Here's shots from two recent emails I got from Jim.
The first is of a Global Hawk.
To one and all;
During my photo visit to Beale AFB last month, I had a chance to shoot their only Global Hawk. It carries a "BB" tail code in dark gray over light gray paint (I don't have the FS number). The band at the top of the twin verticals is Orange, versus the U-2s band that is in Red.
All operational Global Hawks are controlled from Beale AFB with its operations center in the old SAC alert building at the north end of the base. Flight test Global Hawks are controlled from Edwards AFB. When the Global Hawk is matured as a weapons/reconn system, Beale will or could have up to fifty (50) RQ-4A/Bs.... I'll miss the Dragon Lady!
I only shot a few images as the Global Hawk was inside a darkly lit hangar, but then again, I am the only guy on my block to have photographed a Beale based RQ-4A.
Cheers....Jim
Here's some of a Blackbird (this is actually an A-12...prior to the SR-71)
To one and all;
Its been fifteen years since I headed up acquisition and move of the Minnesota Air Guard's Lockheed/CIA A-12, #128. This was way before the Internet and I decided to send out some of the images of that move. It was the most fun I've ever had, short of my children and grandsons.
For those not familiar with the move, I headed up a team of twelve members of the MN Air Guard to Air Force Plant 42, Plant 10, Palmdale, CA on 10 OCT 91 to dismantle the eighth production Blackbird and to load it into a New Air Guard C-5A for its final trip to the Minnesota Air Guard Museum, located at the MN ANG Base, 133rd Airlift Wing, Mpls/St.Paul IAP, St. Paul, MN.
The dismantling only took two and one half days. But when the team consisted of three Chief Master Sergeants, three Senior Master Sergeants, two civilians and five lesser NCOs, the average time working on aircraft was a little over 35 years for a total of a bit over 450 years of experience.
Anyway, I hope you enjoy the images.
Cheers...Jim
Pretty amazing stuff. One of the guys that frequents the LHS was on the design team for the 71. He's got some amazing stories but only tells enough to make you wonder what that plane was really capable of.
They could outrun a SAM. :lol:
The first is of a Global Hawk.
To one and all;
During my photo visit to Beale AFB last month, I had a chance to shoot their only Global Hawk. It carries a "BB" tail code in dark gray over light gray paint (I don't have the FS number). The band at the top of the twin verticals is Orange, versus the U-2s band that is in Red.
All operational Global Hawks are controlled from Beale AFB with its operations center in the old SAC alert building at the north end of the base. Flight test Global Hawks are controlled from Edwards AFB. When the Global Hawk is matured as a weapons/reconn system, Beale will or could have up to fifty (50) RQ-4A/Bs.... I'll miss the Dragon Lady!
I only shot a few images as the Global Hawk was inside a darkly lit hangar, but then again, I am the only guy on my block to have photographed a Beale based RQ-4A.
Cheers....Jim
Here's some of a Blackbird (this is actually an A-12...prior to the SR-71)
To one and all;
Its been fifteen years since I headed up acquisition and move of the Minnesota Air Guard's Lockheed/CIA A-12, #128. This was way before the Internet and I decided to send out some of the images of that move. It was the most fun I've ever had, short of my children and grandsons.
For those not familiar with the move, I headed up a team of twelve members of the MN Air Guard to Air Force Plant 42, Plant 10, Palmdale, CA on 10 OCT 91 to dismantle the eighth production Blackbird and to load it into a New Air Guard C-5A for its final trip to the Minnesota Air Guard Museum, located at the MN ANG Base, 133rd Airlift Wing, Mpls/St.Paul IAP, St. Paul, MN.
The dismantling only took two and one half days. But when the team consisted of three Chief Master Sergeants, three Senior Master Sergeants, two civilians and five lesser NCOs, the average time working on aircraft was a little over 35 years for a total of a bit over 450 years of experience.
Anyway, I hope you enjoy the images.
Cheers...Jim
Pretty amazing stuff. One of the guys that frequents the LHS was on the design team for the 71. He's got some amazing stories but only tells enough to make you wonder what that plane was really capable of.
They could outrun a SAM. :lol:
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Last time I listen to someone on a Google Earth Community forum. :x