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Author
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Topic: Photo of the week 537 (February 7, 2015)
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heng44
Member Posts: 3387
From: Netherlands
Registered: Nov 2001
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posted 02-06-2015 03:14 PM
   
 Portrait of legendary pilot Fitz Fulton at the controls of NASA's 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft in August 1983. Fulton died on February 3 at the age of 89. |
machbusterman
Member Posts: 1778
From: Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland
Registered: May 2004
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posted 02-06-2015 03:25 PM
Just an absolutely outstanding guy. A real gentleman. Thanks for sharing Ed... and RIP Fitz! |
machbusterman
Member Posts: 1778
From: Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland
Registered: May 2004
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posted 02-06-2015 03:26 PM
I also have one of those SR-71 Mach 3 patches  |
mach3valkyrie
Member Posts: 719
From: Albany, Oregon
Registered: Jul 2006
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posted 02-06-2015 03:40 PM
Great photo choice! Do you have any of Fitz at the controls of the XB-70? |
machbusterman
Member Posts: 1778
From: Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland
Registered: May 2004
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posted 02-07-2015 03:17 AM
Not at the controls but with the XB-70. |
heng44
Member Posts: 3387
From: Netherlands
Registered: Nov 2001
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posted 02-07-2015 04:04 AM
Although the XB-70 had a 'shirt-sleeve' cockpit, the Air Force insisted that the first few flights to 70,000 feet be made in pressure suits. This photo shows Fitz Fulton, who was the backup project pilot to Joe Cotton, checking his ability to operate the controls with a fully inflated pressure suit. He reported it was like operating in a sardine can, but it was possible. As soon as the cabin and escape capsule pressurization integrity was proved to be completely reliable, the pressure suits were eliminated. 
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Headshot
Member Posts: 864
From: Vancouver, WA, USA
Registered: Feb 2012
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posted 02-07-2015 12:49 PM
What a loss, not only to the aerospace industry but to aerospace history as well. |
mach3valkyrie
Member Posts: 719
From: Albany, Oregon
Registered: Jul 2006
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posted 02-07-2015 10:17 PM
Derek and Ed, thanks for the extras. |
machbusterman
Member Posts: 1778
From: Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland
Registered: May 2004
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posted 02-08-2015 03:10 AM
Hey... no problem... And here's another   |
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