Today I Learned...

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Dadhawk

Ok, it was yesterday but...

I learned, during a visit to the aviation museum at Warner Robins AFB, GA that the US and Canada flew aircraft loaded with air-to-air 1kiloton nuclear rockets designed as anti-aircraft missiles called the AIR-2A Genie. They were to be used to destroy incoming nuclear bomber fleets.

I had no idea that was a thing.

BTW, the museum, linked above, is definitely worth the stop if you are into military history and warplanes. One of the handful of places you can see an SR71 up close.

I actually (unofficially) helped load these onto the aircraft more than once. Well the training ones at any rate. They were huge!

[Dadhawk]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

I actually (unofficially) helped load these onto the aircraft more than once. Well the training ones at any rate. They were huge!

At least you didn't help with the one test firing (per Wikipedia):

A live Genie was detonated only once, in Operation Plumbbob on 19 July 1957. It was fired by AF Captain Eric William Hutchison (pilot) and AF Captain Alfred C. Barbee (radar operator) flying an F-89J over Yucca Flats. Sources vary as to the height of the blast, but it was between 18,500 and 20,000 ft (5,600 and 6,100 m) above mean sea level.[5] A group of five USAF officers volunteered to stand hatless in their light summer uniforms underneath the blast to prove that the weapon was safe for use over populated areas. They were photographed by Department of Defense photographer George Yoshitake who stood there with them.[6] Gamma and neutron doses received by observers on the ground were negligible. Doses received by aircrew were highest for the fliers assigned to penetrate the airburst cloud ten minutes after explosion.[7][8]

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Dadhawk

At least you didn't help with the one test firing (per Wikipedia):

I never even saw a real one much less handled it.
The loader training ones we used often didn't even have the rocket but was just the shell with the appropriate weight added to it. If I recall they were blue. The ones with a rocket but no warhead were red or orange (it sort of varied in shade).
The ground crews trained loading and unloading them a lot! There were always at least two aircraft and crews on a 5 minute alert but the US government had to release the rockets for use (they still belonged to the US) so the loaders had to be able to get them mounted in literally seconds if ever ordered.

It is ironic that you bring this up now since I am just putting the finishing touches on a CF-101 Voodoo model that will be armed with these.

Edit: Got to second guessing the colours but Yay tody I learned my long term memory is fine.

[soundman98]

the tail fins are an especially unique design

[Dadhawk]

Originally Posted by soundman98

the tail fins are an especially unique design

They retract and then expand out after launch I believe.

[Spuds]

Originally Posted by soundman98

the tail fins are an especially unique design

It didn't need to be accurate...

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by soundman98

the tail fins are an especially unique design

Originally Posted by Dadhawk

They retract and then expand out after launch I believe.

Yep. They are just spring loaded. These were about as simple as you can get and not a smart weapon in any way. Just point in general direction and 15 seconds later everything in a 300 yard radius ceases to exist.

[Stephen W.]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

< snip >
It is ironic that you bring this up now since I am just putting the finishing touches on a CF-101 Voodoo model that will be armed with these.

Edit: Got to second guessing the colours but Yay tody I learned my long term memory is fine.

They have one on display in Bagotville.






Also, in Europe there were Canadian CF-104's specially configured to be used as "Strike Force" aircraft armed with these nukes.





Kit box art showing the four tank configuration of the CF-104.
https://theavgeeks.com/2019/02/11/ca...ion-1964-1972/

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Stephen W.

They have one on display in Bagotville.






Also, in Europe there were Canadian CF-104's specially configured to be used as "Strike Force" aircraft armed with these nukes.





Kit box art showing the four tank configuration of the CF-104.
https://theavgeeks.com/2019/02/11/ca...ion-1964-1972/

Yep.
I fueled more than one 104 in Europe. Other than the Tactical Air Meet in '78 I don't recall seeing a single other 104 with the training rockets attached. I was assigned to the met, drove most of the way across Germany and then sat there for two weeks and watched the show since they didn't need me. Got a cool "participant" patch though.
The only place I ever saw them mounted other than the meet was on the Voodoos at Comox.

[Sapphireho]

Today I learned that I also like green pepper Cholula. Now I have to try them all.

[JD001]

WTF going on here!?!. Lots of phallicism worship! I'm afraid the poor green pepper Cholula isn't excused!! Come on what were they thinking when they designed the bottle and bottle stopper?

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by JD001

WTF going on here!?!. Lots of phallicism worship! I'm afraid the poor green pepper Cholula isn't excused!! Come on what were they thinking when they designed the bottle and bottle stopper?

WTF is WRONG with you, to "see" that when looking at a group of bottles?

Have you visited the therapist thread?

[JD001]

Originally Posted by humfrz

WTF is WRONG with you, to "see" that when looking at a group of bottles?

Have you visited the therapist thread?

Yeah, did visit it and found no therapy.. now I'm here finding no relief.. just see funny looking stuff..

[JD001]

Today I learned that Evo Magazine has placed our little Twin into the highest desirable group that they call 'Icons'.. 6 cars that they think are well on the way to securing icon status.

In case you're wondering the other 5 cars are:

Yaris GR4
Renault Clio 200
Alpine A110
Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio
Ferrari 430 Scuderia