Most handsome fighter aircraft?
Originally Posted by chetly,Jan 10 2011, 01:18 AM
That picture really shows the fuel leaks that these things were known for.
Originally Posted by chetly,Jan 9 2011, 10:18 PM
That picture really shows the fuel leaks that these things were known for.
From SR-71 Wiki
"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."
The fact that this thing was developed almost 50 years ago, flew that high and that fast and had stealth aspects to it is astonishing! They used slide rules to design this thing!!
Originally Posted by mingster,Jan 5 2011, 08:39 PM
since i was a kid i've always loved fighter aircraft of all kinds, and i was wondering what you think is the most handsome fighter aircraft?
Propeller: Mustang, with the bubble canopy, hands down.
Jet fighter: my all time favorite is still F-16, and yes i love that high visibility canopy. Second place goes to the F-4 Phantom. i think the modern stealth stuff is cool but just not as good looking.
Propeller: Mustang, with the bubble canopy, hands down.
Jet fighter: my all time favorite is still F-16, and yes i love that high visibility canopy. Second place goes to the F-4 Phantom. i think the modern stealth stuff is cool but just not as good looking.












