For those of us who like this sort of thing, I thought this was a very interesting read. The article is rather long and hard on the eyes because of reversed type, but gets facinating about half way through. Some very good pics included.

[www.navalaviationhistory.com]

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Where is there dignity unless there is also honesty? - Cicero

doh
Lew's quicker.


OK




Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 05/09/2012 12:45PM by billb.

command-option-contro-8 will reverse the image so it appears as black type on white.

Interesting article! Airplanes and ships: who'da thunk it?

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....do you get NAVEL lint.....??

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I reject your reality and substitute my own!

Thanks for that! As a Naval Aviator in a previous "career", I was not aware of Ely's contribution and that he was a civilian. The airfield at NAS Norfolk is named Chambers Field, but I don't recall anywhere that Ely is commemorated.

Mike

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flareslow
Thanks for that! As a Naval Aviator in a previous "career", I was not aware of Ely's contribution and that he was a civilian. The airfield at NAS Norfolk is named Chambers Field, but I don't recall anywhere that Ely is commemorated.

Mike

I don't know who is crazier: early biplane flyers like Eugene Ely or the jet pilots who do it today!

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Where is there dignity unless there is also honesty? - Cicero

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Ammo

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flareslow
Thanks for that! As a Naval Aviator in a previous "career", I was not aware of Ely's contribution and that he was a civilian. The airfield at NAS Norfolk is named Chambers Field, but I don't recall anywhere that Ely is commemorated.

Mike

I don't know who is crazier: early biplane flyers like Eugene Ely or the jet pilots who do it today!

Definitely the biplane guys pre-catapult... Going down the deck, hoping like heck that they're going to have enough airspeed not to go for a swim and get run over by the ship (no angled decks on the early carriers either...) - and being "committed" to launch about 50 feet into the takeoff run.

At least todays pilots can eject and live if they get a "cold" catapult shot.

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Paul F.
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A sword never kills anybody; it is a tool in the killer's hand. - Lucius Annaeus Seneca c. 5 BC - 65 AD
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Good is the enemy of Excellent. Talent is not necessary for Excellence.
Persistence is necessary for Excellence. And Persistence is a Decision.
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Eureka, CA

Def agree w/Paul. Airplanes back then in general were crazy beasts. Some only had a two position throttle (off or full on).

In the daytime, we said it was the most fun you could have with your clothes on.

I've read where landing on a carrier is like "getting into a car accident and having an orgasm at the same time".

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Carnos Jax
I've read where landing on a carrier is like "getting into a car accident and having an orgasm at the same time".

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Carnos Jax
I've read where landing on a carrier is like "getting into a car accident and having an orgasm at the same time".

Crash

So far I have experienced all three - it's closer to the happy ending than the crash. The cat shot is a real E-ticket ride.

In the Bay Area, the Hiller Aviation Museum (just South of SFO) has an exhibit about Ely, as well as a replica of his Curtiss Pusher. The museum is small by Smithsonian standards, but has a number of interesting exhibits and is worth a couple of hours if you are so inclined...

--The rotorcycle

--Front of Boeing SST prototype

--Hiller Flying Platform

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billb
doh
Lew's quicker.


OK

Navel carrier - nice!

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It is what it is.

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the_poochies

That's a nice navel carrier!

Navel hairier:

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It is what it is.