Recent Posts

41

Air Show News & Previews / Re: Flying Legends 2012

« Last post by Willsonjamee1 on December 19, 2017, 04:05:46 AM »

Flying Legends I want to see this show.

42

Warbirds / Magneto switch box & Oil Pressure gauge - Need help identifying aircraft

« Last post by AusA380 on September 10, 2017, 12:30:17 PM »

Hi,
 
I recently went to a militaria swapmeet and picked up an oil pressure gauge and a magneto switch box from an aircraft. I'm not sure which aircraft they are from and i'm hoping people on here could give me some information.
 
From what i've seen on the internet, the magneto switch box appears to be from a British aircraft. The Spitfire looks to have a similar switch box, but the toggle switches are different from what I have. The Lancaster/bomber toggle switches appear similar to the one I have (Thick ends instead of ball ends like the Spitfires).
 
I'm unable to find any information on the oil pressure gauge. It has the text 'Mk VIII C No. 5064' and 'J. Tomey & Sons B'Ham' printed on the face of the gauge and an A & M with a crown stamped on the back. Mk VIII C is a Spitfire variation, but i'm unable to find a photo of a Spitfire cockpit with this gauge.
 
Any information would be appreciated.
 
Thanks

43

Aviation History / CONTROVERSY AT BIGGIN HILL ON BBC TV NEWS

« Last post by Robert Badger on August 12, 2017, 05:31:01 PM »

Hi, some of you may have seen an item on the BBC TV News concerning Bromey Council's plans to demolish part of the St George's RAF Chapel of Remembrance, for those who did not please click on the following link to Downe Village website where it is the first item if you scroll down: http://www.downe-kent.org.uk
Having seen the report hopefully you will sign the petition to make the Council think again, please click below or Google: Protect Biggin Hill RAF Chapel.
https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/protect-biggin-hill-st-george-s-raf-chapel-of-remembrance
Many thanks
Bob B

44

Warbirds / Re: MiG-17 three ship formation.

« Last post by maarten on August 05, 2017, 10:38:31 AM »

That's amazing any chance these birds will fly over Europe?

45

Warbirds / Re: MiG-17 three ship formation.

« Last post by GHowell on July 05, 2017, 07:44:28 PM »

Check out our new three ship video.

https://www.facebook.com/MiG17Pilot/posts/1720418674919327

46

Warbirds / Re: MiG-17 three ship formation.

« Last post by GHowell on July 03, 2017, 05:31:02 PM »

Thunder Over Cedar Creek Texas Airshow.

47

Warbirds / Re: MiG-17 three ship formation.

« Last post by Webmaster on July 03, 2017, 03:41:47 AM »

Wow, indeed, that's pretty special! 

48

Warbirds / MiG-17 three ship formation.

« Last post by GHowell on July 02, 2017, 05:34:20 PM »

1 JUL 2017 - Had an awesome time flying photo shoot with Randy Ball and Bill Culberson in the MiG-17F. Later flew the three MiGs in Thunder Over Cedar Creek Lake airshow. This may be the first time three MiG-17s have flown in a US airshow.
Click on the image button at the bottom of the photos to get a better view.

49

Military Aircraft / Re: (Airforce) Ground Crew sucked in Jet Engine?

« Last post by SukhoiLover on April 14, 2017, 04:59:34 AM »

The best way to prevent being sucked in is to just stay the heck out of the hazardous zone.

....yeah, I´m  still alive.....

50

Military Aircraft / Re: (Airforce) Ground Crew sucked in Jet Engine?

« Last post by Phixer on March 12, 2017, 04:48:18 PM »

Working around aircraft is hazardous and the chance of getting sucked into an air intake is a reality in everyday aviation. I worked on the F-4N and F-4S, the A-7E aircraft while serving in the Navy.
There is protection from being sucked into an intake for maintenance engine turns. But not for launch and recovery.
For a maintenance turn a set or a single intake screen is attached to the intake opening to protect the engine from FOD (foreign object damage) but at higher throttle settings it's still possible for ground crew to be sucked up to the screen. 
Hope this helps

That's correct, I was an engine operator for my shop. Before attaching the screens I would "dive" the intake/s to inspect for FOD and turbine blades were not chipped, cracked and no blades were missing. Then I would climb out of the intake and hang the screen/s. If it's to be placed back on the flight schedule immediately it's ready for the pilot and RIO (radar intercept officer) if not intake covers would be pushed on the intake openings. This is done to prevent FOD getting in or birds or insects from building a nest.

One thing to remember is the flight deck of a carrier is nothing like land based flight ops.
 More aircraft, jet, propeller and helos in close proximity of each other.  The possibility of being blown into support equipment, another aircraft or over the side by jet blast or prop or rotor wash can and has happened. Night operations is a completely different world altogether.
Working the flight deck is one of the most exciting things I've ever done.
thank you for both of you (Phixer and Webmaster)

to Phixer.

thank you for sharing the expert knowledge and thank you for your service!

based on the information, it is good to have at least some kind of protection to ground crew (screen attached to intake opening during maintenance).

then i think i can conclude this way. please correct me if i am wrong.

1. F-4 comes back to aircraft carrier after patrol fly / operation
2.  F-4 takes maintenance turn
3. before starting the maintenance turn, screen is attached to air intake opening to prevent FOD (including protection for ground crew)
4. Screen is being attached during entire maintenece process
5. F-4 is about to be back to patrol fly/operation.
6. screen is detached before take off. then F-4 take off for flying.

i am very interested in the procedure and i would be glad if you can confirm the procedure i enumerated above is correct.

if my assumption above is correct, it seems that the most dagerous time is 'right before taking off'  on catapult since the engine runs in high capacity and still ground crew work for setting the taking off near the plane. 

regards