More Iconic Aircraft - Hill Air Force Base Museum Visit - lots o pics….

[civilsmoker]

Life has been crazy but had an opportunity to spend a few hours admiring of some iconic and truly special aircraft….

These first two are for BGKYSmoker

Always a classic!!

I have mentioned this before but a while back my wife and me happened to get an invite to do fuselage tour of the Enola Gay we were allowed in the bombing section and cockpit…..this aircraft brought back many of the feelings we had while inside that bird….

The mondern day versions!

Just wow….

This one was a historic little surprise…..a past Air Force One

Just cool!!!

More “hidden” oversearers……

Oh and the very last blackbird made……made from two airframes with a 2 seater cockpit from a trainer….it has a pretty cool history

Nothing better than looking up its skirt……

Just beautiful!!!!

Here is a new one…… this is my first time seeing one of these up close…..Wow!

I think this pic just speaks!!

Just a couple more very cool and historic birds that don’t get lots of exposure but they were trailblazers in speed!

These pics are just a few of the host of aircraft and history in this museum….and it’s free!

 

[SmokinEdge]

Incredible

 

[JLeonard]

Love war aircraft! And those pics are great!

Jim

 

[hoity toit]

Wow, thanks for posting this magnificent photos !!

HT

 

[Winterrider]

Never been gaga over them, but do appreciate the craftsmanship of all. They are a thing of beauty. Thanks, and great photos !
Really like the Straight Flush . . .

 

[Rafter H BBQ]

Awesome civil… thanks for the pics! Pure badass aircraft there!

 

[civilsmoker]

Incredible

Thanks and I agree!

Love war aircraft! And those pics are great!

Jim

Thanks Jim, this year has been 4 museums full of them and still not tied of seeing them!

Wow, thanks for posting this magnificent photos !!

HT

You are welcome and thanks!

Never been gaga over them, but do appreciate the craftsmanship of all. They are a thing of beauty. Thanks, and great photos !
Really like the Straight Flush . . .

As an engineer, I just marvel at both the design and craftsmanship…….here is another shot…

The wing tips are still being restored…..

Here is another history plaque…..I spent 2 months “TDY” in Wendover as an intern surveying 20 miles of I-80 for a rehab project…..

Awesome civil… thanks for the pics! Pure badass aircraft there!

Thanks Justin! Just one most that needs some love that I forgot to add……

We didn’t know at the time but my Uncle was an an “assistant” to the Strategic Air Command….he retired as a Major General…….as an “assistant”……

 

[Rafter H BBQ]

Thanks and I agree!

Thanks Jim, this year has been 4 museums full of them and still not tied of seeing them!

You are welcome and thanks!

As an engineer, I just marvel at both the design and craftsmanship…….her is another shot…
View attachment 703501
The wing tips are still being restored…..

Here is another history plaque…..I spent 2 months “TDY” in Wendover as an intern surveying 20 miles of I-80 for a rehab project…..
View attachment 703502

Thanks Justin! Just one most that needs some love that I forgot to add……
View attachment 703503View attachment 703504
We didn’t know at the time but my Uncle was an an “assistant” to the Strategic Air Command….he retired as a Major General…….as an “assistant”……

Very cool civil! Again thanks for sharing! We need to take a trip down that way and check it out!

Working as a contractor for the Navy… I have a much deeper appreciation to just how badass our technology and aircraft was back in the day… and even more so today!

Cool story on your Uncle!

 

[BGKYSmoker]

Ahhh yes the Northrop T-38. Worked on many of em.

Dragon lady and mr skunk himself with relatives 117

Cant forget about the Bone

I used to watch the f-111 fly inverted by China lake NWS
Raptors I have some stickers that the pilots gave me when they had SPADS over Savannah when my wife was ATC there.
Great pics

 

[civilsmoker]

Very cool civil! Again thanks for sharing! We need to take a trip down that way and check it out!

Working as a contractor for the Navy… I have a much deeper appreciation to just how badass our technology and aircraft was back in the day… and even more so today!

Cool story on your Uncle!

You totally should your kids would in joy it for sure! Yes my uncle with coveralls and made peach pie for family gatherings…..I didn’t ever see him in uniform till I had asked him to speak at a college event……he shows up with two armed MPs flanking him and the halls were full with service members at attention….I'm like who are you and who what have you done with the pie maker….

 

[civilsmoker]

Ahhh yes the Northrop T-38. Worked on many of em.

Dragon lady and mr skunk himself with relatives 117

Cant forget about the Bone

I used to watch the f-111 fly inverted by China lake NWS
Raptors I have some stickers that the pilots gave me when they had SPADS over Savannah when my wife was ATC there.
Great pics

Just over the top COOL BGKY! I’m awe at the work you did….just amazing!

 

[Gonna Smoke]

I wish Utah was closer, I'd love to see those planes in person. Maybe one day, thanks for sharing...

 

[crazymoon]

CS, Great pics of some iconic planes from our aviation history, thanks for posting.

 

[Steve H]

Excellent shots! Thanks for sharing!

 

[civilsmoker]

I wish Utah was closer, I'd love to see those planes in person. Maybe one day, thanks for sharing...

I live in the area and this was my first time, oh the modern stuff is all a new section that doubled the museum and number of birds and it just opened this past May! There are some really cool museums much closure to you than the Rockys

CS, Great pics of some iconic planes from our aviation history, thanks for posting.

Thanks CM and glad I could share, this is the 4th museum we have been to this year and they never get old!

Excellent shots! Thanks for sharing!

Thanks Steve and glad I could share….just history and a way to honor those that created, made, maintained, and operated the whole program.

 

[BGKYSmoker]

Just over the top COOL BGKY! I’m awe at the work you did….just amazing!

I worked with alot of fighters and bombers, and black projects. But I do have to say working on all 20 of the B2 bombers was the highlite.

I did get a recall from Northrop to come back and work the new bomber but declined as I did not want a 4 year stay in Calif.

I was the Sr crane operator, ground support for the B2. Myself and 5 others. At times it was 24/7 for crane op's as it went together good on the computer but not that good in RT. The leading and trailing edges were a PITA. When I would pick up the fwd section to move to the next jig it took 2 of us as it was a 8-10 hour move. The beaver tail (pointed section middle back) was awful to fit. I cant tell you how many windshields they cracked because they didnt tighten right and the tune of 1mill each, they would turn black in the event they were in a nuke blast.

Another in Palmdale. (thats a bird flying from tree to tree in bottom)

 

[civilsmoker]

I worked with alot of fighters and bombers, and black projects. But I do have to say working on all 20 of the B2 bombers was the highlite.

I did get a recall from Northrop to come back and work the new bomber but declined as I did not want a 4 year stay in Calif.

I was the Sr crane operator, ground support for the B2. Myself and 5 others. At times it was 24/7 for crane op's as it went together good on the computer but not that good in RT. The leading and trailing edges were a PITA. When I would pick up the fwd section to move to the next jig it took 2 of us as it was a 8-10 hour move. The beaver tail (pointed section middle back) was awful to fit. I cant tell you how many windshields they cracked because they didnt tighten right and the tune of 1mill each, they would turn black in the event they were in a nuke blast.

View attachment 703680

Another in Palmdale. (thats a bird flying from tree to tree in bottom)
View attachment 703703

Great share! The fitment of each piece is what amazes me; I mean these aren't like a 1/4" bolt off the shelf but all custom and all has to be just right as you know! A close friend worked for Boeing on the 777 line, he did wing painting (planning and scheduling) and later the seat track assembly scheduling and QA. He talked about how much planning it would take to move a wing from the jig to the paint room and then back to the body jig. He took me on a "tour" one night and talk about an experience! I can say I have been inside a wing fuel tank of a 747..... The 777 was all jigged assembled and then we walked around the 747 which was all scaffolded build..... I still remember being up outside his office looking "down" on 10 - 747s below us looking rather small compared to the scale of the building around them....

He said the 777 was all 3d virtual world designed and assembled instructions, but he said the engineers were always in the virtual model re-writing things because the real world of things.

I can also relate to not wanting to be in Cali for another 4 years! I appreciate your skill, knowledge, and information you have! Thaks for sharing!!!!

 

[BGKYSmoker]

Great share! The fitment of each piece is what amazes me; I mean these aren't like a 1/4" bolt off the shelf but all custom and all has to be just right as you know! A close friend worked for Boeing on the 777 line, he did wing painting (planning and scheduling) and later the seat track assembly scheduling and QA. He talked about how much planning it would take to move a wing from the jig to the paint room and then back to the body jig. He took me on a "tour" one night and talk about an experience! I can say I have been inside a wing fuel tank of a 747..... The 777 was all jigged assembled and then we walked around the 747 which was all scaffolded build..... I still remember being up outside his office looking "down" on 10 - 747s below us looking rather small compared to the scale of the building around them....

He said the 777 was all 3d virtual world designed and assembled instructions, but he said the engineers were always in the virtual model re-writing things because the real world of things.

I can also relate to not wanting to be in Cali for another 4 years! I appreciate your skill, knowledge, and information you have! Thaks for sharing!!!!

Thats all cool to see. Dont drop anything inside the fuel tank....yikes

 

[civilsmoker]

Thats all cool to see. Dont drop anything inside the fuel tank....yikes

....Oh yikes yes..... in disclosure the "tank" view was pre-final fitment and cleaning/sealing testing process. My buddy noted what they had to do to "certify" a tank clean and ready to go. He being on the QA side was all in on the processes with all of them being pretty intense! He showed me the logs he created to check off the install, QC, and QA process for each screw or rivet or part in the seat tracts, Boeing had their process and then the purchaser had their own QC/QA process that double on top, he had to schedule, track, and verify all were done before it could move off the jig.

 

[912smoker]

Those are some very cool birds and thanks for the ride along!
Qe have the Mighty 8th museum nearby and I've got to take the grands to see them.

Keith