Aircraft

Arcey · March 20, 2011, 04:43:02 PM

Appreciate the education, SHB. Put that way it would figure for the locals. Don't think they take 'em too far when they put 'em up so I doubt they'd put a full load in 'em.

Sir Charles deMouton-Black · March 21, 2011, 10:16:56 AM

With the link below, you will be able pull up every airplane that was built in every country in the world and every aircraft company. Want to check out almost any airplane ever built in the world? Old, new, military, civilian?
Browse this site for a few minutes. You will be amazed at what has been done in airplane design. The amount of info available is unbelievable. Virtual Airplane Museum.

http://www.aviastar.org/index2.html

Leo Tanner · March 21, 2011, 11:42:58 AM

I know what I will be doin taday. Thanks fer the link!

Texas Lawdog · March 22, 2011, 11:32:42 PM

The P39 had a driveshaft that ran between the prop and the engine.

Steel Horse Bailey · March 23, 2011, 12:16:10 PM

Quote from: Texas Lawdog on March 22, 2011, 11:32:42 PM
The P39 had a driveshaft that ran between the prop and the engine.

And betwixt the pilot's feet, too - didn't it? Covered, of course, but a hump on the floor.

Or not ...

Texas Lawdog · March 23, 2011, 01:00:08 PM

Yessir. That's the plane that my Dad wanted to fly when he joined the Air Corps, but he was 6'2" and was too tall for fighters. They made him a Bomber pilot.

Arcey · March 23, 2011, 01:34:03 PM

Found this when I was lookin' to see if the museum had an image of their's online:

I was an even 6' at 18. Don't guess I'd have fit either. Time ta time a camera lens will distort stuff but lookin' at that layout, the cockpit couldn't have been but so big. The museum has a collection of flight suits on the second level. I looked at some 'n wondered if they really made guys that small in the 40's.

Texas Lawdog · March 23, 2011, 02:57:41 PM

I visited the AF Museum at Wright-Patterson when I had a trip to Dayton to PU a Prisoner. It was an experience to visit there. I was in "hog heaven" up there.

Leo Tanner · March 23, 2011, 02:58:50 PM

My uncle Joe was built like my Dad, small enough ta stuff inta a tail gunner position. The guys that got crammed in tanks weren't much bigger. Most of the tall guys ended up in the Marines. Six foot is (or was) a requirement to be a sea going Marine.

Texas Lawdog · March 23, 2011, 03:03:43 PM

You also had to smaller to be a crew member on a WW2 submarine.

Arcey · March 23, 2011, 04:09:53 PM

The old perforated steel planks that stuff sits on brings back memories. When I was a kid some relatives had a couple cottages in Nags Head (Carolina Outer Banks or OBX) near the Wright Memorial. Uncle Tommy was a Seabee 'n knew the stuff well. Bought it surplus 'n used it for driveways, walks 'n such.

Texas Lawdog · March 23, 2011, 04:20:46 PM

That stuff was their instant runways during the island hopping in the Pacific.

Four-Eyed Buck · March 23, 2011, 05:45:49 PM

Marsden Matting

Bailing out of a '39 could be pretty hairy considering the cockpit entry/exit was a door like a car. That drive shaft between the legs is an impediment,too.
Ball turret gunners had to be basically built like jockeys, the same aas the tail gunners on 17's. After going through the Cod, I can see why crewmen had to be somewhat smaller as well.............Buck

Forty Rod · March 27, 2011, 03:22:05 PM

I alway thought the P-39 was the A-10 of WWII. One single heavy caliber gun, lots of armor, not too fast, and a born tank killer when it first came out.

Leo Tanner · March 27, 2011, 04:20:04 PM

Mister Rod, I do believe they called them Tank Killers. They weren't so good in a dog fight.

Bryan Austin · March 27, 2011, 05:12:08 PM

P-39 - Went to Russia to be used in ground attacks - Russia's tank buster
P-47 - USA ground attact a/c - USA's tank buster
Stuka - Germany's ground attack - tank buster
Japan - SOL

Urnst Udet was amazed with our Curtiss Hawks (The bi-planes) He urged the Germans to purchase one for testing. It was the Curtiss Goshawk, exports were called Goshawk II. Udet used this aircraft for dive bombing tests which eventually lead to the Stuka.

Steel Horse Bailey · March 27, 2011, 05:47:37 PM

I always thought those 'Hawks were cool lookin' "modern" biplanes. (Modern = last types vs. the WWI & earlier types) They sure could "dance" around nimbly in the sky! They were a stunter's dream!

Bryan Austin · March 27, 2011, 06:03:48 PM

Some Hawk II's saw action in China but the Hawk III did see action in China!

Texas Lawdog · March 27, 2011, 06:08:20 PM

I received an e-mail from the A-26 Squadron Leader. The A-26 is stiill in Midland. They are waiting for the FAA to authorize them to fly from Midland to Breckenridge for repairs. Hopefully next weekend, they will be able to ferry the aircraft to Breckenridge.

Bryan Austin · March 27, 2011, 06:10:52 PM

Note gun barrels just inside engine cowling