White Lightnin'

Fujimi makes (or made) a stock 928GT (with D-90's) and a Koenig Specials 928S4 model kit. Both in 1:24 scale.

Have both. Unbuilt for now.

Wisconsin Joe

Actually, the "spike" did a couple of things. It regulated intake pressure,along with the bypass doors (which led to the huge pipes you mentioned) but it also deflected the shockwave to keep air going into the engine intakes. It was possible for the supersonic shockwave to keep enough air from entering the intakes, resulting in "unstarts", which could be rather violent.

The SR-71/Y-12 was truly an awesome plane. The technology in it has not been replicated. The capabilites haven't really either (unless you believe in the Aurora stories). The B-2 Spirit has amazing capabilites, but it doesn't have the sheer velocity of the Habu. (and all the stuff that goes along with creating a machine that can sustain those speeds)
It was the ultimate embodiment of the phrase "Speed's just a question of money. How fast can you afford to go?"

For me, the most amazing thing about it was it's size. When I finally saw one in person, up close, it was tiny! Really. It's a lot smaller than I expected.

Gary Knox

PM sent to Bjbpe

Randy V

Thanks for sharing.

Gary Knox

You are welcome Randy. It was some off topic stuff having to do with our careers. Didn't think it needed to be on the forum, but made the post as I've found some people don't check the PM's very often.

Cheers, and have a relaxing weekend.

G--

Bjbpe

I happened to come back to this thread today and just thought I might mention another irritant in the earlier aerospace experience; that being computers. When I first went to work for Pratt and Whitney Aircraft, President Kennedy had just signed the procurement for Apollo. Spent a considerable time on the fuel cells in the command module as well as the ones that were supposed to go into the LEM (but never made it because LBJ wanted the money for his "Not so Great Society"). Anyway, a lot of us old guys like to say that we put a man on the moon largely using slide rules. Think I'm kidding? If you review one of the Apollo movies (it might be Apollo 13) you will see one of the NASA engineers plotting the flight with a slide rule.