Pictures of Cold War aircraft.

[Donivanp]

View attachment 813283

F-111 test radar/nose on the B-58

 

[GTX]

F-111 test radar/nose on the B-58

Not quite:

Snoopy

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www.check-six.com

 

[MIflyer]

The basic fuselage had to be redesigned for the Spey.

Yes, exactly. Just as if you tried to stuff a TF-33 into a J-57 cowl by adding on scoops and bulges. It seems that the Spey's history outside of British designed aircraft was less than stellar. The A-7D had a Spey and the USAF got so disgusted with it they got rid of it a whole lot earlier than the USN. Based on what I saw and heard at the depot it appears AFLC tried to dismantle a custom-assembled engine that used match drilled components, and then put it back together as if it did not matter which part went with which engine. Add in the depot maintenance guys doing things like substituting grease for a very large O-ring they had trouble getting in the groove and you have the biggest time bomb engine since the Jumo 004.

 

[Gnomey]

Good shots!

 

[Snowman]

The source: smithsonianmag.com

 

[Snowman]

The source: smithsonianmag.com

 

[Snowman]

VC-137A-BN (58-6970).
Three commercial 707-153 bought by USAF as VIP transports. When the President was aboard, it was designated as Air Force One. All later converted to VC-137B with JT3D-3 turbofans. In June 1996, 58-6970 was transferred to the Boeing Museum of Flight, Seattle, Washington.

The source: Boeing, Joebaugher.com, the Internet.

 

[GTX]

 

[SaparotRob]

View attachment 813502

Ooooooooh that's nice.

 

[Vic Balshaw]

View attachment 813502

I believe this Lightning now resides at Bruntingthorpe with her sister XR728. Fully functioning (so to speak) but nowhere to go.

 

[SaparotRob]

And not enough gas to get there.

 

[GreenKnight121]

Yes, exactly. Just as if you tried to stuff a TF-33 into a J-57 cowl by adding on scoops and bulges. It seems that the Spey's history outside of British designed aircraft was less than stellar. The A-7D had a Spey and the USAF got so disgusted with it they got rid of it a whole lot earlier than the USN. Based on what I saw and heard at the depot it appears AFLC tried to dismantle a custom-assembled engine that used match drilled components, and then put it back together as if it did not matter which part went with which engine. Add in the depot maintenance guys doing things like substituting grease for a very large O-ring they had trouble getting in the groove and you have the biggest time bomb engine since the Jumo 004.

And the reason the USN kept their A-7Es with the TF41 (improved Spey) in service so long is that the USN maintainers actually followed the maintenance manuals and did things the way they were supposed to be done - unlike the USAF depot maintenance morons.

And the TF41 was built by Allison (joint development with RR) in the US to US manufacturing methods & specs - who knows what the AFLC people's problem actually was.

 

[GreenKnight121]

View attachment 813262
The source: the Internet.

A U.S. Navy North American FJ-4B Fury (BuNo 143548) from Attack Squadron VA-144 Roadrunners taking off from the aircraft carrier USS Ranger (CVA-61) off Japan on 6 July 1959. VA-144 was assigned to Carrier Air Group 14 (CVG-14) aboard the Ranger for a deployment to the Western Pacific from 3 January to 27 July 1959. In the background steams USS Shangri-La (CVA-38), which was deployed with CVG-11 to the Western Pacific from 9 March to 3 October 1959.

The FJ-4B was a dedicated ground-attack version of the FJ-4 Fury, with extra underwing ordnance pylons and could have its radar-ranging gunsite replaced with the LABS (low altitude bombing system) at the squadron level, depending on the mission. It was equipped to carry nuclear weapons.

 

[GreenKnight121]

F-111 test radar/nose on the B-58

No, not F-111 radar - the Hughes AN/ASG-18 radar intended for the F-108 and later for the YF-12A.
You can tell by the IRST sensor on the side of the radome - the F-111 was not planned for an IRST.

On October 17, 1958, Convair received a contract from Hughes and the USAF to manufacture two special pods for GAR-9 (redesignated AIM-47 in 1962) and to modify one B-58 for AN/ASG-18 testbed work. B-58A #55-0665 was selected for the modifications.

The Hughes AN/ASG-18 Fire Control System was a prototype airborne fire control radar system for the planned North American XF-108 Rapier interceptor aircraft, and the Lockheed YF-12 for the USAF. It was the US's first Pulse-Doppler radar, giving it look-down/shoot-down capability, and was also the first track while scan radar (could track one target at a time). This was paired with an infrared search and track (IRST) system. Range of the radar was estimated at between 200–300 mi (320–480 km), with reliable detection of bomber-sized targets at 100 miles (160 km). The installation itself was massive, weighing 2,100 pounds (950 kg), and taking up most of the nose of the aircraft. The system was to be used with the Hughes AIM-47 Falcon missile, which also had a range of about 100 miles.

While development work was done with the XF-108, the AN/ASG-18 and Falcon missiles were first tested on a highly modified Convair B-58 Hustler bomber. To fit the radar, the nose was lengthened nearly 7 feet (2.13 m), and the infrared sensors were mounted on either side of the forward fuselage. The resulting nose shape led to it being nicknamed "Snoopy". A single missile was housed in a specially built pod underneath the fuselage.

Before the test "Snoopy" could fly, the XF-108 program was cancelled, and the proposed Lockheed YF-12 interceptor was to instead receive the radar/missile system pair. Tests of the system were conducted first in 1960 and until 1963 only on the modified B-58, with the last GAR-9/AIM-47 launches from the B-58 in February 1964. After this the YF-12 took over until the cancellation of the whole program in 1966.

After the completion of the ASG-18/GAR-9 test program, the special modifications were removed from 55-0665. However, the long nose was retained. 55-0665 was eventually placed out in the open on the photo test range at Edwards AFB.