Warbird Information Exchange

A very similar thing happened many years ago near or right after the end of the Cold War. Two Bear Bombers visited Barksdale AFB, LA at that time also.

I would love to be able to see the Bears fly in to Barksdale and have this be part of an air show. But if it's like the last time, security will be tight and it will not be a public event.

We will have to see.

I'd be willing to travel a few miles to watch these at an airshow.

You and me and a few others I have no doubt.......

The Russians sent two to RIAT at Fairford several years ago. I went specifically to see them and to hear/see one fly. Unfortunately they didn't fly but it was still amazing to see the great war warrior in the flesh/Aluminium.
I wonder if we could persuade them to donate a few of them to Duxford/Pima/ETC???

Rgds Cking

"Commenting on whether the Tu-95MS, manufactured in the 1980s, were obsolete, Zhikharev said the U.S. B-52 bomber started being produced in the 1950s and "the Americans believe that they will remain in service for another 30 years."

I wonder when was the last time the Bear was updated, if ever?

Notice the condition of the tarmac in the photo of the Bear?

I would absolutely plan a vacation around seeing these at an airshow. I think it would be a nice gesture by the two governments to have some sort of public exhibition of these alongside the B-52s. For what political purpose? I have no idea. Have a dignitary give a speech, invite the media, and let us see the Tu-95s in the air! I nominate Barksdale or Andrews to host

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Matt

I'm really surprised that Wright Patterson AFM didn't try to get an older model from Russia to put in their Cold War hangar. This plane I think is the definition of Russia's part in the Cold War. This was the plane that Americans feared back in the 1950s/60s. This was the plane you would see pictures of sneaking into American territory being escorted by an F-4 or an A-7. I would think that Russia especially after the Cold War ended would have tried selling some for relatively cheap and the AFM could have picked one up. Wright Patt unfortunately has a lack of Soviet equipment in their cold war museum - Mig-15 (in Korean War hangar), Mig-17, Mig-19, Mig-21, I believe there is a Mig-23 and Mig-25 in storage or restoration, and last time I was there they did have a Mig-29 on display.

The Bears are not just part of the Cold War. They are current Russian military Aircraft just like the B-52H's are current USAF aircraft. They fall under Strategic Arms Limitations and it's not the type of aircraft you could see being sold for a museum any more than the U.S. would or could sell a B-52 to the Russians or someone else for a msueum.

In any case they are unique airplanes and I would love to see and hear one flying. Seeing one as a static museum piece doesn't interest me nearly as much.

A friend of mine who has seen both types flying, says that the Bear is the nearest he has ever heard to the unique sound of a B-36.

There are B-52s currently on museum display at the Imperial War Museum Duxford's American Air Museum in Cambridgeshire, UK, and in the Australian Aviation Heritage Centre, Darwin, NT, Australia, as well as a number in the USA.

Sure - I've enjoyed seeing the B-52s I have and would be pleased to see a Bear fly; but I'm not prepared to fund either!

Conversely I would suggest it important that at least one Bear is preserved in the West in a national collection such as in the UK or US or Canada, when the time comes. It's an important and historic type.

Regards,

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James K

"Switch on the underwater landing lights"
Emilio Largo, Thunderball.

www.VintageAeroWriter.com

PS - A B-52 for static display at Monino would be a great trade for a Bear at Dayton, IMHO, presumably some time in the future. At inter-governmental and inter-service level that kind of thing can be done, and the scrambled-egg caps from both sides would happily sign paper for the photo op...

_________________
James K

"Switch on the underwater landing lights"
Emilio Largo, Thunderball.

www.VintageAeroWriter.com

I think there were some new-build Bears in the '70s. Serious upgrades if not newly built.

Those contra-rotating turboprops do make a very unique sound. The big AN-22 transport with the contra-rotating props makes a similar sound that I have seen on videos.

I would love to see and hear one of these unique airplanes in person!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9S3h37G ... re=related

Don't get me started on the AN-22!!!
I was on holiday in Vero Beach when I noticed that my camera charger wasn't working. No problem it was the end of the holiday and I had recorded all the important Florida bits.
On my first day back at work at Manchester Airport what should be sitting on the ramp over by the cargo sheds??? The AN-22. Did I mention that my camera was INOP?
The day was photographicaly perfect. Bright sunshine high fluffy white clouds and the aircraft was parked nose into sun. Did I mention that my camera was INOP?
I went out to have a look at the aircraft and there was no ground equipment around it. Did I mention that my camera was INOP? I had a good look around it, it was beutiful.
Now things get worse! It was due to leave the next day, guess who was on leave the next day to look after the kids??? Go on, have a guess. I'll give you a clue, His camera was INOP!!!!!!
The next day one of my workmates did phone me and tell me it was about to leave and it did sound fantastic but it did not fly over my house, every thing else does but not the AN-22!
So I must be unique on WIX. I've seen both types but missed both types flying.
I'M NOT BITTER!!!!!!!!!!

Rgds Cking

Since you were in Vero Beach, did you take a drive down to Opa Locka and see the AN-12s and AN-26s there. At least one of the AN-12s still flies as I seen it last fall operating at MCO and MIA.