Our Man In Afganistan

[mlenoch]

Do you fly with that load over the English countryside?
Please don't bust any of those 'charming' pubs with that stuff!
Thx,
VL

[Randy Haskin]

We usually have the nukes loaded up for flying over the UK countryside. Makes Mrs Percy from Greenham Common (Google her!) really happy.

[vg-photo]

LOL But I thought you "could neither confirm nor deny the presence of nuclear weapons anywhere in the world"... They ingrained that in us so much, I still remember it 20 years later.

[lmritger]

Thanks Randy, these are awesome pics, and I LOVE the mismatched Strike Eagle bits... I've got a 1/72 kit that's been languishing for ages, because I wanted to find something "different" to do with it. This would definitely fit the bill.

Cheers, and fly safe!

Lynn

[JDK]

...I LOVE the mismatched Strike Eagle bits... I've got a 1/72 kit that's been languishing for ages, because I wanted to find something "different" to do with it. This would definitely fit the bill.

Make sure you've got the correctly mismatched greys in the right places.

[Robbie Stuart]

Randy, for some reason I can't get the pics Jack put up to open, but I just wanted to say THANKS MAN for all you, & the other military folks are doing for us.
Robbie

[Ztex]

Thanks Randy..for the pics and for the work you do for us!

Cool!


and for Ms. Percy...she's a nut bag...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/3279945.stm

[Django]

Thanks for sharing the pics Randy! I like the mismatched panel look. Show's the ole girl is a workhorse. And thanks to you and your mates for getting the job done.

[Beachy]

Hey! Watch out with your use of the term "ole girl!" She's probably not as old as I am!

[Neal Nurmi]

What is an "SDB"? And thanks Randy -- for being there and for sending the pictures. (And glad to see somebody with the sense to go Nikon!).

[LadyO2Pilot]

Randy......pictures are GREAT !!!! Thank You for your service and stay safe.

[planeoldsteve]

Randy

Did I miss something? What is the Big flame on the bottom of the F-15 in the second picture?

Steve

[Shay]

Randy

Did I miss something? What is the Big flame on the bottom of the F-15 in the second picture?

Steve

Heat Seaking Missile "Scooby Snack"

Sometimes one will do ya


Sometimes it won't



Shay
____________
Semper Fortis

[CAPFlyer]

What is an "SDB"? And thanks Randy -- for being there and for sending the pictures. (And glad to see somebody with the sense to go Nikon!).

Small Diameter Bomb, the "magic wand" so-to-speak of how the USAF was going to justify calling the Raptor "F/A-22" before deciding they weren't fooling anyone and changing it back to "F-22A" like it's supposed to be.

More specific information on the GBU-39 "SDB" - http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/ ... ns/sdb.htm

[Randy Haskin]

What is an "SDB"? And thanks Randy -- for being there and for sending the pictures. (And glad to see somebody with the sense to go Nikon!).

Neal - The SDB is the GBU-39/B "Small Diameter Bomb". It is a GPS-guided 250-pound bomb designed for low collateral damage in urban environments. It also sprouts wings, which gives it a BIG glide distance (Boeing's advertised range is 40NM) if needed to stay away from surface-to-air threats. It's the newest and flashiest precision weapon in the inventory.

As far as the Nikon goes, of all the pro photogs I asked, everyone said to get the Nikon. I've actually been able to fly with the competing Canon Rebel XTi over here, and I feel like I made the correct choice. The Nikon is very easy to use in the cockpit and with my Nomex gloves on. The biggest pain is having to completely disconnect my mask from both sides of my helmet so I can properly see through the viewfinder (and STOP scratching the LCD on the back with the mask!).

The only problems I'm having with it at the currrent time are getting the autofocus sharp through the thick (and usually dirty) canopy glass, and the very noticeable light drop-off in the corners at some focal lengths. I know the drop-off will be cured with a good lens, but since I just dropped a bunch of ca$h on the camera, I'm not financially in a position to splurge on a better lens yet.

I've got a 1/72 kit that's been languishing for ages, because I wanted to find something "different" to do with it. This would definitely fit the bill.

Let me know if you want some detail shots of that particular jet...the bombs or art up on the nose.

What is the Big flame on the bottom of the F-15 in the second picture?

The fire is an MJU-10 flare countermeasure. It's for decoying infrared-guided air-to-air and surface-to-air missiles.