Author Topic: Interesting or unusual planes? (Read 390392 times)

tonyh · « **Reply #500 on:** 24 March, 2014, 10:42:01 am »

Wow!! You actually saw it!

(And thanks to all the posters on this fine thread.)

spesh · « **Reply #501 on:** 24 March, 2014, 10:51:18 am »

The right plane at the wrong time, but given some the technical advances arising from the project, a useful one as far as white elephants go. Had they gone for the turboprop version, carrying more passengers, the plane might have generated some interest...

T42 · « **Reply #502 on:** 24 March, 2014, 11:04:39 am »

From what I just read on Wiki, the Britannia was the smaller turboprop version, and they were troubled by iced-up air intakes to the extent of losing two prototypes. If they had crashed a couple of Brabazons for the same reasons the publicity might have done for the line anyway.

It's nice to think of what it might have been like aboard one, though: 6 m² of personal space per passenger, berths, dining-room, cinema, bar and promenade. Instead we got Ryanair.

@tonyh: yup, I'm that old...

tonyh · « **Reply #503 on:** 24 March, 2014, 04:05:27 pm »

ahead of you by three years or so. But didn't see the Brabazon!

Canardly · « **Reply #504 on:** 24 March, 2014, 10:39:49 pm »

RAE Thurleigh had the runway extended to accommodate this aircraft and was considered for a while as a candidate for the new 'London' airport. Is a regular fixture on local cycle runs.

Bicycle Repair Man · « **Reply #505 on:** 25 March, 2014, 12:57:58 pm »

Now then chaps,

Osprey seen at Sculthorpe last week. We were staying at a caravan site nearby. The Americans Air Force use the disused airfield for training. Last time we were there a distinctly dodgy looking Hercules (no visible markings, loads of aerials and guns sticking out) was dropping parachutists and doing all kinds of low level stuff.

pcolbeck · « **Reply #506 on:** 25 March, 2014, 02:24:49 pm »

That's a butt ugly flying machine. Useful though.

tiermat · « **Reply #507 on:** 25 March, 2014, 04:17:51 pm »

As I was returning home last night I saw a Hercules, nothing unusual about that (as I was driving along perpendicular to the flight path for RAF Leeming), but what did grab my attention was what it was escorting.

It was wide, but not very high, four engines, all on the wings.

Certainly didn't look like anything currently being flown by the RAF, but may have been flown in the past...

pcolbeck · « **Reply #508 on:** 25 March, 2014, 04:24:23 pm »

Jet or prop and were the engines hung under the wings or embedded in the wing roots ?

tiermat · « **Reply #509 on:** 25 March, 2014, 04:26:46 pm »

From what I could see, prop.

Didn't see enough to work out how the engines were mounted, too busy watching the road!

Vince · « **Reply #510 on:** 26 March, 2014, 08:37:27 am »

Three Blackhawk helicopters flying circles and providing personal transport for Obama

T42 · « **Reply #511 on:** 26 March, 2014, 08:50:14 am »

Quote from: tonyh on 24 March, 2014, 04:05:27 pm

ahead of you by three years or so. But didn't see the Brabazon!

The one I really wish I'd seen was the Sunderland. The chap across the road from me in Belfast used to build them during the war.

Auntie Helen · « **Reply #512 on:** 26 March, 2014, 09:10:53 am »

Quote from: Wunja on 26 March, 2014, 08:37:27 am

Three Blackhawk helicopters flying circles and providing personal transport for Obama

I hope the pilots were sober!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-26743893

Peter · « **Reply #513 on:** 26 March, 2014, 11:43:31 am »

Quote from: T42 on 26 March, 2014, 08:50:14 am

Quote from: tonyh on 24 March, 2014, 04:05:27 pm
ahead of you by three years or so. But didn't see the Brabazon!

The one I really wish I'd seen was the Sunderland. The chap across the road from me in Belfast used to build them during the war.

On his own? Mind you they were Short.....

Wombat · « **Reply #514 on:** 27 March, 2014, 09:25:14 am »

Quote from: T42 on 26 March, 2014, 08:50:14 am

Quote from: tonyh on 24 March, 2014, 04:05:27 pm
ahead of you by three years or so. But didn't see the Brabazon!

The one I really wish I'd seen was the Sunderland. The chap across the road from me in Belfast used to build them during the war.

Seen one! One was restored a good few years ago (mid 80's maybe?) and was doing trials in the Solent. A friend and I were being idiot crew (Sigma 33 OOD) for my uncle and aunt who were undergoing their Inshore Yachtmaster exam, so we had to do as we were told, but exhibit no initiative. The examiner rubbed his hands with glee, and announced "I've never had the chance to ask this one before, but see that Sunderland hacking its way down the Solent towards us, who's got right of way?". It had extra amusement considering my uncle was an air accident investigator. We sensibly stayed put until it had thundered past us on its taxying trials, turned and went back. Sadly it didn't take off that moment, but I think it did later that day, or soon afterwards.

hatler · « **Reply #515 on:** 27 March, 2014, 09:50:06 am »

Quote from: Wombat on 27 March, 2014, 09:25:14 am

Quote from: T42 on 26 March, 2014, 08:50:14 am
Quote from: tonyh on 24 March, 2014, 04:05:27 pm
ahead of you by three years or so. But didn't see the Brabazon!

The one I really wish I'd seen was the Sunderland. The chap across the road from me in Belfast used to build them during the war.

Seen one! One was restored a good few years ago (mid 80's maybe?) and was doing trials in the Solent. A friend and I were being idiot crew (Sigma 33 OOD) for my uncle and aunt who were undergoing their Inshore Yachtmaster exam, so we had to do as we were told, but exhibit no initiative. The examiner rubbed his hands with glee, and announced "I've never had the chance to ask this one before, but see that Sunderland hacking its way down the Solent towards us, who's got right of way?". It had extra amusement considering my uncle was an air accident investigator. We sensibly stayed put until it had thundered past us on its taxying trials, turned and went back. Sadly it didn't take off that moment, but I think it did later that day, or soon afterwards.

I don't recall seeing anything about that in the COLREGS. Though I think I could hazard a guess. (And I know what I would do.)

Vince · « **Reply #516 on:** 27 March, 2014, 10:10:49 am »

Quote from: hatler on 27 March, 2014, 09:50:06 am

Quote from: Wombat on 27 March, 2014, 09:25:14 am
Quote from: T42 on 26 March, 2014, 08:50:14 am
Quote from: tonyh on 24 March, 2014, 04:05:27 pm
ahead of you by three years or so. But didn't see the Brabazon!

The one I really wish I'd seen was the Sunderland. The chap across the road from me in Belfast used to build them during the war.

Seen one! One was restored a good few years ago (mid 80's maybe?) and was doing trials in the Solent. A friend and I were being idiot crew (Sigma 33 OOD) for my uncle and aunt who were undergoing their Inshore Yachtmaster exam, so we had to do as we were told, but exhibit no initiative. The examiner rubbed his hands with glee, and announced "I've never had the chance to ask this one before, but see that Sunderland hacking its way down the Solent towards us, who's got right of way?". It had extra amusement considering my uncle was an air accident investigator. We sensibly stayed put until it had thundered past us on its taxying trials, turned and went back. Sadly it didn't take off that moment, but I think it did later that day, or soon afterwards.

I don't recall seeing anything about that in the COLREGS. Though I think I could hazard a guess. (And I know what I would do.)

Rule 18 - Responsibilities Between Vessels:
(e) A seaplane on the water shall, in general, keep well clear of all vessels and avoid impeding their navigation. In circumstances, however, where risk of collision exists, she shall comply with the Rules of this Part.

clarion · « **Reply #517 on:** 27 March, 2014, 10:37:17 am »

A Sunderland isn't a seaplane.

Vince · « **Reply #518 on:** 27 March, 2014, 10:46:02 am »

As far as COLREGS are concerned it is.

(e) The word "seaplane" includes any aircraft designed to manoeuvre on the water .

They also cover Wing-in-Ground aircraft which have the same rules as hovercraft

Shit! I'm having a COLREG argument on a cycling forum!

Cudzoziemiec · « **Reply #519 on:** 27 March, 2014, 10:49:44 am »

Quote from: clarion on 27 March, 2014, 10:37:17 am

A Sunderland isn't a seaplane.

Wikipedia describes it as a "flying boat" and the article for "flying boat" says that is one type of seaplane, the other being "floatplane". But that's only Wiki[pedia, so what's the difference between these types of aquatic aircraft, if I can call them that, and what is a Sunderland?

Edit: Wiki also says
The term "seaplane" is used by some instead of "floatplane". This is the standard British usage.[1][3] This article treats both flying boats[4] and floatplanes[5] as types of seaplane,[6] in the US fashion.

clarion · « **Reply #520 on:** 27 March, 2014, 10:53:59 am »

Floatplane is a Yanqui word.

Cudzoziemiec · « **Reply #521 on:** 27 March, 2014, 10:56:24 am »

It is more descriptive though and makes flying boat more so by contrast.

hatler · « **Reply #522 on:** 27 March, 2014, 11:12:37 am »

'Seaplane' I would imagine refers to an aircraft, the main hull of which bears upon the water, whereas floatplane is one where the undercarriage has been replaced with floaty things.

I've never come across the term floatplane before, but it does the job of distinguishing between the two types of plane pretty well.

And as for the COLREGs, I have really discarded that para from my memory. I've certainly never had cause to use it.

clarion · « **Reply #523 on:** 27 March, 2014, 11:14:35 am »

A flying boat is one where the hull rests in the water. A seaplane's fuselage remains clear of the water.

But the Regulations seem to be clear, whatever.

Steph · « **Reply #524 on:** 27 March, 2014, 01:07:37 pm »

If I remember correctly, the Sunderland was hacking around Southampton in 1993, when I was working there. I may, however, be misremembering a visit by a Catalina.

On the other hand, there is a Britannia at Duxford. It is the actual aircraft I flew to Singapore on in 1968, spending almost all of the flight on my knees in the toilet.