Tupolev Tu-104B. “Tupolev Tu-104B of Aeroflot at Arlanda Airport”
Saturday, June 30, 2012
Tupolev Tu-104B. “Tupolev Tu-104B of Aeroflot at Arlanda...
Tupolev Tu-104B. “Tupolev Tu-104B of Aeroflot at Arlanda...:
Tupolev Tu-104B. “Tupolev Tu-104B of Aeroflot at Arlanda Airport”
Tupolev Tu-104B. “Tupolev Tu-104B of Aeroflot at Arlanda Airport”
Tupolev Tu-104A. “A CSA - Ceskoslovenske Aerolinie...
Tupolev Tu-104A. “A CSA - Ceskoslovenske Aerolinie...: 
Tupolev Tu-104A. “A CSA - Ceskoslovenske Aerolinie Tupolev TU-104A at Arlanda Airport (ARN / ESSA)”
Tupolev Tu-104A. “A CSA - Ceskoslovenske Aerolinie Tupolev TU-104A at Arlanda Airport (ARN / ESSA)”
Japan buys F-35 stealth jets despite price rise
Japan buys F-35 stealth jets despite price rise: Tokyo (AFP) June 29, 2012
Japan will buy four US-made F-35 stealth jets despite a sharply higher price tag, it said Friday, in Tokyo's first confirmed order for the next-generation aircraft which has been plagued by delays.
An official from the defence ministry said Japan would now pay 9.6 billion yen ($120 million) per aircraft, up from the $110 million originally earmarked.
He added US officials had said the pr
Japan will buy four US-made F-35 stealth jets despite a sharply higher price tag, it said Friday, in Tokyo's first confirmed order for the next-generation aircraft which has been plagued by delays.
An official from the defence ministry said Japan would now pay 9.6 billion yen ($120 million) per aircraft, up from the $110 million originally earmarked.
He added US officials had said the pr
Sweden could lend Swiss Gripen jets
Sweden could lend Swiss Gripen jets: Geneva (AFP) June 29, 2012
Sweden could loan a fleet of Gripen fighter jets to Switzerland as it awaits delivery of the craft's next generation model, Swiss Defence Minister Ueli Maurer said on Friday.
Bern announced in November its intention to buy 22 Saab Gripen E/F fighter jets to replace its ageing US F-5 fighter fleet in an estimated 3.1 billion Swiss franc (2.5 billion euro) deal.
The E/F is still under deve
Sweden could loan a fleet of Gripen fighter jets to Switzerland as it awaits delivery of the craft's next generation model, Swiss Defence Minister Ueli Maurer said on Friday.
Bern announced in November its intention to buy 22 Saab Gripen E/F fighter jets to replace its ageing US F-5 fighter fleet in an estimated 3.1 billion Swiss franc (2.5 billion euro) deal.
The E/F is still under deve
Lufthansa Regional climbing out of LCY
Lufthansa Regional climbing out of LCY:
AirSpace user Flightstar posted this shot of a Lufthansa Regional Embraer 190 climbing steeply out of London City airport.
AirSpace user Flightstar posted this shot of a Lufthansa Regional Embraer 190 climbing steeply out of London City airport.
Credit: Flightstar gallery on flightglobal/AirSpace
Friday, June 29, 2012
SpaceShipTwo Completes Glide Test, RocketMotorTwo Fired Twice in One Week
SpaceShipTwo Completes Glide Test, RocketMotorTwo Fired Twice in One Week:
SpaceShipTwo glides to a landing during a test flight on June 26. (Credit: Virgin Galactic/Chris Van Pelt)MOJAVE, Calif. (VG PR) – Virgin Galactic, the world’s first commercial spaceline, today announced that its passenger-carrying suborbital space vehicle, SpaceShipTwo (SS2), successfully completed its first glide flight test on June 26 since a recent integration period for rocket motor systems and maintenance. Also, on June 26, the spaceship’s engine, RocketMotorTwo (RM2), underwent another successful full duration test fire, marking the first time the company and its partners have undertaken test flight and test firing on the same day. Both milestones prime Virgin Galactic to reach powered flight by the end of the year.
SpaceShipTwo during a June 26 glide flight. (Credit: Virgin Galactic/Chris Van Pelt)“Since receiving an experimental launch permit from the Federal Aviation Administration in May for SpaceShipTwo and its carrier vehicle, WhiteKnightTwo, there has been a rapid escalation of test activity,” said George Whitesides, CEO and president of Virgin Galactic. “In that timeframe, we’ve had seven successful test flights and three full-scale rocket motor tests. We are on track for powered flight by the end of 2012.”
The glide flight was performed by Scaled Composites, the prime contractor for the spaceflight system. To perform the flight, SS2 was air-released from WhiteKnightTwo (WK2) at an altitude of 51,000 feet. At the SS2 controls were Scaled pilots Pete Siebold and Mike Alsbury. In the carrier aircraft were Scaled test pilot Mark Stucky and David Mackay, Virgin Galactic’s Chief Pilot. Flying in the chase plane for the test were Mike Melvill, who piloted the first private flight to space, and Virgin Galactic pilot Keith Colmer.
(Credit: Virgin Galactic/Chris Van Pelt)The rocket motor firing was performed by Sierra Nevada Space Systems, the prime contractor for the RM2 system. The 55-second test was the thirteenth full-scale flight design RM2 hot fire. All objectives were completed. In addition to this test, on June 20 a full-scale RM2 test firing took place for the first time at Scaled Composites’ test site in Mojave, Calif., under full direction of the spaceship’s Rocket Motor Controller. This firing provided an end-to-end test of the rocket motor systems – a critical step in preparation for powered flight.
This intense period of activity comes just weeks before Virgin Galactic, along with its Mojave-based sister manufacturing organization, The Spaceship Company, will gather customers and VIPs at the Farnborough International Air Show 2012. Guests will attend a special briefing from company founder Sir Richard Branson and other company executives.
WhiteKnightTwo after releasing SpaceShipTwo over the Mojave. (Credit: Virgin Galactic/Chris Van Pelt)
Date: 26 Jun 12
Objectives:
Thirteenth full scale flight design RM2 hot-fire.
Continued evaluation of all systems and components:
- Pressurization
- Valve/Injector
- Fuel formulation and geometry
- Nozzle
- Structure
- Performance
Results:
All objectives completed. Performed targeted 55 second hot fire as planned. Duration of burn chosen to allow examination of internal geometry.
Editor’s Note: Well, the test firing last week was an RM2 motor, despite the failure to specifically say so in the test summary. Looks like I got that one wrong.
SpaceShipTwo glides to a landing during a test flight on June 26. (Credit: Virgin Galactic/Chris Van Pelt)
SpaceShipTwo during a June 26 glide flight. (Credit: Virgin Galactic/Chris Van Pelt)
The glide flight was performed by Scaled Composites, the prime contractor for the spaceflight system. To perform the flight, SS2 was air-released from WhiteKnightTwo (WK2) at an altitude of 51,000 feet. At the SS2 controls were Scaled pilots Pete Siebold and Mike Alsbury. In the carrier aircraft were Scaled test pilot Mark Stucky and David Mackay, Virgin Galactic’s Chief Pilot. Flying in the chase plane for the test were Mike Melvill, who piloted the first private flight to space, and Virgin Galactic pilot Keith Colmer.
(Credit: Virgin Galactic/Chris Van Pelt)
This intense period of activity comes just weeks before Virgin Galactic, along with its Mojave-based sister manufacturing organization, The Spaceship Company, will gather customers and VIPs at the Farnborough International Air Show 2012. Guests will attend a special briefing from company founder Sir Richard Branson and other company executives.
WhiteKnightTwo after releasing SpaceShipTwo over the Mojave. (Credit: Virgin Galactic/Chris Van Pelt)
RocketMotorTwo Hot Fire Test Summary
(Via Scaled Composites)
Fire: 13(Via Scaled Composites)
Date: 26 Jun 12
Objectives:
Thirteenth full scale flight design RM2 hot-fire.
Continued evaluation of all systems and components:
- Pressurization
- Valve/Injector
- Fuel formulation and geometry
- Nozzle
- Structure
- Performance
Results:
All objectives completed. Performed targeted 55 second hot fire as planned. Duration of burn chosen to allow examination of internal geometry.
Editor’s Note: Well, the test firing last week was an RM2 motor, despite the failure to specifically say so in the test summary. Looks like I got that one wrong.
Exclusive SpaceShipTwo Photos
Exclusive SpaceShipTwo Photos:
WhiteKnightTwo and SpaceShipTwo during a June 26 glide flight. (Credit: Bill Deaver)A couple of photos of WhiteKnightTwo and SpaceShipTwo during and after the latter’s 17th glide flight on June 26 at the Mojave Air and Space Port. A big shout out to my friend Bill Deaver!
SpaceShipTwo after its 17th glide flight. (Credit: Bill Deaver)
WhiteKnightTwo and SpaceShipTwo during a June 26 glide flight. (Credit: Bill Deaver)
SpaceShipTwo after its 17th glide flight. (Credit: Bill Deaver)
Herculean effort
Herculean effort:
</div
 |
A C-130 Hercules equipped with a Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System supports fire suppression efforts near Colorado Springs, Colo., June 27, 2012. Four MAFFS-equipped aircraft, two from the Wyoming Air National Guard’s 153rd Airlift Wing and two from the Air Force Reserve Command's 302nd Airlift Wing, flew in support of the U.S. Forest Service to fight fires in Colorado. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Staff Sgt. Stephany D. Richards) Download Full Image |
Nakajima Type 90-2-1 Recon. Seaplane (E4N1) by "Avion Road"
Nakajima Type 90-2-1 Recon. Seaplane (E4N1) by "Avion Road": One of the two E4N1 prototypes that were built by Nakajima in December 1930 to replace the older Type 15 Rec. Seaplane was converted to a transport with two passengers after the design failed to meet the demands of the Navy. It was known as Giyu-11 after it was purchased by Kaibo Gikai in December 1934, a civilian non-profit volunteer association founded in 1922 dedicated to ensuring the safety of life and property at sea but also closely related to the Japanese Army and Navy. It flew on the Haneda (Tokyo), Shimizu and Shimoda ( both in Shizuoka Prefecture) route by Tokyo Koku Yuso Kaisha. This small airline was founded in September 1928 by members of the Nihon Hiko Gakko to fly specifically on this route. By 1929 it had a twin seat Avro 504 and a Navy supplied Hansa Brandenburg single passenger floatplane. But most notably it was with this airline that Airgirls (present day cabin attendants) first flew in Japan in 1931.
Giyu-11 received the civilian registration J-BERG and was scrapped in 1936.
"Avion Road" shared again (here) with us photos of his marvelous model in 1/72, a resin kit by Choroszy Modelbud which according to the artist was of very high quality presenting no problems and fun to build.
Giyu-11 received the civilian registration J-BERG and was scrapped in 1936.
"Avion Road" shared again (here) with us photos of his marvelous model in 1/72, a resin kit by Choroszy Modelbud which according to the artist was of very high quality presenting no problems and fun to build.
Thank you very much "Avion Road" for your contribution to our blog!
あびおんろーどさんご協力ありがとうございます。
Blackburn R.T.1 Kangaroo converted into an airliner
Blackburn R.T.1 Kangaroo converted into an airliner: 
Blackburn R.T.1 Kangaroo converted into an airliner
Blackburn R.T.1 Kangaroo converted into an airliner
Blackburn G.P. This seaplane was developed into the R.T.1...
Blackburn G.P. This seaplane was developed into the R.T.1...: 
Blackburn G.P. This seaplane was developed into the R.T.1 Kanaroo
Blackburn G.P. This seaplane was developed into the R.T.1 Kanaroo
Warthogs in flight
Warthogs in flight:
</div
 |
Lt. Col. Brian Burger fires off a flare while banking into a high-angle firing position during a training exercise over Razorback Range at Fort Chaffee Maneuver Training Center, Ark., June 4, 2012. The 188th Fighter Wing, nearing its second deployment to Afghanistan with the A-10 Thunderbolt II, regularly conducts training with joint terminal attack controllers from different branches of service to sharpen its close air support skills and to conduct efficient training with JTACs. Burger is an A-10 pilot and the 188th Operations Group commander. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Ben Bloker) Download Full Image |
United Technologies sold military software to China: US
United Technologies sold military software to China: US: Washington (AFP) June 28, 2012
United Technologies Corp. and two of its subsidiaries have pleaded guilty to exporting software that helped China build its first military attack helicopter, US officials said Thursday.
United Technologies, Canada-based Pratt and Whitney and US-based Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation entered guilty pleas to criminal charges and agreed to pay more than $75 million to the government in a settlem
United Technologies Corp. and two of its subsidiaries have pleaded guilty to exporting software that helped China build its first military attack helicopter, US officials said Thursday.
United Technologies, Canada-based Pratt and Whitney and US-based Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation entered guilty pleas to criminal charges and agreed to pay more than $75 million to the government in a settlem
CAMOS (II)
CAMOS (II):
Campamento de verano "Delfin" supongo que dentro o en la zona de la base de Nikolayev. Yak-38 "Forger" que nunca voló (ejemplar usado para test estáticos) y pintado en un inusual camuflaje.
Esta se la dedico especialmente a mi amigo Enrique González, al que hace tiempo que no veo. Se que le gustará y será una buena excusa para descorchar una botella de Rioja y hablar del tema. Mig-21UM iraquí.
La "bestia" en todo su esplendor...
Lo siento soy un fan...
Y me alegra comprobar que sigue en plena forma...
EC175 looking good in the Provencal sunshine
EC175 looking good in the Provencal sunshine:
While it always seems a bit self-indulgent to feature your own photographs on a blog like this, I was lucky enough to head to Marseille earlier in the week as the guest of Eurocopter, to see a demo of its newest aircraft, the EC175. Blessed with cloudless skies and willing test pilots, the visit yielded some good shots. The type is on course for certification later this year.
While it always seems a bit self-indulgent to feature your own photographs on a blog like this, I was lucky enough to head to Marseille earlier in the week as the guest of Eurocopter, to see a demo of its newest aircraft, the EC175. Blessed with cloudless skies and willing test pilots, the visit yielded some good shots. The type is on course for certification later this year.
Credit: Dominic Perry/flightglobal
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Waldo Canyon Fires
Waldo Canyon Fires:
</div
 |
A helicopter drops water on the fire as firefighters continued to battle the blaze that burned into the evening hours in Waldo Canyon on the U.S. Air Force Academy June 27, 2012. The fires, which have burned more than 15,000 acres, began spreading to the southwestern corner of the Academy in the early morning, causing base officials to evacuate residents. Officials estimated that the fire had spread to about 10 acres of land belonging to the Academy. U.S. Air Force Photo by: Master Sgt. Jeremy Lock) Download Full Image |
Boeing PT-17 Kaydet (A-75/N1 Stearman) NS2-3 (N707TJ)
Boeing PT-17 Kaydet (A-75/N1 Stearman) NS2-3 (N707TJ):
Aircraft's picture "Boeing PT-17 Kaydet (A-75/N1 Stearman) NS2-3" registered N707TJ
Aircraft's picture "Boeing PT-17 Kaydet (A-75/N1 Stearman) NS2-3" registered N707TJ
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)