Welcome to Flightinfo.com

  • Register now and join the discussion
  • Friendliest aviation Ccmmunity on the web
  • Modern site for PC's, Phones, Tablets - no 3rd party apps required
  • Ask questions, help others, promote aviation
  • Share the passion for aviation
  • Invite everyone to Flightinfo.com and let's have fun

Steep Connie

Welcome to Flightinfo.com

  • Register now and join the discussion
  • Modern secure site, no 3rd party apps required
  • Invite your friends
  • Share the passion of aviation
  • Friendliest aviation community on the web
Cute Kid

That poor old bird looks like its seen its better days. :(


Is that your kid in your avatar? Looks like a riot! :D
 
How do know it is coming in...maybe that is a short field takeoff over a 50 foot popsicle?
 
That's not a very steep approach, and yes, that's a typical approach. Most airplanes of that era approached in a similiar fashion.

As far as tired or having seen better days, what on earth are you talking about? It doesn't get much better than that.
 
I was implying that bird deserves better...
 
Better than...being landed? Better than what? What do you see in that picture that I don't?
 
Better than...being landed? Better than what? What do you see in that picture that I don't?

On first glance it looked like it was an abused freighter... there looks to be chipping paint and exhaust stains. That gem of an airplane deserves better. :)


I guess I'm foolishly ignorant.
 
Crizz said:
On first glance it looked like it was an abused freighter... there looks to be chipping paint and exhaust stains. That gem of an airplane deserves better. :)


I guess I'm foolishly ignorant.

I think what he's trying to say (and I could be way off base here) is that it's nice to see a Connie in flying condition. It might not be nice and shiny in nostalgic TWA paint but it's much better than seeing it in a museum if you ask me.
 
Scroll down - the picture is dated 1977.

Also looks like the cargo door is open! Maybe explains the steep approach.
 
avbug said:
That's not a very steep approach, and yes, that's a typical approach. Most airplanes of that era approached in a similiar fashion.

As far as tired or having seen better days, what on earth are you talking about? It doesn't get much better than that.

So you've flown most aircraft of "that era"?

That's a fairly broad statement. If it's not a steep approach but yet most a/c approach in the same manner then what manner is that and how is it different from today's a/c in your opinion. You obviously feel very strongly about this.

It doesn't get much better than what? Flying a Super Connie? Or flying a steep approach.
 
Last edited:
Huck said:
Also looks like the cargo door is open!
I see what you're talking about. Those are the nose gear doors. (It retracts aft.)
 
Chipped paint. Eeegads. Yes, it does deserve better than that.

As one who was flying airplanes of that vintage era, on a regular basis until the past couple of years, yes, I do have an affinity for older airplanes and round engines. I like flying them, I like working on them, and yes, I have flown a variety of airplanes from that era, and am familiar with them. That approach doesn't look unusual in the least.

As Typhoon pointed out, those are gear doors, not a cargo door (which never folded down).

A working life as a regularly flying freight aircraft is better than a death in a boneyard. I flew a PB4Y-2 until two years ago, and it was still going strong; a tough, proud, working airplane that was doing what it was made to do. Yes it had chipped paint. And a lot of exhaust stains. And it was covered in dripping oil, and dripping retardant.

If you have ever spent any significant time around round engines, then you already understand that if it's not dripping oil, then it's out of oil. Exhaust stains on the airplane? Of course. That means it's working, and that's as it should be.

I washed my airplane by hand every day, top to bottom, and every time it flew, it came back just as dirty as ever. Just as it should be, and normal fare for airplanes of that era.

Do you have experience with these airplanes? What would you do for it to make it better, what does it deserve?

Better yet, who is going to pay for it? You?
 
I hate how certain threads are hi-jacked.

Avbug- I havent been a member here long. In my limited time here, I have gained alot of respect for your posts. I look forward to reading them, as I think you have a ton of good insight about all sorts of things I wish to learn about. I had no intention of pissing you off by stating my sympathy for aircraft of that era. I have no idea how you have misconstrued my posts into what you apparently have. I agree with everything you have said...

So, with that aside, nice pic Typhoon - airplane and kid. I hope someday I will get to fly the likes of a 727 - a dinosaur of my flying generation. I have the utmost respect for aircraft and aviators gone by.

:D
 
Avbug reminds me of my 8th grade science teacher.

That old lady knew about everything, and could prove it. She always started a class by saying to keep your mouth shut and your ears open.

She carried one of those battleball paddles. You know the one with a ball attached by bubber band. She would pop you on the open palm of the hand with that thing when you messed up. Had to walk fast with that hand out to catch the wind for cooling after a trip to the closet with that thing.

Man, I'm 50 y/o and I'll never forget Old lady rubber neck. Woman was over 6 ft. and her ears were 10" above her sholders.

The good thing was She was worth listening to, so is Avbug!
 
Crizz said:
I hope someday I will get to fly the likes of a 727 - a dinosaur of my flying generation.
My father said you can always recognize a 727 crew: they're the ones walking down the concourse asking each other, "Huh? What? What'd'you say?" (I hear the airflow noise in the cockpit was a killer!)

He also told me that some of Eastern's early 727-100's were equipped with nose-wheel brakes! Said they'd stop on a dime. :eek:
 
I still wake up in a cold sweat at night, afraid that Mrs. Wright, my third grade teacher, is coming for me.

...Then remember it used to be a prepubescent fantasy, and I go back to sleep and try to pick up where I left off.

The only difference between then, and now, is that this time, I hope she brings the paddle...
 

Latest resources

Back
Top