"Aluminium" Overcast

[PRB]

Took this pic during an airshow at NAS Lemoore, in 1980-something-or-other. It was summer, and for those who haven't been in the California Central Valley in summer, it was the usual 105 degrees, more or less, with -1 percent humidity, hence the air-show goers taking advantage of shade, wherever it can be found.

 

[FSX68]

I think all the aluminum clouds have been retired Yes?

 

[TARPSBird]

First time I saw a C-5 it was taking off from NAS Cubi Point in the Philippines in 1973. It kinda floated off the runway like in slow motion with those mournful-sounding engines. For a moment I thought it was gonna stall out and fall into Subic Bay, but those big engines kept it climbing and off it went. Very impressive aircraft.

 

[tommieboy]

I think all the aluminum clouds have been retired Yes?

Nope, they are going to be with us for a long long time to come. The newest upgrade package is the C-5M "Super Galaxy" with new modern engines and a glass cockpit.

Hopefully they'll then follow-up with a Super Duper Galaxy.....:costum:

Tommy

 

[Dev One]

That takes me back...I was one of the 900+ bods employed at Southall (the brain drain place) in the 60's designing the wing....
Keith

 

[KellyB]

Quite a few years ago, we had an air show at Bangor IAP (KBGR). One of the aircraft on static display was a C-5, which a lot of us had never seen, so when it called the tower, we all ran to a small hill overlooking the runway.

We saw a hi-tailed aircraft on short final, and were disappointed by its "Not so big" size, and many made comments to that effect. Then one guy said, "Here comes its mother."

What we saw first was, of course a C-141; not all that impressive.

The C-5 was another story altogether, and we were duly rewarded for rushing out to see it.

Over the years, C-5s from Stewart AFB would come here and do transitions. They would often go right over my house at about 3000ft, and they look for all the world as if they are moving s-l-o-w-l-y through the air as if floating rather than flying. They also whine a lot.

They're gone now, but occasionally one will "drop by" and "float" over me.

 

[PRB]

KBGR! Been there a couple times...

Weird about the C-5, how everyone has the same impression, that it's moving in slow motion. The only other plane I've seen that behaves similarly is the 747. 'cause it's huge too. Never seen any of those giant Russian monsters, the An-124 and 125. Bet the move in "slow motion" too...

 

[pfflyers]

That "slow-motion" effect is really weird. I had the same impression the first time I saw a C-5 on final. It seemed to be moving so slowly I couldn't understand how it stayed in the air.

 

[tommieboy]

KBGR! Been there a couple times...

Weird about the C-5, how everyone has the same impression, that it's moving in slow motion. The only other plane I've seen that behaves similarly is the 747. 'cause it's huge too. Never seen any of those giant Russian monsters, the An-124 and 125. Bet the move in "slow motion" too...

Don't forget the biggest of them all; the six engine An-225.......:isadizzy:

Tommy

 

[Jagdflieger]

C5 Galaxy

Saw my first C5A in 1972 at Fort Hood, Texas, although they had been flying for a few years by then. It was there for load out testing and the crew chief gave me a tour of "his" plane from stem to stern. It was most impressive.

I also got to fly in 'em going overseas and I even have some jumps from Galaxies in my log book. I often sat up in the cockpit and chatted with the flight deck crew on long flights over the Pacific going into theater.

 

[Dev One]

'Slow motion effect' remember Einsteins theory of relativity!
Note how a small business jet (HS125 for example) speed seems faster than the A380 behind (or in front of) it!
Keith

 

[hairyspin]

Never seen any of those giant Russian monsters, the An-124 and 125. Bet they move in "slow motion" too...

As does the An-225. I saw it in 2000 on near-final approach and could not believe it would stay in the air. I also remember seeing - and hearing - the C-5 regularly when Kosovo was the international hotspot: the grinding whine of those big turbofans was very distinctive.

 

[Jagdflieger]

Yep, even when the Galaxy is above the "overcast" and not seen, the distinctive whine of those big turbo fans announce the Galaxy like no other aircraft.

 

[PRB]

I rode in the back of a C-141 from Singapore to Diego Garcia a number of years ago, but never in a C-5. I did wander around in the back of the Galaxy pictured above, during that airshow. They have one of those "Titanic Grand Staircases" leading from the "cargo bay" up to the "main bridge"... That plane is huge! The engine noise: the 747 sounds the same, that low pitched whiny growl. Very cool. Must be something about those turbo fans with the big fans in the front, and small exhausts in the back, they all sound that way (more or less). I think we're hearing "propeller sounds" from the big fans in the front.

 

[tommieboy]

I flew on the C-5 a few times....The worst part of it for me was the check-in time; 5 to 6 hours prior to the flight's departure time; and then they'd bump you from the flight for a higher priority package....

Tommy

 

[Daveroo]

i too have memories of hearing those C-5s flying over my house ,hearing that whine was deff distinctive. in 90? or 91?..when Hussian went into Kuwait ,i remember them flying east to west,which seemed odd to me as im west of reno ( mustang VOR?...which i dont hear them talking about any more btw..why?)and im near Beale,....but we would watch and one day a buddy and i decided to chase them..scanner,nice strong antenna on my truck...they came over auburn,turned short of the sacramento river ,and headed south to Travis AFB,it was a few days later that the Kuwait invasion was all over the news.


and one time we went to an airshow at Travis,on the ramp were two C-5s, two C-141's .two C-130s,and two planes no one knew at the time..C-17s.and off in the distance were two 707 based planes that looked od,they were those ones with the huge radars? on the side just behind the cockpit.