Aerial Eye Candy ...

[Mark Allen M]

OK well, D*mn it!!!! .... I'll have to give this thread just a little longer to reload, I may have to re-post them. Sorry about that. This is what I get for having all my software and image files transferred to a new system all at once. I'll make it up to ya's

Another TEST! ... can you see this thing coming at ya's?

[maradamx3]

Good to go now.
Thanks!

[maxum96]

Awesome pictures! Thanks for posting. Love this one. The P-38 in this picture look really hot Love the nose art!



Having grown up next to Miramar, it's weird to see it with nothing around it. The Spads are heading south. There is a major 8 lane highway (I-15) off the east end of the runway now. And the entire north side of the field is developed with commercial business and a major city street.




I believe that's the La Jolla area in San Diego,




I think that might be NAS North Island. But with the B-36's in the background it might be Lindbergh field. Convair's plant was at Lindbergh Field.

[lmritger]

This is actually the Bell XP-39 with a prop thrust rake mounted on the nose, undergoing flight tests from NACA Langley... hence the non-standard prop as well.

Lynn

[The Inspector]

This is actually the Bell XP-39 with a prop thrust rake mounted on the nose, undergoing flight tests from NACA Langley... hence the non-standard prop as well.

Lynn

Lynn,
Thanks for clearing that up-

[Rajay]

Awesome pictures! Thanks for posting.

I think that might be NAS North Island. But with the B-36's in the background it might be Lindbergh field. Convair's plant was at Lindbergh Field.

According to Wikipedia, only the original proof of concept mockup of the B-36 was built in San Diego and all of the actual production was carried out in Ft. Worth, TX adjacent to what eventually became Carswell AFB.

Ironically in terms of this photo, that same Wikipedia article (about the Convair B-36 Peacemaker in particular - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Convair_B-36) mentions that the US Navy challenged the Air Force's claim that the B-36 could fly too high to be intercepted (stripped down to a "featherweight" configuration, it was supposedly capable of flying as high as 55,000 feet!) The Navy proposed a "duel" exercise in which they would attempt an actual intercept of a B-36 with some of their F2H Banshee fighters. Apparently, the USAF declined to participate in the challenge.

[Mark Allen M]

A few more 'aerial 82 candy'

[Rajay]

A few more 'aerial 82 candy'

Now, just who in the heck would NACA be trying to bomb? And what kinda weapon or test bed is that on the centerline?

[maxum96]

Awesome pictures! Thanks for posting.

I think that might be NAS North Island. But with the B-36's in the background it might be Lindbergh field. Convair's plant was at Lindbergh Field.

According to Wikipedia, only the original proof of concept mockup of the B-36 was built in San Diego and all of the actual production was carried out in Ft. Worth, TX adjacent to what eventually became Carswell AFB.

Ironically in terms of this photo, that same Wikipedia article (about the Convair B-36 Peacemaker in particular - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Convair_B-36) mentions that the US Navy challenged the Air Force's claim that the B-36 could fly too high to be intercepted (stripped down to a "featherweight" configuration, it was supposedly capable of flying as high as 55,000 feet!) The Navy proposed a "duel" exercise in which they would attempt an actual intercept of a B-36 with some of their F2H Banshee fighters. Apparently, the USAF declined to participate in the challenge.

My dad was raised in San Diego in the 40's and 50's. He said he clearly remembers them flying around San Diego. He said the sound was so unique. He said they shook everything when they flew by.

[The Inspector]

A few more 'aerial 82 candy'

Now, just who in the heck would NACA be trying to bomb? And what kinda weapon or test bed is that on the centerline?

Looks like some sort of ultra high speed maybe ram jet or early idea/p.o.c. for a J-58 type high mach engine 'cause that inlet sure looks Mig-21-ish

[gary1954]

A few more 'aerial 82 candy'

How many -82's did Soplata actually own? this is the second one connected to him

According to Joe Baugher’s pages http://cgibin.rcn.com/jeremy.k/cgi-bin/ ... 887&conten

44-83887 XP-82 went to the NACA; sold to Walter Soplata after accident mid-1950. To Walter Soplata collection, Newbury, OH.
Reported in June 2008 issue of "Aircraft Illustrated" to be under restoration to fly at Kissimmee, FL.