Aircraft Trivia Quiz

Milairjunkie wrote:

Which was the first A/C known to have an allergy to Pentel pens, algae & Cadmium plated hand tools?

That would have to be the Lockheed A-12, the precursor to the SR-71 Blackbird.  The problems came about because of the use of titanium alloy--Pentel pens would leave etch marks on the metal.  The algae issue came up when spot welds that were made in the summer failed after only a couple weeks, but those done in the winter didnt fail.  The problem was traced to the use of chlorine in the water only in the summertime.  This was fixed by the use of distilled water year-round.  And cadmium plated tools left a residue of that metal on the bolt heads, which would then break off under high heat.  The Skunk works team had to literally check each and every took box to ensure that no more cadmium tools were present.

Sorry for the delay in my response.

Yes indeed the A-12 / SR-71, correct on all counts. From what I read, if a pentel pen is used on Titanium & the Titanium left for several hours, the ink will eat through the titanium!

OK, should be an easy one

What nuclear bomber aircraft still flies in an "official" capacity today despite being older than the B-52?

It could be the Canberra, but I think it is not used operrationally anymore. The Brits and Indians stopped using them. Maybe Peru still has some...

And the Tu-95 first flew in 1952, so depending on the month (I will look into that) it is just as old as the B-52.

F-8fanatic wrote:

OK, should be an easy one What nuclear bomber aircraft still flies in an "official" capacity today despite being older than the B-52?

I have been going by first flight, in which case the B-52 flew 12 days before the TU-16 / H-6, & it also flew before the TU-95 & Vulcan.

I did consider the Canberra, but would have thought it a bomber which could drop nuclear weapons as opposed to a nuclear bomber (does that even make sense?).

Milairjunkie wrote:

I have been going by first flight, in which case the B-52 flew 12 days before the TU-16 / H-6, & it also flew before the TU-95 & Vulcan. I did consider the Canberra, but would have thought it a bomber which could drop nuclear weapons as opposed to a nuclear bomber (does that even make sense?).

Milairjunkie wrote:

I did consider the Canberra, but would have thought it a bomber which could drop nuclear weapons as opposed to a nuclear bomber (does that even make sense?).

Well, wouldn't that make it a nuclear bomber??????????????

simpilot34 wrote:

Milairjunkie wrote: I did consider the Canberra, but would have thought it a bomber which could drop nuclear weapons as opposed to a nuclear bomber (does that even make sense?). Well, wouldn't that make it a nuclear bomber??????????????

I seem to recall that back in the day just about every second military A/C capable of carrying a nuclear store (A-4, F-4, Buccanee........) was tasked with carrying them - That in my mind does not qualify them as being nuclear bombers. In my mind a nuclear bomber is something which is specifically designed to bomb with nukes, things like the B-52, Vulcan, TU-160..... not small attack A/C like the A-4 - hell, most of these A/C could probably carry & drop an A-4?

Who's turn is it? Next question please guys.

I'm guessing it's my turn, as the question was void, and I was first to answer (Vulcan being an early nuclear bomber).

OK, so:

This Russian modern aircraft, in use today, looks a lot like the aircraft it replaced, but, is actually quite a different beast.  What's the aircraft?

Cheers.

This supersonic aircraft did not handle well a speed due to heat caused by air friction, it was not liked much by its crew members either.

Name the A/C & the nature of its handling problem?

No, this A/C managed to reach production & service status & saw combat in the 70s & 80s.

This was one of a number of A/C which benefited from "area rule" discoveries during is design / prototype stages.

Milairjunkie wrote:

No, this A/C managed to reach production & service status & saw combat in the 70s & 80s. This was one of a number of A/C which benefited from "area rule" discoveries during is design / prototype stages.

No, the friction heating caused a control / handling problem.

It is also twin!