Airline Pilot's Historical Society

and now...

STRANGE THINGS, INTERESTING THINGS

Even though I flew for an airline which was Lockheed free, I've always had a soft spot in my heart for the Connie, especially the Super G.
I think most older airline pilots feel that way as well. There is just something about it, especially in TWA colors, that gives me goosebumps to this day.
Maybe it is because I grew up hanging on the fence at Midway watching those big tubs come and go.
Maybe it's because I had a chance to hear in person, what my sons will likely never hear...four turbo compounds pounding down 31L.
Not a sound in the world like it.
-Nick

connie
Now THAT'S a cockpit! (Personal project of our friend, Antti Hyvarinen)

Some pictures need no caption.

$50 in-house coupon to the first person to tell us what aircraft this is from.

We thought we knew, but we don't.
Hint: Twin engine, propeller, large, likely a turbo-prop.
It is an overhead panel as you can see.

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Name this and win $50 cash!!

(Requires some form of valid identification.)

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We got this wheel from our good friend Chad Le Beau at Aviation Artifacts.
It was ratty and nasty with all sorts of added wiring and switches which were too messed up to save.
We naturally assumed it was a prototype wheel used in aircraft testing. The result is what you see...not changed, just cleaned up.
It definitely is a DC-8/9 wheel, chopped up and made to accept all of the test gear that was at one time attached.
The wheel is not homemade, it has been professionally fabricated to serve a purpose.
Someone out there will hopefully recognize it from an early Douglas project.

WINNER!!!

Marc Rotterdam, our good customer in Germany sent us this video from the rollout flight of DC-9 #1, N9DC.
It shows clearly the captain's wheel is the one we now have on display.
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DC-9 Prototype Video

Name this and win $50 cash!!

(Requires some form of valid identification.)

OK, WE GIVE UP!!
Maybe you can identify this thing.
We haven't too much of a clue except that it is obviously some kind of LOCKHEED prototype wheel.
It is professionally cast, splined, and appears to be closely related to all other Lockheeds of the last 50 years.
However; it is not a finished product. The trim roller is a dummy, the side gizmos are chintzy and there is no means to add wiring.
Identify it and we'll send you the dough.
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ODD PHOTOS

  • sign
    • In my 53 years of flying, 31 with UAL, the 2nd most amazing thing to date...
    I discovered this sign many years ago on back of the Captain's and First Officer's seats in the 727.

  • Doh!
    • Well, on the bright side, at least they're not landing.

  • Doh!
    • Uhhh...we're gonna need another rescue plane.

  • !!
    • "Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking.
    On your left you have a great view of downtown Goatcheese, Oklahoma; made possible by our new, see-through engine cowling."

  • !!
    • Logbook writeup: Aircraft requires excessive thrust to taxi.

  • !!
    • Logbook writeup: Loud whistling noise from passenger cabin. Suspect pressure leak.

  • !!
    • US Airways announces new cutbacks. "No" man crew, reduced maintenance costs..." .

  • !!
    • "...Ok, hold it right there, back on the throttles, now ease back on it til you feel the wheels touch the runway."

  • !!
    • "Ladies and gentlemen, if you look off our right side, you'll see your life passing before your eyes."

  • crab1crab2crab3
    • " ...Now let's see, was that left crosswind, right aileron, left rudder, or right rudder, left aileron?
    Or maybe it was right crosswind, left rudder and left aileron...crew meals are here, let's eat!!"

  • whoawhoawhoa
    • Pictured, a retired 747 being delivered to a museum in South Africa. Bear in mind that the Skypark's runway measures 50 feet wide by 3400 feet long.
    Friday morning March 5th 2004, the retired South African Airways Boeing 747-244, ZS-SAN, "Lebombo" touched down at Rand Airport, Germiston, just outside Johannesburg.
    Landing on Rwy 11, which is 49.3 feet wide, the jumbo was stopped at the intersection of Rand's cross runway, which is around 2800 feet from the Rwy 11 threshold.

  • !!
    • Okay, let's give the refueler the benefit of the doubt. Maybe he thought this B-1 could only take fuel through its boom.

  • !!
    • The school couldn't figure out why this nifty new sign wasn't drumming up more business.

  • !!
    • "On the next episode of MONSTER GARAGE...An overeager cop straps an F-15 to his roof!!"

  • !!
    • HOLY CRAP!!! Are we the only ones wondering if that guy is wearing pants? Oh, and that plane is kinda low too.

  • !!
    • It's take your kid to work day!! Yipeee!!

    "Welcome aboard our new AIRBUS 380, non-stop service to Hong Kong.
    As you have heard in the news, we offer un-surpassed first class seating, with full sleeper seats...
    yawn

    We also will be preparing your meals to order in first class...
    yum

    Please understand that since 9-11, we can no longer provide bathroom walls, in the name of national security...
    ugh

    Finally, as you board, those of you in coach will see nothing has changed...
    wow

  • !!
    • "Aren't you supposed to buy me dinner first?"

  • !!
    • FedEx DC-10's are now wheel chair accessible.

  • !!
    • "With the launch of the BLOWSUCK 4000, the ETOPS limits will be extended from 180 minutes, to 300 minutes.
    Logic being that with only one engine, the odds of losing an engine has been cut in half..."

  • !!
    • "The U.S. is tired of being seen as insensitive.
    As of this date, all strategic bombers are being equipped to deliver nuclear payloads with more of a "warm fuzzy" feeling than in the past.
    Also, angora just looks nice."

  • !!
    • "...and after losing both engines, this United 757 was brought safely back to earth. Thank you Lufthansa."

  • !!
    • "Airbus Industries is pleased to announce the completion of the first test flight of their prototype, all composite aircraft."

  • !!
    • "Emerging from chapter 11, United Airlines takes delivery of the new Airbus A-317, as a move to keep operating costs in line.
    No tail to fall off and pre-delaminated."

  • !!
    • This is an actual crack that was found in the window frame on a 737 and could have caused a major in-flight problem!

  • !!
    • Flash -- AIRBUS A380 redesigned to meet current delivery schedule!

  • !!
    • "If you can see the runway, you can make the landing" (old rule of thumb)

  • !!
    • "Delta 429, ATLANTA GROUND. Taxi Runway 27-Left, expect no departure delay..."

  • !!
    • "...if we fly with my head like this, I think we can get one more manual on the glare shield. Oh, and by the way, I think our number 6 engine quit."

  • !!
    • "Hey Gjorki, tell me when you see the runway!!!"
    (Aeroflot heads up display)

  • !!
    • "Boeing has announced completion of final wiring on the 787 Dreamliner.
    Increased fuel efficiency will be obtained by converting systems previously powered
    by hydraulics and pneumatics to electrical. It is obvious (see photo)
    that added cost savings will be derived from system simplicity.
    The 23-month delay in construction has obviously been worth the wait.
    (Note: Deliveries will commence once they figure out why it catches fire.)
    (Suggestion: Check the wiring.)

  • !!
    • "Welcome to Dubai.
    To save you the hassle of customs, we have parked the aircraft closer to where your cars are parked.
    We have also provided a special 'disembarking' ladder for your convenience...caution, slippery when wet."

  • !!
    • "Mr. Shatner, there is nothing wrong with the wing, now go back to your seat and calm down."

  • !!
    • Gary Austin's "Stratolina"...half PBY CATALINA, half STRATOCRUISER

  • !!
    • Airbus A-380 makes yet another emergency landing after losing 9 of its 12 engines.
    No injuries were reported among the 9600 passengers on board.

  • !!
    • Southwest Airlines now offers, for an added fee, their answer to "Economy Plus".
    Not more legroom, MUCH more HEADROOM".

  • !!
    • The merger of United and Continental airlines has been finalized.
    By mutual agreement, the two carriers have decided to do away with all of the best parts of both airlines.
    What remains will save the "New United" millions.
    Once it has no more passengers to carry, the last major annoyance will have been eliminated.

    UNIQUE VIDEOS & SOUND CLIPS, ETC...

  • OUCH!!
    • This takes a little while to load.
  • JUST A LITTLE ROUGH!!
  • "...Chopper to boat, "Okay, I'll land in the water, then you pull me to shore".
  • Crap, I forgot my wallet!
  • "UPS will deliver to your door, no matter what!"
  • "Heat seeking pidgeon scores first kill!" (now really, could a sidewinder have done any better?)
  • The next time someone tells you that pilots are overpaid, show them this video...
    • !!
  • VERY cool Armed Forces slide show (you need PowerPoint to view).
  • There are pilots...and then there's this guy...
  • 787 Dreamliner Flight Test
  • Super cool 360 degree view of a P-51 cockpit...let it load for a minute...
  • Cruise_1
  • Cruise_2
    • Ever wonder why we like airplanes so much?

    Email us at 72715k@gmail.com

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