Skyhook Connoisseur
@seaharrier.bsky.social
I post about V/STOL aircraft and paint virtual planes.
Kennedy actually uses that quote at the end of the we choose speech! so...
In an alternate universe where Kennedy actually did that joke:
In an alternate universe where Kennedy actually did that joke:
July 24, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Kennedy actually uses that quote at the end of the we choose speech! so...
In an alternate universe where Kennedy actually did that joke:
In an alternate universe where Kennedy actually did that joke:
History is like poetry, it rhymes:
June 27, 2025 at 2:24 AM
History is like poetry, it rhymes:
Like all defence reviews, the new SDRs space domain is once again completely devoid of anything meaningful.
Completely unsurprising but oh well.
Completely unsurprising but oh well.
June 2, 2025 at 4:44 PM
Like all defence reviews, the new SDRs space domain is once again completely devoid of anything meaningful.
Completely unsurprising but oh well.
Completely unsurprising but oh well.
1. And probably of operating an older aircraft design, though if I remember right the SHar /was/ still better than the GR.1/GR.3 when it came to SAS etc.
Either way, amusing that they included the Typhoon.
Bonus image, T.4N/T.8 not having the best of times:
Either way, amusing that they included the Typhoon.
Bonus image, T.4N/T.8 not having the best of times:
April 19, 2025 at 9:01 PM
1. And probably of operating an older aircraft design, though if I remember right the SHar /was/ still better than the GR.1/GR.3 when it came to SAS etc.
Either way, amusing that they included the Typhoon.
Bonus image, T.4N/T.8 not having the best of times:
Either way, amusing that they included the Typhoon.
Bonus image, T.4N/T.8 not having the best of times:
Comparing the SHar to the GR.7/GR.9, this gives a pretty decent illustration of the increased danger that comes from naval operations[1], I /assume/ the 80-84 4.41 is from the Falklands War though.
Alternatively, the take away from this is that the RAF should not have been trusted with the Jaguar.
Alternatively, the take away from this is that the RAF should not have been trusted with the Jaguar.
April 19, 2025 at 9:01 PM
Comparing the SHar to the GR.7/GR.9, this gives a pretty decent illustration of the increased danger that comes from naval operations[1], I /assume/ the 80-84 4.41 is from the Falklands War though.
Alternatively, the take away from this is that the RAF should not have been trusted with the Jaguar.
Alternatively, the take away from this is that the RAF should not have been trusted with the Jaguar.
Here's a short Panavia Tornado edit:
Been a good year since I've made one of these, pretty happy with it all things considered.
(In far higher quality here: youtu.be/u74xUe0A3g0 )
#avgeek #raf #panavia
Been a good year since I've made one of these, pretty happy with it all things considered.
(In far higher quality here: youtu.be/u74xUe0A3g0 )
#avgeek #raf #panavia
March 17, 2025 at 6:36 PM
Here's a short Panavia Tornado edit:
Been a good year since I've made one of these, pretty happy with it all things considered.
(In far higher quality here: youtu.be/u74xUe0A3g0 )
#avgeek #raf #panavia
Been a good year since I've made one of these, pretty happy with it all things considered.
(In far higher quality here: youtu.be/u74xUe0A3g0 )
#avgeek #raf #panavia
A question that I can still answer with "Hawker Harrier"
Strong enough wind and you could probably still take off vertically in it I suppose.
Strong enough wind and you could probably still take off vertically in it I suppose.
March 4, 2025 at 10:38 PM
A question that I can still answer with "Hawker Harrier"
Strong enough wind and you could probably still take off vertically in it I suppose.
Strong enough wind and you could probably still take off vertically in it I suppose.
Had the idea the other day, what if the RAF introduced the TriStar in the 70s...
Anyway, full livery to come as a result.
#flightsim
Anyway, full livery to come as a result.
#flightsim
March 4, 2025 at 10:15 PM
Had the idea the other day, what if the RAF introduced the TriStar in the 70s...
Anyway, full livery to come as a result.
#flightsim
Anyway, full livery to come as a result.
#flightsim
Further to the AVPLAN post, Here's some photos of AV-8B+'s carrying AIM-9X that I spotted on DVIDS.
The oldest photo where one appears is April 6th 2024 as best as I can tell, so they've had the capability for some time now.
The oldest photo where one appears is April 6th 2024 as best as I can tell, so they've had the capability for some time now.
February 12, 2025 at 6:39 PM
Further to the AVPLAN post, Here's some photos of AV-8B+'s carrying AIM-9X that I spotted on DVIDS.
The oldest photo where one appears is April 6th 2024 as best as I can tell, so they've had the capability for some time now.
The oldest photo where one appears is April 6th 2024 as best as I can tell, so they've had the capability for some time now.
A-4K XT597 seen in a promotional pic for the 1981 Greenham Common Air Tattoo which held the A4 Skyhawk 25th Anniversay Meet, and saw aircraft from all operators displayed together.
Two A4s from that show would meet again a year later, in different circumstances
(AltHistory) #flightsim #art #avgeek
Two A4s from that show would meet again a year later, in different circumstances
(AltHistory) #flightsim #art #avgeek
February 6, 2025 at 6:09 PM
A-4K XT597 seen in a promotional pic for the 1981 Greenham Common Air Tattoo which held the A4 Skyhawk 25th Anniversay Meet, and saw aircraft from all operators displayed together.
Two A4s from that show would meet again a year later, in different circumstances
(AltHistory) #flightsim #art #avgeek
Two A4s from that show would meet again a year later, in different circumstances
(AltHistory) #flightsim #art #avgeek
Disappointing to learn from the USMCs 2025 AVPLAN that
"The AV-8B has realized its final weapons, sensors, and survivability upgrades"
Which seemingly indicates it won't get a HMCS after all. Despite the funding seemingly being there for it, at least they got AIM-9X, APKWS, JSOW & Link16 in time.
"The AV-8B has realized its final weapons, sensors, and survivability upgrades"
Which seemingly indicates it won't get a HMCS after all. Despite the funding seemingly being there for it, at least they got AIM-9X, APKWS, JSOW & Link16 in time.
February 4, 2025 at 5:27 PM
Disappointing to learn from the USMCs 2025 AVPLAN that
"The AV-8B has realized its final weapons, sensors, and survivability upgrades"
Which seemingly indicates it won't get a HMCS after all. Despite the funding seemingly being there for it, at least they got AIM-9X, APKWS, JSOW & Link16 in time.
"The AV-8B has realized its final weapons, sensors, and survivability upgrades"
Which seemingly indicates it won't get a HMCS after all. Despite the funding seemingly being there for it, at least they got AIM-9X, APKWS, JSOW & Link16 in time.
Vulcan XH535 flying with B-52H 60-0006 over Edwards AFB in July 1961 for Skybolt trials.
I often see the first of these two photos posted online but with the colours horribly off! So here it is corrected.
Still unsure as to what type of chase aircraft we're viewing from.
I often see the first of these two photos posted online but with the colours horribly off! So here it is corrected.
Still unsure as to what type of chase aircraft we're viewing from.
![A Vulcan Bomber from the Royal Air Force flying in close formation with a B-52 Bomber of the United States Air Force overhead the town of Edwards California in July 1961.
In the bottom left the wingtip fuel tank of the chase aircraft the photo was taken from can be seen, unsure of the specific aircraft type.
[342-C-KE-14932, Colour corrected]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:dhmbgvpjflahubbgmzlbkjwa/bafkreifmfi5ohre2d7ysnngyzt3bi6aitvxhl6nzzmrggadzlfokfktc3u@jpeg)
![A Vulcan Bomber from the Royal Air Force flying over Rosamond Dry Lake in July 1961.
Rogers Dry Lake and part of the Edwards Air Force Base complex located there can be seen in the very top right of the photo, including a few of the runways marked into the lake bed. Between it and the Vulcan is the town of Edwards California.
In the bottom mid-right the wingtip fuel tank of the chase aircraft the photo was taken from can be seen, unsure of the specific aircraft type.
[342-C-KE-15397, Colour corrected]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:dhmbgvpjflahubbgmzlbkjwa/bafkreiga7ehr6vlyzme6ehck5ks3fbn3xkmpyxvqyjgdkwv5vd47hssyni@jpeg)
January 24, 2025 at 8:05 PM
Vulcan XH535 flying with B-52H 60-0006 over Edwards AFB in July 1961 for Skybolt trials.
I often see the first of these two photos posted online but with the colours horribly off! So here it is corrected.
Still unsure as to what type of chase aircraft we're viewing from.
I often see the first of these two photos posted online but with the colours horribly off! So here it is corrected.
Still unsure as to what type of chase aircraft we're viewing from.
The stuff of nightmares here honestly.
January 23, 2025 at 5:48 PM
The stuff of nightmares here honestly.
As used in my banner here, probably my favourite AV-8A shots, just get a load of the weathering in the close up!
December 1, 2024 at 10:18 PM
As used in my banner here, probably my favourite AV-8A shots, just get a load of the weathering in the close up!
Took me a moment to find the document it's from again: ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/20...
Stumbled across this one (pictured) in doing so, which is somehow even more wrong, though less funny imo: ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citation...
Stumbled across this one (pictured) in doing so, which is somehow even more wrong, though less funny imo: ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citation...
November 27, 2024 at 1:22 PM
Took me a moment to find the document it's from again: ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/20...
Stumbled across this one (pictured) in doing so, which is somehow even more wrong, though less funny imo: ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citation...
Stumbled across this one (pictured) in doing so, which is somehow even more wrong, though less funny imo: ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citation...
Almost rivals my all time favourite:
*Really* great choice to scan this one in black and white.
*Really* great choice to scan this one in black and white.
November 27, 2024 at 10:21 AM
Almost rivals my all time favourite:
*Really* great choice to scan this one in black and white.
*Really* great choice to scan this one in black and white.
Per the bio, Harriers and niche alt history aviation is to be found here:
November 21, 2024 at 7:46 AM
Per the bio, Harriers and niche alt history aviation is to be found here:
Thanks for the clarification
November 19, 2024 at 8:18 PM
Thanks for the clarification
Excerpts from the Hawaiian Times on their return to the US, Interesting things to note:
"Giant B-36 jet bombers" Nice to know the news back then was just as hopeless at reporting aircraft.
"At least one had landed" Hah, yeah, as we can see.
"Fuel trouble in all 10 engines" Just rather amusing.
"Giant B-36 jet bombers" Nice to know the news back then was just as hopeless at reporting aircraft.
"At least one had landed" Hah, yeah, as we can see.
"Fuel trouble in all 10 engines" Just rather amusing.
February 3, 2024 at 8:31 AM
Excerpts from the Hawaiian Times on their return to the US, Interesting things to note:
"Giant B-36 jet bombers" Nice to know the news back then was just as hopeless at reporting aircraft.
"At least one had landed" Hah, yeah, as we can see.
"Fuel trouble in all 10 engines" Just rather amusing.
"Giant B-36 jet bombers" Nice to know the news back then was just as hopeless at reporting aircraft.
"At least one had landed" Hah, yeah, as we can see.
"Fuel trouble in all 10 engines" Just rather amusing.
Colour test this time...
Incredible shot of Yokota Air Base in Japan during 1957's Operation 'White Horse' with *24* visiting B-36s.
Additional context and info in the reply.
Incredible shot of Yokota Air Base in Japan during 1957's Operation 'White Horse' with *24* visiting B-36s.
Additional context and info in the reply.
February 3, 2024 at 8:29 AM
Colour test this time...
Incredible shot of Yokota Air Base in Japan during 1957's Operation 'White Horse' with *24* visiting B-36s.
Additional context and info in the reply.
Incredible shot of Yokota Air Base in Japan during 1957's Operation 'White Horse' with *24* visiting B-36s.
Additional context and info in the reply.
Image test...
Two FRS.1s landing on HMS Invincible during 'Fleet Ex 1-90' ... Sea King AEW in the far background.
Two FRS.1s landing on HMS Invincible during 'Fleet Ex 1-90' ... Sea King AEW in the far background.
February 3, 2024 at 8:06 AM
Image test...
Two FRS.1s landing on HMS Invincible during 'Fleet Ex 1-90' ... Sea King AEW in the far background.
Two FRS.1s landing on HMS Invincible during 'Fleet Ex 1-90' ... Sea King AEW in the far background.