The Raw air rifle is an example of the best of the best. We’ll talk about airguns like this today.
This report covers:
- Memory lane
- They met the challenge
- Point number one
- Point number two
- Can’t get there from here
- Doesn’t matter
- Stradivarius
- Summary
Today I want to discuss the concept of an equipment race. I was pondering this topic as I watched the 2024 Pyramyd Air Cup a couple weeks ago, and then some comments on yesterday’s posting brought it to the forefront. Reader thedavemeister said it first, and I only quote a small portion of what he said.
“Maybe I’m just too much of a minimalist; the great equipment race just doesn’t appeal to me.Still, as usual, this is a great report as it keeps us (even old curmudgeons like me) informed of what is going on in the various aspects of the sport of airgunning.”
That was followed by reader Siraniko’s comment, “I’m glad that at least there are rules and categories. I’m sad that it [the matches at the Pyramyd AIR Cup] still turns into an equipment race. I don’t think it’s going to be possible to subcategorize by going to the actual budget of each competitor. But it would be comforting for me (if I were a competitor) that I placed in a competition due to practice and not by the equipment I used.”
Memory lane
Oh, what a flood of memories this brought up! Let’s start with the U.S. National Rifle Association and what they did in the late 1990s.They were anxious to get more young people involved in the shooting sports and had been promoting Junior Marksman competitions in the U.S. At the (1996?) SHOT Show they hosted an airgun breakfast for manufacturers and influencers to try to grow this program.
At that breakfast we were told that there were 74,000 plus Junior Marksman clubs around the nation. Many were affiliated with churches, youth organizations like 4H and the Boy Scouts, Junior ROTC and other fraternal organizations such as men’s lodges. Most had small teams of boys and girls, but when totaled there were over one million youth shooters in the nation. Well, saying that to airgun manufacturers was like pouring blood into shark-infested waters!
The NRA asked for airgun manufacturers to develop new modern youth target air rifles for this program. The program had been relying on the Daisy 853 for close to 20 years and most people felt it was time for a change.
They met the challenge
The next year Air Arms brought a prototype junior target rifle to the SHOT Show for the NRA to examine. They tried to keep the projected club cost for the rifle (lower than retail) down to $500 but were unable to do so. As I recall this rifle would sell to NRA-sanctioned clubs for about $650 and to the public for about $800.
Crosman and AirForce Airguns both said they had junior target rifles in development. Crosman modified a Benjamin CO2 rifle that was changed many times over its life and AirForce started with a clean sheet of paper. The Crosman Challenger and the AirForce Edge are the results of their efforts, but years passed before they hit the market.
The Air Arms rifle had the most features of the three rifles (best trigger, ergonomics, etc.) but it was never built. The AirForce Edge took three years to perfect and was both accurate and had a wonderful trigger but was recently discontinued. The Crosman Challenger went through several iterations with each one getting better as well as more expensive. It is still being made and sold today. In the end Crosman and AirForce Airguns were able to meet the $500 club cost.
Point number one
The NRA wanted a cheap junior target rifle that was an improvement over the Daisy 853, because that rifle, being a single-stroke pneumatic, was difficult for the younger shooters to pump. The NRA also wanted to hold the cost down so parents and shooting clubs could afford to buy them. They waffled for three years on what an “affordable” price was and finally decided on $500. The manufacturers knew this was the target price from the beginning.
Point number two
Remember the Student Air Rifle (SAR) program that gave us the very affordable Umarex Embark air rifle that still exists? In this program there is only one air rifle for everyone to shoot, so the playing field is as level as it can be.
The SAR mission statement reads:
The mission of SAR is to facilitate an introduction to the lifetime sport of target shooting to school-aged youth in grade 4 through grade 12.
Can’t get there from here
Here’s the deal — you can have reliability, accuracy and affordability but not together. Pick any two. Don’t tell me how “Wang Po Industries” can do all three for cheap, because even they can’t do it.
Doesn’t matter
And you know what? It makes absolutely NO DIFFERENCE. That’s because the winners of shooting matches are the best shots — not the ones with the most expensive equipment. The thing is, though, they tend to be the ones WITH the most expensive equipment. Let me change the subject to illustrate.
Stradivarius
Has anyone not heard that a Stradivarius violin is the finest instrument of its type in existence? But you know what? Not all violin virtuosos play a Strad. Here is an example. Apparently this You Tube video will not load in WordPress. Paste the address into a new browser tab to watch it.
There are violinists (shooters) like this in the world. Yes they practice a lot, but they do so because they love to play (shoot). And they play (shoot) on a less-expensive student violin (Air Venturi Avenge-X). You can own a genuine Stradivarius like the late Jack Benny and may be able to play it moderately well, but when Itzhak Perlman sits down stop playing, watch and learn. What I am saying is a Stradivarius doesn’t make a virtuoso. Talent and dedication through practice make virtuosos.
Maybe that little girl will be blessed with a Strad by a patron someday. Or maybe she’ll get a Guarneri. If you do well in field target maybe a top manufacturer will want the world to know that you shoot their air rifle, or scope, etc. That’s how it works.
And by the way — Sig bought a half-million-dollar laser welding machine to attach the barrel of their ASP-20 breakbarrel rifle to the receiver. So the LOW retail price of that breakbarrel air rifle included offsetting investments like that.
Summary
It’s just like many of you already said — it’s the shooter and not the equipment. But with the best equipment a great shooter can do their best. The rest of us can hold the good stuff in our hands and dream.
It’s the skill… 🙂
https://olympics.com/en/news/yusuf-dikec-turkish-shooting-viral-paris-2024-olympics
Discontinued, oh that’s why Pyramyd was selling them so cheap a few months ago!
And I am hoping SAR expands into Ohio. I can afford to support a team with that program!
B.B.
I still do not understand what was wrong with the Daisy 850? Yes it was hard to cock when in the prone position, so what…
-Y
Yogi,
To answer that you need to coach a team of youngsters and listen as their parents talk to their kids. That 8-year-old girl can’t even pump the 853 when she stands up, and the parents want to know why YOU are making this so hard for her!
BB
Yogi-
The 853- or any single pump- has the same virtue and vice. The pump forces the shooter to reestablish their shooting position and NPA (Natural Point of Aim) each and every shot. That is a great plus when learning to shoot. It does require patience, just like muzzle loaders, single shot cartridge rifle, etc.
Now, patience can be learned, but any youth shooting program is constrained by the amount of time available. I would (and still do) pump the 853 and hand it back to the shooter (in position) to then load, charge, aim and shoot. It all takes time. The path of least resistance pushed kids, parents and coaches toward the CO2 and now PCP guns.
Hope this helps.
Paco
and speaking of equipment….I apologize but I did not know how to post a particular topic or a request for a topic for discussion, so I will post it here for now…
Good day BB and airgunners of all levels!
I am pondering a question that knowledge, experience, and expertise are requested, and though I’m a somewhat experienced airgunner and collector, the time has come to examine an issue that I’m sure others may be pondering as well! I do VERY basic maintenance on my airguns but am far from those of you who can take apart anything and put it back to together effortlessly. Worse yet ??, there are those of you who just assume anyone has that ability (“just follow the instructions”, “just look at it and figure it out”, or “I just machine any parts that I need just like that”). I admire those of you that can do that but that is far from my comfort zone.
As PCPs have been out sometime now, we all know that it’s a matter of when…not if…that they require servicing, reseals, new seals, etc., either to the airgun seals/internals or air cylinder seals/internals. Many better PCP airguns have been designed to have removable/replaceable air cylinders (which of course are expensive, and some well designed…some not). But what about those PCPs without replaceable air cylinders?
Unless you (or someone you pay) are willing to take these airguns completely apart to reseal the innards, what really happens to them over time?
1. Looking at an arbitrary baseline 10yr lifespan of tanks and cylinders, and assuming (a big assumption) that you’re filling them with air with no water that’s been properly filtered, do these PCPs therefore become lethal bombs waiting to explode after 10yrs? 😉 What is the truth and what is simply theory? Assuming proper care and filling, what is the REAL life expectancy?
2. Messing with PCP airguns with 200-300 bar fills is no joke but aren’t the seals in the airtanks and airgun itself likely to leak before air tanks explode?
3. We’ve all seen the interesting pictures of the crud inside of air tanks that aren’t filled with good air but I would think that would make internal airgun valves inoperable long before air tank walls reached detonation potential?
4. Do these PCP airguns just need chucked into a landfill if seals and parts aren’t realistically available (e.g., the $1 part (or clone of one) is available for $50 shipping from South Africa) ?? 😉
5. I will fix your computer or laptop if you fix my airguns ?? And please don’t say, “If you can fix computers, you can fix airguns!” – which is why I said that. It is not the same! (but I really can fix your computer ??)
Hopefully this will generate some interest and some constructive, intelligent opinions and I thank you very much!
….Airgunner Spaceboyjeffy
Jeff?
I will read and reread your comment throughout the day and try to put bounds on it. You have asked a great many things, or at least postulated the questions within your statements.
BB
Thank you, BB! We have met several times at the Pyramyd Cups (before Covid) and I know you enjoyed some of my vintage pistols there and one time we shot a video together for American Airgunner but I don’t think it ever got used. Your expertise and kindness has always defined you and always been appreciated by so many of us.
The PCP questions are raised from recognizing our own lifespans and as we’re both seniors, I enjoy keeping older items that many people might discard going beyond their normal life expectancies! I don’t wish to usurp space in this topic “Do you compete on skill or with equipment?” in fairness to all blog readers, so I’ll try to answer some responses when possible by contacting the kind responders through some other airgun forums when possible. However, if you choose to post my topic as a different topic that would be swell!
Thanks so much….Jeff
Airgunner Spaceboyjeffy,
Well, as to question #1, there are PCPs that date back to the 1500’s and 1600’s out there and their “tanks” are not “bombs”. I have a few of the much newer tanks myself and I am not afraid to fill them. It is my theory that the dates on these tanks are more for litigation than anything else.
You must also realize this is a variable that changes with how the particular tank has been treated/handled/made. There are examples out there of brand-new tanks exploding. Dating is not required on pressure vessels smaller than a certain diameter; I believe it is two inches.
If you happen to still be “nervous in the service” you can most likely replace the old tank with a newer dated one or have the old tank retested and redated.
As far as question #2 is concerned, more than likely, but one never knows. I have often had leaks from o-rings and such with no sign of metal fatigue. I have had brand spanking new PCP airguns leak, regardless of the pressure.
I myself am quite unfamiliar with #3. I always use multiple filters though. I do not want water or anything else in my PCPs.
Instead of chucking that PCP in #4, send it to me. I will be happy to fix it up, most especially if it is a real old one. You can also likely find a parts dealer a lot closer than S, Africa.
I just traded in a couple of my old computers for a new one for my grandson. How do you get around the Windows update thing?
Thank you, RidgeRunner! I’m honored that you would respond as your reputation in the airgun world is certainly well known and I’ve always enjoyed reading your various posts on various airgun topics for many years. As a retired senior, I’m always interested in keeping older items that others may discard working and useful (including older computers, laptops, and calculators)!
Keeping some older airguns going is useful as the ones I own are in no way beat up, misused, or dilapidated — but like all humans and mechanical things — must be maintained and eventually repaired.
Again, I do not wish to usurp space in this topic offshoot (no pun intended) but I’m more than happy to give you honest, unbiased, and experienced computer information if you’d like to contact me on one of the airgun forums, and I can certainly help you with the “Windows update thing” and anything else.
I do have a personal airgunsmith who has tuned most of my Diana, Walther, HW springers and repaired some of my airguns as well. He’s also one (like I was referring to) who fabricates his own parts as needed and is quite ingenious at that. However, I try not to bother him too much…he is certainly a great guy and I consider him a friend.
I’ll certainly take your direction above into consideration and thank you again for your expertise and experience! It is certainly appreciated!
….Jeff
Jeff,
Please be careful or you will give me such a swelled head that I will not be able to get it through the door. I am not really that good. I just enjoy these things. There are many, most especially BB, who know far more than I.
I retired this year and have discovered I seem to have less time to shoot than previously. I strongly suspect that Mrs. RR is the reason for such. 😉
The truth is, I could care less about computer stuff. I have been in electronics for most of my life and really am not impressed with most of it. I am more of a hands on it kinda person. That is where I have learned what I know about airguns. I “just do it”. That and a lack of fear in doing such. I am always ready to learn something new. I also figure that if someone else can do it, so can I. Do you need any brain surgery done?
I took apart and reassembled a Predom Lucznik air pistol yesterday to see if I could somehow improve the trigger. I am really quite impressed with its construction. It is really very well made.
Something else I do is read. BB is an excellent source of information. So are the other folks here. Following along with this bunch will force you to learn something about airguns.
RidgeRunner…you are my kinda guy! I retired from the medical field last November and I seem busier than ever (and likewise Mrs. Spaceboyjeffy of 46 years has a hand in that as well) as do my granddaughters. Yes, I do a lot of reading and studying of topics I wish to learn but only have so much time to devote to those things, and I wish I could devote more time to airgun repairs, etc. I learn bits at a time though, but am always hesitant to dive into airgun repair projects for fear of getting in over my head. I pick up a lot from the blogs from people with advanced or superior knowledge in the airgunning world like yourself — a FANTASTIC resource and some of the nicest people who enjoy helping others as I try to be. Good luck on that Predom Lucznik training pistol — they really are very unique! I’ve always enjoyed reading your guest blogs on the Pyramyd Blog.
Also with regard to to your question, you’ll get around the Win11 upgrade thing by avoiding certain Win11 features — or — switching to Linux (especially the Linux Mint, Ubuntu, or Zorin distributions of which the learning curve for Windows is minimal). I’m both a Dell and MS certified systems engineer but am NOT a MS fanboy.
Keep those projects going and keep on enjoying what you do….Jeff
RR: Welcome to the realities of retirement, one is busier than ever, something that is a reailty and is denied by virtually everyone until it happens to them!
My shooting gets going when the flakes begin to fly, the yard work is limited to shoveling the door swings so they can be opened to the snow bank, and keeping the vehicles winter ready. The bicycles are put up for the season on their hooks and their tires begin to shrink while awaiting the spring clean up and major chain cleaning and re-infusing with lubricating wax.
Down I go to the basement and the 10 meter range to shoot up paper targets and exercise a fleet of spring rifles and pistols. I’m old fashioned that way, a “sproinger” kind of guy as some say! Fixing one’s attention on the basic shooting skills and regaining control over one’s nystagmus is a goal and something to occupy one’s attention while the snow blows and nothing much goes on in the yard or, more gratifyingly, the rail-trail and the restored 1863 Depot that is our trail-trail organization HQ.
We do “widow-maker” clearing in the winter to get rid of those trees or their branches that could be fatal to trail users. Nothing like the guys and gals sweating under layers of Carharts with the noise of chain saws all around and the loading of pick up trucks for home or garage heating stoves! While doing the work, the best part is the fellowship of the crew.
So, in-between these times, it’s the basement range to occupy the mind and provide relief from boredom!
LFranke,
What a beautiful prose; thank you. I am a fall and spring guy but hope to carry your enjoyment of winter forward.
Don
LFranke,
I myself try to shoot all year, depending on the weather. Unfortunately, I am not allowed to have an inside range. If I had a basement, that might be different, but I doubt it.
I do truly enjoy sproingers and most of my airguns here are such, but I also shoot PCPs. I have a big box of CO2 cartridges, a few multi-pumps, and a couple of HPAs. I also have a SSP. I used to have more of those, but have either traded them off or the cheapo ones have given up the ghost and I have not taken them apart to see if I could fix them.
I have found my interest to be in very old airguns. My collection ranges from the late 1800’s to the mid 1900’s. There are a couple of newer ones, but not many and most of those will be going away soon. There are even a few I have not shot as of yet. They really need to see some range time. I might even write about them. 😉
jwedelmann1,
Do you Wedel? As in the ski style of WEDELN.
“What is the truth and what is simply theory? Assuming proper care and filling, what is the REAL life expectancy?”
As to the lifecycle of an airgun pressure vessel you need to understand materials. A good place to start is to read what a respected builder thinks on this topic: https://quackenbushairguns.com/steel_for_airguns.htm
If you like his style/knowledge look around his web site and learn some more.
Since you are concerned about fixed pressure reservoir failure there is a section on how testing can be done in this next link: https://quackenbushairguns.com/In_the_shop.htm
As far as what i have experienced or witnessed in three or more decades of Hpa (high pressure air) use in airguns is that the treaded portion of a Pressure Vessel is most apt to be the failure point due to improper fabrication or corrosion. (Water is not the main culprit in corrosion but rather salts/biologicals contamination by the assembly or repair technician/owner.
As with everything it will eventually fail. But i have a number of airguns (built by the above referenced maker) that have been charged to 3,600+ PSI (250+ BAR) for decades with only one O-Ring failure. I have another PCP 2,000 PSI (140 BAR) maximum fill pressure airgun manufactured by a well known company that finally started a partial slow leak that was resolved by instilling a drop or two of RWS Chamber silicone oil into the fill port.
Eventually can be along time….
shootski
Thank you, shootski, for taking the time to respond and you have given me some new hope 😉 and also a great webpage to peruse (I am at least familiar with Quackenbush airguns) so I thank you very much for that. Wedeling might not be my thing though! 😉
None of the hundred or so airguns of all four powerplants that I have left have ever been intentionally misused or improperly cared for so I do like taking care of them as much as possible so at some point when I move on from them, they’ll bring enjoyment to some new owner as opposed to a problem.
Obviously you have a great deal of expertise and experience with this subject and I surely do appreciate you sharing it with me and others who may be reading this. This topic seems to be one that a few people like yourself that have watched PCP evolution over the years just never really talk about much. It’s certainly valuable to hear from “real life” witnesses vs. endless theoretical conjectures. Certainly I try to do the same with helping people with debunking computer myths as I hate to see innocent people fall prey to all the nonsense out there.
I like the use of pure silicone oil for the reasons you mentioned above and like it on the o-rings of my probes so glad to hear you mention use of that!
Again, thank you for taking the time to respond and share with me and others! Very much appreciated!
….Jeff
I think that the competitions probably inspire some innovations. I also believe that some of those innovations sometimes do trickle down to some of the more affordable products. Do I expect to see ~$667 electronic side wheel devices on more affordable guns anytime soon? No, but I do hope that the manufacturers take note of that device, consider some of the possibilities, and incorporate some of its features into some of their products. I had mentioned a while back that I thought a simple electronic anti-cant level feature could be incorporated into some of the sight systems (scopes, red dots, etc) that already have electronics controlling the illumination and colors of the reticle. Our smart phones already have similar (level) capabilities built into their electronics. So the technology is already here and is being mass produced.
A highly skilled musician can typically take an inexpensive musical instrument and get it to sound very good. I think that a similar statement can be made about a highly skilled marksman. Can these highly skilled people do better with better instruments or guns? Yes of course they can. Their efforts and results can inspire others to do better with what they can afford.
Pyramyd AIR sells Airguns. So it is not surprising that they allow most of the latest and greatest products to compete. Youth groups are typically sponsored by organizations that want to keep the costs of competing affordable to the average student and thereby encourage more people to participate. Two different philosophies, each with different goals.
Tom,
This reminds me of the old joke.
The absent-minded maestro was racing up New York’s Seventh Avenue to a rehearsal, when a stranger stopped him. “Pardon me,” he said, “can you tell me how to get to Carnegie Hall?”
“Yes,” answered the maestro breathlessly. “Practice!”
Siraniko
Hahaha! I love that! 😉
Had a college professor who taught a “Human Geography” class which FM found fascinating; he was a character. One time a student asked something like “can you show me Helsinki on the map?” “Yes I can! Next question?” was prof’s answer.
FM’s takeaway: if you wish to solve problems with the right solutions, ask the right questions first.
When we were kids we had competitions to see who was the best shot. We shot off-hand, used the same rifle and pellets from the same tin. No “accessories” were allowed, it was all based on skill.
As far as the “equipment race” goes, I think it’s human nature to want to test the limits of a technology. I like to push to see how well I can do with a particular product but don’t compare products, each has its own strengths and weaknesses to evaluate.
In formal competitions it’s up to the organizers to set the rules and limits. It’s up to you to be appropriately prepared if you want to complete seriously. Participation is optional 🙂
Equipment need not be the latest technology or the most expensive to fave fun. The last ten years I deer hunted it was with a homemade Holmegaard style bow (a 8,000 yo design) that cost under dollar (for the string) to make.
Personally, I don’t care for formal competitions. Putting money on the table seems to take all the fun out of things.
Cheers!
“Equipment need not be the latest technology or the most expensive to have fun.”
Hank,
Well said! My total outlay to get started in Field Target was less than $500.
One of the guys (a really nice guy) I shot against had over $10,000 invested in his rifle and scope.
He was friendly and helpful, and I couldn’t have outshot him if I’d used his gun, too.
No matter. I shot some great matches and I had a wonderful time.
I wasn’t concerned about winning; to me, it was a competition against myself.
Each time, I’d check my scores against my previous ones; I just wanted to see improvement in myself as a shooter; at the time, I was hunting, and I wanted to ensure I could do so humanely.
Cheers and blessings to you! 😉
dave
Not unlike golf, Dave. The true enjoyment is in challenging yourself not someone else. Back when I was able to play, I would often play alone,, and I enjoyed those rounds just as much,, sometimes more,, as I did playing with others.
Ed
“The true enjoyment is in challenging yourself not someone else.”
Ed, I’m with you 100% on that. 😉
Back in the day…a TX200 would dominate the springer class!
And….a TX200HC could go into the woods and reliably and humanely take a bushy tail out to 75 yards!
Yall can still buy that same TX200, be competitive and do your own maintenance!
But what ever yall shoot….practice, practice, practice!
Back in the day(again) I would do 300 to 400 shots every day!
Breeze,
agreed on practice. I never shot that much a day, but when I was in my 20’s I used to shoot a brick (500 rounds) of 22 long rifle every weekend. It’s like you become one with the gun and know where it’s going to shoot. Hold over was very easy. And “point shooting” came so natural.
Doc
To very loosely paraphrase an old quote; “Beware the man with but one gun.”
It does require much practice as has been pointed out by many here time and again. I used to own a RAW HM1000X. I do not anymore. I have owned several ten-meter air rifles over the years. I do not anymore. Why? Equipment may not matter as much as some would like to believe, but it does help, most especially if you are going to compete against the big dogs.
Yes, these folks practice and practice and practice. Yes, manufacturers send them their latest and greatest to be seen by others to be using them. As has been pointed out, when there is money on the line, it is no longer fun.
I knew a bow guy who used to have all these sponsors who gave him stuff to show off when he shot. If you look up and down that shooting line you will see many a brand name on display.
BB,
They met the challenge
…As I recall this rifle would sell to NRA-scanctioned (sanctioned) clubs …
The SAR mission statement reads:
The mission of SAR is to facilitate an introduction to the lifetime sport of target shooting to school-aged youth in grade 4 through grade 12.The mission of SAR is to facilitate an introduction to the lifetime sport of target shooting to school-aged youth in grade 4 through grade 12. (twice?)
RR,
Got it. Thanks.
BB
BB,
You still misspelled sanctioned.
RidgeRunner,
At least he did substitute Ks for the Cs!
shootski
I’ve always love being the “underdog” with equipment. I love beating the other guys “Money”. Examples, I’ve taken a Remington 581S (very plain cheap no frills bolt action 22) and smoked several guys with Ruger 10/22s that were tricked out (custom barrels, triggers and all). I’ve taken a Honda 110 three wheeler and beat guys on 185-200 three wheelers in timed laps on steep banked sand tracks. I’m not bragging, just that it’s fun to do for me. With air guns, I haven’t shot against anyone but my son’s, but I have a couple of cheap C02 pistols that are way more accurate than they should be. Same with one of my pellet rifle. They are all (were) cheap. Maybe they were the “good” ones as I’ve also had cheap air guns that I could have just picked up a rock and had a better chance of hitting the target.
Thanks for another great blog!
Doc
B.B. and Readership,
https://theaviationgeekclub.com/the-story-of-joe-hoser-satrapa-the-f-14-tomcat-pilot-who-scored-two-simulated-gun-kills-on-two-usaf-f-15s-for-two-times-in-the-same-mission/amp/
Enjoy the read!
After you read the linked piece you will know, if you already don’t, what shootski thinks of this “debate” topic.
shootski
OK, Shooski. Come clean. What aircraft types did you fly in the Navy?
Brent
Brent,
Paper…
The prefixes were T, U, A, F, R, E, and X.
More than that is not in the cards.
I will share this my surprising favorite: https://flynata.org/content.aspx?page_id=22&club_id=812035&module_id=241059
and more readable: http://www.airbum.com/pireps/PirepT-28C.html
I had one guns kill on a Test Pilot in an early Tomcat with that one in the vertical.
shootski
PS: note i will be 76 early in 2025.
Shootski,
My claim to fame in the aviation world is the fact that my uncle was a performance engineer for the SR 71 for Lockheed Skunkworks, which was a black project at the time, He said he flew a Cessna 310 from Edwards to area 51 and back every day—his family had no idea what he was doing. After that, the Air Force sent him to Thailand to fly World War II A-26 Invaders against the Cambodian supply trail. Why the Air Force put someone one like him with what he knew in harms way I’ll never figure out. As in all things, sometimes our military even sticks its head where the sun doesn’t shine 🙂
Brent
Brent,
I had a dear friend who flew A-26 Invaders out in SE Asia; that was a rough mission. Doing BDA runs with the Vigilante was about on par. I saw lots of SR71 on the turn up the Baltic with E. German Mig-25 trying to time the intercept; about the only time the SR71 was vulnerable.
shootski
“As in all things, sometimes our military even sticks its head where the sun doesn’t shine”
Sometimes???? All too often, I’m sorry to say.
Oh, and thanks for the videos. It’s amazing that some versions T-28 had as much horse power is a P 51 Mustang. I’m guessing that it topped out at 350 mph plus. Thanks for your service and putting yourself in a harms way for our freedom.
Brent
Brent,
It was actually faster than you think! 4,000+ foot per minute rate of climb, 37,000 feet max service ceiling, maximum indicated airspeed of 340 knots (391 mph) and a +12G and -6G maximum. I got tunnel vision way to many times pulling G.
Back in the day the first Navy aircraft that could out climb it from the deck to 10,000′ was the F-14.
It was the last of the military’s pure Rudder, Stick, and Throttle aircraft. Nothing but bellcranks and cables between the control surfaces and the driver :^)
shootski
I was going to say a 350 knots but I decided to be conservative 🙂 Man, that could have competed with an F6F Hellcat and the Hellcat had a 2000 HP engine though I realize it would be slower once you added the weight of guns and ammunition and armor plating behind the seat to protect the pilot.
Brent,
They did build two YT-28s
With turboprop engine rated at 2,400SHP that was hard to keep from blowing off the wings or having the prop tips go supersonic…bad for the airframe.
shootski
Playing ‘Catch-Up’ on few missed blogs.
I lost control over my life lately. Driving my ex on long trips to and from the hospital a few times and 4 kinds of doctors’ appointments with follow-ups and helping out my daughter’s friend Rob dying of bone cancer and my old friend with Alzheimer’s support.
Now the Fire Department would like me to clear more of my property to avoid wildfire damage.
Bought Rob’s non-operating ’69 Mustang but need to check it out for cost to make it operational again before we settle on a price. Been sitting for 10 years. Then today my SUV blew a serpentine drive belt.
This reminds me of an old blog I commented on about how far we can go with airgun accessories to never miss a shot and still be considered a sharpshooter. Will competitions come down to who has the best set-up to put the most pellets into a single hole in the shortest amount of time by tapping on their cell phone to fire it?
I have also lost track of how many airguns I have collected and now worry about problems I may have with them from non-use. Fortunately, humidity is low where I live.
I decided to go all out on a Western Sidewinder and make it my real “Last airgun” until BB convinced me I’d be a fool not to get an Avenge X for the price. Might have been 2 more in between.
Trying to convince myself I’m not happy with so many airguns but it is not working. Just one more!
Hoping that actually getting around to shooting them all will fix things in my mind with some justification.
There is no financial hardship to hinder me and then today I read that having a hobby can actually help in preventing old age Dementia. More justification. Well, it looks like the 100+ degree days are over.
About old PCP tanks. If a tank failure worries you, try checking with the manufacturer to see if they have a maximum PSI pressure test established before failure and then fill it to something close to it, or at least somewhat higher than you normally fill it to in a ‘safe place’ to check its integrity. Most commercial high-pressure containers have an inspection due date and check for this. I’m sure there is internet info out there on the subject someplace.