[Sage]

Originally Posted by Squinky

To get to the other side.

I heard it was to prove to 'possums that it could be done.

Originally Posted by Giligan

I saw an F-4 Phantom up close today.


High point of the week. I want one of those, like, in my living room, you know? Right in front of my M-26 Pershing medium tank.

Pretty sweet aircraft, aren't they? They manage to look mean, fast, and imposing even when sitting still. If you think they're impressive on the ground, you should see/hear/feel one make a low pass over your yard at supersonic speed... a sonic boom at relatively close range is an awesome thing to experience.

Unfortunately, despite the F-4's proven durability and versatility in a wide variety of combat roles and it's relative ease of modification and upgrades, it was doomed by it's ENORMOUS radar and infrared signatures. The more-or-less vertical sides of the fuselage reflect radar very well, and the flat airflow splitters ahead of each engine's air intake reflect radar waves like mirrors.

[UPtimist]

Oh gee, fellas, you sure made a lot of posts while I was gone!

[rlpw]

The F4 is also known as the flying brick. It has been described as "You put big enough engines on it even a brick can fly like a bat out of hell"

[Giligan]

Originally Posted by rlpw

The F4 is also known as the flying brick. It has been described as "You put big enough engines on it even a brick can fly like a bat out of hell"

Originally Posted by Sage

Pretty sweet aircraft, aren't they? They manage to look mean, fast, and imposing even when sitting still. If you think they're impressive on the ground, you should see/hear/feel one make a low pass over your yard at supersonic speed... a sonic boom at relatively close range is an awesome thing to experience.

Unfortunately, despite the F-4's proven durability and versatility in a wide variety of combat roles and it's relative ease of modification and upgrades, it was doomed by it's ENORMOUS radar and infrared signatures. The more-or-less vertical sides of the fuselage reflect radar very well, and the flat airflow splitters ahead of each engine's air intake reflect radar waves like mirrors.

I actually did see an F-4 up close, at an airshow. Noisy things, even at 500 feet. Asthetically, they're the best-looking jet the U.S. has ever produced, if you ask me, although I am partial to the F-86. Some people don't like the huge fuselage and downward-pointed horizontal tail stabs, but I'm a fan.

And they're not exactly stealthy, I admit, but when you can move at 1,500mph, it's not too much of an issue, even when you've got NVA SAMs on your tail. And look at what they were replaced by: F-14s, F-15s, and F-16s. All incredibly ugly warbirds with no stealth capabilities either. Call me nostalgic, but... man.

[stepurhan]

The other guy's got coconuts.

[Trunkyo]

A banana and two coconuts.

[RLacey]

I've got a lovely bunch of coconuts.

[rlpw]

F-14's are beautiful!! The most successful swing-wing aircraft ever! Not to mention the wonderful load of Phoenix missiles that can take out another aircraft from 20 miles away!

[RLacey]

Whatever.

[Giligan]

No, really. F-14s are the ugliest airplanes Grumman ever made.

[Squinky]

Give 'em a twist, a flick of the wrist, that's what the showman said!

[Giligan]

Squinkies make me cry.

[Squinky]

lol

[rlpw]

Mmmmmm... coconuts

[Not A Speck Of Cereal]

Is that African or Eastern European coconuts?

[Squinky]

East Asian.

[UPtimist]

Are you suggesting coconuts migrate?

[Hammerite]

So you're a racist now?

[rlpw]

It is a shame all the contempt people have for migratory coconuts. they are just trying to make a living.

[stepurhan]

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies