Groundspeed Check | FerrariChat

Groundspeed Check

Discussion in '348/355' started by ferrariwant2be, Aug 28, 2009.

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  1. ferrariwant2be

    ferrariwant2be Karting

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    ferrariwant2be, Aug 28, 2009
    #1
  2. AceMaster

    AceMaster Three Time F1 World Champ

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    this is a good story
     
    AceMaster, Aug 28, 2009
    #2
  3. saw1998

    saw1998 F1 Veteran

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    It's a sin that they finally retired these planes. Kelly Johnson was a genius and to think this plane was designed in the mid-1950's without the use of computers and it's maiden flight was in 1962. Nothing, not even the F-22 tops it.

    God, to have Bill Gates money. I'd buy an SR-71, revamp the avionics and get sued for breaking windows going supersonic.
     
    saw1998, Aug 28, 2009
    #3
  4. Mitch Alsup

    Mitch Alsup F1 Veteran

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    KH11s (spy satalites the size of Hubble) top it.

    It is still a shame to see them retired.
     
    Mitch Alsup, Aug 28, 2009
    #4
  5. ernie

    ernie Two Time F1 World Champ Lifetime Rossa Owner

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    I read a similar story a few years back, I think it was in Time magazine? But the "ground speed" check included the now retired Concord. It was just as funny. The same leap frogging, with the guys in the Concord topping the ground speed of a military fighter jet. To only then have their bubble popped by a SR71 chiming in and making them all look like turtles. I think the Concord crew said that was the only time they were not the fastest plane in the sky.
     
    Last edited: Aug 28, 2009
    ernie, Aug 28, 2009
    #5
  6. saw1998

    saw1998 F1 Veteran

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    Sorry Mitch, I wasn't clear. I was talking simply planes, not "spying" capability. I've heard they have the resolution on the KH11s down to about 4-6 inches. That's amazing.
     
    saw1998, Aug 28, 2009
    #6
  7. vvassallo

    vvassallo F1 Veteran

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    Story brings a smile. And maybe a pang of jealousy. ;)
     
    vvassallo, Aug 28, 2009
    #7
  8. 285ferrari

    285ferrari Two Time F1 World Champ Sponsor

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    Very cool story---recently saw an episode on Top Gear where James May flew in a Blackbird---Amazing!!
     
    285ferrari, Aug 28, 2009
    #8
  9. X11OUD

    X11OUD Formula Junior

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    Beyond cool!
     
    X11OUD, Aug 29, 2009
    #9
  10. davehelms

    davehelms F1 Rookie

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    Ohhh would we get in some trouble, good thing we are so far apart!

    After going up in an FChatters T-34 and using the mountains as pylons.... then talking with Jetfxr (now there is a trouble maker your mother warned you about!) and looking at links he is sending me.... he best be careful or he will have some 'splainin' to do to his wife where that race car came from...
     
    davehelms, Aug 30, 2009
    #10
  11. Mitch Alsup

    Mitch Alsup F1 Veteran

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    Its very much better than that. Given 100 images of the same area over a short period of time, one can read large newsprint in Moscow. The single image resolution can read license plates from 135 miles.

    But its wasnot the lack of spying capabilities that retired the SR-71, but the maintenance. Consider; when the SR-71 flew through rain at supersonic speeds, the little rivot holding washers would all bent and the whole bird was down for about at least a week while every single skin rivot and wahser was replaced.
     
    Mitch Alsup, Aug 30, 2009
    #11
  12. SilverF20C

    SilverF20C Formula 3

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    Save the money for something else. Windows will break on its own, for free. ;)
     
    SilverF20C, Aug 30, 2009
    #12

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