Flyover

[sailor55330]

A7-

I have a sort of related, but off the wall question. As our resident military aircraft guru, tell me if this sounds absolutely nuts. About 8-9 years ago, I was waiting for takeoff at the Minneapolis airport where there is a reserve airlift wing that is comprised of mostly C-130's. Off near the end of their tarmac I swear I saw an SR71 Blackbird parked. It wasn't there the next day when I flew home. Everyone tells me I'm nuts but they are a very distinct looking aircraft and probably my all time favorite (as an amateur military aircraft buff) I know the plane has long since been retired, but do you think it's possible that there actually was one still flying and stopped there overnight for whatever reason or did I lose touch with my sanity for a few minutes. Why I didn't think to snap a pic I'll never know--probably cause I was in shock. Crazy question I know...

[Big Block Power]

A quick read sailor. I am huge fan of that jet also!
https://www.quora.com/Is-it-possible-th ... in-service

[sailor55330]

It's a good read BBP....and I know they aren't operational...was thinking more like being transported to storage/disposal/museum. Still makes no sense as to why MSP. It must have been an early morning mirage. Then again, the U2 has been obsolete for years and yet Mythbusters flew in one in on the show, so who knows.

[AsLan7]

A7-

I have a sort of related, but off the wall question. As our resident military aircraft guru, tell me if this sounds absolutely nuts. About 8-9 years ago, I was waiting for takeoff at the Minneapolis airport where there is a reserve airlift wing that is comprised of mostly C-130's. Off near the end of their tarmac I swear I saw an SR71 Blackbird parked. It wasn't there the next day when I flew home. Everyone tells me I'm nuts but they are a very distinct looking aircraft and probably my all time favorite (as an amateur military aircraft buff) I know the plane has long since been retired, but do you think it's possible that there actually was one still flying and stopped there overnight for whatever reason or did I lose touch with my sanity for a few minutes. Why I didn't think to snap a pic I'll never know--probably cause I was in shock. Crazy question I know...

.
You’re not imagining it Sailor. A couple of SR’s came out of retirement for a short time period. I know there was one used as a static display at Castle AFB in Merced CA when you drove through the gate. That particular one was recommissioned for a short while.

That airplane burns special fuel and only certain tankers can refuel it. Of the 500 KC-135’s in the fleet, only a very small minority had the capability to separate JetA/JP4 from the SR’s JP7 requirement (JP=Jet propellant). The KC-135 T was that model—which we fly in Pittsburgh.


..

[Big Block Power]

Right cool stuff. A7 is their one in Tucsan AZ at the museum?

[liquid]

The Ol' Flying Fortress.

For you B-17 fans - my grandfather flew them in WWII. His stories of that time and that particular aircraft are WILD.

He was shot down behind enemy lines and crawled back for example. The attached is a movie about the boys that flew them and the missions.

That's my grandfather on the cover.

Synopsis:

The 447th Bombardment Group flew 258 combat missions in the skies over Europe during World War II. Their history is representative of the 350,000 men who flew in the 8th Air Force. The film begins with a group of 447th veterans recounting their most memorable missions and life at their base in Rattlesden, England. After their stories are told, first time director Julie Gerisch encourages the men to look deeper into their souls - past the missions - and into the emotions that have remained inside them for over sixty years. The veterans wander back into the fog of war exploring the physical and emotional cost of combat. The relive the joy of V-E Day and reveal the pain of coming home with ghosts that continue to haunt them. The men celebrate their brotherhood and discuss the positive ways in which their military experience impacted them and shaped their lives. Their inspirational stories paint a portrait of courage beyond history, adding a new dimension to our understanding of their wartime experience and insight into the sometimes lonely hearts of heroes.

[AsLan7]

Very cool Liquid.
Like the title, this statement says it all....” Their inspirational stories paint a portrait of courage beyond history,”

.

[liquid]

Very cool Liquid.
Like the title, this statement says it all....” Their inspirational stories paint a portrait of courage beyond history,”

.

You got it.

[Big Block Power]

That's incredible liquid!! Thanks

[Ytmsn]

Wowwowwow. Thanks for sharing Liquid!

[Alaskabound]

Neat stuff guys. Thanks for sharing.

Dub

[Ytmsn]

The Ol' Flying Fortress.

For you B-17 fans - my grandfather flew them in WWII. His stories of that time and that particular aircraft are WILD.

He was shot down behind enemy lines and crawled back for example. The attached is a movie about the boys that flew them and the missions.

That's my grandfather on the cover.

Synopsis:

The 447th Bombardment Group flew 258 combat missions in the skies over Europe during World War II. Their history is representative of the 350,000 men who flew in the 8th Air Force. The film begins with a group of 447th veterans recounting their most memorable missions and life at their base in Rattlesden, England. After their stories are told, first time director Julie Gerisch encourages the men to look deeper into their souls - past the missions - and into the emotions that have remained inside them for over sixty years. The veterans wander back into the fog of war exploring the physical and emotional cost of combat. The relive the joy of V-E Day and reveal the pain of coming home with ghosts that continue to haunt them. The men celebrate their brotherhood and discuss the positive ways in which their military experience impacted them and shaped their lives. Their inspirational stories paint a portrait of courage beyond history, adding a new dimension to our understanding of their wartime experience and insight into the sometimes lonely hearts of heroes.

Liquid that could easily be your face! You and Grandpa look a lot alike.

[liquid]

The Ol' Flying Fortress.

For you B-17 fans - my grandfather flew them in WWII. His stories of that time and that particular aircraft are WILD.

He was shot down behind enemy lines and crawled back for example. The attached is a movie about the boys that flew them and the missions.

That's my grandfather on the cover.

Synopsis:

The 447th Bombardment Group flew 258 combat missions in the skies over Europe during World War II. Their history is representative of the 350,000 men who flew in the 8th Air Force. The film begins with a group of 447th veterans recounting their most memorable missions and life at their base in Rattlesden, England. After their stories are told, first time director Julie Gerisch encourages the men to look deeper into their souls - past the missions - and into the emotions that have remained inside them for over sixty years. The veterans wander back into the fog of war exploring the physical and emotional cost of combat. The relive the joy of V-E Day and reveal the pain of coming home with ghosts that continue to haunt them. The men celebrate their brotherhood and discuss the positive ways in which their military experience impacted them and shaped their lives. Their inspirational stories paint a portrait of courage beyond history, adding a new dimension to our understanding of their wartime experience and insight into the sometimes lonely hearts of heroes.

Liquid that could easily be your face! You and Grandpa look a lot alike.

That's high praise. He was a pretty exceptional man. Miss him very much.

[Big Block Power]

The Ol' Flying Fortress.

For you B-17 fans - my grandfather flew them in WWII. His stories of that time and that particular aircraft are WILD.

He was shot down behind enemy lines and crawled back for example. The attached is a movie about the boys that flew them and the missions.

That's my grandfather on the cover.

Synopsis:

The 447th Bombardment Group flew 258 combat missions in the skies over Europe during World War II. Their history is representative of the 350,000 men who flew in the 8th Air Force. The film begins with a group of 447th veterans recounting their most memorable missions and life at their base in Rattlesden, England. After their stories are told, first time director Julie Gerisch encourages the men to look deeper into their souls - past the missions - and into the emotions that have remained inside them for over sixty years. The veterans wander back into the fog of war exploring the physical and emotional cost of combat. The relive the joy of V-E Day and reveal the pain of coming home with ghosts that continue to haunt them. The men celebrate their brotherhood and discuss the positive ways in which their military experience impacted them and shaped their lives. Their inspirational stories paint a portrait of courage beyond history, adding a new dimension to our understanding of their wartime experience and insight into the sometimes lonely hearts of heroes.

Liquid that could easily be your face! You and Grandpa look a lot alike.

I thought the same thing I just didn't want to post that. Great story liquid.

[liquid]

The Ol' Flying Fortress.

For you B-17 fans - my grandfather flew them in WWII. His stories of that time and that particular aircraft are WILD.

He was shot down behind enemy lines and crawled back for example. The attached is a movie about the boys that flew them and the missions.

That's my grandfather on the cover.

Synopsis:

The 447th Bombardment Group flew 258 combat missions in the skies over Europe during World War II. Their history is representative of the 350,000 men who flew in the 8th Air Force. The film begins with a group of 447th veterans recounting their most memorable missions and life at their base in Rattlesden, England. After their stories are told, first time director Julie Gerisch encourages the men to look deeper into their souls - past the missions - and into the emotions that have remained inside them for over sixty years. The veterans wander back into the fog of war exploring the physical and emotional cost of combat. The relive the joy of V-E Day and reveal the pain of coming home with ghosts that continue to haunt them. The men celebrate their brotherhood and discuss the positive ways in which their military experience impacted them and shaped their lives. Their inspirational stories paint a portrait of courage beyond history, adding a new dimension to our understanding of their wartime experience and insight into the sometimes lonely hearts of heroes.

Liquid that could easily be your face! You and Grandpa look a lot alike.

I thought the same thing I just didn't want to post that. Great story liquid.

Thanks guys.