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
Sat Jan 12, 2008 7:06 pm
Oh yes she did .... and then some ....
Sat Jan 12, 2008 7:30 pm
So what do they use this one for?
Sat Jan 12, 2008 11:18 pm
My mom never had (or needed) her own maintenance staff.
Sat Jan 12, 2008 11:21 pm
It's the Speckled Trout replacement aircraft. Used to test various new systems for the Air Force. When it's not doing that, it's a command transport aircraft.
Sun Jan 13, 2008 8:18 am
what is the "boom" under the tail?
Sun Jan 13, 2008 8:51 am
ww2John wrote:what is the "boom" under the tail?
That boom is a skeg. It prevents an aft cg from causing the aircraft to sit on its tail.
Sun Jan 13, 2008 12:06 pm
Looks like a refueling boom to me.
Sun Jan 13, 2008 7:15 pm
At a guess , this looks like the bird that would refuel Air Force One if it needed it , kind of a very posh KC-135. Might be wrong mind you because why wouldn't they just use a standard one?
Sun Jan 13, 2008 7:43 pm
Old whore new dress
Sun Jan 13, 2008 8:33 pm
As I said, the aircraft in question is primarily a testbed. It's also used in other functions (including a command staff transport, typically the Chairman - Joint Chiefs), but it can definitely refuel other airplanes still. I doubt it would be used for refueling a VC-25 unless it was doing so as part of their Air Refueling currency requirements and the VC-25 happened to be up doing training at the same time.
Typically, the VC-25 does not use air-refueling unless part of an exercise or training. Occasionally security will require a non-stop flight that requires air-refueling, but it's not a normal thing and with today's political environment, it's becoming increasingly rare as the President tends to want to make a lot of stops on a flight to be able to see troops or other heads of state along the way to his final destination. When it does require refuelling, they simply task whatever asset is available and closest to the plane at the time it will be refueled.
Sun Jan 13, 2008 8:51 pm
planeoldsteve wrote:Old whore new dress

That is one of the greatest aviation quotes I have ever heard!
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