Warbird Information Exchange

The first military shuttle mission was 6-27-82. From Aug 84 to July 92
14 out of 37 shuttle missions were at least partial military missions. Some were COMPLETE military missions with full military crews and mission requirements. In my view this makes it as much a warbird as any non-wartime cargo or L-bird.

http://www.globalsecurity.org/space/lib ... ape2-9.htm

Steve G

If one considers Drones "Warbirds", then yes, a Delta rocket can classify as a Warbird. I, however, think that to be a Warbird, then it must be manned. Other wise, it is simply a weapon or delivery vehicle.

Also, how many manned aerospace vehicles that *aren't* warbirds have entire missions classified to this day? The Space Shuttle does (as was alluded to above). We don't know what the Shuttle put up in those flights, only that it was a "DoD Payload". We may know in another 30 years what it was on that flight, but until then, I think that some pretty important hardware to the Cold War and to our operations since were lofted aboard the Shuttle and without them, I must wonder if (and how) our subsequent operations would have changed.

For that, I consider the Shuttles that flew those DoD missions to be warbirds as they did service that was important to our ability to defend ourselves and our interests abroad.

I agree things should be catigorized to a point. But everything is usually warbird related in one way or another. I guess I should have posted my Benton AFS pics on the off toipc board. Then again no one cared anyway.


The reason I don't post much on the off topic board is that not many people check that board. In the last several months I have only been on it a few time. If more people was on it then sure I would post more there. But I am looking for a place were people will actually take the time to reaad my post.

BTW, I think the Space shuttle is a warbird and it should fit this board. I have no problem with it being here. But if the moderators want to keep things organized then I will understand completey. I understand how one board can take away from another.

-Nathan

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I guess Brett has the correct definiton of a Warbird, and since it was not operated by the military in military service maybe it is not. Otherwise a Boeing 707 flown by an airline could be considerd a warbird if it ferryied troops to combat or POWs home. I still got a laugh out of the photo and didn't mind seeing it on WIX.

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Bill Greenwood
Spitfire N308WK

To Hang the Expense; you wrote about handouts to "deadbeats". The federal govt is all about handouts, whether it be a no bid contract to Haliburton or some school lunch program. That is the way our govt works, and there are lobbyists and special interests to fund candidates and try to get a piece of the pie for their clients. When it benefits poor people it is called welfare and opposed by many conservatives. When it benefits defense contractors it is called patriotic, and some liberals call it wasteful. Do you really think these programs, and wars would carry on this long at this level if it was not profitable for so many? Like any big organizaton, from govt to Gen Motors there is a lot of waste. A small example( a friend went to work after college for a defense co. and did not use all of his expense account the first year. The boss was unhappy and explained that this made the other executives look bad and might get all expense acounts reduced. My friend did not have to be told twice and upped his charges. Since the taxpayer wallet is pretty deep there is not much real effort to cut the waste. As for the secret defense packages, good point, I hope the next step in threats to the survival of the world is not a bunch of death satelites in space owned by hostile countries aiming nukes or lasers down on everyone.

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Bill Greenwood
Spitfire N308WK

The only thing missing from this "thread" is the "Ball-Turret guy" accusing me of posting the picture as a way of undermining the DNC...

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"Everyone wants to live here (New Jersey), evidenced by the fact that it has the highest population per capita in the U.S..."

Hi Scott,

I am not mad at ya. I think you were on topic.

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Dead beatsshouldn't have more than they can feed.

I have always thought of the forum more as a way of communicating with others who share your interests much in the way you might hang out with Jaguar Club because they are interested in Jaguars. It doesn't mean you have to talk about Jaguars 24/7 it just means you have a common interest so there is a good chance you might have other common interests. Sure if every other post was non-warbird related it would get annoying but a daily post or more about something off topic doesn't really hurt anyone so really doesn't seam worth the effort of complaining about. You can always skip whatever post you don't care to read.

BINGO!!!!

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Curator - EAA Aviation Museum, Oshkosh, WI
"Let No Story Go Untold!"
http://www.timelessvoices.org

Speaking of NASA spinoffs, I just learned not too long ago that PYREX was invented by NASA to make the windows of reentry vehicles. Just so happens to work good in the kitchen too!

By the way... Spot on post rwdfresno. My thoughts exactly.

Would nose art solve the question !!!!!

NASA technology available for the private sector; LINK.

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Experimental Aircraft Association
Warbirds of America

What are you waiting for? Join us!

Best way to contact me- email my last name @gmail.com

Only if it is tasteful nose art, else one might offend the other 1/3 of WIX users here.

all i know is that the space shuttle is a good alarm clock when it came into the atmosphere over the antelope valley area in California. I thought someone dropped a refrigerator from a ten story building.