| Author | Message | ||
| William H (Countachxx)
Advanced Member Username: Countachxx Post Number: 3438 Registered: 2-2001 |
supposedly the US now has the super secret Aurora which replaced the SR71 which should be capable of around Mach 5. Reagan had plans for his Mach 15 Orient express which eventually turned into the Lockheed Venture Star, space shuttle replacement, which Bush Jr scrapped | ||
| James Lee (Aventino)
Junior Member Username: Aventino Post Number: 151 Registered: 6-2003 |
Mark, amazing photos of the XB-70. Discovery channel had some old footage of building it including taxi runs and gear retractions. Still looks like it was made only yesterday. | ||
| Skip Williamson (Darolls)
Junior Member Username: Darolls Post Number: 190 Registered: 7-2003 |
Used it a few times; too bad it's been laid to rest. It is quite an experience, seeing nothing but blackness above you, and actually seeing the curvature of the Earth! | ||
| MarkPDX (Markpdx)
Intermediate Member Username: Markpdx Post Number: 1198 Registered: 4-2003 |
Here is the pic of the modified F-5 used in the recent quiet sonic boom tests  | ||
| MarkPDX (Markpdx)
Intermediate Member Username: Markpdx Post Number: 1197 Registered: 4-2003 |
The XB-70 may be gone but it's hardly forgotten. Unfortunately there were only 2 built, the surviving one has been a museum piece for many years. click for larger    For those who don't know, the one in these pictures was destroyed in midair collision with the red tailed F-104. Here is a page with a brief history of the plane. | ||
| James Lee (Aventino)
Junior Member Username: Aventino Post Number: 150 Registered: 6-2003 |
'Fraid you're all forgetting the XB-70 that comes more than close to either of those. Mach 3.0, canards, 6 motors. Thanks to the SAC. | ||
| MarkPDX (Markpdx)
Intermediate Member Username: Markpdx Post Number: 1195 Registered: 4-2003 |
And much like the Concorde there are uhhh...... rumored to be a couple kept in flying condition should the need arise 
There is an interesting article on the subject in the October 20 issue of Aviation Week & Space Technology. Anybody else see it? | ||
| Horsefly (Arlie)
Intermediate Member Username: Arlie Post Number: 1562 Registered: 5-2002 |
OK, here's my Concorde story. If I remember correctly, back when they first started flying, in the late 70s (?) there were some flights that went to Dallas, Texas usually on the weekends, Saturday I think. This was a big deal at the time to know that the Concorde was flying over Arkansas. Being an avid airplane enthusiast and model airplane builder, I would sit out in our backyard with several pairs of binoculars and a 60 power telescope watching various planes flying overhead at high altitude. I've seen older C-124 Air Force cargo planes, even C-119 Flying Boxcars back in the sixties, and tons of airliners flying overhead. On one of those Concorde weekends, we were sitting in the backyard for several hours watching every plane that flew over our hometown. We were right under the Memphis to Dallas flyway apparently, because planes keep coming over at regular intervals. And then, suddenly, we say a very strange, long nose aircraft flying overhead. After multiple observations, we concluded it must be the Concorde. Of course no sonic booms were heard, because they were restricted to subsonic speeds while over the U.S. continent. I sure wish that I had a photograph to prove it, but I knew that's what it was, because no other airplane looked so "dart" shaped and that big at that altitude. An occasional F-104 Phantom or F-102 Starfighter sighting back in the sixties served as good reference material to verify what we were seeing. I've also seen weather balloons at over 100,000 feet through the telescope. This was all well over 20 years ago. I would like to know their exact schedule of flights to Dallas in the 70s to see if my memory jives with their schedule. | ||
| David S (Djs308)
Junior Member Username: Djs308 Post Number: 178 Registered: 9-2002 |
I have to admit, I was very lucky. I got to see the Concorde flying overhead for decades as I live near the approach to JFK. Never got to fly on it though, but if they keep one or two airworthy, it's definitely worth looking into getting on one. I know that BA used to fly into Oshkosh during EAA, with one of their Concordes and offered people a flight "to nowhere" on the jet. Rijk, you are most likely correct. It will fly into JFK (YES!! One more time!!) and probably put it on a barge for the rest of the trip to the intrepid. I think that's how they got the A-12 Blackbird there (except I don't think it was "flown" to JFK). Also, another Concorde should be headed to the soon-to-be-opened Smithsonian/Air and Space Museum extension at Dulles. That will probably come from Air France, though. The blackbird was a very similar story to Concorde. It also was retired before its time. Nothing else comes close to these two planes....nothing!! | ||
| Rijk Rietveld (Rijk365gtb4)
Member Username: Rijk365gtb4 Post Number: 324 Registered: 1-2002 |
We will get one here down our street on the Intrepid aircraft carrier museum in NYC. Our kids are very excited about that. I wonder how they are going to get it here from JFK (barges?), and how to get it up on the deck. Rijk | ||
| Joe (Jts)
Junior Member Username: Jts Post Number: 231 Registered: 8-2003 |
Jon, Yes, Richard Branson said that there was a clause in the privatization agreement of BA that stipulated that if BA didn't want to operate the Concorde, another British airline would get the chance to buy them. The government and BA "couldn't find" the clause and rejected Branson's offer. Even though the taxpayer paid $billions to develop the Concorde, I'm not sure why the gov't was involved between Branson and BA (post-privatization). You're right of course, that BA would not want to see Branson turn the Concorde into a money maker. Would have been cool though, because Branson seems to have a golden touch. BTW, I heard that it was most recently 8000 pounds (approx. $14K USD) London-New York return. | ||
| Jon P. Kofod (95f355c)
Intermediate Member Username: 95f355c Post Number: 1135 Registered: 8-2001 |
Jordan, I think it was the fact that Branson's airline is a major competitor and a major thorn in the side of BA that prevented the sale of the planes. Jason, I think they were charging about $7,000 for a one way ticket. When I flew the Concorde in 1976 a one way ticket was $6700. I flew with them a few times in 1996 and a roundtrip ticket was about $9,000 (my company paid of it). Regards, Jon | ||
| William H (Countachxx)
Advanced Member Username: Countachxx Post Number: 3421 Registered: 2-2001 |
My friend Nick Sikorsky met the crew of the Russian T-144 at Paris. The reason it crashed was that it did not have baffled fuel tanks so the when it went to do some aerobatics the fuel sloshed around inside, threw off the weight distribution and Smack!!!!! Shame. Boeing had a plan for an SST much bigger than the Concorde back in the 70s I dont think they ever built a prototype. The Sonic Cruiser which was also axed recently cus of the global downturn in tourism would have flown at .99 Mach | ||
| Ben Cannon (Artherd)
Intermediate Member Username: Artherd Post Number: 1155 Registered: 6-2002 |
Jordan- I'm in on said club! Faquing plane will out-run the sun. "Seems we are living in the era of weenies" Couldn't have said it better myself! Best! Ben. | ||
| Tom Bakowsky (Tbakowsky)
Member Username: Tbakowsky Post Number: 746 Registered: 9-2002 |
I did hear that one or 2 will be preseverd in flying condition for specail occations,and airshows. The rest will be going to various museums. | ||
| Jordan Witherspoon (Jordan747_400)
Intermediate Member Username: Jordan747_400 Post Number: 2359 Registered: 12-2002 |
You are very right Jason, Branson was trying to purchase a few planes in order to save them, but something prohibited them  Right now I think all (or most) Concordes are off to Museums. Just like some of the old Connies and DC3s, Id imagine in the future some sort of flying club will restore and fly the Concorde again on pleasure flights. | ||
| Jason W (Pristines4)
Member Username: Pristines4 Post Number: 788 Registered: 12-2002 |
I just read in Fortune this afternoon that the guy who owns the Virgin Airline was trying to save the Concorde. Too bad. How much were they for 1 flight? A few thousand? | ||
| todd (Flat12)
Junior Member Username: Flat12 Post Number: 80 Registered: 7-2003 |
"Seems we are living in the era of weenies" Agree | ||
| William H (Countachxx)
Advanced Member Username: Countachxx Post Number: 3416 Registered: 2-2001 |
What a shame, I heard they will park them in Museums now, what a waste. NASA has just tested a new wing that allows a plane to fly supersonic without the Boom Maybe in another 10-20 years somebody will have the balls to build a Mach 3+ passenger plane Seems we are living in the era of weenies | ||
| Jon P. Kofod (95f355c)
Intermediate Member Username: 95f355c Post Number: 1133 Registered: 8-2001 |
Bob You are correct. The plane is designed to increase in lenght as the heated airflow expands the aluminum fuselage. Can't remember exactly how much but I think it's 2 feet or so. Flown on it a number of times. Quite an experience! Regards, Jon P. Kofod 1995 F355 Challenge #23 www.flatoutracing.net | ||
| Andrew Wanamaker (Androza)
Junior Member Username: Androza Post Number: 60 Registered: 2-2003 |
Michael- Nice to see another Savannahian! I too know who he works for... | ||
| Joe (Jts)
Junior Member Username: Jts Post Number: 216 Registered: 8-2003 |
Thanks Mark - awesome links! | ||
| MarkPDX (Markpdx)
Intermediate Member Username: Markpdx Post Number: 1142 Registered: 4-2003 |
The Tu-144 had some problems, like the wings coming off at the Paris Air Show. A discussion on the subject can be found here. It only made 102 passenger flights and went out of service in 1978 From 1996-98 NASA used the Tu-144LL for a high speed research project. Dryden has a good bit of info on it: NASA fact sheet on the Tu-144LL Supersonic Flying Laboratory Tu-44LL Project Summary Project Photos Tu-144 movies | ||
| Joe (Jts)
Junior Member Username: Jts Post Number: 212 Registered: 8-2003 |
Truly ahead of its time and yet another example of why an alternative fuel source can't come fast enough. I was lucky enough to see one on the ground in Paris in the early 80s and even standing still, she was majestic and awe-inspiring. Whatever happened to the Russian version - the one with the little wings coming off the nose section. Anyone know? | ||
| Ben Cannon (Artherd)
Intermediate Member Username: Artherd Post Number: 1147 Registered: 6-2002 |
Truely the end of an era. I wonder what will become of the planes? I'll be checking e-bay... Michael- YOU BIG TEASE! You have my full and undivided attention. Just having said that (I know where you work) gives me big hope. Best! Ben. | ||
| Lou B (Toby91)
Member Username: Toby91 Post Number: 361 Registered: 4-2001 |
Some people are happy is gone- the BA and Air France finance guys and taxpayers! The thing lost tens of billions for France and the UK over its life span. A beautiful and fantastic performer but not so comfortable inside (coach seating and not enough time to finish my dinner )and Charles DeGaul's up yours to the US to prove French superiority. I think it will be a long time before we see the next SST. I guess every major country needs a symbol like this even if it loses billions, ours is manned space flight. Cumulative NASA spending since inception is pushing 1 trillion. | ||
| MICHAEL MORETT (Thecarreaper)
New member Username: Thecarreaper Post Number: 44 Registered: 9-2003 |
hey Jordan...... there is another.....(SST) hee hee. all i can say :o) | ||
| PeterS (Peters)
Intermediate Member Username: Peters Post Number: 1653 Registered: 1-2003 |
Would you want to have been on that flight listening to Joan Rivers for four hours? I could see the plane going down with her taking the mic saying..."NY Control Center, Can we talk?"... | ||
| BobD (Bobd)
Intermediate Member Username: Bobd Post Number: 1603 Registered: 3-2001 |
I once heard the inside of the fuselage was on wheels... that it got so hot in flight it actually stretched 2-3 inches. Not sure if it's true though??? Incredible aircraft... I wish I could have flown in it. | ||
| Jack (Gilles27)
Intermediate Member Username: Gilles27 Post Number: 1491 Registered: 3-2002 |
I hope you're right. I thought about that in respect to my grandfather, who fought in both World Wars. He witenessed the progression from horses to cars to propellers to jets to rockets. My guess is the equivelant for us will be in medical breakthroughs. | ||
| Frank Wiedmann (Frankieferrari)
Member Username: Frankieferrari Post Number: 577 Registered: 8-2003 |
Yeah,really. By now,you would have thought that they could have come up with some ways to make them more cost efficient. Too Bad. I am into a point in my life where I could have finally afforded to try one,and now they're gone. Oh well. Better things to come someday,I suppose. My Great-Grandma,saw in her lifetime,the dawn of flight,( she was a teen when the Wright Brothers took their first flight. But,she died many years ago) all the way to a man on the moon. So,think of all the cool sh*t that is coming OUR way,in OUR lifetime! | ||
| Jack (Gilles27)
Intermediate Member Username: Gilles27 Post Number: 1489 Registered: 3-2002 |
Great photos, Jordan. I was always fascinated by the plane. I remember the first time I flew into Heathrow and saw 2 or 3 of them on the tarmac. Then to actually see one take off was awesome. It's too bad the technology couldn't have been developed to become cost-effective. I'll miss it. | ||
| Frank Wiedmann (Frankieferrari)
Member Username: Frankieferrari Post Number: 575 Registered: 8-2003 |
It reminds me of the Lamborghini Countach of the jet world. Still very cool looking,never "dated". | ||
| Christopher F. (Dallasguy)
Member Username: Dallasguy Post Number: 275 Registered: 10-2002 |
I watched it take off from JFK this morning on the news from a live chopper camera shot. It was actually kind of sad to think that it is the last time it will be making that takeoff from this side of the pond. | ||
| todd (Flat12)
Junior Member Username: Flat12 Post Number: 78 Registered: 7-2003 |
Why does everything from the late 60's seem to be the best ••••? | ||
| Jordan Witherspoon (Jordan747_400)
Intermediate Member Username: Jordan747_400 Post Number: 2337 Registered: 12-2002 |
As a commercial aviation enthusiast, I too, am really saddened by the retirement of the Concorde. An aircraft from 1969 that still couldnt be rivaled...Perhaps it was just ahead of its time a bit too much. Unfortunately, Ive never had the opportunity to fly on Concorde either... A few photos. The first photo was taken at LHR as the last revenue flight was landing. Aparantly thousands gathered to watch it land I somehow doubt there will be another SST for quite a while...hopefully sometime in my lifetime though.    | ||
| Frank Wiedmann (Frankieferrari)
Member Username: Frankieferrari Post Number: 574 Registered: 8-2003 |
Saw on the news today that the last 3 Concorde flights from New York to London took place today. Truly,the end of an Era. I remember,as a kid,reading about the "SST",or,"Super Sonic Transport",in my school,"Weekly Reader". And,hoped to fly on one someday. But,as I grew up,now called "The Concorde",alas,it was far too expensive to fly. And,apparently,too expensive even for the Airline Industry to fly anymore. It's kind of an "over exhuberant",80's thing. Now,would like to see all of the over exhuberant,over greedy,piggish corporate business world,left over from "The Big 80's" go the same way of "The Concorde"! |