It's those Bear necessities...

[J0hn]

Sort of weird this kind of thing still goes on

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-27130125

No "RAF News" on display this time, though

[Chris Trott]

The Cold War re-ignited in 2000, but most outside of the intelligence and defense industries either ignored it or just didn't care.

[dodger]

Hi John,

Yup still it goes on around the North of the UK and off the coast of Alaska, the old cat and mouse,

I do love those TU95 Bears, my favorite Russian aircraft.

Cheers,

Roger.

[Paul K]

More pictures:-

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-h ... s-27157504

The Bear really is spectacular. How many aircraft still carry a tail gunner ?

[airboatr]

Ones with wind milly things on their engines?

[Paul K]

Thats 'em.

[AllanL]

Those wind milly things are far more efficient than pure turbines - which is what you really need for long range birds like these.

Expect to see far more of them as the latest shiney designs as the oil runs out. (Scruggs Aerospace already have them on the drawing boards.)

[airboatr]

Hi Allan,

I was just making a bit of fun with Paul.

Years ago. prop jobs had tail gunners. without turbines spinning them.
Like B-29 or Lancaster? which was what I was kinda had in mind.

I do agree about the need to save every drop of fuel these days.

[paulsl]

More pictures:-
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-h ... s-27157504

I was thinking how much more relaxed things appear to have become in Russia, as they can now paint slogans on the tail of their aircraft. For example, in the last picture, are the middle three letters referring to the news agency to the left, or the one to the right?

[AllanL]

Sorry, it wasn't meant as a dig, I was just picking up on a piece I saw about unducted fan engines and an Airbus proposal for a short haul airliner with the fans out the back.

http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/ ... rd-avenues

It is variously suggested that the unducted fan or open rotor concept would save about 25% on fuel and only be about 10% slower than the pure jet variant - which probably explains why Bombardier are still churning out Q400s!

The short haul airlines are constantly swithering between pure jets and props as they react to the opposing pressures of passenger perception that jets are more "modern" and the fuel economics. When Mcdonnell tried the idea out in the 90s noise was held to be a drawback. That probably explains why the Airbus fans are hanging out the back.

Nowt wrong with the Lancaster, it has been suggested that the BBMF one is the only dedicated long-range strategic bomber that the RAF have these days.

Ironic that the Russians still have rear-gunners given Putin's views on gays.......

I'll get my coat.