pdunn: Comments

Here's the perma-link to the angle pictured in the thumbnail:

http://local.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&cp=pppd7t543xzx&style=o&lvl=1&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&scene=6839420

If that doesn't work, head north in the "south" view until you reach the "JAWS" lake set and then come back down, and for some reason, you get a new set of maps...

Unfortunately, the forums don't recognize me or my password, so I'm unable to participate. But I look forward to reading other's comments on the subject. When you say you don't have problems with old URL's, does than mean you are still able to see the images like this formation of planes? Because I click on the link and only see empty airspace.

Proving once and for all, there is a god.

What's the verdict on the LL update? Do we have to go back and re-discover the images in all these maps, or will there be a quick coding fix that brings the pre-SPACELAND maps up to the current configuration?

It's a Piaggio P-136 Amphibian:
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/1069770/M/

My guess the mystery fighter is it's either an AT-6 "Texan." Or, more likely, a Nakajima Ki-43 Hayabusa (Allied code name: Oscar).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nakajima_Ki-43

Great catch!

I can't be positive. It looks to me like you can see footprints coming from the bottom left corner of the thumbnail and ending with the "object." However, in my searching, I have also come across signposts with triangular signs that better match the shadow. Of course, in my book, "person patrolling desert" makes a much better headline than "triangular signpost just standing there." ;o)

Look directly south one map grid and you can't miss it.

You are probably right. There's quite a bit or radar equipment to the south east, perhaps it has something to do with that.

It amazes me that there really are more than just the North, West, East, and South photos available in LL Birds Eye Images. Take this Raptor for instance, come searching for it in "NORTH" from the south, and you find nothing but empty tarmac, as well as Parabellum's white SR-71, but come at at it in the "NORTH" view from the North, and the SR-71's gone, but the Raptor is present. Just goes to show that when you think an area has been totally mined, there's always more just one map away.

Medium Large Fit Screen ]
URL (link) to this photo: http://www.airliners.net/open.file/1123035/M/

I think the unknown fighter is not a US variant, but a Soko G-2A Galeb, the first Yugoslavian jet design to enter production.

http://www.airliners.net/open.file/0568886/M/

It's a mock aircraft used in firefighting training. Over its career, it'll be set on fire hundreds of times. The one in the link above looks like its been around for a while, while this one looks brand-spanking new.

Well, in addition of a good laugh, it also clears up the mystery to this map:
http://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/22011/

What are the chances of that? I had just commented on an F-8 of Parbellum's and the first aircraft sighting of the night was also an ancient F-8. Freaky.

http://www.airliners.net/open.file/1106059/M/

http://www.airliners.net/open.file/1039913/M/

http://www.airliners.net/open.file/1112856/M/

One of the roads is called Grumman Lane. Does Northrup Grumman have a plant in the area with something in the works they don't want to us to see?

It's interesting Live Local doesn't have the same blurring; however, they also don't have the same resolution. Their BirdsEye imagery can be nudged up right to the northwest corner, revealing a number of light aircraft and some small jets, but it ends there.

Cool find. I wonder if this could be the realization of dda's "clone stamp" theory, where, rather than do a lousy job blurring over sensitive sites, they clone stamp actual buildings, or the surrounding environment, to make the omissions less obvious. "Annonymous Tourist Building Footprint" could be the cartographer's notes as to the desired look of the obscured building, not intending it to be read by the general public. Possible?

You're undoubtedly right. Chances are the actual module would be in a clean room, and the only one allowed near it would be wearing smocks and booties.

I'm not really up on my armor, but I think there are a mixture of antiques, utlra-modern, and foreign vehicles here. If I'm not mistaken, the north east corner contains a number of soviet-made BMPs. One in particular seems to have battle scarring.

I agree with you. The photo I linked to is of a T-33

Stay in the "north" view and come down the beach from the west and you run into this view:

http://local.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&cp=nm6wgm6x12vk&style=o&lvl=2&scene=3325995

Showing four sleds with two facing toward the water. Somewhere in this area, we should be able to find a second Sea Dragon, because one map farther, and there are only three sleds in...

Now that would be cool.

It looks like our best chance to find one sweeping is find the missing sweeper in the "North" views. The south view shows a total of 4 sweepers, all oriented toward the water, which makes me think that was the Live Local aircraft's first pass, before the hookup with the Sea Dragon pictured in the North views. Either that, or the south view is the culmination of the excercise, after all the sweepers had been retrieved (assuming there were only...

http://www.airliners.net/open.file/1063370/M/

http://www.airliners.net/open.file/0608590/L/

Here the link to that map:
http://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/24516/

Is the photo in your link an authentic B-29 left over from WWII converted into an early warning platform, or is it a Chinese knock off?

Piaggio P.180 Avanti (Parabellum's ID)
http://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/24121/

I'm impressed! That couldn't have been easy.

Cool, thanks for the pics, dda!

Judging by this link, I think jbottero nailed it. The sixth photo shows plane #81, minus the red paint, and mentions its basingat Chandler Memorial Airport, Arizona:
http://www.air-and-space.com/Lockheed%20C-130%20Tankers.htm

The guy who lives there obviously has plenty of Mooney.

What, you mean the saying doesn't mean, "Party until the steaks arrive in the refrigerator?"

I came across a photo of this very wing section on Airliners.net:
...

Thanks! You can always count on this site for answers.

Thanks for the help.

Look closely within the piles of debris and you can make out other fueselage forms, leading me to guess this is an accident investigation lot where they analyze debris of various crashes.

By the looks of the camo pattern, I think it was one from Nellis' agressor squadron, or else, it could possibly be the wreckge of foreign fighter plane recovered for inspection.

Very cool catch. Great job!

Very cool find! If you knew how many hours I've spent over San Antonio looking for just such a catch, it'd make you cry. Great job!

Cool find! I think a hurricane must have come through here not long before this shot was taken. I found a still up-side down light plane in the same airport, and many of the surrounding aircraft are missing wing parts.

As always, thanks for the ID!

Of only 53 produced, apparently quite a few of the remaining Starships reside at this airstrip.

Unless I'm not seeing the fueselage you mention, I think you are referring to the Aero Vodochody L-39 Albatros next to the wing. However, it can be seen from other angles complete with wings, and its wings are significantly different than this one.

Same make, different bird. So far, there are at least three I've encountered.

Cool Catch!

Very cool find!!

This is the prototype for the Adam A700 VLJ (Very Light Jet), featured in the latest( November 2006) Smithsonian Air & Space Magazine.

VLJs are jets that:
Weigh less than 10,000 lbs
Seat 4-9 passengers
Have a crusie speed of roughly 400 mph
Have a range of 1,100 to 2,300 miles
Take off from runways shorter than 3,500 ft.

According to the Wikapedia article dda linked, this is one of only three flying Carvairs remaining. Its primary purpose is to transport passengers and their cars, thus the name "Carvair."

Good call, dda! Thanks for the ID. Evidently, they are cargo planes, with the nose opening for access.

Here's another shot of one in flight:

...

voldude 123 is right. The view from the west reveals this to be a Skycrane, not a Hind. My bad.

It's possibly a Heinkel He.III; however seems a little "beefy" for that.

Here's a useful spotter's guide:
...

Looks like I got the chronology wrong. The Navy was considering adopting the A-7 Corsair to replace the F-4 Phantom for its aerobatic team The Blue Angels;however, opted for the A-4 Skyhawk instead because the A-7 variant at the time lacked a powerful enough engine to meet the aerobatic requirements.

As usual, I think you got it. The tail slightly forward of the stabilizer and the air intakes up top seem to match. Good show!

My father used to build them for Vought. There was a time the A-7 were in line to replace the A-4 Skyhawk; however, the FA-18 won out. What we are seeing here could be the demonstrator used to woo the Navy, or the work of a Blue Angel fan who feels the paint scheme works with virtually any aircraft.

I think you are right, voldude 123, I think it is a Hudson Bomber instead of a Lodestar. Thanks for the catch.

Here's a nice photo of one in Canada:
http://www.gandercanada.com/explore_gander/aviation_museum%20.htm

Amazing collection you've collected there.

IL-28 Beagles
http://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/9244/

I had the privilege of hearing a former SR-71 pilot lecture. He spoke of a time flying over the former Soviet Union faster and higher than any MiG could ever hope to match; however, that didn't stop them from trying. He said he could see the MiGs circling far below, trying to gain altitude, and then they would "pop-up" and try to arc a missile up in the direction of the Blackbird. Always too little, too late, I'm happy to say.

Oops. Added an extra "l" on the end of the above link. It should read "htm"

My guess is they are both SAABS. The one with the conards I believe is a SAAB JAS 39 Gripen:
http://www.avrosys.nu/aircraft/Jakt/124JAS39.htm

, and the other is the SAAB 35 Draken:
http://www.avrosys.nu/aircraft/Jakt/122J35.html

Thanks for the ID and background info!!

Aha, you are assuming those are buildings you are looking at and not a grove of trees made to look like buildings and that the surrounding orchard is actually trees, not cleverly disguised buildings. ;0)

Cool. Thanks for all the great research!!

I thought the same thing. However, check out the North and South views, the wings seem much more like an F-16s or even an F-5. And the paint scheme is definitely not Navy. I think this is something different.

Jbottero says this is the location brush fire jumpers deploy from. So, chances are these are firejumpers readying to deploy.

To think, a couple of weeks ago I didn't even know they existed, and now they're everywhere I turn. Thanks for ID-ing that first one for me!

Thanks. It's amazing the treasure trove of American aviation history there is hidden within virtually every municipal airport around the country. I've learned the majority of the finds are located near the plants they were originally produced—explaining why so many local airstrips in California have so many vintage planes and parts.

I think you nailed it. What we are seeing here must be a prop from the movie. Here's a cool look at the fictional "Whispercraft":

http://www.fantastic-plastic.com/WhispercraftCataloguePage.htm

The plane on the right is a B-66 Destroyer, I'm still not convinced what the plane on the left is.

I believe this is a collection of B-66 Destroyers, recon aircraft.
...

The complete aircraft to the far left could be a Bell XP-59, the US's first jet aircraft.

Thanks for the tip. After Googling images of the YO=3A,
http://images.google.com/images?q=YO-3A&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&sa=N&tab=wi
I am convinced this is much larger than the aircraft pictured. and I believe it is jet powered.

You obviously know your stuff. It does looks Peacemaker-ish right down to the two inboard bumps. I assume the spots for the remaining engines would be included on outer panels not seen here.

Obviously, I erred in thinking it is a private jet. It is a fighter in every sense of the word.

I was a little hasty in my posting. Had I waited a tad longer I could've connected it to the PBY at the other end of the strip.

Good ID, again. Did you identify it before coming across the fueselage at the far end of the strip, or by wingshape alone?

By George, I think you've done it. Good ID.

Cool shot. Thanks for the homework, Kjfitz.

For a truly depressing experience, click on the Google Maps selection and you will see this and other classic aircraft caught on Live Local, in tatters, the result of hurricane Katrina.

The long wake could indicate it was conducting a mine-sweeping operation, although it doesn't appear to be trailing a cable.

Oops, I meant if you approach this frame from the RIGHT-CENTER of the grid, you get a totally new set up.

I think I see what you mean. If you come towards this "North" frame from the left of the grid and select "East," you get the same perspective as the "North" view, but with a parking lot full of cars.

The reason for it, I have no idea. Other than they strung these together over subsequent days. Still, that doesn't explain the same perspective for East and North, but different views.

Now that everyone is thoroughly confused, maybe someone else can explain it.

Here is a facinating account of history's first and only seaplane to break the sound barrier:

http://home.att.net/~jbaugher1/f7.html

That is one of the amazing things about Live Locaal, go around the points of the compass and you can find an entirely different scene. I was scanning a running track down the road from this movie studio, and what was an empty venue on three of the compass points had a full blown track meet on the last.

After checking the other angles, I've changed by mind on what it is we are seeing here. I think rather than a van on a pier, it is actually a boat, and the pier is a wave-motion...

Thanks.. I feel a bit like Captain Ahab of Mobey Dick. I've been looking for whales almost contantly every time I found myself on a coastline, and had convinced myself they were too small or too similar in color to the water to see. Once, I was even duped by someone who photo-shopped a blue whale into of layer of Google Earth... But then, lo-and-behold, this guy showed up on my last troll of the night. Looks like its doing a double take at the ship that just passed by.

Evidently, the Navy decided they didn't like having a "Bird's Eye" view of their base. It's no longer available in any resolution close to what is shown in the thumbnail.

That is amazing to me. The gaps from a distance looked so much like the markings of a Sharpee Marker, and the fact each line is so perfectly straight and spaced, I assumed we were seeing left over by a careless cartographer. So I labled it a "satelite error." I had no idea they were trees. I guess the lesson is to always check each map at every zoom level.

Here is a third patch of smoke:

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&t=k&q=Russian+Federation&ie=UTF8&om=1&ll=43.322243,45.806626&spn=0.002533,0.007237

It is horrific. I hadn't really looked closely until you pointed it out. It looks like virtually every building surrounding this military base has extensive damage, I imagine as a result of sniper supression.

Here are the coordinates to another of the smoking vehicles. If you follow the tire tracks back across the open field, it looks like it originated near the one you posted.

...

What do you speculate is the cause?
Judging by the amount and color of the smoke and the fact there are at least three similar vehicles smoking simultaneously near a military base, my guess is that it is a military excercise, and the smoke is for concealment.

By the looks of the scorched earth near the pad to the west, not all their launches have gone without incident.

That means the title should be "Improbable IED in Baghdad."

I believe this is all part of a military museum. There are jets and helicopters near the building at the top of the hill, and it looks like possibly a helicopter and missile or rocket on its side just above and below these two aircraft.

Despite snowfall since the last map upgrade, North Korea's Invisible Airforce is still visible through the snow:

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&t=k&q=Korea,+Democratic+People%27s+Republic+of&ie=UTF8&ll=39.865385,125.56364&spn=0.002672,0.005488&om=1

Please include in Sunday's thumbs, even though they were in Saturday's que. Thanks.

I came across another one of these contraptions while exploring Boeing Field in Seattle, check it out:

http://local.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&cp=rxqc9n4t6244&style=o&lvl=2&scene=3704393

Thanks for clearing that up. The length of the pumps and piping is similar to the plane next to it, and it was sleek enough to look airplane-like. However, the North Koreans aren't known for sleek.