My buddies and I were checking out bird's eye views of Davis Monthan AFB at bing.com and came across these little gems and are trying to figure out what they are: http://www.bing.com/maps/default.aspx?v=2&FORM=LMLTCP&cp=pbvd565rtzyz&style=b&lvl=2&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&phx=0&phy=0&phscl=1&scene=40754214&encType=1
There's another one here: http://www.bing.com/maps/default.aspx?v=2&FORM=LMLTCP&cp=pbvmq25rvpv9&style=b&lvl=2&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&scene=9189366&phx=0&phy=0&phscl=1&encType=1
I think they are Saab Drakens. Any one know? Thanks!
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- walter2222
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RE: Need Help Identifying Aircraft At Davis Monthan
It might be the GTD-21B (a Mach 3+ reconnaissance drone) from Lockheed, the drone was originally designed to be launched off the back of its A-12-based M-21 aircraft.
Best regards,
Walter
Best regards,
Walter
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RE: Need Help Identifying Aircraft At Davis Monthan
Definitely not Saab Draken, it was a different shape double delta.
Check out Lockheed D-21/M-21 on Wikipedia, Walter is spot on.
[Edited 2009-10-08 06:59:41]
[Edited 2009-10-08 07:01:29]
Check out Lockheed D-21/M-21 on Wikipedia, Walter is spot on.
[Edited 2009-10-08 06:59:41]
[Edited 2009-10-08 07:01:29]
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- kc135topboom
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RE: Need Help Identifying Aircraft At Davis Monthan
Yes, I agree, they are D-21 drones. Only a few were ever launched from the M-21 (modified SR-71A). The program stopped after one D-21 launched and collided with the M=21 mother ship. Most launches after that were from modified B-52H, which carried two D-21s.
Nice shot of the VC-135C, some B-52Gs and B-1Bs in the second sh
Nice shot of the VC-135C, some B-52Gs and B-1Bs in the second sh
RE: Need Help Identifying Aircraft At Davis Monthan
| Quoting KC135TopBoom (Reply 3): M-21 (modified SR-71A). |
At the risk of being pedantic (not to mention wrong since I am basing this piece of trite on Wikipedia) it says the M-21 was a modified A-12 not SR-71
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- ebj1248650
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RE: Need Help Identifying Aircraft At Davis Monthan
| Quoting Spudh (Reply 4): it says the M-21 was a modified A-12 not SR-71 |
That was my understanding too. Two of the A-12s were modified with a second seat to carry the system operator. One was lost in the aforementioned mid-air collision and I don't know the fate of the other one.
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RE: Need Help Identifying Aircraft At Davis Monthan
| Quoting EBJ1248650 (Reply 5): That was my understanding too. Two of the A-12s were modified with a second seat to carry the system operator. One was lost in the aforementioned mid-air collision and I don't know the fate of the other one. |
It is currently on display at the "Museum of Flight" Seattle, Washington.
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- grandtheftaero
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RE: Need Help Identifying Aircraft At Davis Monthan
Good call, guys. My office buddies and I were going back and forth between Draken and D-21.
RE: Need Help Identifying Aircraft At Davis Monthan
| Quoting EBJ1248650 (Reply 5): That was my understanding too. Two of the A-12s were modified with a second seat to carry the system operator. One was lost in the aforementioned mid-air collision and I don't know the fate of the other one. |
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