An unusual copy of the American CIA Mikoyan-Gurevich Mig-21FL Flight Manual. A truely horrible copy; but, it is all I have! Dated January 1966.
Monday, September 25, 2023
CIA Mikoyan-Gurevich Mig-21FL Flight Manual
Friday, September 22, 2023
Supermarine Spitfire I Pilot’s Notes
Thursday, September 21, 2023
North American T-28B/C and AT-28D Trojan Flight Manual
A copy of the North American T-28B/C and AT-28D Trojan Flight Manual (TO 1T-28-1). Dated 15 January 1974.
Wednesday, September 20, 2023
Douglas SBD-5 and A-24B Flight Manual
A copy of the Douglas company produced flight manual for the SBD-5 and A-24B aircraft. Credit: Anymouse Collection
Tuesday, September 19, 2023
Boeing XB-47 Flight Handbook
Monday, September 18, 2023
Martin XP6M-1 Utility Flight Manual
Friday, September 15, 2023
Redeveloping the F-4 Phantom II into a Mach 3+ Fighter/Spy Plane
A very good article by Ian D'Costa in the TacAirNet.com online magazine on the Isreali attemp at Redeveloping the F-4 Phantom II into a Mach 3+ Fighter/Spy Plane.
Thursday, September 14, 2023
QF-86 Aircraft and Ramp Photos (Reblog)
Forty two ramp photos I took for the below QF-86 target drone aircraft article.
Wednesday, September 13, 2023
QF-86E Target Drones (ReBlog)
QF-86E Army Sabres article by Ron Downey.
In the summer of 1981, I took a tour of the F-86 conversions at Holloman Air Force Base in New Mexico which turned them into QF-86 unmanned target drones. I was a guest of Flight Systems, Inc of Mojave Ca, the managers of the program.
I first published a short article in “Crazed Plastic” (See below) and then a revised and larger article in “Radom Thoughts” (RT) in 1982. RT is the IPMS Canada’s publication. Here is that article.
The very distinctive Orange color used on these birds is called Omaha Orange from the Dupont Centari No. 31AH collection. A close match for Omaha Orange is FS 12473. The sample in this article was painted with the actual Dupont color.
"Thumper" was destroyed on a NOLO mission in August 1981. It had survived at least 9 missile shots!
For further info on the Qf-86 Target drones, get Duncan Curtis's wonderful book "North American QF-86E/F/H/Sabre". It is Number 58 of Steve Ginter's "Naval Fighter" series. Click here to purchase book
Update: Click here to see the Duncan Curtis article on Flight System Sabres
Tuesday, September 12, 2023
F-15 Aerei Modellismo Article
Monday, September 11, 2023
CAC/PAC JF-17 Thunder
The CAC/PAC JF-17 Thunder, or FC-1 Xiaolong ), is a lightweight, single-engine, multi-role combat aircraft developed jointly by the Chengdu Aircraft Corporation (CAC) of China and the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC). It was designed to replace the A-5C, F-7P/PG, Mirage III, and Mirage V combat aircraft in the Pakistan Air Force (PAF). The JF-17 can be used for multiple roles, including interception, ground attack, anti-ship, and aerial reconnaissance. The Pakistani designation "JF-17" stands for "Joint Fighter-17", with the "-17" denoting that, in the PAF's vision, it is the successor to the F-16. The Chinese designation "FC-1" stands for "Fighter China-1". From Wikipedia.
Friday, September 8, 2023
KAI T-50 Golden Eagle Photos
One hundred and four photos of the Korean KAI T-50 Golden Eagle aircraft.
The KAI T-50 Golden Eagle is a family of South Korean supersonic advanced jet trainers and light combat aircraft, developed by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) with Lockheed Martin.[1] The T-50 is South Korea's first indigenous supersonic aircraft and one of the world's few supersonic trainers.[4] Development began in the late 1990s, and its maiden flight occurred in 2002. The aircraft entered active service with the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) in 2005. From Wikipedia.
Thursday, September 7, 2023
The Flight of “Big Joe 1”(Atlas-10D)
A copy of a very good article on the Big Joe Mercury Capsule. With info, photos and drawings. From the Sept/Oct issue of the Space Frontiers magazine.
“Big Joe 1 (Atlas-10D) launched an uncrewed boilerplate Mercury capsule from Cape Canaveral, Florida on 9 September 1959. The purposes of the Big Joe 1 were to test the Mercury spacecraft ablative heat shield, afterbody heating, reentry dynamics attitude control and recovery capability. It was also the first launch of a spacecraft in Project Mercury.” From wikipedia
Wednesday, September 6, 2023
Coast Guard Colors
Info on the Coast Guard colors. These two chips are actual Coast Guard color chips from June 1971!
What are the Coast Guard colors?
For purposes of rendering the Coast Guard emblem in color, Coast Guard red is defined as PMS 179 C, and Coast Guard blue is PMS 307 C. When printed in black ink only, all red and blue sections shall be printed in black. The Coast Guard mark is available for commercial use with a license agreement.
Pastel red -
Description and conversion results of color Pantone 179 C It is a pastel red color having an approximate luminance of 49 %. It has a hue value of 3° indicating that this is a warm color.
Blue - Pantone / PMS 307 C / #006ba6 Hex Color Code
#006ba6 Paint ChipThe hexadecimal color code #006ba6 is a medium dark shade of cyan-blue. In the RGB color model #006ba6 is comprised of 0% red, 41.96% green and 65.1% blue. In the HSL color space #006ba6 has a hue of 201° (degrees), 100% saturation and 33% lightness.
White -Federal Standard 17877 Coast Guard White - FEDSTD595
(Zip file includes web addresses of paint chips and two manuals on Paint and Color and Coatings and Colors.)
Tuesday, September 5, 2023
F-4G “Wild Weasel” Flight Manual (Newer)
Monday, September 4, 2023
Fairey Barracuda MkI and MkII Pilot’s Notes
Friday, September 1, 2023
Hughes AH-64A Apache Booklet
A copy of the company produced Hughes AH-64A Apache Booklet. Lot’s of facts and figures! Hughes was a subsidiary of McDonnell Douglas at this time.
Thursday, August 31, 2023
Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor Photos 2
Wednesday, August 30, 2023
Douglas TA-4F/4J Skyhawk Report
A copy of the McDonnell Douglas report number MDC-J4176 on the virtues of the Douglas TA-4F/4J Skyhawk aircraft. Dated 1 May 1972.
Tuesday, August 29, 2023
Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor Photos 1
Monday, August 28, 2023
Note on Contributions
My recent computer and health problems have kept me from acknowledging your kind contributions. You know who you are; but, thanks to Steve, Andrew, Rockie, Peter, Joel, Tim, Kevin, Georg, Thompson and all the others who responeded to my call. Thanks very much!!
Unfortunately, I only received half of what you gave the first time, which held me for 18 months. So, if any of you are on the fence and have the means, please conside donating what you can. Use the PayPal button at the top right of the front page.
Thanks again,
Ron
McDonnell Douglas KC-10 Extender Photos
One hundred and five photos of the McDonnell Douglas KC-10 Extender aircraft.
Friday, August 25, 2023
K-Type Airship Pilot's Manual
A copy of the Goodyear Aircraft Company’s United States Navy K-Type Airship Pilot’s Manual. Dated September 1943.
Thursday, August 24, 2023
Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation (CAC) Boomerang
Forty Four photos and info on the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation (CAC) Boomerang aircraft.
Wednesday, August 23, 2023
AIDC AT-3 Tzu Chung Photos
One Hundred and twenty photos of the Chinese AIDC AT-3 Tzu Chung Photos trainer aircraft.
The AIDC AT-3 Tzu Chung is an advanced jet trainer operated by the Republic of China Air Force (ROCAF). A total of sixty-two aircraft were manufactured by the Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation of Taiwan (AIDC) in collaboration with American aircraft manufacturer Northrop between 1984 and 1990. Two A-3 single-seat attack version were also built.
Tuesday, August 22, 2023
Monday, August 21, 2023
Pilatus Porter RAAF Flight Manual
A copy of the Royal Austrailian Air Force (RAAF) flight manual (7211.001-1) for the Pilatus Porter aircraft. Dated 16 March 1972.
Thursday, August 17, 2023
Computer Problems
Friday, August 11, 2023
Lockheed F-80A-1/-5/-10 & RF-80A-5/-10/-15/-20/-25 Erection and Maintenance Instructions
A copy of the Erection and Maintenance Instructions (TO 1F-80A-2) for the Lockheed F-80A-1/-5/-10 & RF-80A-5/-10/-15/-20/-25 .Dated 28 June 1957.
Thursday, August 10, 2023
Lockheed F-80A/B/C & PF-80A & TV-1 Structural Repair Instructions
Wednesday, August 9, 2023
Mig 21FL Pilot’s Flight Operation Instructions (CIA Copy)
A poor copy of the CIA’s Mig 21FL Pilot’s Flight Operation Instructions. Dated January 1966.
Tuesday, August 8, 2023
AV-8B Harrier II 25 Year of Service Poster
A copy of the AV-8B Harrier II 25 Year of Service Poster from Aerospace Digest, Vol 41, Number 3, 1994.
Monday, August 7, 2023
Beechcraft UC-45J/RC-45J Expeditor Flight Manual
Friday, August 4, 2023
Blue Angel Markings Article
Thursday, August 3, 2023
AV-8B Harrier II Article
Wednesday, August 2, 2023
NASA Ranger 6 Spacecraft Mission Report
A copy of the NASA Ranger 6 Spacecraft Mission Report from the JPL Lab on the Ranger 6 spacecraft launched on Jan. 30, 1964. Report dated 15 December 1966. Credit: L.M. “Roy” Reitter
Tuesday, August 1, 2023
NASA Ranger 6 Spacecraft Photos
Monday, July 31, 2023
Douglas C-117D Flight Manual
A copy of the Douglas C-117D Flight Manual (NAVAIR 01-40NK-1) Dated 15 November 1971. Credit: Trevor Bodnar
Friday, July 28, 2023
P-80A Structural Repair Instructions
A partial xerox copy of the (An 01-75FJ-3) P-80A Structural Repair Instructions manul. Dated 20 September 1945.
Thursday, July 27, 2023
P-80A-1 Pilot's Operating Instructions
A partial xerox copy of the (AN 01-75FJA-1) P-80A-1 Pilot's Operating Instructions. Dated 25 April 1945.
Wednesday, July 26, 2023
Bell FM-1/B Airacuda Misc Info
A copy of the Bell FM-1/B Airacuda Emergency Equipment chart, main wiring diagram and chin turret breakdown.
Tuesday, July 25, 2023
XB-70A Development Program Manual
A partial xerox copy of the (XB-70-2-1) XB-70A Development Program Manual. Dated 31 March 1967.
Monday, July 24, 2023
Tactical Munitions General Info for Air Launched Rockets and Missiles Manual
A partial xerox copy of the ( TO 11-1-30) Tactical Munitions General Info for Air Launched Rockets and Missiles Manual. Dated 28 December 1970.
Friday, July 21, 2023
Smoke Trails F-4 Magazines
Copies of the first four F-4 Phantom II Society magazine called Smoke Trails. An excellent society to be part of.
Thursday, July 20, 2023
Take-off characteristics of IL-12, C-47, Li-2 and Po-2 aircrafts In Russian
A russian copy of the Take-off characteristics of IL-12, C-47, Li-2 and Po-2 aircrafts Manual. Dated 1948. (Note: I don’t speak Russian; so, someone tell me what the actual tile is, please!) Credit: Konstantin Strelbitsky (See Comments for translations) (Additional translation by Miroslav Gyűrösi)
Wednesday, July 19, 2023
F-4C, F-4D, F-4E & RF-4C Non-Munitions Manual
Tuesday, July 18, 2023
North American Rockwell OV-10 Bronco Flight Manual
Monday, July 17, 2023
Sunday, July 16, 2023
Need Donations!
It seems that my costs are going up and up! So, I must ask for any donations that you might be able to provide. If you are able, please use the PayPal button on the right hand side of the blog to make a donation. Any help will be greatly appreciated! Alberto, David L, Mitchell L, Timothy and Andrew were among the contribitors a year and a half ago or monthly contributions that have keep me going for over a year!
Thank you very much,
Ron Downey
Friday, July 14, 2023
North American F-86 Article
A copy of a very nice F-86 article from the magazine, Aerei Modellismo, from 1981. It is written in Italian, but; has a lot of drawings and info.
Thursday, July 13, 2023
F-18 Industry Team Poster
A copy of the F-18 Industry Team Posterfor McDonnell Douglas, Northrop Grumman, General Electric and Hughes. Circa 1996.