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There is another school of thought, in order to make any sales impossible the designers were ordered to make a classic mean machine look comical, fat and ugly.I've just looked at my Lightning model after reading your response and I understand now, the undercarriage takes up a lot of space under each wing so there's no room for anything else. I get it, thank you for en-lightening me (pun intended). Flying around with those on your wings must have seriously affected performance knowing you can't ditch them when you're finished with them.
Thanks again
Andy
There is another school of thought, in order to make any sales impossible the designers were ordered to make a classic mean machine look comical, fat and ugly.
I don't really know what the tanks were for. I find it hard to believe it was to increase interception range in combat, if they could go supersonic and up to Mach 2.2 with those tanks then anything can. Maybe to transport between bases in Europe or maybe to just escort Tu 4 Bears out of UK airspace, in the warm parts of the cold war the pilots on both sides got to know each other, both sides using the opportunity for propaganda pics.Why oh why cant they solve the problem without ruining the look of the aircraft? I guess it's something we will never know
I don't really know what the tanks were for. I find it hard to believe it was to increase interception range in combat, if they could go supersonic and up to Mach 2.2 with those tanks then anything can. Maybe to transport between bases in Europe or maybe to just escort Tu 4 Bears out of UK airspace, in the warm parts of the cold war the pilots on both sides got to know each other, both sides using the opportunity for propaganda pics.
I read on this forum that Lightning pilots only went supersonic in the direction of fuel as a general rule.They were "long range" ferry tanks ("long range" being a relative term....at least where the Lightning is concerned).
I read on this forum that Lightning pilots only went supersonic in the direction of fuel as a general rule.
I read on this forum that Lightning pilots only went supersonic in the direction of fuel as a general rule.
We like him
We like him
"Like" is a bit strong. "Tolerate" is more appropriate....then again, you tolerate me!
I'll catch up with him when the battery on my mobility scooter is charged !!!