There Be Planes Here!!

So, I had a great time at the air show yesterday. It was my first up close look at the NEW C-17 Globemaster III. I also got to see the NEW F-22 Raptor. There were several aircraft there. I was ecstatic to be there and free to wander around them at my leisure.

We begin with the F-22 Raptor. It weighs about 80,000lbs at take off, but has something like 70,000lbs of thrust. It does not have to weigh that much and can end up with a thrust to weight ratio better than 1:1. With that much thrust it is capable o mach speed without afterburner.

This next on it a B-18A. It was used during WWII beginning as a bomber, but used later for training and patrol. It was a bomber based on the DC-3 design...the main resemblance is the wing.

And this next is of part of a B-25...I thought the polished aluminum was rather pretty.

This is the C-5 Galaxy. The largest American transport. It has two levels. The lower level I have seen, but I have never been in a C-5 cockpit...until now. I hope the woman in the picture is not too offended by this uncomplimentary picture, but, that IS what she chose to wear. My intention was to capture the location of the cockpit (forgive any pun you may pick up there), it is to the upper left of the photo.

Once on the ladder you could look at the cargo deck...

Here is what the front end of the C-5 looks like.

And here is what I look like in the co-pilot's seat. Pretty cool, huh? I know, you are saying, ahh crap, another picture of Jim and a stupid airplane cockpit. Well, too bad, there are a few to come.

This is me standing on the top steps just having come out of the C-5...note the view behind me.

These are the two F-18 SUPERHORNETs. Note the square intakes...it is an UP-Engined F-18, more powerful.

The B-2 Spirit made a pass or two.

I thought this was an SH-60, but it turned out to be an MH-60, which is the newest version and it is an anti-sub chopper. I asked the pilot if there was much call for that anymore. He said it depended on the adversary. He also noted that diesel subs are more difficult to detect because they don't have that wonderful heat source that nukes do. You can see him digging back into his lunch, which I had interrupted with a few questions, but he was most gracious.

Another change to a perrenial favorite is the C-130J Hercules. Note these propellors, with six blades!

The older models only had 4!!!!

Here is the C-17!

This happened several times, note the accent angle!