"ttyymmnn" (ttyymmnn)
10/24/2014 at 20:29 • Filed to: planelopnik
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"ttyymmnn" (ttyymmnn)
10/24/2014 at 20:29 • Filed to: planelopnik | 5
| 10 |
This factory-fresh !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! maritime patrol aircraft (based on the 737-800ERX) was a surprise visitor to !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! in Abilene, Texas this afternoon. Gloriously lit by the setting sun, this beauty from !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! (VP-16), the War Eagles, based at NAS Jacksonville in Florida, did a few touch and go landings before heading off into the evening, presumably on its way back to Florida. If you look closely, you can even see the pilot in the cockpit. This was a first for me, and an exciting catch.
Canon 50D, Tamron 70-200 f/2.8 @ 200mm, Av f/8.0, ISO 100
T5Killer
> ttyymmnn
10/24/2014 at 20:31 |
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Awesome! Great catch and a very rare one here in the west!
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ttyymmnn
> T5Killer
10/24/2014 at 20:34 |
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I was a bit lucky. I headed out to the base a little later than I planned, though I was counting on the late sun. I saw it in the distance, and thought at first that it was a KC-135. I figured I had missed it. But then it made two more passes and was gone. That was the only a/c I saw today. I'm thrilled, and the photos came out beautifully.
whoarder is tellurium
> ttyymmnn
10/24/2014 at 20:38 |
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Yeah! NAS Jacksonville. Enjoyed seeing the P-3 Orion, S-3 Viking, Seahawks and on occasion F/A-18 Hornet fly approach/departure. This must be a little weird to see as its a super modified 737 that most people will equate with an airliner.
Nice shots.
RallyWrench
> ttyymmnn
10/24/2014 at 21:03 |
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It's amazing what a coat of gray paint & no windows can do for a people hauler. Looks like it means business. Nice catch!
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ttyymmnn
> whoarder is tellurium
10/24/2014 at 21:05 |
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Thanks. As a hardcore plane spotter, I was thrilled.
Dunnik
> ttyymmnn
10/24/2014 at 22:57 |
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Dear America,
Can you give us a couple of those? We're still using modified airliners from the 1950's.
Love, Canada.
P.S. Excellent shots!
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ttyymmnn
> Dunnik
10/24/2014 at 23:05 |
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Thanks. I'm very pleased with those.
I didn't know that the Orion was based on the Electra. Makes sense now that you told me. But I think it's still a formidable aircraft. There are still times when prop planes are useful. It is getting pretty long in the tooth, though.
There's an interesting discussion about the P-3 v.P-8 over at Airliners.net .
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Dunnik
> ttyymmnn
10/24/2014 at 23:48 |
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Yea, they sorta both have their advantages/disadvantages. Traditionally, props were the best for these roles due to sheer endurance over thirsty jets, and were more durable to boot.
Our Aurora's were originally intended to hunt Soviet subs in a re-fought Battle of the Atlantic, but today they're flying recon over Iraq vs ISIS and spotting for our CF-18's. They've evolved to be a multi-mission aircraft, but the Poseidon was built to be that in the first place.
As much as I love the old Orion/Aurora it's the 21st century, it's time to retire them in my humble and non-expert opinion.
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ttyymmnn
> Dunnik
10/24/2014 at 23:53 |
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My brother, who lives in Oakland, has a friend who is a former P-3 driver. He's going to talk to him about the comparison. It will be interesting to see what he says.
Here's a little bedtime reading for you:
http://www.airspacemag.com/military-aviat…
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Dunnik
> ttyymmnn
10/25/2014 at 01:53 |
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Nice, thanks for the link!