J-Luis

Gentlemen, I have to share this... about 10 images or so ago, VFR800 posted a picture of twin-exhaust flames shooting out of a jet I could not identify. The vertical stabilizer was visible and that's like a fingerprint. I initially thought it was an F-16 Falcon, but it didn't match up. So I checked the Eurofighter Typhoon and the Dassault Rafale and even the Su-25 Frogfoot. Again, no match! Then it got worse. I zoomed in on the image and saw a warning that read, "DANGER, Arrestor Hook." What?!?!? A carrier aircraft?!?!? What could it be?!?!? After much web surfing it turned out to be a Panavia Tornado. I tried to find an image of a Tornado landing on a carrier, but no luck. A few forums I stumbled across state the hook is used in case emergencies to stop the jet. I must say, this experience a lot of fun.

Spectacular! internet search reveals SBD-5 Dauntless over USS Washington (BB-56) and USS Lexington (CV-16) on the way to the Gilbert Islands, 11-12-43. Also stumbled across USS Kidd (DD-661) Museum has been upgraded (turrets now move plus more repairs) for the filming of the movie "Greyhound" starring Tom Hanks.

Ah, the rare and elusive Sea Viper at rest...

Can someone identify the color picture of that US Navy seaplane about 20 pictures ago... posted by Jesse C? It's a blue seaplane flying over the ocean with a gunner standing in front. Thanks! I just found out the blue USN seaplane is a Hall PF-1.

That image of the Vickers Wellington bombers in their infancy is AMAZING!!!

When I saw the British jet in image 5032 I figured... this is the cockpit of a B-58 Hustler glued onto SR-71 Blackbird engines and stapled to an F-104 Starfighter tail. The boys at the boneyard must have had some spare time to build that plane from discarded parts. But after a little internet surfing, I discovered it's a Bristol 188 VF923, a prototype from 1962! Then the wacky jet in image 5033 pops up. I cannot fathom what it could be. It looks like it has a glass cockpit! Time to research some more. Ratsun Rocks!

OMG! An Oscar that looks fresh off the Tokyo assembly line! How awesome! Maybe Paul Allen or somebody has it in a museum today.

Pretty cool airship in Post 4969, the USS Shenandoah (ZR-1). I had no idea they were used by the US Navy in the 30's. I will no longer call them blimps. I guess the series of wrecks discouraged continued use. Still, what an impressive view that must have been, especially when air travel was so new to the world.

Unless I am mistaken, post #4922 is a PWS-26 Polish trainer. It looks like the invaders stripped the emblems off the wings to avoid friendly-fire raining down upon them. And post #4934 is a COLOR picture of a Ju 86. COLOR!!! I stumbled upon Ratsun about two years ago and have been enjoying it ever since. I love the rare planes that pop up on a routine basis, and I love the challenge of trying to figure out what they are.

The white plane with number 277 and without wings in post #4901... is that a P2Y Neptune?