I've got 2 new favorite airplanes.

[rocketwatcher2001]

In between a very busy flying work week I was able to come out to the air show at Kennedy Space Center. I saw the F/A-18 F for the first time, and she's awesome, and I saw the F-22, which is more like a UFO than an airplane, simply by the way she can "fly" if you want to call it flying. That F-22 did stuff that blew my socks off. <br /><br />In 1988 I was at the Farnburough(sp?) airshow and saw the Mig-29, and it stole the show. The F/A-18 F(two seater) did the same type of stuff yesterday, but watching the F-22 was amazing, and knowing that it can see much farther than it can be seen is really cool. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[thebigcat]

I recall the first time I got up close with an F/A-18. It was the "D" model, on the apron at NAS Whidbey. Special bird. But the "F" is a world away from that. Bigger, vastly improved Strike capability which enabled it to replace my beloved A-6.<br /><br />As for the Raptor, yeah, what a sweet lady. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[summoner]

I've always had a great love for all the fighters, but lately my interest has moved to commercial airliners and imo nothing at present beats the 777-200lr. An aircraft that can carry over 300 people between just about any 2 points on earth is simply amazing. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width:271px;background-color:#FFF;border:1pxsolid#999"><tr><td colspan="2"><div style="height:35px"><img src="http://banners.wunderground.com/weathersticker/htmlSticker1/language/www/US/MT/Three_Forks.gif" alt="" height="35" width="271" style="border:0px" /></div>

 

[usn_skwerl]

Not a fan of the superbug. Yes, it's extremely maneuverable; nimble lil' ******, especially for its size, but it just looks so small. It doesnt have that aggressive profile like that of a mig-25, F-14, SU-27, etc.<br /><br />During Gulf War Pt. 1, a couple of Iraqi migs made visual contact, turned 180, and bailed out. I don't think the F/A-18 E/F has that intimidation factor. It doesn't have enough meat on it's bones. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[rocketwatcher2001]

<font color="yellow">During Gulf War Pt. 1, a couple of Iraqi migs made visual contact, turned 180, and bailed out. I don't think the F/A-18 E/F has that intimidation factor. It doesn't have enough meat on it's bones. </font><br /><br />I dunno Sir, when their wingman just gets blown out of the sky before they even know that there is a fight on, there will be plenty of intimidation factor.<br /><br />And the F/A-22 has the best sound of any fighter I've ever heard. Before the show I told my kids that i thought the F/A-22 was going to be more quiet than the F-15, I was totally wrong. I was thinking that because the engines are much newer that they'd be not as loud, but that bird sounds like the Space Shuttle, a deep rumble that I never heard form any other fighter's engine, and I worked the engine test cell on the Indy. Damn! That thing is awesome. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[usn_skwerl]

Have you seen or heard about the next generation of cranials? They're almost like motorcycle helmets, because the new generation of engines cause the hairs in your ears to vibrate out with the typical cranial w/earmuffs and foamies!!! <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[rocketwatcher2001]

No, I had not heard that. On the test cell the J-52 was the loudest, it's the A-6 and EA-6B's engine. It has a roar like the air is being ripped apart....with you inside. It was a roar, not a rumble. The turbofans like the TF-30 and F404 were much less loud, but they made a much deeper sound/rumble. The F/A-22's engines sounded a lot deeper, like a rocket's rumble. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[usn_skwerl]

I have a pic of me towing an F/A-18F with the target crosshairs on the wings and fuselage, that they use on prototype aircraft, I just dont have it scanned. <br /><br />But you might enjoy these, RW.<br /><br />http://s5.photobucket.com/albums/y193/usn_skwerl/?action=view&current=EA6BnPOSE.jpg<br /><br />http://s5.photobucket.com/albums/y193/usn_skwerl/?action=view&current=EA6BnME.jpg<br /><br />http://s5.photobucket.com/albums/y193/usn_skwerl/?action=view&current=EA-6B1.jpg<br /><br />http://s5.photobucket.com/albums/y193/usn_skwerl/?action=view&current=fire.jpg<br /><br />and one you just wouldnt expect to see in the year 2000, on the Navy side of an AFB.<br /><br />http://s5.photobucket.com/albums/y193/usn_skwerl/?action=view&current=Image11.jpg <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>