F-15 Eagle, Still King Of The Hill !

[ccd]

I am fairly certain that the Soviets beat the F-15's climb records using a Flanker in the late 1980's.

[twyacht]

To allow for thermal expansion at the high operational temperatures the fuselage panels were manufactured to fit only loosely on the ground. Proper alignment was only achieved when the airframe heated due to air resistance at high speeds, causing the airframe to expand several inches. Because of this, and the lack of a fuel sealing system that could handle the thermal expansion of the airframe at extreme temperatures, the aircraft would leak JP-7 jet fuel onto the runway before it took off. The aircraft would quickly make a short sprint, meant to warm up the airframe, and was then refueled in the air before departing on its mission. Cooling was carried out by cycling fuel behind the titanium surfaces at the front of the wings (chines). On landing after a mission the canopy temperature was over 300 °C (572 °F), too hot to approach. Non-fibrous asbestos with high heat tolerance was used in high-temperature areas.[15]
[edit] Stealth

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SR-71_Blackbird

God Bless those "Skunk Works", my father in law, now 84 was with the Westinghouse Division, after the Army, that helped develop internal gyroscopes in ICBM's in essence creating real time ground mapping radar. Predecessor to the Smart Bomb, and GPS.

The SR-71 is only posted to the public at Mach 3.2, although, Mach 5 was rumored, maybe that's where "Speed Racer" got the name for his car....

However, I asked him about Area 51, several times, and he gets a funny sheepish grin on his face, and says "There's nuthin out there but desert"

His generation did things, and knows things they will take to the grave. The Original Homeland Security.

[PegLeg45]

His generation did things, and knows things they will take to the grave. The Original Homeland Security.

My neighbor's dad (long-time family friend) worked as an engineer in the aerospace industry in the 60's on some developmental things for both NASA and the military. Very intelligent man and keen conversationalist. He said there were a lot of top secret things he was involved with to the point that he got tired of the protocols and gave it up to come home and run the family dairy operation (not a bad move, he ain't hurting for money).

[Texas_Bryan]

Amazing how the 'old school' pen and paper guys can't be bested by near automated computerized design.  F-15 is the baddest boy on the playground.  No wonder no body sends their birds up to play with them.   Thankfully we got the Strike Eagle for that.

[fightingquaker13]

His generation did things, and knows things they will take to the grave. The Original Homeland Security. QUOTH TW.

Thats my dad. A slide rule, short sleeved dress shirt with a tie, and chastity goggles Pratt and Whitney engineer. He and his colleagues did amazing things, and even as they enter their 80s, and the intel value is beyond obsolete, they still won't tell their kids jack sh@t (as they shouldn't, ours is idle curiosity, theirs is an oath given). They will laugh over something at a party and clam up when someone asks them to explain an inside joke. I wish my generation had that degree of patriotism. Those nerds who came of age in  the fifties and sixties, armed with slide rules and pocket protectors, did amazing things for this country. I hope someday they get the credit they deserve.
FQ13

[Sponsor]

[ratcatcher55]

I am fairly certain that the Soviets beat the F-15's climb records using a Flanker in the late 1980's.

Could be but the F-15 is undefeated in air combat with three air forces, (US, IMF, Roayal Saudi) I think the tally is better than 100-0.
Even a Saudi got two kills on Mig 29's on one sortie. A SAUDI!!!!

FQ13 + 1 Our fathers did some outstanding feats of engineering.

A friend sold half interest in his 172 to a former Thunderbird pilot. They call it an F-172 now

[billt]

When Melanie and I lived in Lake Havasu City we had a neighbor, friend who retired after 40 years working at the Lockheed Skunk Works. He gave me 3 flags with certificates signed by the pilots that were flown on the SR-71 above 80,000 FT., and above Mach 3 (2,000 MPH+). I had all of it framed and in my computer room. He gave Mel a beautiful silver silk jacket with the SR-71 embroidered on the back. He died of cancer in 2000. He was a "one of a kind" guy.

He once told me a story of how back in the 50's Lockheed was in trouble, and not doing well. Kelly Johnson asked him and several others to work without a paycheck for several weeks, when he promised he would pay all of them back. Most left. He, and several others stayed. Lockheed recovered, and went on to enjoy prosperous times. Those that stayed were nicknamed "The Untouchables". Kelly Johnson saw to it their careers at Lockheed were never troubled by anything, or anyone. They were people you "just didn't mess with". What a time to be working in aviation!  Bill T.

[tombogan03884]

 There really ISN'T any thing at Area 51 (any more) the facility was old and visible from public land.
According to an article in Aviation Week a few years back all the "Skunk Works" type stuff has been moved to Pawnee Dry Lake where they have a modern, more private facility.
I don't know if the rest of you realize this, but the VAST majority of the technical intelligence the former KGB collected came from open sources such as trade journals. Each Embassy had at least one guy who did nothing but read local papers and technical Journals.Revell Model company offered a scale model of the F117 Night Hawk as far back s the Late 70's early 80's, they also offered a model of the Seashadow about 10 years before the navy admitted it existed.

Kelly Johnson was one of the Greats, he was the brains behind the P38 lightning.

[twyacht]

from TomB:

 There really ISN'T any thing at Area 51 (any more) the facility was old and visible from public land.

 

Try getting through the gates for a close up tour.....

They still run you out at gunpoint with complete Federal Authority to Shoot To Kill any and all incursions to said property...

Even if (according to my Father-In -Law), it's just desert......

[tombogan03884]

 They have to maintain the secrecy to keep out EPA investigators. it is alleged to be one of the worst hazardous waste sites in the country, no one really thought about that sort of thing in the 40's and 50's and later, well, places that don't exist don't have their emissions audited. there was a big lawsuit a few years ago former workers can't get settlements for work related cancers and asbestos exposure, if it officially doesn't exist then they could not have been using these things, if it doesn't exist then you could not have worked there so even if those chemicals were there you could not have been exposed to them.
A real catch 22
But I have read that in the late 90's when it was being shut down the secure area was EXTENDED, to take in more of the land that over looked it.