More renderings available at the official 737 MAX site.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Meet MAX
Yep, it's official - the new 737s will be known as the Boeing 737 MAX 7, 737 MAX 8, and 737 MAX 9.
More renderings available at the official 737 MAX site.
More renderings available at the official 737 MAX site.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
PZL M-15 Belphegor
The old-school Lockheed engineers designed and built the SR-71 using slide rules. They were second only to the Belphegor engineers, who used witchcraft and dark forces.
The Belphegor has long been my favorite aircraft. It kills me that there are none in the US, and it kills me that not a single one is flying. It is beyond any common logic how one could opt to restore, fly, and maintain something as trite and mundane as a T-6, T-33, or L-29 when cold-war-era jet-powered Polish biplane crop dusters are there for the taking in eastern Europe and Russia.
Were I to win the lottery, I would acquire and restore one to be used as an Oshkosh partymobile. I would install amphibious floats to further enhance it's massive ramp presence and to enable operation from lakes that would otherwise remain tranquil and serene. The chemical hoppers would be converted into refrigerated beer storage tanks for the aforementioned Oshkosh trips. Skis would be installed for the annual Skiplane Fly-in and Chili Dump up at Pioneer Field:
Although the temptation to paint it an ominous matte black with mysterious red symbols would be nearly irresistible, I would likely paint it in accurate original colors:
Alas, I do not possess the necessary funding to transform such dreams into reality. Instead, my current budget can only sustain the acquisition of an authentic flight manual and control yoke. If anyone can track these items down or acquire them for me, I will gladly pay a fair price. Just contact me at the above link.
The Belphegor has long been my favorite aircraft. It kills me that there are none in the US, and it kills me that not a single one is flying. It is beyond any common logic how one could opt to restore, fly, and maintain something as trite and mundane as a T-6, T-33, or L-29 when cold-war-era jet-powered Polish biplane crop dusters are there for the taking in eastern Europe and Russia.
Were I to win the lottery, I would acquire and restore one to be used as an Oshkosh partymobile. I would install amphibious floats to further enhance it's massive ramp presence and to enable operation from lakes that would otherwise remain tranquil and serene. The chemical hoppers would be converted into refrigerated beer storage tanks for the aforementioned Oshkosh trips. Skis would be installed for the annual Skiplane Fly-in and Chili Dump up at Pioneer Field:
Although the temptation to paint it an ominous matte black with mysterious red symbols would be nearly irresistible, I would likely paint it in accurate original colors:
Alas, I do not possess the necessary funding to transform such dreams into reality. Instead, my current budget can only sustain the acquisition of an authentic flight manual and control yoke. If anyone can track these items down or acquire them for me, I will gladly pay a fair price. Just contact me at the above link.
Monday, August 1, 2011
Vintage Bellanca Crashes in Stoughton, WI
A Bellanca 14-13 Cruisair Senior has crashed in Stoughton, WI. The classic aircraft, manufactured in 1946, had been on display in Oshkosh for the 2011 Airventure fly-in:
The aircraft is registered to Richard Cross of Brewster, Minnesota. WKOW of Madison reported that a father and son from Minnesota were on board. The father was reportedly taken to UW hospital via ambulance, and the son was taken via Medflight.
Here is a photo of the aircraft (N74260) as it appeared last Friday at Oshkosh:
Here's hoping father and son make a full recovery soon. And here's hoping the media keep in mind that for every general aviation accident, there are tens of thousands of automobile accidents.
Here is a photo of the aircraft (N74260) as it appeared last Friday at Oshkosh:
Here's hoping father and son make a full recovery soon. And here's hoping the media keep in mind that for every general aviation accident, there are tens of thousands of automobile accidents.