Gemini Interview ?

[Fedora]

Hi PHX!
I flew a converted Convair 880 as Chief Pilot for a contractor at Patuxent River NAS. The 990 rating came with the territory like the B757 and B767 as a similar type. It had a KA-3 tanker package in the aft baggage compartment and we "passed gas" to the FA-18's and F-14's at the test center. Because of it's speed, they mounted a lot of telemety gear in the back and we chased Tomahawk cruise missiles and did some other stuff I'll not talk about. 880's and 990's still hold some of the trans-continental speed records, mainly because of the 250 kt below 10k rule, but it was truly a unique experience. The aircraft I flew started out belonging to the FAA as an MLS test platform, and was "sold" to the Navy for a dollar.
Seven years of some great flying ended in 1993 when the Navy retired her to ground testing. Lisa Marie in Graceland is one of the last preserved 880's that I know of. There were a bunch in Mojave, but I think that they're gone now.

 

[PHXFLYR]

Sounds like you did some really interesting flying. Thanks for taking the time to respond. Read somewhere that most pilots referred to them as the best 4 engine fighter they ever flew.

PHXFLYR

 

[ATR-DRIVR]

Hi PHX!
I flew a converted Convair 880 as Chief Pilot for a contractor at Patuxent River NAS. The 990 rating came with the territory like the B757 and B767 as a similar type. It had a KA-3 tanker package in the aft baggage compartment and we "passed gas" to the FA-18's and F-14's at the test center. Because of it's speed, they mounted a lot of telemety gear in the back and we chased Tomahawk cruise missiles and did some other stuff I'll not talk about. 880's and 990's still hold some of the trans-continental speed records, mainly because of the 250 kt below 10k rule, but it was truly a unique experience. The aircraft I flew started out belonging to the FAA as an MLS test platform, and was "sold" to the Navy for a dollar.
Seven years of some great flying ended in 1993 when the Navy retired her to ground testing. Lisa Marie in Graceland is one of the last preserved 880's that I know of. There were a bunch in Mojave, but I think that they're gone now.

Fedora,
Something like this?
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/1092846/L/

 

[bobs98tlr]

Fedora- Random question, do you have a younger brother that lives just outside of Chicago?

 

[Fedora]

Thanks for the link, ATR-DRIVR! Yep that was the jet! I should submit the photos I have with 18's on the hose.
I didn't want to mention the part where they blew her up during testing. It was a great machine.
We joked about flying a pair of F-4's in close formation. The CJ805 engines were basically J-79 engines without the afterburner. Many are still in use in Navy turbine powered ships and as Alaskan pipeline turbine powered pumps. In a standby status, they start and go to 105 percent in sixty seconds under a full load. They also swallowed birds without so much as a hickup and a few nicked blades. BTW, that photo is a great shot and one of the few I don't have!
No younger bros here, Bobs98tlr. I was the baby of the family. I've lost track of some of the guys that I flew with there. Thanks for the interest, guys!
Regards,
Walt

 

[ATR-DRIVR]

Glad to help!! More great shots there also!
Wish I could have seen it up close!

 

[HA25]

Hey Walt.. we'll miss you man! Lets keep in touch.

that C880 was a good looking plane, and very fast I recall... almost as fast as the X.

 

[dojetdriver]

Hey Walt.. we'll miss you man! Lets keep in touch.

that C880 was a good looking plane, and very fast I recall... almost as fast as the X.

You leaving the G-spot already?

 

[HA25]

You leaving the G-spot already?

yup. PM me if you need more info.