Old Mike
Well-Known Member
That’s what I liked about the test rig. It was one thing to handle the individual parts, but seeing it all put together and running was truly impressive.
Heavy Metal
- Thread starter amazinblue82
- Start date
Watch These CH-47 Chinooks Get Thrashed During Testing
Just like the automobile industry, destructive testing is the dark side of aircraft development. The fact is airframes have to be tested to their breaking point in order to ensure that they can withstand daily operational abuse in all types of conditions. When it comes to this extreme mode of testing, helicopters can be particularly self destructive under certain conditions.
Then there is this drop test from decades ago, it’s amazing how well the “Hooker” actually held up:
All this testing over the Chinook’s 50 year plus career has kept the type as one of the most useful, adaptable, reliable and hardy heavy lifting helicopters ever built. In fact, Chinook production is still in high gear and there is an upgrade path being put into place by the U.S. Army that should see the type serving for many decades to come. In fact, as it sits now Chinooks could still be thumping their way through the air past 2060, by which time the design will be 100 years old.
Then there is this drop test from decades ago, it’s amazing how well the “Hooker” actually held up:
All this testing over the Chinook’s 50 year plus career has kept the type as one of the most useful, adaptable, reliable and hardy heavy lifting helicopters ever built. In fact, Chinook production is still in high gear and there is an upgrade path being put into place by the U.S. Army that should see the type serving for many decades to come. In fact, as it sits now Chinooks could still be thumping their way through the air past 2060, by which time the design will be 100 years old.
65sporty
Old Man with a Hat
They will fly over from time to time, I am assuming they are coming from Grayling. During my time at BAFB, I saw 3 Chinooks come in for fuel, really quite impressive. We got to see quite a lot of the Presidential Blackhawks, any time they were going to be used in the area they would land and be locked inside the wash rack hanger until required for their detail.
Dunno what became of this bird:
The US military could soon be flying one of the fastest helicopters ever
Helicopters have been very versatile, serving as anything from transports to gunships. But they haven’t been all that fast. According to AirForce-Technology.com, the fastest helicopter in military service is the CH-47F Chinook, which has a top speed of 195 mph.
That could change if the Sikorsky S-97 enters service with the U.S. Army. With a top speed of at least 253 mph, it blows the competition away — even if it isn’t quite as fast as Airwolf.
But hey, the technology is getting pretty close.
But the S-97 isn’t just fast. According to Lockheed, this futuristic helo, with contra-rotating main rotors and a pusher in the tail, can carry AGM-114 Hellfire missiles, Hydra 2.75-inch rockets, and will shoot a 7.62mm machine gun or a .50-caliber machine gun.
Four can fit inside a C-17 Globemaster transport. Lockheed notes that the S-97 can also carry up to six troops in its cabin.
Lockheed says that the S-97 could fill other roles besides the armed reconnaissance role that the AH-64 Apache has taken over, including as a search and rescue helicopter, a multi-mission special operations helicopter — and there’s even a proposed unmanned variant. The S-97 can also be refueled in flight.
One area the helicopter could excels is in the so-called “high and hot” climates that have often limited other helicopters. Lockheed claims the helicopter can hover at 10,000 feet in an air temperature of 95 degrees
That could change if the Sikorsky S-97 enters service with the U.S. Army. With a top speed of at least 253 mph, it blows the competition away — even if it isn’t quite as fast as Airwolf.
But hey, the technology is getting pretty close.
But the S-97 isn’t just fast. According to Lockheed, this futuristic helo, with contra-rotating main rotors and a pusher in the tail, can carry AGM-114 Hellfire missiles, Hydra 2.75-inch rockets, and will shoot a 7.62mm machine gun or a .50-caliber machine gun.
Four can fit inside a C-17 Globemaster transport. Lockheed notes that the S-97 can also carry up to six troops in its cabin.
Lockheed says that the S-97 could fill other roles besides the armed reconnaissance role that the AH-64 Apache has taken over, including as a search and rescue helicopter, a multi-mission special operations helicopter — and there’s even a proposed unmanned variant. The S-97 can also be refueled in flight.
One area the helicopter could excels is in the so-called “high and hot” climates that have often limited other helicopters. Lockheed claims the helicopter can hover at 10,000 feet in an air temperature of 95 degrees
Yeah. a mega cheat with the magic of digital technology.
Ever look down from an airplane and wonder what would it look like if you were going that fast on the ground?
what would 2000 mph look like on the highway? imagining myself in the driver seat after about 60 seconds i was gettin' dizzy
Ever look down from an airplane and wonder what would it look like if you were going that fast on the ground?
what would 2000 mph look like on the highway? imagining myself in the driver seat after about 60 seconds i was gettin' dizzy
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My Dad was a USAF Specialist on the 3350, the motor of the B-29 (and other craft.) But whoever wrote that is incorrect. If there were oil in any of those lower cylinders before firing it would bend the rods. The props were turned by hand before the motor was ever attempted to be started. If there were oil in a lower cylinder the prop would stop rotating. At that time the Crew Chief, which is what my Dad was, would remove the lower spark plugs and drain the cylinders. I didn't watch the video, but I can tell you they were not clearing any oil.
Once fired, if there was a miss in a cylinder, they would shut the motor of and change EVERY spark plug. My Dad had to do that on a B-50 which had the largest of the production radial motors, the 4360. 4 rows of 7 cylinders each, two plugs per head. 56 plugs!!! He changed every one. When I asked him why he said, "Which cylinder of 28 wasn't firing? I didn't know either."
i have no idea what was going on but video 65sporty commented on didnt show anybody touching a prop. they did show a few turns then a stop of the prop. then a startup.
i am not debating this point .. i am sure your Dad was absolutely right .. just again i had no idea what the basic startup procedure was - it looked odd and way outside my experience.
nice chatter here from some folks who appear to know their stuff too:
Why are Radial Engines so Hard to Start. - Page 2 - PPRuNe Forums
one more for the road on the 3350 -- wonderful beast.
i am not debating this point .. i am sure your Dad was absolutely right .. just again i had no idea what the basic startup procedure was - it looked odd and way outside my experience.
nice chatter here from some folks who appear to know their stuff too:
Why are Radial Engines so Hard to Start. - Page 2 - PPRuNe Forums
one more for the road on the 3350 -- wonderful beast.
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one more tip of the cap to piston mills. wish i could fly one. diggn' that RR Merlin "beat".
yeah, jets are faster .. but the P-51's are cooler (IMHO)
yeah, jets are faster .. but the P-51's are cooler (IMHO)
barnfind
Old Man with a Hat
MoPar Maniac
Well-Known Member
The CH-53K goes just as fast as the Chinook but has a max takeoff weight almost 30k lbs higher.
NOT MINE. On Hemmings $4,900 negotiable. Link and Description BElow
https://www.hemmings.com/classified...-lafrance/unspecified/2364742.html?refer=blog
https://www.hemmings.com/classified...-lafrance/unspecified/2364742.html?refer=blog
Seller’s Description:
Mid 20th Century! 1957 ( actually 1957) American LaFrance Aluminum extention ladder truck for sale for $4,900. Offers will be considered. Subject to pre sale. Multi listed.
The engine can run, but the truck is in need of some work, tires etc to get it to the point of driving. It was driven where it sits. At one time, this truck was a “parade truck” here in Colorado Springs. If you have ever heard of the famous Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs, this truck belonged to the Broadmoor Fire Department many years ago. Their name is still displayed on the doors.
The truck needs some cleaning up and repairs. The truck need some new lines and hoses, belts and new batteries and upholstery. Owner was incapacitated. The brakes will need to be rebuilt and the tires will need to be replaced as well. The ladder hydraulics and wench work, but need some serious cleaning.
The truck is not missing any major parts. There are beautiful Spruce wooden ladders included on the truck as well as the large nozzle that swivels on the end of the ladder when extended. Tons of chrome around the truck is in really good condition with no signs of rust anywhere.
There are no cracked lights or glass anywhere on the truck. Uncertain as to mileage as the numbers are too faded. Buyer will be responsible for shipment of vehicle. As is where is. Cash only at bank of your choice. Title is clear and in hand.
Mid 20th Century! 1957 ( actually 1957) American LaFrance Aluminum extention ladder truck for sale for $4,900. Offers will be considered. Subject to pre sale. Multi listed.
The engine can run, but the truck is in need of some work, tires etc to get it to the point of driving. It was driven where it sits. At one time, this truck was a “parade truck” here in Colorado Springs. If you have ever heard of the famous Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs, this truck belonged to the Broadmoor Fire Department many years ago. Their name is still displayed on the doors.
The truck needs some cleaning up and repairs. The truck need some new lines and hoses, belts and new batteries and upholstery. Owner was incapacitated. The brakes will need to be rebuilt and the tires will need to be replaced as well. The ladder hydraulics and wench work, but need some serious cleaning.
The truck is not missing any major parts. There are beautiful Spruce wooden ladders included on the truck as well as the large nozzle that swivels on the end of the ladder when extended. Tons of chrome around the truck is in really good condition with no signs of rust anywhere.
There are no cracked lights or glass anywhere on the truck. Uncertain as to mileage as the numbers are too faded. Buyer will be responsible for shipment of vehicle. As is where is. Cash only at bank of your choice. Title is clear and in hand.
I want it .. can't buy it. but if you did these rigs (i remember them from as early as i was aware of things from parades in the early 1960's), you might think its cool to0.
We had one of these when I was a member of the Volunteer Fire Department in Downieville, CA. Thing had a massive 800 c.i.d. Allison straight 6. The carburetor was the largest I had ever seen on a vehicle! It idled at 150 RPM. I got to drive it once. The torque was magnificent!!!
Ever seen one person move a grand piano? ever heard of a "zipper truck"? and other heavy metal machinery i have never seen. maybe you have.
move ahead to 9:15 and catch last three minutes ... figure out where this load is trying to go.
Ever heard of a Zvezda M503? me either. got to meet one at about the 3:05 mark. Play it loud if you can.
78Brougham
"Chump"
barnfind
Old Man with a Hat
Not the largest by a long shot, but the biggest in our shop. Got to be the first to work in it.
3175375
Senior Member
Thought I would add my $0.02.
After spending over 15 years of my career working on the weapons systems of the F-14, I think it deserves mention. I got to work with some of the engineers, pilots and technicians that made this aircraft perform. When it worked properly, it was flippin’ awesome.
Lots of stories that I have and I have an outline of a book that I plan to write about my experiences...
After spending over 15 years of my career working on the weapons systems of the F-14, I think it deserves mention. I got to work with some of the engineers, pilots and technicians that made this aircraft perform. When it worked properly, it was flippin’ awesome.
Lots of stories that I have and I have an outline of a book that I plan to write about my experiences...
