T-38 VC images, and other Milviz updates 7 Dec, 2010

Oh boy...

....this is going to be GOOD. Can't wait for some external shots when they are available...

Kent
 
Here is an interesting discussion on the subject of "travel pods," which includes some very good closeups of one mounted on a T-38:
http://www.arcforums.com/forums/air/lofiversion/index.php?t174853.html

http://media.photobucket.com/image/MXU-648%20t-38/DDonSS3/T-38%20Talon/3816.jpg

If you type MXU-648 into your google.com search with the "Images" filter selected, you'll find a whole bunch of closeup photos as well...

This company apparently is now the prime manufacturer/supplier of the MXU travel pods:
https://www.cobham.com/media/75413/MXU_NGCP ADV10595.pdf
 
I guess I will stop trying to wrap my head around this travel pod thing. I am just trying to figure out where/how this station comes from. Being weapons qualified on the SH-60B I know from my perspective what it takes to put weapons/stores on an aircraft. I have never seen an entire pylon that was removable like this which is I suppose what I am trying to understand. On the H-60 the pylon is a part of the airframe, and we just remove/install the BRU-14A bomb racks in order to be able to load stores and what not.. Not to mention we are able to jettison/drop/launch said stores which I thought was a requirement of any external object of an aircraft which is why I was combing the T.O. trying to figure out where the panel is that controls this station. I suppose I am just looking to far into it, as I am just trying to understand for my own knowledge. I really need to go to the fixed wing community and see how this stuff really works... I apologize in that process if I have offended anyone. Not questioning anyones experience with this bird. I am just naturally curious about ALL aircraft, and when I come to something I do not understand how/why it came to be on an airframe I just like to know how it works. Not being able to find it in documentation just makes it that much more mind boggling for me. :ernae:
 
Roadburner440 said:
I guess I will stop trying to wrap my head around this travel pod thing. I am just trying to figure out where/how this station comes from. Being weapons qualified on the SH-60B I know from my perspective what it takes to put weapons/stores on an aircraft. I have never seen an entire pylon that was removable like this which is I suppose what I am trying to understand. On the H-60 the pylon is a part of the airframe, and we just remove/install the BRU-14A bomb racks in order to be able to load stores and what not.. Not to mention we are able to jettison/drop/launch said stores which I thought was a requirement of any external object of an aircraft which is why I was combing the T.O. trying to figure out where the panel is that controls this station. I suppose I am just looking to far into it, as I am just trying to understand for my own knowledge. I really need to go to the fixed wing community and see how this stuff really works... I apologize in that process if I have offended anyone. Not questioning anyones experience with this bird. I am just naturally curious about ALL aircraft, and when I come to something I do not understand how/why it came to be on an airframe I just like to know how it works. Not being able to find it in documentation just makes it that much more mind boggling for me. :ernae:
Click to expand...

On fighter aircraft the pylons are separate from the airframe. There are hardpoints built into the fuselage or wing structure to which the pylons are bolted to. Then the stores/weapons/travel pods/fuel tanks are attached to the pylon. Depending on the mission those pylons will either be attached by the ground crew or left off. When you see an aircraft with no pylons or external stores it's referred to as being in the 'clean' condition.

On the T-38/F-5 there is a centerline station that has a dedicated pylon for it. You can affix various loads to that pylon (fuel tank, travel pod, bombs, etc.)

Typically you see travel pods when the aircraft is ferrying from point to point and it allows the crew to carry their luggage (or beer :kilroy: ).

-G-
 
That MXU pod is exactly the one I remember as standard at UPT bases, it's not the slick one seen in NASA photos. BLU 27 cut up and rewelded. It literally does look like it was cobbled together by maybe a metal bender at depot level maintenance in the AF at some point. Not contract quality work, but functional.
 
There is an interesting anecdote in the first link I posted. Apparently the travel pod was attached "backwards" for one flight, and the result was that the air pressure increased to the point that the pod blew open, scattering the poor pilots' undies all over the landscape... :)
 
View attachment 25318

How about a rocket pod/practise bomb dispencer?

View attachment 25319

T-38-Talon-trainer-068.jpg
 
Definitly cutting edge!

As to the PMDG 737 Nexgen series, should be quite nice as well. I worked with them on the 747-400's. The FMC/autoflight system requirig the most work. The 737 will involve a similar amount of effort. The FMC systems are different in the 737 series. Got out of the small birds before the new series came along, so not much help!

However a quality 737-200 might be a great addon for someone. A less steep learning curve for a realistic implimentation.

T
 
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