Classic warbirds and other aviation vids.

[LE BARON]

An unusual hybrid… an Avro Lancaster fitted with Canadian Avro Canada Orenda jet engines.

After the World War II, several surplus Lancasters were used as flying testbeds for new aviation technology. In Canada, one aircraft was modified to carry Orenda turbojets beneath the wings so engineers could test the new engines in real flight conditions.

The piston engines of the Lancaster remained in place, while the jet engines were mounted externally in pods. This allowed researchers to gather performance data on the Orenda while the aircraft acted as a stable flying laboratory.

The Orenda engine would later power aircraft such as the Canadair Sabre, becoming one of the most successful early jet engines produced in Canada.

A Lancaster with jet engines hanging beneath its wings certainly looks unusual… but it played a useful role in the rapid development of post-war jet aviation.

 

[LE BARON]

This is an AC-130 gunship, one of the most heavily armed aircraft ever placed into regular service. Developed from the Lockheed C-130 Hercules, the gunship was designed to provide sustained close air support for troops on the ground.

The aircraft carries an impressive array of side-mounted weapons. Earlier versions were equipped with a 20 mm Vulcan cannon, a 40 mm Bofors autocannon, and a 105 mm howitzer mounted toward the rear of the aircraft. By circling a target area in a slow orbit, the gunship could keep its weapons continuously trained on a point below.

This allowed crews to deliver extremely accurate and sustained fire while remaining above the battlefield. The aircraft has been used in several conflicts since the late 1960s, providing close support, convoy protection, and defensive fire for ground forces

 

[LE BARON]

Wonder if PP will try to follow in Dief's footsteps and scrap this one!
You'll have to go see it Rruuff

The "Arrow II" Flight Testing (Expected 2026)

While the original interceptors are gone, a dedicated team at the Avro Museum near Calgary is nearing completion of a 60% scale, piloted replica known as the Arrow II. As of 2025-2026, the project is approximately 70% complete. Unlike the original, which used the Iroquois engine, this version is powered by twin Pratt & Whitney turbojets and features modern carbon-fiber construction and glass-cockpit avionics. The team aims to begin advanced flight testing in 2026, with the goal of showcasing the Arrow's iconic delta-wing silhouette at airshows for a new generation.

 

[Dave91TM]

Wonder if PP will try to follow in Dief's footsteps and scrap this one!
You'll have to go see it Rruuff

The "Arrow II" Flight Testing (Expected 2026)

While the original interceptors are gone, a dedicated team at the Avro Museum near Calgary is nearing completion of a 60% scale, piloted replica known as the Arrow II. As of 2025-2026, the project is approximately 70% complete. Unlike the original, which used the Iroquois engine, this version is powered by twin Pratt & Whitney turbojets and features modern carbon-fiber construction and glass-cockpit avionics. The team aims to begin advanced flight testing in 2026, with the goal of showcasing the Arrow's iconic delta-wing silhouette at airshows for a new generation.

View attachment 138226

Very interesting, maybe we don't need to buy the Griffen!?

 

[LE BARON]

SR-72 darkstar top speed:

According to current information, the SR-72 Darkstar is expected to reach a top speed of Mach 6 which translates to approximately 4,000 mph (6,400 km/h), making it significantly faster than the previous record holder, the SR-71 Blackbird.
Key points about the SR-72's speed:

• Mach 6: This is the widely reported top speed for the SR-72.
• Hypersonic flight: The SR-72 is designed to fly at hypersonic speeds, meaning much faster than the speed of sound.
• Developed by Lockheed Martin: The SR-72 is being developed by Lockheed Martin's Skunk Works

 

[1st Vette]

SR-72 darkstar top speed:

According to current information, the SR-72 Darkstar is expected to reach a top speed of Mach 6 which translates to approximately 4,000 mph (6,400 km/h), making it significantly faster than the previous record holder, the SR-71 Blackbird.
Key points about the SR-72's speed:

• Mach 6: This is the widely reported top speed for the SR-72.
• Hypersonic flight: The SR-72 is designed to fly at hypersonic speeds, meaning much faster than the speed of sound.
• Developed by Lockheed Martin: The SR-72 is being developed by Lockheed Martin's Skunk Works

View attachment 139113

Just incase you are able to pick one up at a surplus sale.......

 

[1st Vette]

Wonder if PP will try to follow in Dief's footsteps and scrap this one!
You'll have to go see it Rruuff

The "Arrow II" Flight Testing (Expected 2026)

While the original interceptors are gone, a dedicated team at the Avro Museum near Calgary is nearing completion of a 60% scale, piloted replica known as the Arrow II. As of 2025-2026, the project is approximately 70% complete. Unlike the original, which used the Iroquois engine, this version is powered by twin Pratt & Whitney turbojets and features modern carbon-fiber construction and glass-cockpit avionics. The team aims to begin advanced flight testing in 2026, with the goal of showcasing the Arrow's iconic delta-wing silhouette at airshows for a new generation.

View attachment 138226

Those damn Conservatives again......

The Progressive Conservative government under Prime Minister John Diefenbaker canceled the Avro Arrow (CF-105) project on February 20, 1959.
Cancellation Details
This decision, known as "Black Friday" in Canadian aviation history, halted development of the advanced supersonic interceptor just after its first flight. Diefenbaker cited rising costs, shifting defense needs (like ICBM threats), and a preference for U.S. Bomarc missiles as reasons. The move led to the scrapping of prototypes, tooling, and data amid espionage fears, causing massive job losses at Avro Canada.
Political Impact
The cancellation fueled national outrage and conspiracy theories, damaging Diefenbaker's government politically—it contributed to their 1963 election loss. Many engineers, including key Avro talent, later joined NASA, aiding programs like Mercury and Apollo.