Picture of the day. (1 Viewer)

[Wayne Little]

Do like that Beau shot!

 

[vikingBerserker]

When I see the first pic in post 1639 "The Flight of the Valkyries" runs through my mind.

 

[abaddon1]

If you ever wondered why so few ETO 8th Air Force airplanes made it back across the pond after the War... here's one of the answers...
These are the remains of U.S. Eighth Air Force B-17 Flying Fortress and B-24 Liberator bombers, based in Eastern England in WWII for the Strategic bombing of Germany and scrapped in situ at RAF Pulham, Norfolk, in 1947 instead of being ferried back to the U.S.A

Zoomable and further aerial views at:

Piles of scrap metal at RAF Pulham, Rushall, 1947 | Britain from Above

 

[nuuumannn]

Fascinating images on that link, abbadon1. Interesting to see Pulham's airship shed still surviving by the end of WW2. The station originally had two sheds, but in 1925 the other one was dismantled and moved to Cardington, Bedfordshire in support of the Imperial Airship Scheme. The airship R.100 lived inside it after completion at Howden whilst R.101 was housed in Cardington's original factory shed where she was built. Pulham had a distinguished RNAS career as an airship station; by far its most famous hour was the return of the British airship R.34 there on a direct flight from the United States in 1919. It had departed from East Fortune in Scotland and landed at Hazelhurst Field, Mineola Long Island, then back to Pulham St Mary.

 

[fastmongrel]

 

[vikingBerserker]

Is the prop tied to the truck to help stabilize the aircraft as they use the airbag?

 

[Airframes]

No idea, been trying to work that one out myself. The truck is a AEC Matador fuel bowser, so it's heavy enough, but no idea what's going on.

 

[fubar57]

HMS Ark Royal, the day before she sank...

Geo

 

[vikingBerserker]

Such a beautiful ship.

 

[gumbyk]

Is the prop tied to the truck to help stabilize the aircraft as they use the airbag?

Looks like the aircraft isn't in the centre of the airbags, so it looks like it could slide off the back.

 

[N4521U]

You could be right, looks like they slope to the back as well.

 

[nuuumannn]

With the jack out front, it looks like they are going to raise the aircraft up sufficiently to install the jack under the wings - presumably there's also one on the other side, jack it up, then lower the undercarriage and if there is no damage to the gear, lower the aircraft onto its own wheels. The tanker looks like its there to steady the aircraft while air bags are being inflated. The flaps are down, so naturally the air bags can't be placed right under the wing; the flaps would get damaged as they couldn't take the strain of the air bags. Flaps would probably be inspected and retracted as well, depending on their condition. The air bags would be inflated only sufficiently to enable the jacks to be installed under the wings.

 

[Airframes]

Yep, I believe you're right. The 'Matador' is taking the strain until there's enough clearance to get the screw jacks in position. As the engines/crank shafts have probably already been shock loaded, they wouldn't be that concerned about further possible damage caused by the stress of the ropes or cables. Engines and props can be replaced, the airframe is more important.

 

[GrauGeist]

A German Medic works alongside his American counterparts (seen to the far right) to assist with the treatment of wounded troops (wounded German seated) from both nations at an Aid Station in Saint-Malo, France

 

[fastmongrel]

I hope this is WWII as its a lovely photo

 

[vikingBerserker]

Very cool!

 

[Capt. Vick]

...and lovely!

 

[Wayne Little]

great shots...

 

[Wildcat]

B-25's from 18(NEI)sqn RAAF. A combined Dutch/Australian squadron that saw much action from Darwin.

 

[fastmongrel]

Static test of a Mk108 cannon firing mine shells against a Bristol Blenheim fuselage. If that had been a flying test the tail would have come off and the crew would be dead. Pity the picture is a bit poor quality I will keep looking for a better file.