War birds

[Sharky]

In response to your inquiries: Yes, that was the F4-U Chance-Vought Corsair in my avatar. My father flew them from a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier in WWII. If you want to hear pilot stories, I'll comply on request.

I have never learned how to fly, although it is in my blood and I dream about it incessantly. I took to the sea instead, and have never regretted it.

If you dig old warbirds too, here's a great website to visit:

http://www.warbirdalley.com/f4u.htm

 

[Sharky]

We've come a long way, baby.

At the other end of the warbird spectrum is the United State's newest fight/attack aircraft, the most technologically advanced fighter plane on Earth. The Boeing F/A-22 Raptor is now stationed at Tyndall Air Force Base here in Panama City, Florida. If you're at the Downtown Marina at the right time (and lucky) you can watch them coming in at low altitude over the bay from training sorties over the Gulf of Mexico.

This is one truly amazing aircraft.

Groovy big photo: http://www.martrad.com/wallpaper/military/air/f22_1.jpg

Here is a kewl website devoted to the F/A-22, but be forewarned: it's very Flash-heavy, and it has audio on the homepage (there is a mute button at the upper left of the screen).

http://www.f22fighter.com/

 

[MrBishop]

The Corsair was a lovely bird, and quick to respond but a bitch to fly, or so I'm told...mostly because it's wings wanted to fly upside-down.

I've seen r/c scale models flown on several occasions, and had the chance to climb into one once at a local air show.

 

[Dave]

i never realized just how few of those old WWII planes are still airworthy.
what a shame. those are some of the most beautiful planes ever built.