The end of an era

[NC_Yank]

Some planes you hate to see retire...........

Coming from the AF side it was the SR-71 for me.

To watch the Blackbird take off from Kadena AB Japan at night is something

one does not forget.

Such an awesome bird considering it was designed in the late 50's.

As someone earlier reported we still have the BUFF's (B-52's) that are truly dinosaurs.

Had my fill of them when stationed at Elsworth AFB SD.

I reckon they couldnt use the F-14 as aggressors because of the expense it does take to maintain and

fly one.........but then again how can they justify the B-52.

Don't know how true it is but we were told that to start up a Buff it cost $5000.00.......

NC

 

[Gary]

I reckon they couldnt use the F-14 as aggressors because of the expense it does take to maintain andfly one.........but then again how can they justify the B-52.

Don't know how true it is but we were told that to start up a Buff it cost $5000.00.......

NC

In (especially military) aircraft terms, 5k is nothing. They can't retire the buff until they replace it. The B-1 is lacking in some areas, and they stopped B-2 production before there were enough jets.

The follow-on to the B-52 is in the proposal stage, but it takes time. The F-22 was just declared operational in December of last year, and the fly-off with the YF-23 was about 25 years ago.

 

[SMC]

:blink: Warchild, now I am beginning to understand you nickname?

Was lucky enough to have the nuclear propulsion officer on one of my flights into Norfolk.

Got to talking with him during the flight and he invited me to meet his wife and son, and took me on a tour of the Enterprise....that is one big ship, I don't know how one doesn't get lost in there.

Went all over that ship from bridge to flight deck, hangers, mess halls, crew quarters etc., etc., had a great time!