Please Delete
09-02-2009, 12:43 AM
#361
Team Owner
Doc maybe you just need the right kind of companionship.............
How about a Big Beautiful Doll.............
How about a Big Beautiful Doll.............
09-02-2009, 12:46 AM
#362
Team Owner
If not that....... THEN how about something with more meat on its bones, a B17
09-02-2009, 01:19 AM
#366
Rest in Peace
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Join Date: May 2006
Location: Bird lover in Sharpsburg
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Deleted good guy.
Wartime test pilot Ronald Harker died in Taupo, New Zealand, on 30 May at age 90. Ronnie Harker has his place in the history of aviation for the role he played in the evolution of the Mustang fighter into one of the great warplanes of history. The North American P-51 Mustang was originally built for the British Purchasing Commission and the early aircraft had many pleasing qualities but its Allison V-1710 engine gave it poor performance at higher altitudes and its range was somewhat short.
The Mustang entered service with the RAF in 1941 but, because its performance did not challenge that of the latest marks of Spitfires, it was relegated to Army co-operation and recon work where it performed admirably. However, Ronnie Harker, RollsRoyce's senior test liaison pilot, was offered the opportunity to test the Mustang by the RAF. He liked the aircraft's handling qualities but not its engine, which did not have the performance to exploit the fighter's advanced aerodynamics. He was convinced the airplane would be another animal entirely if fitted with the Rolls-Royce Merlin.
Harker pressed strongly for the American engine to be replaced by the Merlin and, after a good deal of official reluctance, largely from the Air Ministry, he got his way. The result was a transformation. The Mustang's top speed went from 390 mph to 440 mph and the range from 450 miles to as much as 2000 with various configurations of drop tanks. A great escort fighter had been born and ever afterwards Harker was known as "the man who put the Merlin in the Mustang."
Ronnie Harker had his last flight in a Mustang in New Zealand during 1997 at the age of 88. Information courtesy of Norm Malayney.
Copyright Challenge Publications Inc. Sep 1999
Wartime test pilot Ronald Harker died in Taupo, New Zealand, on 30 May at age 90. Ronnie Harker has his place in the history of aviation for the role he played in the evolution of the Mustang fighter into one of the great warplanes of history. The North American P-51 Mustang was originally built for the British Purchasing Commission and the early aircraft had many pleasing qualities but its Allison V-1710 engine gave it poor performance at higher altitudes and its range was somewhat short.
The Mustang entered service with the RAF in 1941 but, because its performance did not challenge that of the latest marks of Spitfires, it was relegated to Army co-operation and recon work where it performed admirably. However, Ronnie Harker, RollsRoyce's senior test liaison pilot, was offered the opportunity to test the Mustang by the RAF. He liked the aircraft's handling qualities but not its engine, which did not have the performance to exploit the fighter's advanced aerodynamics. He was convinced the airplane would be another animal entirely if fitted with the Rolls-Royce Merlin.
Harker pressed strongly for the American engine to be replaced by the Merlin and, after a good deal of official reluctance, largely from the Air Ministry, he got his way. The result was a transformation. The Mustang's top speed went from 390 mph to 440 mph and the range from 450 miles to as much as 2000 with various configurations of drop tanks. A great escort fighter had been born and ever afterwards Harker was known as "the man who put the Merlin in the Mustang."
Ronnie Harker had his last flight in a Mustang in New Zealand during 1997 at the age of 88. Information courtesy of Norm Malayney.
Copyright Challenge Publications Inc. Sep 1999
09-02-2009, 02:43 AM
#367
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
I saw this thread when it only had 1 post, little did I know that it would grow into a
full blown comedy fest. Oh well, this place can be interesting...
And I hope I'm to early for the prize Doc, nothing personal.
full blown comedy fest. Oh well, this place can be interesting...
And I hope I'm to early for the prize Doc, nothing personal.
