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Post by jhawkr on Nov 19, 2020 19:44:59 GMT -5
Wichita’s McConnell AFB was the 1st to receive the new 767 based tanker and has several now permanently based there. The new hangars for the big bird are huge. I was driving by the base last week and saw them for the 1st time. They changed the whole look of the flight line area. They have been doing virtually non-stop touch-and-go’s for almost a month. Day and night. I can look out our east facing French doors and see the landing lights approaching from the east then turning south toward the runway. Tonight is the 1st night I haven’t noticed them while watching TV. Nothing sexy about these birds. They are all business!
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Post by Peegoo 🏁 on Nov 19, 2020 22:33:49 GMT -5
Way cool! I’ve been to McConnell a few times, over in the DGS side. Nice base!
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Post by K4 on Nov 20, 2020 1:27:57 GMT -5
I used to live in visual distance of final approach to Barksdale AFB in LA. Watching the B52 land was awesome. The fighter escorts looked like mosquitos next to the bombers. When they made the final 90 degree turn they looked like they were hanging in the sky.
Wish I took pictures.
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Post by gato on Nov 20, 2020 9:20:01 GMT -5
Tons of metal flying through the air
Tons of metal floating on the water.
I suspect the influence of Hogwarts.
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Post by Ragtop on Nov 20, 2020 10:49:53 GMT -5
I grew up in the flight path into Offutt AFB in Omaha. I'll bet I saw a million KC-135s fly over back in the 60s and 70s.
Those venerable old workhorses are probably way overdue to be replaced. Glad to see the 767s taking over. I'll bet the crews are too.
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Post by jhawkr on Nov 20, 2020 11:55:55 GMT -5
We still see the KC-135’s here as there are quite a few still in service. A good friends son is a Major @ McConnell and pilot on the KC-135. Not sure if he is transitioning to the Pegasus yet. I hear the Chickenpit is basically a reworked 787 Chickenpit so a huge change. Hope the KC-46 proves as reliable as the KC-135.
Chickenpit. Won’t allow the correct word!😉
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Post by RonC Picker on Nov 21, 2020 10:59:01 GMT -5
Jhawk, do you know if the relocated boomer’s video problems have been resolved for normal operational use, or are the first couple of tankers for test and evaluation?
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Post by jhawkr on Nov 21, 2020 11:17:22 GMT -5
I believe most issues have been resolved. Of course, when a new ship comes in, it goes through rigorous testing or shakedowns. I’ll have to check on how many they have received to date.
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Post by jhawkr on Nov 21, 2020 11:32:53 GMT -5
I believe most issues have been resolved. Of course, when a new ship comes in, it goes through rigorous testing or shakedowns. I’ll have to check on how many they have received to date.
Last January the 21st KC-46 was delivered. McConnell is supposed to get 36 total.
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Post by Peegoo 🏁 on Nov 22, 2020 4:58:06 GMT -5
Those venerable old workhorses are probably way overdue to be replaced. When a jet comes out of heavy depot maintenance, it's virtually a new airplane. The original design may be 50 years old, but they get new wing spars, stringers and ribs, skin, engines, fuel tanks, etc. |
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