Need help identifying jet aircraft | FerrariChat

Need help identifying jet aircraft

Discussion in 'Aviation Chat' started by RWatters, Sep 7, 2011.

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  1. RWatters

    RWatters Formula 3

    Feb 21, 2006
    1,075
    Kansas
    I was outside at work today on a break when I heard a very loud jet aircraft taking off. Next thing I know it flies right over us. It was unlike anything I've ever seen before and I could not identify it. I'm looking for help to see if we can identify it as I'd like to know more about it.

    The aircraft was similar in size to a fighter jet and looked to be of a fighter jet type. It was definitely not a transport aircraft and definitely had the looks of either a fighter jet or of a performance type jet that would only house 1-2 people. In comparison to older fighter jets I've seen performing I would venture to say this one was bigger in overall size. It was completely black in color. The wings looked very similar to a P-80 Shooting Star (they were not swept wings either) and had pods on the end of the wings themselves, but the body didn't quite match it (the front wasn't nearly as thin, much bigger surface area). I also think the tail section had horizontal stabilizers on the top of the vertical stabilizer instead of on the fuselage itself.

    The jet was extremely loud, but then again it should be. No huge smoke trail, and it was a pretty slow mover. I didn't see an afterburner, but that probably doesn't mean much either.

    It almost looked like a kit plane. There were no noticeable government tags on it. I've seen this thing fly through before but I've never gotten a close up look at it this time to notice it was very unusual-looking.

    Any ideas?
     
  2. donv

    donv Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Jan 5, 2002
    26,105
    Portland, Oregon
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    Don
    A U-2?

    Although those are usually pretty quiet. A U-2 looks like a giant black sailplane.
     
  3. RWatters

    RWatters Formula 3

    Feb 21, 2006
    1,075
    Kansas
    Definitely not a U-2. Not nearly the wingspan and the fuselage was a much fatter one. This plane was gloss black.

    Side note: A guy I know works out at Nellis and he says his ears hate him for how many U-2's he has seen take off. He says they are stupid loud. lol
     
  4. future328driver

    future328driver Formula 3

    Dec 10, 2001
    1,838
    Dallas, Texas
    Full Name:
    Ken Thomas
    Perhaps a privately owned Lear 24. Meets the wing/tail configuration you describe, is loud compared to more modern jetS and is small enough to be close to fighter size (Clay Lacy used to fly an aerobatic routine in his Lear 24).
     
  5. GuyIncognito

    GuyIncognito Nine Time F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Jun 30, 2007
    99,776
    what airport? when and what time?

    if it was a public/GA airport you might be able to figure it out through Flightaware records.
     
  6. Ney

    Ney F1 Veteran
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    Apr 20, 2004
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  7. zygomatic

    zygomatic F1 Veteran
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    Jun 19, 2008
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    Chris
    #7 zygomatic, Sep 7, 2011
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  8. garybobileff

    garybobileff Formula 3
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    Feb 5, 2004
    1,180
    San Diego CA
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    Gary
    No tip tanks, but the B1 or B1b fits the description, as they are seen here on occasion, as we're just several miles from NAS Miramar. The B1's are really loud, as compared to other military aircraft.
    Gary Bobileff
     
  9. niklas

    niklas Formula 3

    Apr 25, 2008
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    Chilliwack BC
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    N. Olafsson
    #9 niklas, Sep 7, 2011
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    hmm..L-29 Delfin?

    I was also going to say an Albatros, but the body shape is pretty recognizable as a fighter jet. It could be anything
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  10. RWatters

    RWatters Formula 3

    Feb 21, 2006
    1,075
    Kansas
    New Century, KS. IXD. Approximately 3:45pm central.
     
  11. RWatters

    RWatters Formula 3

    Feb 21, 2006
    1,075
    Kansas
    GuyIncognito, you are awesome!

    Through that website I was able to find out what it was. It's a HISPANO Super Saeta. It's flying across the USA it looks like:

    http://flightaware.com/live/flight/N390WW

    Pictures show it to be blue but I could've sworn it was black. Might've been because I was looking directly up into the sun though.

    That website also helped me to find out what took off before it. It was a Gulfstream 3 and it was LOUD. Easily every bit as loud as the Saeta which surprised me.
     
  12. El Wayne

    El Wayne F1 World Champ
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    Aug 1, 2002
    18,069
    San Marino, CA
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    L. Wayne Ausbrooks
    #12 El Wayne, Sep 10, 2011
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  13. Gatorrari

    Gatorrari F1 World Champ
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    Feb 27, 2004
    16,460
    Georgia
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    Jim Pernikoff
    Designed by Willy Messerschmitt, by the way.....
     

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