Kalitta Air Cargo 747 On Mythbusters

HPAEAA · Thu Nov 15, 2007 2:59 am

Anyone catch the reg on the 747 Kalitta Cargo jet which was on today's Mythbusters (11/14) episode?

The goal was to blow over a taxi cab from 100 ft behind the engine..., which they successfully did.....

BAKJet · Thu Nov 15, 2007 3:02 am

Didn't catch the Registration but saw the show. It was AWESOME Big grin

Lexy · Thu Nov 15, 2007 3:17 am

N700CK is the reg. of the one on the show.

airfinair · Thu Nov 15, 2007 3:29 am

Quoting HPAEAA (Thread starter):
The goal was to blow over a taxi cab from 100 ft behind the engine..., which they successfully did.....

Along with a school bus & a C172 (I think.) Awesome.

tb727 · Thu Nov 15, 2007 3:30 am

Quoting Lexy (Reply 2):
N700CK is the reg. of the one on the show.

That's why she was so clean, that one just came online. I wanted to go up there and meet Kari but I was out flying Sad

We heard they were gonna be up there to film back in late spring, I knew I should have called in sick. BTW it was filmed at our maintenance base in beautiful KOSC Oscoda-Wurtsmith (former AFB about 3 or so hours north of Detroit)

Lexy · Thu Nov 15, 2007 3:32 am

I loved the show, but the airplane geek inside me said that blowing things over in the wake of a 747 jetblast would be common sense. LOL!!!

Great show though, one of their better!!!

Boston92 · Thu Nov 15, 2007 3:33 am

Wait, is it a new episode or an old one because I remember them doing this a few years back...

Lexy · Thu Nov 15, 2007 3:36 am

It's a new show. They have "Super Sized" the myths.

tb727 · Thu Nov 15, 2007 3:40 am

Quoting Boston92 (Reply 6):
Wait, is it a new episode or an old one because I remember them doing this a few years back...

They did one 2 years ago but the operator backed out at the last minute so they tried with some small bizjet sized engines. They finally found someone that would do it. They should have called CKS in the first place, we have done Hollywood stuff for years! A JT9D will put a hurting on anything at TO power that close.

warszawa · Thu Nov 15, 2007 3:54 am

" They did one 2 years ago but the operator backed out at the last minute so they tried with some small bizjet sized engines. "

Yep, it was for 'Insurance Purposes' that they couldn't do it, I remember the show and the reason

I have other programs recording on my DVR right now, but at 1am the 'Super Size' myths reruns, so it's already set.

It's nice to see the new shows are back, been pretty stagnant the last month or two with no new shows. I always worry they'll run out of myths to test, then I wont have anything fun to watch anymore

[Edited 2007-11-14 19:55:35]

pilotboi · Thu Nov 15, 2007 4:55 am

Watched it here at work. And was only able to because ASA was late - go figure!

Quoting Airfinair (Reply 3):
Along with a school bus & a C172 (I think.) Awesome.

It might have even been a 152, it looked small.

Quoting Lexy (Reply 5):
I loved the show, but the airplane geek inside me said that blowing things over in the wake of a 747 jetblast would be common sense. LOL!!!

Me too. I'm like "do they seriously have ANY doubt that at the car is not going to be creamed?" I mean one might have to second guess the bus, and possibly see it for themselves, but a car is pretty much a no-brainer, even for non plane geeks. These engines have to lift hundreds of thousands of pounds into the air, and you think a car might just be able to pass by without a scratch? Phew - Okay I'm done ranting about that. That being said, it was a good show.

airfrnt · Thu Nov 15, 2007 6:35 am

Quoting Pilotboi (Reply 10):

Me too. I'm like "do they seriously have ANY doubt that at the car is not going to be creamed?" I mean one might have to second guess the bus, and possibly see it for themselves, but a car is pretty much a no-brainer, even for non plane geeks. These engines have to lift hundreds of thousands of pounds into the air, and you think a car might just be able to pass by without a scratch? Phew - Okay I'm done ranting about that. That being said, it was a good show.

Clearly you have not watched enough Mythbusters. 90% of the time the result is perfectly predictable. To keep that from being mundane they usually punctuate the experiments with as big of a boom as they can generate.

Every now and then they do come up with mind blowing things. Last weeks episode where they launched a water heat up through a house and achieved a 40 second hang time was amazing. Proving that salsa (esp electrified) could dissolve jail bars was another amazing result.

Of course, for us aviation geeks, they took on the cell phone can crash a plane myth. Using a emergency escape chute as a parachute, and blowing a hole through a pressured plane.

But for the most part, it's perfectly predictable.

(Edit) Here is the water heater video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JmJoyuUJj2Q

[Edited 2007-11-14 23:00:06]

jhooper · Thu Nov 15, 2007 6:38 am

It's on again now! Tune to the Discovery Channel!

United_fan · Thu Nov 15, 2007 8:16 pm

Quoting Tb727 (Thread starter):
BTW it was filmed at our maintenance base in beautiful KOSC Oscoda-Wurtsmith (former AFB about 3 or so hours north of Detroit

So that's where it was filmed. I wondered about the all white 747's there.

spacecadet · Thu Nov 15, 2007 8:40 pm

Quoting Lexy (Reply 5):
I loved the show, but the airplane geek inside me said that blowing things over in the wake of a 747 jetblast would be common sense. LOL!!!

That's kinda the point of the show - a lot of things that are "common sense" aren't based on reality. For example, I think it's "common sense" that shooting out a window at altitude with a handgun would result in explosive decompression - they proved that it won't.

On the other hand, they seem to enjoy it when myths are proven true. Some "myths" they know are true from the get-go, and they just want to see it for themselves (and show everybody else). I haven't seen this episode yet, but I know from when they tried to do it with the biz-jet engines that they knew it actually happened (they showed the newspaper reports complete with pics), but they just didn't have enough power. Sounds like they finally got it.

petertenthije · Thu Nov 15, 2007 8:56 pm

They did the wrong experiment. Angry

What they should have done is load the 747 with 100,000 pigeons and find out what happens then. Smile

If A 747 Were To Have 100,000 Pigeons In It... (by Sushka Feb 7 2002 in Civil Aviation)

FAEDC3 · Thu Nov 15, 2007 9:49 pm

Quoting Petertenthije (Reply 15):
What they should have done is load the 747 with 100,000 pigeons and find out what happens then.

They already did... Big grin

I saw that episode, and they proved that there is no change in weight. They did not put 100K pigeons inside a 747, but instead did put something like 200 in a shipping container and then weigh it...

I'll see if I can find it in youtube and will post it..

tepidhalibut · Thu Nov 15, 2007 10:17 pm

Quoting Petertenthije (Reply 15):
What they should have done is load the 747 with 100,000 pigeons and find out what happens then.

Or perhaps had the 747 taking off from a conveyer belt? (Tho' I bet even that wouldn't convince some of our contributors...)

jbernie · Thu Nov 15, 2007 10:52 pm

They could always contact the guys over at Top Gear in the UK who blew over a car or two with the 747 at their "testing ground", only last week or so they had Jeremy trying to tractor pull it in one of their challenges.

Hmmm.. Top Gear & Mythbusters, UK & US, that should make an interesting show.

ikramerica · Thu Nov 15, 2007 11:24 pm

Top Gear did a similar experiment a while back, but with remote driven cars to show the effect. It ripped apart a Deux Cheveux, IIRC. Really cool.

Quoting AirFrnt (Reply 11):
90% of the time the result is perfectly predictable. To keep that from being mundane they usually punctuate the experiments with as big of a boom as they can generate.

It's when they aren't that it's cool. The one about pirates wearing eye patches so they can see in the dark and sunlight with ease just by switching sides seemed to be unlikely, but it was verifiable via experiments and testing. And because most ships of that period had really similar layouts, swapping the patch to your dark eye meant you could go below decks, stab people and steal what you wanted very, very quickly. And if any crew members followed from above who hadn't worn an eye patch? They'd be nearly blind and easy prey as soon as the went below decks. And if anyone from below followed you out? They'd be blinded by the sun while your "bright eye" would still not have adjusted to the dark, giving you an advantage on your way out.

seabosdca · Thu Nov 15, 2007 11:30 pm

Quoting Ikramerica (Reply 19):
Deux Cheveux

Two Hairs? Not that hard to rip apart. Big grin

(I think you might have been looking for "Deux Chevaux". Wink

)

ikramerica · Thu Nov 15, 2007 11:38 pm

Quoting SeaBosDca (Reply 20):

Yep. My bad. It's been a long time since I studied French...

But it ripped apart like it was made of sticks, if not straw!

midcon385 · Fri Nov 16, 2007 12:24 am

Quoting Tb727 (Reply 4):
I wanted to go up there and meet Kari

You sound like me. If Kari was anywhere near me, I'd want to go and meet her too!

Great Mythbusters episode last night with great footage inside the cockpit and outside of the Kalitta 747.

Tim

[Edited 2007-11-15 16:26:04]

SUPRAZACHAIR · Fri Nov 16, 2007 3:19 am

You guys are crazy... Kari = yuck

As for the episode, I have never been so thoroughly filled with glee as I was watching the second that car went airborne. I had to pause my Tivo and laugh for a solid 2 minutes. It was awesome.

Bootleg shot:

L-188 · Fri Nov 16, 2007 3:25 am

Quoting HPAEAA (Thread starter):
Anyone catch the reg on the 747 Kalitta Cargo jet which was on today's Mythbusters (11/14) episode?

The goal was to blow over a taxi cab from 100 ft behind the engine..., which they successfully did.....

Good Television, but they could have solved their problem by calling United. They had a training video I have seen that was shot at SFO, where they blow a 10,000gallon tanker into the bay.

Quoting AirFrnt (Reply 11):
they usually punctuate the experiments with as big of a boom as they can generate.

Such as the rocket motor exploding last night.

Quoting AirFrnt (Reply 11):
Last weeks episode where they launched a water heat up through a house and achieved a 40 second hang time was amazing

They could have called Watts regulator for some of their archive footage. They where doing the same experiements back in the 1930's when they where pushing for safety valves to be mandatory equipment on water heaters.

Quoting AirFrnt (Reply 11):
Proving that salsa (esp electrified) could dissolve jail bars was another amazing result.

That one did surprise me.

Quoting Petertenthije (Reply 15):
They did the wrong experiment.

Quoting TepidHalibut (Reply 17):
Quoting Petertenthije (Reply 15):
What they should have done is load the 747 with 100,000 pigeons and find out what happens then.

Or perhaps had the 747 taking off from a conveyer belt? (Tho' I bet even that wouldn't convince some of our contributors...)

Just don't do the one where they figure out what happens if you fly an airplane in a skyscraper.....that would be in bad taste.

FWA2500 · Fri Nov 16, 2007 9:07 am

Quoting Jbernie (Reply 18):
They could always contact the guys over at Top Gear in the UK who blew over a car or two with the 747 at their "testing ground", only last week or so they had Jeremy trying to tractor pull it in one of their challenges.

being an avid Top Gear fan, i must point out that if you are watching it on BBC America, you are a full season behind whats current....but it is awesome none the less that they finally are showing it in the US....even if it is slightly edited for ad breaks Sad

on topic with this mythbusters episode....WOW did that bus get some air time! and that was only with the #2 and 3 engines running!
also, the ship they used for the wake boarding one (the Regal Empress) is the exact same ship that we (my high school marching band) were on durring our florida trip on spring break of my freshmen year in HS nearly 5 years ago...lots of memories came rushing back when i saw it on TV, haha!

jetmech · Fri Nov 16, 2007 1:54 pm

Quoting Suprazachair (Reply 23):

Thanks for the video! I always knew jet engines where powerful, but to blow over a large bus from that distance is amazing! All we need now is a M1A2 Abrams tank and a GE90-115B at full song scratchchin

!

Regards, JetMech

Francoflier · Fri Nov 16, 2007 3:10 pm

I prefered the Top Gear bit. It was original, properly done with a proper 747-400 (VS of course...).

It also had the 2 inboard engines running @ TO thrust.

Mythbusters first did a pathetic atempt with an old wheezy jet engine some guy modified to create a lot of wind... And that's all it did, a lot of hot air. I think the plane they'd hired (whose operator chickened out last minute) was a 737...(?)
They finally got it right, but it's not really that novel anymore... Too bad. Cool footage though.

tb727 · Fri Nov 16, 2007 3:24 pm

Quoting Suprazachair (Reply 23):
You guys are crazy... Kari =

No, man, she's gotta be crazy in the sa....ah never mind.

ikramerica · Fri Nov 16, 2007 5:54 pm

Quoting Francoflier (Reply 27):
They finally got it right, but it's not really that novel anymore... Too bad. Cool footage though.

Of course it's novel. USA TV is full of stuff the british did 5 years ago, but remade for our consumption without those silly accents. And thus, since it's "new to us" it's wholly original! Wink

Seriously, I think MythBusters is way too scripted and "look how goofy we are." I liked the Top Gear test much better.

ctbarnes · Fri Nov 16, 2007 6:11 pm

Anyone see the Mythbusters broadcast a few weeks back where they staged an explosive decompression aboard an old HA DC-9? They wanted, as I recall, to see if a bullet hole would be enough to blow out a window and suck everything out.

The bullet didn't do much, so they blew out a window, and then part of the fuselage. Pretty spectacular.

Charles, SJ

ikramerica · Fri Nov 16, 2007 6:23 pm

Quoting Ctbarnes (Reply 30):
They wanted, as I recall, to see if a bullet hole would be enough to blow out a window and suck everything out.

I assume they showed that a bullet hole wouldn't even cause a decompression? Or is a DC9 that old too poor at maintaining pressure that it actually had an effect? In a modern plane, especially a widebody, you could shoot holes all over the place and it would be able to maintain pressure. The pressure relief vents in the plane are large than the holes, and they would just automatically close...

khobar · Fri Nov 16, 2007 6:29 pm

Quoting Ikramerica (Reply 29):
Seriously, I think MythBusters is way too scripted and "look how goofy we are." I liked the Top Gear test much better.

Top Gear tested a "light as a feather" POS 2CV, right (1235lbs)? I could tip one of those things by myself. They also tested a Ford Mondeo (approx. weight 3162lbs)- and it didn't achieve nearly the same altitude nor hang time. (for that matter, neither did the 2CV).

MB tested a Lincoln Town Car - approximate weight being 4039lbs.

With the sound off, the MB test was better, IMO, but only with the sound off.

ctbarnes · Fri Nov 16, 2007 6:36 pm

Quoting Ikramerica (Reply 31):
I assume they showed that a bullet hole wouldn't even cause a decompression? Or is a DC9 that old too poor at maintaining pressure that it actually had an effect?

That's right. A bullet hole had no effect on cabin pressure. As I recall, they did tests to make sure the test aircraft could be pressurized. They pressurized the cabin to a level that simulated the differential between inside and outside the aircraft if it were flying at 35,000 feet.

Charles, SJ

litz · Fri Nov 16, 2007 6:54 pm

Quoting Ctbarnes (Reply 33):
They pressurized the cabin to a level that simulated the differential between inside and outside the aircraft if it were flying at 35,000 feet.

Not only pressurized, but they had a Huffer constantly maintaining the pressure, to ensure that any leaks did not compromise the test.

The first time they pressurized, they inadvertently reproduced the BAC1-11 incident over in Britain where a pilot was almost sucked out of a plane. Seems one of their plywood cockpit window patches wasn't quite secure enough, and it blew out with severe consequences, launching the seat cushion of the pilot's chair through the opening, some tens of feet outside the aircraft.

- litz

msnell · Sat Nov 17, 2007 1:59 pm

Both shows are great entertainment but I must admit to having a preference for Top Gear. It started out as a pure 'What car to buy' show but has gradually evolved into what it is today. I think that as soon as they started to feature cars that cost upwards of $500,000 things got a bit 'unreal' for the average car buyer and the show became more entertainment than informative.

I think this is a good thing as there are plenty of shows that feature affordable cars - Top Gear has found a great niche, reflected by the consistently high viewing figures on the BBC. As a side note, it is a constant irritation to the presenters of Top Gear that the only show on BBC2 with higher figures is about Gardening!

Great Top Gear moments that must be seen on You Tube are:

The British Space Shuttle - Taking one of the worst cars ever built (The three wheeled Reliant Robin) and launching it on a rocket.

Killing a Toyota - Taking a Toyota pick-up and testing just how tough it is - amazing!

Range Rover vs. Challenger II Tank.

World's Smallest car.

Enjoy!

luv2cattlecall · Sat Nov 17, 2007 3:04 pm

Quoting Midcon385 (Reply 22):
You sound like me. If Kari was anywhere near me, I'd want to go and meet her too!

Sat next to her on a flight once, definitely looks better on TV (not that that says a lot). Rather annoying too, she was on the phone before doors close and not sure who she was talking to, but it sounded like the "tell them about the discount Harry" lady (anyone with XM should know what I mean, from the Sunsetter commercials). Oh, and slightly allergic to peanuts, and whined when they wouldn't give her Biscoff cookies instead.

Quoting Tb727 (Reply 28):
No, man, she's gotta be crazy in the sa....ah never mind.

I suppose that's a myth you're volunteering to bust lol?

EMBQA · Sat Nov 17, 2007 3:32 pm

Quoting L-188 (Reply 24):
they could have solved their problem by calling United. They had a training video I have seen that was shot at SFO, where they blow a 10,000gallon tanker into the bay.

When you watch that video the next time take note that there in no engine in that truck.... !!! So it weighs way less and will fly much further.

jbernie · Sat Nov 17, 2007 8:49 pm

Quoting Msnell (Reply 35):
The British Space Shuttle - Taking one of the worst cars ever built (The three wheeled Reliant Robin) and launching it on a rocket.

I was astounded by that one, was such a disappointment that the booster tank didn't release correctly. Would love to see them try to repeat that one if they could.

dragon-wings · Sat Nov 17, 2007 9:58 pm

You forgot the airplane related Mythbusters one where they shot dead chickens through a airplane windshield to see if/what kind of damage it will do.

tb727 · Sat Nov 17, 2007 11:18 pm

Quoting Dragon-wings (Reply 39):
You forgot the airplane related Mythbusters one where they shot dead chickens through a airplane windshield to see if/what kind of damage it will do.

That was originally a Learjet thing from the early 60's when Bill Lear wanted to sit in the cockpit of the test aircraft to prove how well it was designed. They managed to talk him out of it and the chicken ended up going through the window and out the back of the plane, it would have killed Bill and possibly the program! Since they were out in Michigan, they should have brought their chicken cannon to YIP and shot it at one of our Lears out in the pasture.

Boston92 · Sat Nov 17, 2007 11:24 pm

For us in the states, it airs again at 5PM Eastern (Or for those like me who live in the west, but have Directv). Still haven't seen it yet.

sandyb123 · Sat Nov 17, 2007 11:56 pm

Hi,

As mentioned above this was done on BBC Top Gear about 2 years ago.

SandyB123

HPAEAA · Sun Nov 18, 2007 12:38 am

Quoting Sandyb123 (Reply 42):
As mentioned above this was done on BBC Top Gear about 2 years ago.

Thanks for the Video.. but why did they hide the fact that it was a Virgin Atlantic Jet?

wolflair · Sun Nov 18, 2007 1:04 am

Quoting Msnell (Reply 35):
Great Top Gear moments that must be seen on You Tube are:

The British Space Shuttle - Taking one of the worst cars ever built (The three wheeled Reliant Robin) and launching it on a rocket.

Killing a Toyota - Taking a Toyota pick-up and testing just how tough it is - amazing!

Range Rover vs. Challenger II Tank.

World's Smallest car.

There are 2 other videos not to be missed:

Lotus Exige VS AH64-D (and I agree w the Hamster, it was easier to let the Apache get out of the airfield for an easier lock-on).

Porsche VS BMW cabrios tested with a platoon of snipers from the British Army

dragon-wings · Sun Nov 18, 2007 1:09 am

I just remembered another aviation myth they did on Mythbusters.

They put a postage stamp on a helicopter blade to see if it will un balance the blade and send the helicopter out of control. They first put stamps on a remote control helicopter, then they put stamps on the real thing. Myth was busted.

NIKV69 · Sun Nov 18, 2007 1:25 am

Watching it now, the last time Mythbusters tried this in the mojave they were denied use of the plane at the last minute and brought in some crap engine at the last minute. So the myth wasn't tested well. This isn't much of a surprise this myth is based on a factual event in Rio anyway isn't it?

Maverick623 · Sun Nov 18, 2007 2:12 am

Quoting Petertenthije (Reply 15):
What they should have done is load the 747 with 100,000 pigeons and find out what happens then.

At the risk of rehashing an old argument....

I saw not a single correct answer in that thread. A few partially correct answers, followed by muck.

RayChuang · Sun Nov 18, 2007 5:51 am

Doing this test with a 747 engine is one thing.

How about repeating the test with an EMBRAER 170 regional jet powered by two CF34 engines? I'll almost bet we'll get similar results, though the vehicles won't be blown as far. Smile

sandyb123 · Sun Nov 18, 2007 10:03 am

Quoting HPAEAA (Reply 43):

The live show didn't have the Virgin titles covered up and there are other vids on Youtube which don't have this. Must be this video (plus the annoying ad at the very start).

Also, check out the fing flex when they are filming out the window!

SandyB123

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