B-47 Beautiful bomber

[billrunnels]

Yup, that's what they do. I used to take my flight students over there to experience the RAPCON and Control Tower. In those days you could walk right in and get a tour of the facilities any time, day or night.
The facility chief got in trouble frequently with his Air Traffic Service superiors because he didn't meet his quota of FAR violation write-ups against pilots, and because he had so many controllers on staff who were licensed pilots, a combination that died-in-the-wool controllers are inherently suspicious of. It took them awhile to realize that BTV actually had a lower than usual violation rate, and that it was due largely to his (and his controllers) pilot education efforts, and his low-sress management style.
Cheers,
Wes

I have a lot of respect for the controllers at busy airports. The level of stress is, as you know, very high.

 

[XBe02Drvr]

I have a lot of respect for the controllers at busy airports. The level of stress is, as you know, very high.

You couldn't pay me enough to do that job.
When I was in the Nav, I used to go out to the GCA/RAPCON trailer with a buddy on a slow night and play bridge with the two controllers on duty. After each set, we would move ninety degrees around the table, and whoever was by the scope had to put on the headset and work any traffic that called in. This sometimes got a little hilarious as a non-controller tried to sound professional over the air while being coached in the other ear. Fortunately, traffic in Key West airspace during the graveyard shift was mighty rare.
Cheers,
Wes

 

[Prop Duster]

In the very early 50's my dad would take me down to the airfield fence in Wichita and we could watch B-47s taxi out and take off . Needless to say as a kid, I was awed and amazed by the plane my dad helped build. Boy they were so sleek compared to those old B29s, and if loud meant power and might they were IT!

 

[fliger747]

I remember as a kid climbing around in the cockpit of a B-47 at LAFB, yes every fifties kid's idea of a cool airplane! The guy I ice skate with every day was an electronics warfare officer on one before going on to a varied career including the B-52. The two EWO's rode in a capsule in the bomb bay. On takeoff they sat in the isle below the pilots then entered their station via access through the nose wheel well into the bomb bay.

 

[XBe02Drvr]

I remember as a kid climbing around in the cockpit of a B-47 at LAFB

Laughlin, Loring, Lowry, Luke? What AFB? There's also Little Rock and Los Angeles, but I don't think there was any SAC activity at those.

 

[25Kingman49]

The Boeing B-47 Stratojet was certainly a beautiful aircraft particular for its role as the first all jet bomber to be introduced to SAC.

Then came the Convair B-58 Hustler. For me, true elegance with its delta swept wing design. Sorry to the Stratojet and BUFF fans but I think the Hustler wins the beauty contest; simply one mans opinion.

In the air or on the ground one sleek airframe

Way too much Hustler info here

View: https://youtu.be/0M8rzZB4qww

 

[Wurger]

 

[Capt. Vick]

And the tires were so small!

 

[25Kingman49]

And there were so many more (tires)...

For those nerds who care

View: https://vimeo.com/45996409


It is a concern this "Hustler" content is dragging this thread off topic from its original focus.

 

[Wildr1]

 

[Wildr1]

 

[Wurger]

 

[Wildr1]

 

[vikingBerserker]

Nice!

 

[Gnomey]

Good shots!

 

[Wurger]

 

[Wildr1]

 

[vikingBerserker]

Very nice.

 

[Prop Duster]

Ya gotta love the porotype drawing. Looks like they hadn't quite gotten off the idea of a bombardier yet. Technology changed very fast in the post WW II world.

 

[Dimlee]

Do you know that you can "fly" this bird and make your own shots over terrain of your choice...

Just don't pay attention to the cockpit's model.

View: https://youtu.be/LnxJ9tZLEKo