rogerzilla
Legendary Member
They could modify a B-52 and double the fun.
Yes, Virgin Atlantic had to do a bit of rapid backtracking a few years ago when first started flying the A330:All (afaik) the new generation of long haul aircraft are 2 engines nowadays, hence the demise of Jumbos and the like. They are so powerful and efficient (compared to) engines of 20, 30 years ago, so reliable that 4 engines are no longer deemed necessary even for aircraft that have effectively replaced 747s etc.
This was a couple of years ago. It was the Beluga's last visit to Filton airfield before the runway was officially decommissioned ready for a huge housing estate to go up - they're still building it. The picture was published in the Bristol Post (and I got paid)An Airbus Beluga flew into and out of Heathrow yesterday for the first time. It's amazing that just two engines can get it airborne.
True story; in 1992 my son was an Army Cadet RSM "working" at RIAT (at Boscombe Down) and he spent several days helping out with the B52 flying display flight. At the end of the display weekend he introduced my wife and I to the Colonel in charge of the display team and we shared several hours in their company, eating their BBQ and drinking their beers. About a week later I got a call from my wife whilst I was at work saying I needed to call a number in the USA. As I was in charge of sales in the USA at the time I didn't think anything of it and duly called the number expecting a customer to be at the other end. To my surprise the Colonel we'd met at RIAT answered and asked if David (my son) had a passport, which he did, and could he get some time off school, which he could in those days. Two days later he was picked up from home by an Air Force Master Sergeant and whisked off to RAF Fairford where he boarded a B52 and got strapped in for take-off - he got off the plane in Barksdale AFB (Louisiana), home of the 2nd Bomb Wing. We didn't see him again until the following week when he was delivered back to home. He still doesn't like flyingI'd love a ride in the BUFF. You know you're on the losing side when you look up and see the Big Stick flying over, much like the Argentian conscripts knew the world was surely ending when the Vulcan howled past. Peace through superior firepower.
During Operation Arclight, you didn't see or hear the B52s, as they flew so high. The world just suddenly exploded around you.I'd love a ride in the BUFF. You know you're on the losing side when you look up and see the Big Stick flying over, much like the Argentian conscripts knew the world was surely ending when the Vulcan howled past. Peace through superior firepower.
True story; in 1992 my son was an Army Cadet RSM "working" at RIAT (at Boscombe Down) and he spent several days helping out with the B52 flying display flight. At the end of the display weekend he introduced my wife and I to the Colonel in charge of the display team and we shared several hours in their company, eating their BBQ and drinking their beers. About a week later I got a call from my wife whilst I was at work saying I needed to call a number in the USA. As I was in charge of sales in the USA at the time I didn't think anything of it and duly called the number expecting a customer to be at the other end. To my surprise the Colonel we'd met at RIAT answered and asked if David (my son) had a passport, which he did, and could he get some time off school, which he could in those days. Two days later he was picked up from home by an Air Force Master Sergeant and whisked off to RAF Fairford where he boarded a B52 and got strapped in for take-off - he got off the plane in Barksdale AFB (Louisiana), home of the 2nd Bomb Wing. We didn't see him again until the following week when he was delivered back to home. He still doesn't like flying