Chopper_Nut's 2nd US trip in a year. (Caution, LOTS of Pics)

[chopper_nut]

I must be moving up in the world, haven't visited the US in 20 years and now I've done two trips in four months. A few life changes meaning that I'll probably be going back more frequently now.

Driving north from LA, we hit a few smaller airports. Shafter was dead, all of the tankers were off fighting the Malibu fires.





Saw a whole bunch of Thrush's and Air Tractors on the side of the road at Medford. Seem to be getting their turbine conversions done.









We hit Castle at Atwater CA. Good museum of dusty aircraft but some interesting types.













































We also did Yanks at Chino. If you're there, I'd recommend doing both Yanks and Planes of Fame, take two days.



































That's a selection of the aviation stuff, the rest of the trip was taken up with other things, hunting through record shops (some good scores) Shooting (good to get my eye in again and great fun) and just being on holiday. We also hit Pima, Planes of fame and the California Science Center again but there wasn't a lot that had changed.

[toprob]

Well done, those first few have a timeless quality, they could be anywhere from old Kodachrome through to modern digital...
You did say LOTS of pics, but I came to the end too soon.

[chopper_nut]

Cheers Rob. Yeah the air on those first few days was pretty dirty from the fires and the dust... never thought about it but they could be Kodachrome...

[emfrat]

Great set, Nick
What's the attempted TSR2 in pic21?

Mike

[Charl]

Where's the "Like" Button?
Mike: I didn't count, but scrolling through these I thought I would comment that the Vigilante surely was the result of the canned TSR2 being clandestinely handed off to the yanks!

[emfrat]

[Lindstrim]

Great set, Nick
What's the attempted TSR2 in pic21?

Mike

I agree with Charl its a Vigilante

[emfrat]

Great set, Nick
What's the attempted TSR2 in pic21?

Mike

I agree with Charl its a Vigilante

Thankyou gents

[chopper_nut]

Great set, Nick
What's the attempted TSR2 in pic21?

Mike

Thanks for looking chaps

Yes that’s an RA5 Vigilate. Designed as a nuclear bomber but was converted to a recon platform when they discovered that the bomb didn’t fall away from the aircraft. When you actually look at it, it has no resemblence to TSR2 except that it’s got a long nose and two engines... TSR2 is far more impressive!!!

[emfrat]

Thanks, Nick. It was the upper fuselage profile, that window behind the cockpits and the 'flying' tailplane, that all shouted TSR2 to me, at first glance. As you say, on closer inspection it is nothing like the beautiful, excellently performing BAC design
Mike

[Splitpin]

Awesome work Nick ....went over and over them , beautiful classic stuff.