the other way; building model planes and then model cars, then buying cars. I would buy planes but they're a bit expensive (plus my drivers licence wouldn't be valid).

[Rocky]

I think you are right, Bruce.
I think I've never met a car enthusiast who didn't like planes as well.
I like 'em but I don't fly in the small ones. Don't like the number that crash.