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China unveils 'world's largest amphibious aircraft' (Boeing 737-sized seaplane)
Yahoo News ^ | 7/25/16 | AFP

Posted on 07/25/2016 2:20:33 PM PDT by NormsRevenge

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To: prairie dog

Those appear to be the main landing gear mounts and fairings.


41 posted on 07/25/2016 3:53:41 PM PDT by Charles Martel (Endeavor to persevere...)
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To: InterceptPoint

No langing gear, water only. Not amphibian.


42 posted on 07/25/2016 3:54:38 PM PDT by AFreeBird (BEST. ELECTION. EVER!)
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To: colorado tanker
There are still two Martin Mars aircraft flying. They are owned by Coulsen Flying Tankers and are used in wildfire control.
43 posted on 07/25/2016 3:57:33 PM PDT by Don W ( When blacks riot, neighborhoods and cities burn. When whites riot, nations and continents burn)
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To: Don W

The Mars is still a darn impressive aircraft, isn’t it? Looks like that company put a lot of money into upgrades.


44 posted on 07/25/2016 4:01:40 PM PDT by colorado tanker
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To: mylife

Thank you for the link. I saw the movie with Sean Connery but being an addle-pated girl, it made no sense to me! I’ve been fascinated with Howard Hughes since I was a young girl and was lucky enough to see the Spruce Goose/Queen Mary exhibit in Long Beach, CA about 20 years ago.

Hope to see you on the weekly cooking threads. Haven’t seen much of you lately, FRiend.


45 posted on 07/25/2016 4:04:57 PM PDT by miss marmelstein (Richard the Third: With my own people alone I should like to drive away the Muslims)
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To: InterceptPoint

The Germans had the largest flying amphibian plane that flew. I met the American pilot, believe his name was George Drew, who shot it up at its dock.

He was also the only American pilot (P-47’s) to shoot down/destroy two ME262 jets. He came in behind one taking off, downed it and then destroyed one on the ground.

If you have seen the film of an American plane blowing up a German train and flying through the blast, that’s him. Took all the paint off his P47’s underbody.

Don’t believe that the Spruce Goose ever got off the water. There was a very big congressional investigation into its contract and mismanagement. However, Howard Hughes escaped serious penalties for this fiasco.


46 posted on 07/25/2016 4:06:34 PM PDT by MadMax, the Grinning Reaper
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To: MadMax, the Grinning Reaper
Don’t believe that the Spruce Goose ever got off the water.

Don't hold me to it but I think the SG managed to get into the air for at least a few seconds and a few feet.

47 posted on 07/25/2016 4:14:42 PM PDT by InterceptPoint (Ted, you should have endorsed. Big mistake.)
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To: prairie dog
What are those fat sausage-looking things on top of mid- fuselage?

The old Soviets had some far ranging plans for this air/sea platform. The tubes you see were for anti-shipping missiles - see below'

Another mission role would have been as a troop carrier for VERY RAPID amphibious landings. At 300+mph, these could be from under horizon to beach in minutes!

48 posted on 07/25/2016 4:15:47 PM PDT by SES1066 (Quality, Speed or Economical - Any 2 of 3 except in government - 1 at best but never #3!)
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To: InterceptPoint

Operational history
During a break in the Senate hearings, Hughes returned to California to run taxi tests on the H-4.[13] On November 2, 1947, the taxi tests began with Hughes at the controls. His crew included Dave Grant as copilot, two flight engineers, Don Smith and Joe Petrali, 16 mechanics, and two other flight crew. In addition, the H-4 carried seven invited guests from the press corps and an additional seven industry representatives. Thirty-six were on board.[19]

After the first two taxi runs, four reporters left to file stories, but the remaining press stayed for the final test run of the day.[20] After picking up speed on the channel facing Cabrillo Beach, the Hercules lifted off, remaining airborne at 70 ft (21 m) off the water at a speed of 135 miles per hour (217 km/h) for around a mile (1.6 km).[21] At this altitude, the aircraft still experienced ground effect.[22] The brief flight proved to detractors that Hughes’ (now unneeded) masterpiece was flight-worthy—thus vindicating the use of government funds.[23] However, the Spruce Goose never flew again. Its lifting capacity and ceiling were never tested. A full-time crew of 300 workers, all sworn to secrecy, maintained the aircraft in flying condition in a climate-controlled hangar. The company reduced the crew to 50 workers in 1962, and then disbanded it after Hughes’ death in 1976.[24]

Source: Wikipedia


49 posted on 07/25/2016 4:17:02 PM PDT by trisham (Zen is not easy. It takes effort to attain nothingness. And then what do you have? Bupkis.)
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To: PAR35

on a thread titled China unveils ‘world’s largest amphibious aircraft’ (Boeing 737-sized seaplane), PAR35 wrote:
World’s Largest Amphibious Aircraft Made In China
Posted on 7/25/2016, 7:21:31 AM by sukhoi-30mki

Thanks for the link


50 posted on 07/25/2016 4:17:55 PM PDT by mosesdapoet (My best insights get lost in FR's because of meaningless venting no one reads.)
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To: miss marmelstein
I cooked cinnamon rolls on fast attacks ☺
51 posted on 07/25/2016 4:18:16 PM PDT by mylife (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNwLxwZHMOwThe roar of the masses could be farts)
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To: mylife

Wow! I make sourdough bread when my husband is annoyed with me.


52 posted on 07/25/2016 4:23:45 PM PDT by miss marmelstein (Richard the Third: With my own people alone I should like to drive away the Muslims)
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To: SES1066

SSN-12 SANDBOX SSM initially like on KIEV “carriers”. updated to SSN-19 SHIPWRECK.

the ME-262 was so vulnerable on take-off and landing the Luftwaffe assigned FW-190 squadrons for cover during those transitions.


53 posted on 07/25/2016 4:37:11 PM PDT by bravo whiskey (Never bring a liberal gun law to a gun fight.)
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To: miss marmelstein

Lol see you around pal

Gonna watch me some antiques road show and hava snooze


54 posted on 07/25/2016 4:38:33 PM PDT by mylife (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNwLxwZHMOwThe roar of the masses could be farts)
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To: colorado tanker

I used to live in Port Alberni when they were based on Sproat Lake. They are VERY impressive up close and personal. When they drop their load, it looks like the aircraft is on an elevator, it climbs so radically and fast.

Just last week Coulsen flew them around the population centres of Vancouver Island as a farewell, as they are moving the aircraft’s base permanently.


55 posted on 07/25/2016 4:40:41 PM PDT by Don W ( When blacks riot, neighborhoods and cities burn. When whites riot, nations and continents burn)
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To: InterceptPoint

Yes, it was probably due to a backfire. Millions down the drain. The Wright Brothers’ first plane flew longer and farther 40-50 years earlier.


56 posted on 07/25/2016 4:46:02 PM PDT by MadMax, the Grinning Reaper
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To: SES1066

It was for rapid deployment troop transport on water


57 posted on 07/25/2016 4:47:50 PM PDT by mylife (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNwLxwZHMOwThe roar of the masses could be farts)
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To: SES1066

Oh that thing is ugly.


58 posted on 07/25/2016 5:20:54 PM PDT by redfreedom
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To: NormsRevenge
What an amazingly original new Chinese rescue aircraft..!!!

I WONDER where they got the design, huh..?

Japanese MSDF US-2

59 posted on 07/25/2016 5:26:45 PM PDT by gaijin
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To: NormsRevenge
Old school boring compared to the new Russian Beriev Be-200:

Be-200 MULTIPURPOSE AMPHIBIOUS AIRCRAFT on YouTube.

60 posted on 07/25/2016 6:01:09 PM PDT by GBA (Here in the matrix, life is but a dream.)
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