#allianceairport

[sentinelchicken]

This photo I took at the 2021 Fort Worth Alliance Air Show of Blue Angel 4 pulling in tight shows nicely one of the rarely noted flight control surfaces of the F/A-18E/F (E variant in this photo) Super Hornet- the LEX spoilers which are raised up just behind the cockpit on the leading edge extension. ⁣ ⁣ The Super Hornet lacks the big dorsal speed brake that the legacy Hornet variants have (the F/A-18A/B/C/D). Instead it has a pair of LEX spoilers which also have flight control functions in addition to acting like the legacy Hornet’s dorsal speed brake. ⁣ ⁣ There is still a speed brake switch on the throttles on the Super Hornet, but in selecting it, the flight control system uses a combination of as many as eight flight control surfaces to act together to slow the aircraft down (like toeing in the rudders and/or differential deflection of the trailing edge flaps) and if necessary, the LEX spoilers will be deployed. They only have two positions- closed and 60 degrees open. ⁣ ⁣ During high alpha flight, the LEX spoilers can also be deployed to attenuate the large vortices that stream off the LEX that give the Hornet family their legendary high alpha performance. By dampening the strength of the vortices, it speeds the drop of the nose to recover from high alpha flight.⁣ ⁣ #Avgeek #aviation #aircraft #planeporn #KAFW #AFW #AllianceAirport ⁣ ⁣ #airport #planespotting ⁣ ⁣ #McDonnellDouglas #Boeing #FA18 #F18 #SuperHornet #Rhino #USNavy #BlueAngels ⁣ ⁣ #instagramaviation #aviationlovers #aviationphotography #mil_aviation_originals #instaaviation #aviationlovers #aviationphotography #flight ⁣ ⁣ #AvGeeksAero #AvGeekNation #AvgeekSchoolofKnowledge (at Fort Worth Alliance Airport) https://www.instagram.com/p/CXE0ExWvDCE/?utm_medium=tumblr

[blingblinkyoftexas]

#throwbackthursday Tan into an #entrepreneur #OnceUponATime at an #AllianceAirport #Airshow #Dallasites #Kaching #SmallBusinessSaturday #WomanOwnedBusiness #SoleProprietor #blingblinkyoftexas #BlingBlinkySpeaks #BlingBlinky #FamousTexan #BusinessMinded #socialmediamarketing #eCommerce (at Fort Worth Alliance Air Show)

[sentinelchicken]

Two of the 301st Fighter Wing’s Vipers with one making a spirited break to the right showing off the platform nicely. The AIM-120 medium range missiles are on the wingtip rails (Stations 1 and 9) and the AIM-9 Sidewinders are the outer underwing stations (Stations 2 and 8). Note that the left Sidewinder is the new AIM-9X and the right Sidewinder is a captive training load- usually that’s for balance, but there are times the training round can be fitted with instrumentation for a variety of purposes. ⁣ ⁣ Prior to the introduction of the AIM-120 missile to the F-16 fleet in January 1992, the Sidewinders were carried on the wingtip rails. It’s now standard to carry the AIM-120s on the wingtip rails- as a heavier missile (approximately 330 lbs versus 186 lbs for the Sidewinder), it acts as a mass damper on the outer wing, reducing flexing of the wings which in turn prolongs the structural life of the wing. ⁣ ⁣ This was something during the design phase of the Boeing B-47 Stratojet in the 1940s that was found in principle- podded engines on the outboard wings acted as mass dampers and allowed for a lighter wing structure compared to Stratojet design iterations that did not have podded engines. Such a layout was then applied to the B-52 Stratofortress and the Boeing 707/KC-135 programs as well. ⁣ ⁣ The first fully guided test firing of an AIM-120 missile was from an F-16 which scored a central hit on a QF-102 drone. The first combat firing of the missile was also from an F-16, in December 1992 during Operation Southern Watch over Iraq which resulted in a downed MiG-25 Foxbat. ⁣ ⁣ #Avgeek #aviation #aircraft #planeporn #KAFW #AFW #AllianceAirport ⁣ ⁣ #airport #planespotting ⁣ ⁣ #Lockheed #F16 #FightingFalcon #301stFW #USAF #AirForceReserve #AIM120 #AMRAAM⁣ ⁣ #instagramaviation #aviationlovers #aviationphotography #mil_aviation_originals #instaaviation #aviationlovers #aviationphotography #flight ⁣ ⁣ #AvGeeksAero #AvGeekNation #AvgeekSchoolofKnowledge (at Fort Worth Alliance Airport) https://www.instagram.com/p/CVk4GZtF2bh/?utm_medium=tumblr

[sentinelchicken]

To the military brass in Vietnam, the forward air controller (FAC) pilots were the biggest bunch of miscreants to ever fly a USAF aircraft. To the boots on the ground, they were a guardian angel with eyes up above that could summon air strikes. And to the pilots of the fast movers that hit targets marked by the FACs, they had big brass balls to fly low and slow using the Mark One eyeball to ID targets. ⠀ ⠀ The USAF procurement of the Cessna O-2 Skymaster came out if a need for a more capable forward air control platform in Vietnam than the O-1 Bird Dog. Having twin engines have it a measure of redundancy when flying low over the battlefield in the FAC role, but it also allowed the O-2 more performance in the tropical air in Vietnam as well as being able to carry more weapons. The USAF would procure 532 O-2 Skymasters. In Vietnam, the Skymaster had two nicknames- “Oscar Deuce” and “Duck”. ⠀ ⠀ The first O-2 Skymasters flew with 7.62mm Minigun pods underwing, but aggressive O-2 pilots were taking matters into their own hands attacking targets and O-2 losses climbed. So the gunpods were banned and white phosphorus target marking rockets were carried. But the O-2 pilots, being a scruffy and resourceful bunch, took their M16s with them and fired them out the side windows. Ejected shell casings were dinging the rear prop, damaging the instrument panel and messing with radios. So the M16s got banned. ⠀ ⠀ Not ones to give up, the FAC pilots (as one pilot said, “We’ll FAC anything!”) took to using their service pistols and hand grenades to keep the enemy occupied until the fast movers arrived. ⠀ ⠀ Of the 532 O-2 Skymasters built for the USAF, 82 were lost in combat. Seven O-2 drivers earned the Distinguished Flying Cross in Vietnam. ⠀ ⠀ November Aviation Photo Challenge | @kjdphoto1971 | #1119planes | “Air Force” | Day 26⠀ ⠀ #Avgeek #aviation #aircraft #planeporn #KAFW #AFW #AllianceAirport #FWAAS2017 #airport #planespotting #Cessna #O2 #Skymaster #USAF #FAC #instagramaviation #aviationlovers #aviationphotography #mil_aviation_originals #instaaviation #aviationlovers #aviationphotography #flight #AvGeeksAero #AvGeekNation #AvgeekSchoolofKnowledge (at Fort Worth Alliance Airport) https://www.instagram.com/p/B5VQ14ThOV8/?igshid=5iy13z6rz0fc

[sentinelchicken]

Randy Ball and his beautiful Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-17F race some high performance sports cars down the runway at Fort Worth Alliance Airport. ⁣ ⁣ The Klimov VK-1 engine that powers the MiG-17 was also used on the MiG-15 and the Ilyushin Il-28 light bomber. It was the first Soviet jet engine to reach full production. ⁣ ⁣ In 1946 in a bid to try to improve relations with the Soviet Union, British prime minister Clement Atlee authorized Rolls Royce to export to the USSR 40 Nene centrifugal flow turbojet engines under the conditions they not be used for military applications. Stalin had the Nene reverse engineered by Vladimir Klimov’s engine design bureau and this was the Klimov RD-45. ⁣ ⁣ However, Klimov’s engineers had metallurgical problems with the RD-45 so a redesign was done that improved reliability and performance and this improved engine went into production as the Klimov VK-1.⁣ ⁣ The initial production versions of the MiG-17 didn’t have an afterburner- but because of the centrifugal configuration of the Klimov VK-1 jet engine, the only way to get more performance out of it was to add the first afterburner in a Russian fighter jet- creating the VK-1F engine, F for “forsahzhem” meaning with afterburning. ⁣ ⁣ MiG-17s with the upgraded Klimov engine were MiG-17Fs which is the variant that here. The first afterburners were limited and could only be lit at altitudes over 9800 feet. Over time it was refined into something more versatile. During certain maneuvers, the afterburner flame appears to pulse- it’s still on, but aerodynamic effects from the wings and empennage of the jet interact with the afterburner flame, make it appear like a pulse jet.⁣ ⁣ At slow to moderate speeds (300-350 knots), antiquated MiG-17 was a ferocious adversary that could easily pull a 7G turn on a dime to get its 37mm and twin 23mm cannons pointed at you. ⁣ ⠀⁣ #Avgeek #aviation #aircraft #planeporn #KAFW #AFW #AllianceAirport #airport #planespotting ⁣ ⁣ #Mikoyan #MikoyanGurevich #MiG #MiG17 #Fresco #RandyBall #instaplane #instagramaviation #instaaviation #aviationlovers #aviationphotography #mil_aviation_originals #flight ⁣ ⁣ #AvGeeksAero #AvgeekSchoolofKnowledge #AvGeekNation (at Fort Worth Alliance Airport) https://www.instagram.com/p/CET-A6Bh2uQ/?igshid=5xetx6wlqtwn

[sentinelchicken]

While the overnight marathon session that resulted in the B-52 Stratofortress is the stuff of legend, a similar session also led to the Douglas AD/A-1 Skyraider. ⠀ ⠀ In 1945, Douglas’ lead designer, the legendary Ed Heinemann, was presenting the BTD Destroyer to the Navy who had plans to order 358 BTDs. At the meeting, Heinemann suggested to the Navy’s surprise the BTD be canceled and funds go to a better design he would present in 30 days. The Navy agreed but they wanted Heinemann’s proposal presented to them the following morning!⠀ ⠀ Heinemann and his top engineers, Leo Devlin and Gene Root, gathered in a hotel room and fleshed out what would become the Skyraider based on preliminary work they had already done. The next morning after a few hours of sleep, they gave their presentation to the Navy. By noon that day, the Navy canceled the BTD Destroyer and allocated those funds to the BT2D Dauntless II which in 1946 was redesignated and renamed the AD Skyraider. ⠀ ⠀ Using the same massive Wright R-3350 radial engine as the BTD Destroyer, the Skyraider was a much lighter aircraft and the last aircraft designed for dive bombing- but instead of the split flaps used on the Navy’s dive bombers of WW2, the Skyraider had large airbrakes on the fuselage sides and a large ventral airbrake as well. ⠀ ⠀ Heinemann’s dogged pursuit of weight reduction resulted in one of the finest ground attack aircraft ever built until the arrival of the A-10 in the 1970s- the Skyraider is one of the few aircraft that can lift a fuel and weapons load equal to its empty weight. Being simple to maintain, able to absorb damage, and having a battlefield endurance time that jets of the day could only dream of having, the Skyraider endeared itself to ground forces to the point that even the USAF adopted the Skyraider as an escort for its CSAR helicopter teams. ⠀ ⠀ #Avgeek #aviation #aircraft #planeporn #KAFW #AFW #AllianceAirport #FWAAS2016 #airport #planespotting #Douglas #AD #A1 #Skyraider #instagramaviation #aviationlovers #aviationphotography #mil_aviation_originals #instaaviation #aviationlovers #aviationphotography #flight #AvGeeksAero #AvGeekNation #AvgeekSchoolofKnowledge⠀ (at Fort Worth Alliance Airport) https://www.instagram.com/p/B5MghmOBR4p/?igshid=cre58bhc3gq9

[sentinelchicken]

A little different perspective on the Lockheed F-22A Raptor’s three weapons bays. ⠀ ⠀ The two side bays each house an AIM-9X Sidewinder heat-seeking missile. For a number of years after it entered service, the Raptor had to use the older AIM-9M Sidewinder missile which didn’t have a lot of the off-boresight capabilities of the AIM-9X that other fighters were getting. It was only a few years ago that the AIM-9X was integrated into the F-22, finally giving it a very potent dogfighting missile. I believe in the last year or so the even more capable AIM-9X Block II missile has been integrated into the Raptor. ⠀ ⠀ The Sidewinder’s motor ignites while it is still on the rail and there is a deflector built into the aft part of the LAU-141/A launch rail in the side weapons bays that directs the hottest part of the exhaust plume out of the weapons bay. Early in flight testing, there wasn’t a deflector on the rail and the motor exhaust damaged the inside of the weapons bays. ⠀ ⠀ The main underside weapons bay for the air-to-air mission houses six active radar homing AIM-120C missiles. Though the AIM-120 doesn’t have an official name, pilots have referred to the AIM-120 as the “Slammer”. Having its own onboard radar means the Raptor doesn’t have to keep illuminating the target with its radar, revealing its location. The missile that the AIM-120 replaced, the AIM-7 Sparrow, was a semi-active radar homing missile, meaning it homed in on the reflected radar returns of the target from the fighter’s own radar, which obviously had some tactical disadvantages.⠀ ⠀ Because of the airflow around the weapons bay and the possibility of hard maneuvering during a dogfight, the LAU-142/A launch rail for the AIM-120 uses powerful hydraulics to eject the missile out of the weapons bay with a force of 40Gs before motor ignition. ⠀ ⠀ #Avgeek #aviation #aircraft #planeporn #KAFW #AFW #AllianceAirport #FWAAS2019 #AllianceAirShow2019 ⠀ ⠀ #airport #planespotting #Lockheed #F22 #Raptor #instagramaviation #aviationlovers #aviationphotography #mil_aviation_originals #instaaviation #aviationlovers #aviationphotography #flight ⠀ ⠀ #AvGeeksAero #AvGeekNation #AvgeekSchoolofKnowledge (at Fort Worth Alliance Airport) https://www.instagram.com/p/B85SmZJhL6y/?igshid=1g3f78ly2mleg

[sentinelchicken]

Here’s an interesting flight line you don’t see very often. Two Lockheed F-22A Raptors with a Navy Lockheed F-35C Lightning II at the 2019 Fort Worth Alliance Air Show. ⠀ ⠀ Earlier this month (December 2019), the Pentagon began a series of experiments in network technology, one key part of which is allowing the two fighter stealth platforms, F-22 and F-35, to finally network with each other. Sounds like that’d be an obvious capability to have, but it was never in the original specifications as network technology is a relatively new area for the US armed forces. ⠀ ⠀ Being low-observable, you don’t want to share data via conventional radios in combat or adversaries could detect the stealth fighters via ELINT/COMINT means (electronic/communications intelligence). So both the F-22 and F-35 use what are called “Low Probability of Detection/Intercept” (LPD/LPI) communications. Problem is, when the F-22 and F-35 were designed, network tech wasn’t a Pentagon priority. ⠀ ⠀ So they have LPD/LPI equipment that operate on different frequencies. The F-22 uses an Intra-Flight Data Link (IFDL) that allows it to only share data with other F-22s. The F-35 has what’s called the Multifunction Advanced Data Link (MADL) and it can only share data with other F-35s. ⠀ ⠀ So to paraphrase Gene Kranz in Apollo 13, they gotta put a square peg into a round hole!⠀ ⠀ Some bit of classified network technology is currently being tested that acts as a gateway between the F-22s and F-35s and “translates” the data between the IFDL and MADL equipment. The testing cycles will run about every four months with incremental capability being added into the system until something operational is developed. ⠀ ⠀ #Avgeek #aviation #aircraft #planeporn #KAFW #AFW #AllianceAirport #FWAAS2019 #AllianceAirShow2019 #airport #planespotting #Lockheed #F22 #Raptor #F35 #Lightning #USAF #USNavy #instagramaviation #aviationlovers #aviationphotography #mil_aviation_originals #instaaviation #aviationlovers #aviationphotography #flight #AvGeeksAero #AvGeekNation #AvgeekSchoolofKnowledge (at Fort Worth Alliance Airport) https://www.instagram.com/p/B6uHVNlhrQE/?igshid=sy4b2gccqcm1

[sentinelchicken]

The origins of the Skyraider were born out of the eventual wind down of the production of the equally legendary Douglas SBD Dauntless dive bomber. ⠀ ⠀ With production ending on the Dauntless in 1944, Douglas made three attempts in a short period of time to stay in the carrier aircraft business. The first one was the SB2D Dauntless II which first flew in 1943 which had a tricycle undercarriage, cranked gull wing and an internal bomb bay. Only 30 were built and was too heavy among other design specs it failed to meet on account of the Navy changing its requirements midway during the program. ⠀ ⠀ The SB2D was redesigned as the BTD Destroyer but it failed to win over the Navy with its designer, Ed Heinemann, advocating its cancelation. ⠀ ⠀ There was also the very large TB2D Skypirate torpedo bomber that could only be flown from the Essex and Midway class carriers, but the end of the war in Japan meant only two Skypirates were built.⠀ ⠀ Not wanting the SBD Dauntless to be the end note of Douglas naval aircraft, an all-new lighter and more versatile design came about as the BT2D with funding from the cancelation of the BTD Destroyer and it assumed the name Dauntless II from the abortive SB2D.⠀ ⠀ By 1946 Navy had consolidated the scout bomber (SB), torpedo bomber (TB) and bomber torpedo (BT) roles into a single “A for Attack” designation. Squadrons in the carrier air group were also consolidated with bombing squadrons (VB) and torpedo squadrons (VT) becoming attack squadrons (VA). ⠀ ⠀ The BT2D Dauntless II was redesignated *and* renamed as the AD Skyraider and the its success cemented Douglas’ place on carrier flight decks for years to come.⠀ ⠀ As a side note, it was in 1963 that carrier air groups were renamed carrier air wings. ⠀ ⠀ #Avgeek #aviation #aircraft #planeporn #KAFW #AFW #AllianceAirport #FWAAS2017 #airport #planespotting #Douglas #AD #A1 #Skyraider #instagramaviation #aviationlovers #aviationphotography #mil_aviation_originals #instaaviation #aviationlovers #aviationphotography #flight #AvGeeksAero #AvGeekNation #AvgeekSchoolofKnowledge (at Fort Worth Alliance Airport) https://www.instagram.com/p/B5QpvVkBokG/?igshid=1rsi280x5khwq

[sentinelchicken]

Yeah, I know the Day 14 theme is “Fighter” in the Aviation Photo Challenge, but hear me out as to why I’m submitting an AC-47 Spooky as a fighter. Trust me, it’s a great historical side note in the history of Air Force gunships. ⠀ ⠀ The Douglas AC-47 Spooky gunship was the grand-daddy of a whole unique class of combat aircraft that came into existence in Vietnam. The first AC-47 gunships were converted at Bien Hoa AB in-theater with conversion kits created by the Air Force’s Aeronautical Systems Division. ⠀ ⠀ Two aircraft were converted as a proof of concept with three 7.62mm Miniguns, a Mark 20 Mod 4 gunsight from A-1 Skyraider mounted on the pilot’s left cockpit window, VHF, UHF, and FM radios, TACAN equipment for navigation, IFF gear, 45 flares, each producing 20,000 candlepower of illumination and over 24,000 rounds of ammunition for the Miniguns.⠀ The new gunships were designated FC-47 (FC for “Fighter, Cargo). Aeronautical Systems Division crews flew the first two FC-47s on 54 combat missions where they were decisive in breaking Viet Cong night assaults. ⠀ ⠀ Not long after those first two prototype FC-47s were flying combat missions, the fighter pilots on the command staff of Seventh Air Force and the Pacific Air Forces which were in command of USAF assets in Southeast Asia, heard about the FC-47 designation and nearly lost their minds over transport aircraft that were built during World War II with “F” for fighter designators. In the interests of keeping the peace and avoiding an internecine fight within the United States Air Force, the FC-47 was redesignated the AC-47, spawning an entire new class of combat aircraft.⠀ ⠀ November Aviation Photo Challenge | @kjdphoto1971 | #1119planes | “Fighter” | Day 14⠀ ⠀ #Avgeek #aviation #aircraft #planeporn #KAFW #AFW #AllianceAirport #FWAAS2017 #AllianceAirShow2017 #airport #planespotting #Douglas #DC3 #AC47 #Spooky #USAF #instagramaviation #aviationlovers #aviationphotography #mil_aviation_originals #instaaviation #aviationlovers #aviationphotography #flight #AvGeeksAero #AvGeekNation #AvgeekSchoolofKnowledge (at Fort Worth Alliance Airport) https://www.instagram.com/p/B43ebtTBUQR/?igshid=8wmue5xdou6d

[sentinelchicken]

The Thunderbirds converted from the Talon to the F-16 in 1982- the only thing missing from H. Ross Perot Jr.’s T-38 that would make it an accurate representation of a Thunderbird Talon is a shark fin VHF antenna on the dorsal fuselage behind the cockpit. I believe the flag panel on the forward fuselage is accurate for the 1980 show season. Perot Jr’s T-38 is named “The Spirit of Alliance” as his real estate development company, Hillwood, was the driving force behind the construction and development of Fort Worth Alliance Airport. When flying at air shows it uses the call sign “Spirit 1”. The first time I saw the Thunderbirds as a kid was their last season with the F-4 Phantom but most of what I remember was the Talon show. It didn’t have the roar of the Phantom or the glitz of the Fighting Falcon, but the Talon was a sleek jet and the stylized “stinger” scheme on the underside accentuated that. Given the Talon’s small wings, the usual stylized Thunderbird motif wasn’t used again until the team converted to the Fighting Falcon in 1982. The amount of fuel used by the six-jet Talon team was equal to the fuel used by a *single" Thunderbird Phantom during a show. Given the fuel prices of the early and mid-1970s, the conversion to the Talon was quite a boon to the bottom line not to mention the ease of maintenance for the Talon compared to the Phantom. Not to mention the recruiting value that neophyte pilots for the USAF would train in the very aircraft that the Thunderbirds flew. I never get tired of seeing this jet in action. Along with the Blue Angels A-4 Skyhawk, this was a big part of my air show experiences as a wee fart. November Aviation Photo Challenge | @kjdphoto1971 | #1119planes | “Jet Trainer” | Day 4 #Avgeek #aviation #aircraft #planeporn #KAFW #AFW #AllianceAirport #FWAAS2017 #AllianceAirShow2017 #airport #planespotting #Northrop #T38 #Talon #Thunderbirds #Spirit1 #SpiritofAlliance #RossPerot #instagramaviation #aviationlovers #aviationphotography #mil_aviation_originals #instaaviation #aviationlovers #aviationphotography #flight #AvGeeksAero #AvGeekNation #AvgeekSchoolofKnowledge (at Fort Worth Alliance Airport) https://www.instagram.com/p/B4bwspDhXm9/?igshid=1apr3bjk86x8z

[sentinelchicken]

The blending of the wing and fuselage in the F-16 led to several benefits.⠀ ⠀ ⠀ During the design phase of the F-16 in the 1970s, it was paramount to have a lightweight fighter but it also had to have better capability than the existing benchmark lightweight fighter design of the day, the F-5. Blending the wing allowed for weight savings- for a given fuselage volume, had the F-16 been made with a conventional fuselage-wing intersection, the fuselage would have to have been at least a foot longer. A shorter fuselage for the same volume meant less structural weight. The blending also stiffened the wing-fuselage join without need for additional structural reinforcement. ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ The extension to the sharp forebody strakes (or leading edge root extensions, LERXs) created strong vortices that enhanced the F-16’s maneuverability. One of the F-16 design criteria came in the wake of experience born in the skies over Vietnam- the F-16 had to be able to top the nimble MiG-17 in a dogfight. ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ The blended wing-body structure also meant greater internal fuel volume compared to a similarly-sized fighter that had a conventional fuselage-wing join. Compared to the early models of F-15 Eagle, the F-16 ended up with a better fuel fraction (weight of fuel divided by take off weight) and specific range (miles flown per pound of fuel). In some mission profiles, the F-16 has a better range on internal fuel than the F-15!⠀ ⠀ ⠀ If you look closely at this photo of the F-16 on a high speed pass, you can see the supersonic shockwave running along the top of the wings perpendicular to the long axis of the fuselage. ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ #Avgeek #aviation #aircraft #planeporn #KAFW #AFW #AllianceAirport #FWAAS2019 #AllianceAirShow2019 #airport #planespotting #Lockheed #F16 #FightingFalcon #ViperDemo #instagramaviation #aviationlovers #aviationphotography #mil_aviation_originals #instaaviation #aviationlovers #aviationphotography #flight #AvGeeksAero #AvGeekNation #AvgeekSchoolofKnowledge (at Fort Worth Alliance Airport) https://www.instagram.com/p/B7zgHpohDg3/?igshid=gpweztmxdakb

[sentinelchicken]

Even though the Vought F4U Corsair would have the longest production run of any American piston engined fighter, 1942-1953, the service history of the Corsair believe it or not overlaps with that of the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet. ⠀ ⠀ The final production variant of the F4U Corsair was the ground-attack optimized variant, the AU-1. It was introduced into Marine Corps service in 1952 and was retired from the USMC in 1957 as the last American Corsairs. ⠀ ⠀ France’s Aeronavale operated both the F4U-7 and the AU-1 from 1954 to 1964. The F4U-7 was built specifically by Vought for the Aeronavale starting in 1952 as a replacement for SBD Dauntless, F6F Hellcats and SB2C Helldivers that were embarked at the time on French carriers. French Corsairs flew combat in Indochina, the Suez Crisis, the Algerian War and Tunisia. ⠀ ⠀ Argentina operated Corsairs 1956-1968 from their carrier ARA Independencia (formerly the HMS Warrior). ⠀ ⠀ Honduras and El Salvador began operating the Corsair in 1956 and 1957 respectively. In the 1969 Soccer War, Corsairs of both nations fought each other with Honduras downing three Salvadoran Corsairs. El Salvador retired their Corsairs in 1976 and Honduras retired their Corsairs in 1979. ⠀ ⠀ In 1966, the US Navy launched the VFAX program for an aircraft to replace both the F-4 and A-7. In 1973, Congress wanted a lower cost alternative to the F-14 Tomcat and the Navy was ordered to look at the Lightweight Fighter Program (LWF) candidates of the USAF- the YF-16 and YF-17. In 1975, the Navy decided to adopt and further develop the YF-17 to become the F/A-18 Hornet which made its maiden flight on 18 November 1978 while the Corsairs were still operational with Hondurans!⠀ ⠀ #Avgeek #aviation #aircraft #planeporn #KAFW #AFW #AllianceAirport #FWAAS2015 #AllianceAirShow2015 #airport #planespotting #Vought #F4U #Corsair #McDonnellDouglas #FA18 #Hornet #BlueAngels #instagramaviation #aviationlovers #aviationphotography #mil_aviation_originals #instaaviation #aviationlovers #aviationphotography #flight #AvGeeksAero #AvGeekNation #AvgeekSchoolofKnowledge (at Fort Worth Alliance Airport) https://www.instagram.com/p/B43laFfhzPB/?igshid=gl7374txvh8g

[sentinelchicken]

One of the great ultimate expressions of the piston engined fighter as a lethal weapon would be the Grumman F8F Bearcat. ⁣ ⁣ The Bearcat would use the same Pratt & Whitney R-2800 Double Wasp radial piston engine as the F6F Hellcat, but it would better the Hellcat in the dogfighting arena- to give the Bearcat a better power-to-weight ratio than the F6F Hellcat, the fuselage was five feet shorter and the rear fuselage was cut back, allowing a bubble canopy, the first in a US Navy production fighter. ⁣ ⁣ The wing had the same span as the Hellcat but was thinner for less drag. Compared to the Hellcat, the Bearcat only had four machine guns versus six, but the final design was 20% lighter than the F6F, had a 30% better climb rate, and was 50mph faster for a given engine setting. It only needed 2/3 the takeoff roll of the Hellcat on a carrier deck. The 13-foot three bladed prop of the Hellcat was swapped out for a 12-foot four bladed prop which also allowed for a slightly shorter landing gear than what would have been the case had the Hellcat prop been used. ⁣ ⁣ As one Commemorative Air Force Bearcat pilot put it, the Bearcat had “no missiles, no radar, just a nasty, mean little street fighter with an attitude!” It was a true interceptor- get off the deck, go fast and get to altitude quickly to deal with lightly armored Japanese fighters. ⁣ ⁣ The landing gear was unusual in that the pivot point was about a foot below the main landing gear trunion- as it retracted it not only pivoted inward, it also slid outward- the top 1/3 of the main landing gear leg actually pivoted outward!⁣ ⁣ The prototype F8F flew on 21 August 1944, only nine months after the design work began! The first production Bearcat was delivered in February 1945 and the first squadron, VF-19, was operational by 21 May 1945 and was embarked on the USS Langley (CVL-27, the second carrier to bear the name) headed across the Pacific when the war ended. ⁣ ⁣ #Avgeek #aviation #aircraft #planeporn #KAFW #AFW #AllianceAirport #FWAAS2016 #AllianceAirShow2016 #airport #planespotting #Grumman #F8F #Bearcat #instagramaviation #mil_aviation_originals #instaaviation #aviationlovers #aviationphotography #flight (at Fort Worth Alliance Airport) https://www.instagram.com/p/B4KRtVzBqa8/?igshid=imta3crdxw2j

[sentinelchicken]

If there was ever a commercial aircraft turbine engine that could be described as transformational in aviation history, heading that list would have to be the Rolls Royce Dart turboprop that powers this US Army Golden Knights Fokker C-31A Troopship. ⠀ ⠀ It was the first commercial aircraft turbine engine to enter production and cemented Rolls Royce as one of the significant players in commercial jet engines. The Dart has its origins at Rolls Royce’s design center in Barnoldswick which was jet engine pioneer Sir Frank Whittle’s facility before it was purchased by Rolls Royce in 1943- that’s the “B” in Rolls Royce engine designations (like RB.211)- “Barnoldswick”. ⠀ ⠀ The Dart was designated RB.53 and was designed originally for a postwar RAF trainer but when the RAF decided to go with a piston engine, the RB.53 Dart was further refined for the first commercial turbine aircraft to enter revenue service, the Vickers Viscount which was powered by four Dart engines and flew its first revenue service in 1953 with British European Airways London-Rome-Athens-Nicosia. ⠀ ⠀ The success and reliability of the Dart engine led to its next adaptation in the Fokker F-27 Friendship (which is the basis of the C-31A Troopship). Further aircraft designs like the Argosy, and the HS.748 also adopted the robust Dart engine and it was the Dart’s use on the Gulfstream I that led to a long standing relationship between Rolls Royce and Gulfstream. ⠀ ⠀ The Dart was produced from 1948-1987, production ending with the last Hawker Siddley HS.748s being built in 1987. ⠀ ⠀ #Avgeek #aviation #aircraft #planeporn #KAFW #AFW #AllianceAirport #FWAAS2019 #AllianceAirShow2019 #airport #planespotting #Fokker #F27 #C31 #Troopship #GoldenKnights #USArmy #instagramaviation #aviationlovers #aviationphotography #mil_aviation_originals #instaaviation #aviationlovers #aviationphotography #flight #AvGeeksAero #AvGeekNation #AvgeekSchoolofKnowledge (at Fort Worth Alliance Airport) https://www.instagram.com/p/B5WDbRoBtOm/?igshid=837s4fjxto3b

[sentinelchicken]

Randy Ball and his MiG-17 tear it up at low level at Fort Worth Alliance Airport. ⠀ ⠀ Although the MiG-17 was long out of frontline service with the Soviet Union by the time of the Vietnam War, the agile little fighter proved to be a fearsome adversary to American pilots in the skies over Vietnam. ⠀ ⠀ With quick acceleration, a tight turning radius and a hard-hitting set of guns (two 23mm cannon and a 37mm cannon), many American fighter pilots who flew much more advanced jets thought the MiG-17 was a more fearsome opponent in a dogfight than the more capable and supersonic MiG-21. In fact, this obsolete fighter spurred on the development post-Vietnam of two American fighters of unparalleled dogfighting ability in their day- the F-15 Eagle and the F-16 Fighting Falcon. ⠀ ⠀ One of the design criteria for the F-16 was the ability to match or exceed the agility of the MiG-17 in a dogfight. At slow to moderate speeds (300-350 knots), the MiG-17 was a ferocious adversary that could easily pull a 7G turn on a dime to get its 37mm and twin 23mm cannons pointed at you. But as speeds increased, the increased airflow over the elevators increased control loads to the point that over 450 knots, it was impossible to overcome the control loads and the agile MiG became a missile bait lead sled. ⠀ ⠀ Hydraulically boosted controls would have solved this issue but the MiG-17 lacked them. The control stick was taller than most aircraft and this was to give the MiG driver more leverage at higher speeds. ⠀ ⠀ In the secret US flight tests of the MiG-17, pilots dogfighting the 17 were told to keep the speed up over 400 knots because if you slow down below 350 knots, the 17 *will* kill you. Flight trials showed it was possible for the old MiG-17 to prevail against the F-16 in a low speed dogfight.⠀ ⠀ #Avgeek #aviation #aircraft #planeporn #KAFW #AFW #AllianceAirport #FWAAS2019 #AllianceAirShow2019 #airport #planespotting #Mikoyan #MikoyanGurevich #MiG #MiG17 #Fresco #RandyBall #instaplane #instagramaviation #instaaviation #aviationlovers #aviationphotography #mil_aviation_originals #flight #AvGeeksAero #AvgeekSchoolofKnowledge #AvGeekNation (at Fort Worth Alliance Airport) https://www.instagram.com/p/B6cS6_eBcag/?igshid=12flvtxnm2gdu