This is the place where the majority of the warbird (aircraft that have survived military service) discussions will take place. Specialized forums may be added in the new future
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Sun Jul 23, 2006 11:57 pm

the magnesium skin is not to weather friendly, in any invironment long term & un treated. northern u.s. south, etc. this example looks pretty good. soplata's 36 is pretty much toast in many regards.

Mon Jul 24, 2006 5:46 am

Excellent photos thanks for sharing!

Mon Jul 24, 2006 9:02 am

Awesome pics Chris....thanks again for sharing them. Maybe it's just me but I was surprised at how little visibility there was for the pilot and co-pilot. Can't imagine trying to land that beast!

John

B-47 cockpit

Mon Jul 24, 2006 4:01 pm

Chris, what's the story on the B-47 cockpit? I had heard rumors it was from a B-47A. Did your guides tell you anything about it, or suggest that they had any plans for it?

Mon Jul 24, 2006 10:05 pm

I'll try to get some more info on the B-47

Tue Jul 25, 2006 3:53 am

Fantastic shots! I love the painted on hydraulic reservoir levels too.
The people in Fort Worth certainly put in some effort on her, it was a pity that the "City Fathers" didn't put matching effort into getting her displayed properly (inside).
I bet you if somebody tried to dig up the Alamo and move it hundreds of miles away to Arizona there would have been more of a public outcry! Yet less people were involved with that than the B-36 program. The human endevor of thousands of people in the forties and fifties dosn't seem to count.
Getting back to the pictures. The overhead throttles for the boost jets, which way do you push them to increase the thrust? I was told years ago that the throttles on the Catalina were overhead and you pushed them BACK to increase the thrust. Is it the same? Was I being fed bullstuf? Or was the old boy telling me that mistaken?
Thanks in advance

Rgds Cking
Getting back to the battle of the Alamo, why is a fight at a car rental place that important any way? :wink:

B-36 Pix's

Tue Jul 25, 2006 6:51 am

I am new to WIX (y first post) and have just seen these fantastic pics - great job. As a young man, my father took me in a B36 at Kelly AFB (1949). I still am in awe as to it size and will NEVER forget the sound of those six pushers. Thanks for the memories!

Pima B-36 Pics

Tue Jul 25, 2006 1:36 pm

The overhead throttles on the B-36 and PBY both operate in a normal manner,meaning moving the levers forward increases power and pulling back decreases it.

Normally,mixture controls work this way as well,but on B-17's and B-24's/PB4Y's full forward is Idle Cut-Off and full aft is Emergency Rich.Go figure.

I understand that French and Italian aircraft up to at least 1943 had throttles that operated in a pull to increase power and push to decrease manner as on older boat throttles or steam locomotives.

I once read a book written by a Luftwaffe test pilot which said that a special rating was required for German pilots to fly Italian airplanes because of this.Imagine trying to correct for swing on a crosswind landing or take-off in a multi-engine tailwheel airplane with backward throttles.

Tue Jul 25, 2006 2:24 pm

Thank you Mr Kraus, as a one lever man I tend to forget about the mixture lever!

Rgds Cking
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