Blackbird [56k Warning]

**MIG-31** · Sep 14, 2008, 08:33 AM

Jeff will know these pics..At the time these was taken (around 5 year ago) was with an extremely budget 2.1mb Digicam.Hence the quality is not to good.With the exception of the third pic

Falstaff · Sep 14, 2008, 09:37 AM

oh yeah, and she hasnt changed that much but I can see where the rivets and skin has been sealed in some places. but that is her.

Nicotchtch · Sep 14, 2008, 07:31 PM

Last is really impressive.

**MIG-31** · Sep 14, 2008, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nicotchtch

Last is really impressive.

The third pic is the most impressive. And thankyou for that..

This pic in question was not taken by myself,It was by my brother in law who is a big aviation fan.

thats me highlited by the red arrow.(My Old Man is next to me in the blue coat)

Falstaff · Sep 14, 2008, 10:03 PM

I often wonder, with all the titanium and magnesium and composite metals, just how much the salvage would be on this particuler airplane, then it dawned on me, this is one of the very few hypersonic aircraft on the planet.
very sobering to know, that the knife edge of the wing or afterburner cans and petals once glowed hot with air friction as this plane literally carved the sky like warm butter on a piece of bread.
very sobering indeed.

Nicotchtch · Sep 15, 2008, 08:52 PM

Yes, this is a unique aircraft which had (and has still today) unmatched performances.
Lockheed has made a plane very ahead to his time but also very very expensive to use and replaced by satellites.

Falstaff · Sep 15, 2008, 09:34 PM

the tactical mission was never replaced by orbiting satellites. In fact, with the threat of global nuclear war subdued, there are more facets to missions these aircraft can perform. Its just the special fuels that make it less desirable to operate routinely, and think of the maintenance costs?
whew...

Sep 14, 2008, 08:33 AM	#1
MIG-31 HardwareHeaven News Mod Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Nottingham,UK Posts: 56,821 Rep Power: 471 System Specs	Blackbird [56k Warning] Jeff will know these pics..At the time these was taken (around 5 year ago) was with an extremely budget 2.1mb Digicam.Hence the quality is not to good.With the exception of the third pic __________________ Please Post Your News Submissions Here

Sep 14, 2008, 09:37 AM	#2
Falstaff Old Codger Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: USAFA Posts: 19,048 Rep Power: 207	oh yeah, and she hasnt changed that much but I can see where the rivets and skin has been sealed in some places. but that is her. __________________ "Inspiration is always a surprising visitor."

Sep 14, 2008, 10:03 PM	#5
Falstaff Old Codger Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: USAFA Posts: 19,048 Rep Power: 207	I often wonder, with all the titanium and magnesium and composite metals, just how much the salvage would be on this particuler airplane, then it dawned on me, this is one of the very few hypersonic aircraft on the planet. very sobering to know, that the knife edge of the wing or afterburner cans and petals once glowed hot with air friction as this plane literally carved the sky like warm butter on a piece of bread. very sobering indeed. __________________ "Inspiration is always a surprising visitor."

Sep 15, 2008, 09:34 PM	#7
Falstaff Old Codger Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: USAFA Posts: 19,048 Rep Power: 207	the tactical mission was never replaced by orbiting satellites. In fact, with the threat of global nuclear war subdued, there are more facets to missions these aircraft can perform. Its just the special fuels that make it less desirable to operate routinely, and think of the maintenance costs? whew... __________________ "Inspiration is always a surprising visitor."

Sep 14, 2008, 07:31 PM	#3
Nicotchtch DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: France Posts: 23 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	Last is really impressive.

Sep 15, 2008, 08:52 PM	#6
Nicotchtch DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: France Posts: 23 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	Yes, this is a unique aircraft which had (and has still today) unmatched performances. Lockheed has made a plane very ahead to his time but also very very expensive to use and replaced by satellites.