Pictures requested by popular demand of planes in Groom and the NTS

reply to post by tracher999


Yes I got a lot more. I've been moving from an apartment to a house so it's been pretty hectic. But I'll get to scanning again eventually...

Excellent thread boomer. Those pictures are incredible. what a cool job!

yeah idd verry cool job

Booking my seat, thank you for posting OP.
2nd


Posted Via ATS Mobile: m.abovetopsecret.com

Very interesting thread and some really cool pics, thanks for starting it. Look forward to more!!

reply to post by jimbib


I know it's been months and all but you are correct. It is the Rivet Joint, not the JSTARS.

I finally got everything all moved into my house so I'll be firing up the scanner soon in the next couple days to get some more pics posted. I think it's about time....

reply to post by boomer135


Excellent to hear, very much looking forward to your next batch of pictures!

Ok I've been slacking a$$ recently on scanning pictures but a buddy of mine from edwards just told me that "something" is about to be released publically that I "may" have a picture of. I won't post it until I see it on the internet somewhere but it'll tickle your fancy a touch. I have scanned some more pics just need to upload them to the net in the next couple days. stay tuned...

reply to post by boomer135


Boomer135, when were the F-117 shots taken? No need for exact dates just general time period! Thanks man!

reply to post by crimsonskies


Let me get home and take a look at the dates on the back of the pics. If I had to guess now and your talking about the grey ones, it would be from 03-05. But that's just a guess

reply to post by crimsonskies


looks like i got it developed in march 2004 so I would say early 2004 for the grey f-117

remember ... no one kicks ass without tanker gas

reply to post by misterbenjaminallannewman



NKAWTG.....N!!!!

reply to post by boomer135


Pages 28 and 29 of "I Could Tell You But Then You Would Have To Be Destroyed By Me." From observation of the range, the tanker in question uses callsign Sierra99 and is from Travis. It flies to the Nellis range in the evening hours. There is a Sierra98 whose function hasn't been figured out yet.

Trevor has more patches for what I assume is for a 2nd edition of the book.

reply to post by gariac


You talking about the little spy dude holding the boom in his hand?

Originally posted by gariac
reply to post by boomer135

 

Pages 28 and 29 of "I Could Tell You But Then You Would Have To Be Destroyed By Me." From observation of the range, the tanker in question uses callsign Sierra99 and is from Travis. It flies to the Nellis range in the evening hours. There is a Sierra98 whose function hasn't been figured out yet.

Trevor has more patches for what I assume is for a 2nd edition of the book.

I'll tell you this...Sierra 99 does fly secret missions in the NTS. But they don't do have the support that the KC-135's do flying out of Edwards to the NTS. Just remember, if a new plane like the F-35 is being refueled by a KC-10, it has already been approved for a/r with a KC-135. They won't let the computerized fly-by-wire boom of a KC-10 test a new planes air refueling systems without using the manual boom of the KC-135 first.

reply to post by boomer135


Can't wait to find out what it is.

The suspense is killing us.

reply to post by boomer135


I see Sierra99 has been
79-1951
87-0119
87-0117
87-0123
86-0034
84-0185
86-0029

All KC-10 type. There are no manual controls on the KC-10 boom?

reply to post by boomer135


That is the badge. It would look like a stick in his hands if it wasn't for the "wings" on it.

reply to post by gariac


The boom itself is fly-by-wire. Its all computerized. Just like on the new tanker. When you move the joy stick, the computer moves the boom. On a KC-135, it's all hydraulic and mechanic. When you move the joy stick, you can actually "feel" the inputs on the boom. It's like flying an old school airplane that's not fly-by-wire. Imagine now, the new tanker isn't going to have a boom pod in the back of the jet, but instead using 3D screens from the cockpit to run the boom. That's a scary thought and it was fought tooth and nail from every boom operator in the Air Force. But the generals will get what they want I guess.

I read recently that the KC-10 is actually having problems with broken booms because of the computer. I'll have to dig out the website. You don't get that with a -135. So when a new aircraft is being tested, do you want a test flight boom refueling with a boom that he can control without the aide of computers or a boom that can go haywire and knock the canopy off the receiver aircraft?