Aerospace Picture of the Day

Source: https://i.redd.it/nzz4il62nzl81.jpg

I recall this bird flying in the Paris airshow I think a LONG time ago...

It's a nice reminder of how long we've been tinkering with vectored thrust engines, and more or less came to the conclusion they're not necessary/warranted in most cases. I tend to think they learned that a good FBW system and especially flight control software gives you all of the agility you need, none of the weight penalty and maximize thrust (and probably for a cheaper price).

The Russians went the other way with it, at least with their air superiority machines (SU-30/35). I'd love to know who well (or not) that's served them in Ukraine. Will probably take years though for the truth to comes out.

For me it was these two greats, the Convair F-106 Delta Dart and the McDonnell F-4 Phantom. This photo is from the College Dart days.

Saw this at work yesterday. I’m next to Earle which as far as I know doesn’t house any Hornet’s.

Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star post card. It doesn't get any better than this.

I never understood what they meant in the six shooter mod, by giving the F-106 a "bubble canopy". From the side profile it looked the same, obviously the top canopy bar was deleted. Yet when looking head on, it's actually somewhat bulged on the sides. Still seems odd to label that a "bubble canopy".

I'd say the MAANG 102FIW out of Cape Cod, had the best looking colors.

AN-225 Mirya