XJ Photo-Op Riding Challenge: Military Relics

You're OK, it's just Firefox. They're still there if I use IE, not sure what it's trying to save me from.

 

Strange.. I use FF and can see 'em just fine..

 

I realized yesterday that I know at least 3 places within 50 km that would suit this thread. I just need my XJ900 to be road worhty (front brakes).

 

Now that I think about it, I'm not sure it'd be a good idea... my machines aren't nearly as photogenic as yours. As for the Midway, no problem -- there's a parking lot right next to the ship. Don't know about the Iowa, though.

My Firefox sees them just fine, and that's with Ghostery and NoScript running.

 

At the LA Science Center

 

I passed a 'gatekeeper' aircraft at RAF Croughton this afternoon.

There seems to be a lot of Sherman tanks about in the US, judging by the photos. Betcha can't find a Sherman Firefly! (It's a Tiger tank killer, with a British 17pdr gun squeezed into the turret. The barrel overhangs the front of the tank by a long, long way, and there's a big bustle on the back of the turret.)

 

We don't want to hear about it, we want to see it, lol!

 

More... we need more pics.

 

yeah there are 2 i wanted but they are on the side of very busy main roads and i can't stop and take a pic of either

 

This is a great reason for a day trip, thanks fitz. So here is my ride today,

This is a deuce I saw out side a BBQ house in Crosby Tx. 30 miles from home.


Next stop, The Battleship Texas, The last surviving battleship to serve both world wars. 40 miles from home.


A F4J out side an American Legion Hall in Pasadena Tx. 55 miles from home.

A F84 out side a VFW Hall in Houston, 70 miles from home.



And finally,, I know this is not a military relic but the cool factor is way high on this one the "VOMIT COMET" 70.5 miles from home. Over all a 141 mile round trip.

 

Sweet Max.

Good job! Exactly what I was hoping for. We're getting some cool pics and it's giving us all an excuse to go for a ride.

I want to see some U.K., European or Ozzie relics. Canuckistanian, even. We're not the only folks to stick airplanes on poles and plant old tanks in the front yards of our meeting halls. I know the Brits plop 'em in roundabouts, I've seen them.

Keep 'em coming, folks! Great stuff. Love the SR-71.

 

I was on the MTB rather than an XJ and not a relic as such but this is on the wall of the local RSA (Returned services association)

 

How about 2 XJ's and a plane that had a WWII military version ??
This is a Lockheed L-1649A Starliner (Constellation), there were 200 military transporters designated C-69



The plane flew in several years ago to Fantasy of Flight, Lakeland, FL and is in pretty nasty shape. Kermit Weeks recently closed the attraction, but plans on re-opening.

Here's some better pics . . .
click here

 

I can do better, albeit without the bike: years back, I taped a bunch of episodes off the Discovery Channel. The show was called Wings. ("Take off, with the Discovery Channel, in...") One of the episodes I have just so happens to feature the Constellation... I'd offer it up, but the file tops out at about half a gigabyte.

 

I don't see a Constellation. I can't take my eyes off that 900.

 

Connies have at least an interesting shape. Some say beautiful, I don't. Memorable and distinct to be sure!

 

You gotta be kidding. They're one of the most graceful airplanes ever designed, and without a doubt the pinnacle of development of the piston engined airliner. Jets came next; it never got any better than the Constellation and Super Constellation.

 

Thanks Biggs ! And that pic was before I "detailed" it.

As for the interesting, graceful shape - the fuselage flows like a dolphin, with no 2 bulkheads the same. All other commercial pressurized cabins are a "tube" with end-caps. The plane broke records for speed, distance, time aloft in it's day, and there's only 4 left of this "model".

more Starliner info

But it's a 1955 updated model, not an earlier "war" model.
There's a B-52 on display at MCO - OIA they let you get really close to.

 

The USS Saratoga was scheduled to leave yesterday to be towed to the scrap yard but the weather forecast delayed her a day and gave me the opportunity to grab a shot with my bike. Apologies for the crappy cell phone pics it was all I had at the time. She's about a mile from where I live and I have seen her everyday since May and off and on since 2011. A relic? not my opinion of her but impressive never the less. To see the Wikipedia info page on her history http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Saratoga_(CV-60)


Hey Razz,
Thanks for the pics from back home, I miss it sometimes.

 

good ones John Stone