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This is the place where the majority of the warbird (aircraft that have survived military service) discussions will take place. Specialized forums may be added in the new future
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French F-86 MOD??

Fri Aug 03, 2012 5:40 pm

Hello Gang!
My firm, in its infinite wisdom has sent me to Paris for a week and has made me work a late shift starting at three. This has given me a good part of the day to my self.
Now most NORMAL people think of the Eiffel tower or the Arch de triumph. I thought Musee de l’Air!!!!!
So I went and got myself a four-day pass and have spent a very enjoyable two days wondering around the place.
In the Post war aircraft hall a lot of the aircraft are mounted up on poles and as I was gazing up at the belly of the F-86

Image

I saw this.

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Now I recognise them as electrical ground power plug receptacles, the center type I deal with on a daily basis. But my question is. Is this a standard fit on all F-86’s? Or a non-standard French MOD to allow for the power to self disconnect during a scramble?

Rgds Cking

P.S. I’ve still got two days here so if you want pictures of anything specific, let me know.

Re: French F-86 MOD??

Fri Aug 03, 2012 6:43 pm

Can't really say, but because Bill Lear once drove off in a 23 before the GPC was disconnected and he drug it some distance, LEARJETS had angled aft facing GPC sockets. The Fwench version might also have provided for leverage for the ground guys since incomplete or poor connections on Flintstones era tube electronics could cause equipment failures and having to sit on a wet or snowy ramp still ain't my idea of fun things to do. :x

Re: French F-86 MOD??

Fri Aug 03, 2012 6:55 pm

Not sure about the rest of them, but this is a feature on every Sabredog I've ever seen.
And, yes, it's supposed to allow the airplane to scramble without having to manually disconnect.

Re: French F-86 MOD??

Fri Aug 03, 2012 10:28 pm

Shrike is correct. Those electrical plugs were set so the mechanic, crew chief, whoever didn't have to get underneath the aircraft to unplug them.

Re: French F-86 MOD??

Fri Aug 03, 2012 10:30 pm

By the way, the F-86 shown is a -K (export) model. The -D and -L had the rocket pod and no guns. The electrical plugs were standard on the -D, -K, and -L models.

Re: French F-86 MOD??

Sat Aug 04, 2012 2:51 am

Thank you gents. I knew WIX would know!

Rgds Cking
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