Posted on 09/18/2011 4:05:10 PM PDT by Petruchio
This aircraft did not have a traditional P-51 radiator, rather a closed loop cooling system with a Methanol/Water ( I hope I have those two liquids right) boiler ( if you will ) that got rid of the heat via these two boiling off.
If you look at the photo's of the aircraft, their are ports just aft of the wings trailing edge(s) where these boiled off fluids would exit, as puffs of steam
The question I have is did these liquids help supress a potential greater fire.
That last photo is easy to find on Google. I’m not sure what “being scrubbed” means.
You make your case just fine without the conspiracy angle.
Only in the movies do planes and cars explode every time upon impact.
I don’t think there is any conspiracy. I think the seat broke when the plane pitched up and the pilot was flat on his back, knocked out, and never came to.
Funny, many other top aviators think the air shows are fantastic.
A single data point does not make a trend.
I happen to know some really rich liberals who play at this sport, and they are classic grandiose narcissists. And what's the point of the sport if no one watches you?
gee there must be something wrong with them
Imagine them having fun and showing off their extremely nice aircraft.
Next you’ll be telling people they can’t wear nice clothes, because obviously thats not appropriate for a good little socialist. They must wear the state approved uniform and shoes.
Still amazes me the amount of g's that bird can pull.
I’m quite familiar with normal elevator trim tab function, working on numerous Cessna, Piper, and Beech a/c. I guess my error in understanding the trim, in this case, is that I assumed the stabilizer mounts in such a highly modified a/c would be adjusted to allow a nearly neutral elevator at high speed level flight for the least amount of drag, thereby keeping the trim tab from robbing any more speed than necessary.
In the unlimited class, are the wing airfoils modified slightly as well? After all, the plane is lightened greatly, and not carring guns, bombs or rockets. I know clipping the wings is a reliable way to reduce lift, and this a/c had that done.
Anyway, the machine can be replaced at a cost. The lives lost is very sad.
sidenote: I remember over twenty years ago watching some overweight yahoos climb into a C-414 in a big hurry, the first one stopping just inside the door while two others were standing on the stairway door. The tail promptly dropped hard on the pavement, ramming the tiedown rod right up against the elevator bellcrank. They thought they could just pull it back down and go fly. The shop IA talked them into having it fixed right.
There was no fireball because the tanks were filled
with explo-safe. There are several versions of this
tank inerting process. The military uses the proprietary
explo-safe, which is a very fine aluminum mesh. The fuel
does not slosh, spray during initial impact. Any sparking
is quenched by the media the fuel is trapped in.
Makes tanks bulletproof. For a while, homebuilders(EAA)
could buy and install it in their tanks. Foams have been
developed that work almost as well. Most of the racing
industries mandate these “cells”. Most of the time, when that
Indy car shreds itself to pieces, the fire is from engine oil.
You are, of course, entitled to your opinion.
But let’s get the facts straight. In the 47 years of the Reno Air Races some 20 odd participant fatalities have occurred. But this is the first accident involving spectators ! That, IMNSHO is a hell of a safety record ! Auto racing can’t make that claim !
And don’t forget the Reno Air Races involve a lot of airplanes divided into various classes by performance. The penultimate class, “The Unlimiteds” - which the “Galloping Ghost” was one- are the ultimate in race vehicles. They “cruise” faster than an F-1 race car can attain !
I expect the “usual nannyite response” to this incident. It happens all the time. It even happens at “aerial display flights” of historic aircraft when something goes wrong ! The “nannyites” - even within the aviation community - want these fine old aircraft reduced to static displays”. Mostly, I suspect, because, as flying examples, they serve to remind/inspire succeeding generations of their history. I suspect you’ll be in the minority regards canceling the Reno Races or any flying displays of combat aircraft !
BTW, what in the hell will the “antis” do to thwart flying a “brand spanking new” repro of classic vintage aircraft like -51s, Me 262’s, FW-190s, Laggs, ect ? d Anyone can build one or more if they’re willing to pay the price ! >PS
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.