I suspect the external skin is primarily aluminum based. I also wonder if
the USSR had used steel parts (rivets, hardpoints etc) on aluminum panels
that might have contributed the "good russian rust". The Soviets didn't
tend to skimp on their military hardware, hence the titanium submarines..
And some titanium tools being offered to Triumph owners in Illinois! ;)
Here's a good writeup on the 21
http://www.geocities.com/goose_topgun2000/m21.html
Hmmm.. How many longdoor TR3s were built? Seems there were 13000 plus
Mig-21s built, with production continuing in China. I wonder if Harbor
Freight will carry any of the hardware eventually? :D
Cheers,
Jim
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-fot@autox.team.net [mailto:owner-fot@autox.team.net] On Behalf
Of Michael D. Porter
Sent: Sunday, November 30, 2003 9:26 PM
To: Bill Babcock
Cc: Rocky Entriken; Bill Sohl; FOT
Subject: Re: So you really want to go fast...
Bill Babcock wrote:
> Actually, as one of the most common airplanes ever, parts should be
> easier to get than a longdoor TR3. You can get them upgraded to modern
> avionics and weaponry in India and Israel. Heads up display, new
> engine, laser guided munitions, all on a plane that first saw daylight
> in 1959.
>
> I'm thinking it could be stripped to bare aluminum and called Peyote
> Mk III.
Sure it's aluminum? A lot of Russian aircraft in and around that period were
carbon steel. I worked with a Russian
engineer who started out life as a Badger pilot, stationed in Siberia. Said
the worst thing was taking one up for a
check flight after major maintenance. One day, he was ordered to take one up
and refused. "Why not?," said his
commander, "this is a good Russian aircraft!" He pointed at the wing and
said, "and that's good Russian rust!"
Cheers.
--
Michael D. Porter
Roswell, NM
[mailto:mporter@zianet.com]
Never let anyone drive you crazy when you know it's within walking distance.
|