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UAL T38 Phlyer · 11-04-2009, 12:38 PM

USMC:

The jet at Ellington is actually a KC-135 (fuselage is 6 inches narrower in diameter than a 707). It was the official "Vomit-Comet" NASA used to get non-fighter guys ready to be astronauts. And technically, the Vomit-Comet isn't ON a stick---the main wheels are still on the ground!

The early tall-tail B-52s (A through F models) are MUCH taller than the 707/KC-135 family. Wikipedia is referring to the B-52G and H, which had a shorter (boosted) rudder. Don't know the exact numbers, but about 5-10 feet shorter, I would guess.

And now you know.

I say the BUFF on the sticks at the Zoo wins!

("Zoo" = Air Force Academy)

11-04-2009, 12:38 PM	#12 (permalink)
UAL T38 Phlyer Gets Weekends Off Joined APC: Mar 2008 Position: The bottom 1% Posts: 679	Wikipedia "Facts" USMC: The jet at Ellington is actually a KC-135 (fuselage is 6 inches narrower in diameter than a 707). It was the official "Vomit-Comet" NASA used to get non-fighter guys ready to be astronauts. And technically, the Vomit-Comet isn't ON a stick---the main wheels are still on the ground! The early tall-tail B-52s (A through F models) are MUCH taller than the 707/KC-135 family. Wikipedia is referring to the B-52G and H, which had a shorter (boosted) rudder. Don't know the exact numbers, but about 5-10 feet shorter, I would guess. And now you know. I say the BUFF on the sticks at the Zoo wins! ("Zoo" = Air Force Academy)