NASA Space Shuttle Atlantis Landing 1680 x 1050 Widescreen Wallpaper

Here's a great pre-touchdown shot of the Space Shuttle Atlantis landing at Edwards Air Force Base in California. I'm still impressed with no engine glider landings...pretty impressive.

Friday Video: F-4 Phantom vs Concrete Wall

Ever wonder what would happen to a fighter jet if it slammed into a nuclear powerplant? Check out this crazy video and find out!

NASA X-29 Forward Swept Wing Aircraft 1680 x 1050 Widescreen Wallpaper

I don't know if many of you remember this aircraft, but NASA played around with the forward wing concept back in the 80's. The product was the X-29 which is a hybrid aircraft made from parts from an F-5, F-16, and F-18.

Though the concept was validated by an increase in transonic maneuverability, interest in the concept remained low and the aircraft were ultimately sent to museums.

Space Shuttle Night Launch 1680 x 1050 Widescreen Wallpaper

Though I live in Florida, I've never seen a Space Shuttle launch. I'm putting it on my to-do list. Today's widescreen background shows why I want to make the trip.

This image was suggested by a loyal reader. If any of you find images you'd like to suggest, please write me an E-mail and I'll look it over.

National Naval Aviation Museum F-14D 1680 x 1050 Widescreen Wallpaper

Over the weekend my wife and I traveled to Pensacola, Florida to visit my in-laws. While there, we all visited the National Naval Aviation Museum located at Pensacola Naval Air Station.

The museum is one of the finest in the United States and as the name says, it focuses on Naval aviation.

The aircraft in the museum are top-notch restorations and the exhibits are breathtaking. If you love aircraft, you have to put this on your list of must-see museums.
This first picture of the F-14D is today's widescreen wallpaper. This baby still had her GE engines and was in excellent shape.


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In one section of the museum they have a four-ship of Blue Angel A-4s in the diamond formation. It's great to stand on the bottom floor and look up at these beautiful aircraft.

The next picture is of me sitting in a Blue Angel F-4 Phantom. They have a lot of aircraft cockpits you can jump into. I sat myself in an F-4, A-7, and F-14. You could spend hours here and the amazing part is that admission is FREE!

F-18E Super Hornet Tomcatters 1680 x 1050 Widescreen Wallpaper

I like this Tomcatters paint scheme on the F-18E Super Hornet. Nice.

T-45 Goshawk Carrier Landing 1680 x 1050 Widescreen Wallpaper

Nice shot of the T-45 Goshawk trainer doing a carrier landing. Hard to imagine how much training is needed to be able to successfully complete these landings.

Friday Video: The F-35 JSF

The F-35 JSF is the next front-line fighter for the Air Force, Navy, and Marines. Check it out.

F-16XL and SR-71 Formation Flight 1680 x 1050 Widescreen Wallpaper

Here's another formation photo for the history books. You have a NASA SR-71 and F-16XL in close formation flight. They were using the XL to fly within 200 feet of SR-71 to gather test data on supersonic shock waves.

Two beautiful airplanes.

P.S. Congrats to the poll viewers that picked David Cook to win American Idol.

F-16XL Cranked Arrow Delta Wing 1680 x 1050 Widescreen Wallpaper

Ever seen this beauty before? It's the F-16XL and was used by NASA to test the cranked arrow delta wing design. This would have made a great F-16 tactical bomber with nearly double the wing area.

FYI, the quality on some of these old photos is marginal. I fix them up as best as possible, but your mileage may vary. Enjoy it anyways!

F-14A Tomcat Cockpit 1680 x 1050 Widescreen Wallpaper

It's the next best thing to sitting in one, here's a shot of the F-14A Tomcat cockpit. Take a look around and you'll find the wing sweep indicator, engine tapes, AOA indicator, and many other interesting gauges.

C-17 Globemaster III Head-on 1680 x 1050 Widescreen Wallpaper

Love this shot. Perspective can change everything. Here is a massive C-17 Globemaster III and the crew chief in front giving directions. Enjoy!

C-17 Globemaster Massive Formation 1680 x 1050 Widescreen Wallpaper

Talk about a formation flight, here's a massive formation flight of C-17s. From what I read, there was an exercise where 20 C-17s flew sorties to show their airlift capabilities. Pretty cool if you ask me.

Friday Video: Blue Angel High Speed Low Pass

Check this out. Here's a few shots of Blue Angel solo pilots doing high-speed low passes in San Francisco bay. Absolutely awesome.

B-2 Stealth Bomber 1680 x 1050 Widescreen Wallpaper

Less than 20 of these beauties left in the world. Here's a nice shot of the B-2 parked on the flightline. I probably say this every time I post, but I used to build these aircraft. Nothing like them in the world.

Enjoy!

F18E Super Hornet Carrier Takeoff

Here's the Super Hornet preparing for a carrier takeoff. The steam from the catapult adds a dramatic touch to the shot.

F/A-18C Hornet Variations 1680 x 1050 Widescreen Wallpaper

I had some fun with an F/A-18C Hornet today and decided to post three versions of the widescreen wallpaper for you to pick the one you like the best.

I always appreciate your comments, so please let me know what you think.

F-16 Falcon Power Takeoff 1680 x 1050 Widescreen Wallpaper

Here's a great F-16 Falcon takeoff widescreen wallpaper. I love the heat distortion from the afterburner. Awesome fighter jet!

Edit: I updated this wallpaper per request. I agree the runway markers detracted from the picture. Hopefully this is better.

A-10 at Sunset 1680 x 1050 Widescreen Wallpaper

Here's a artistic two-ship A-10 formation in the desert.

I started with a rather dreary original photo and cropped it. I then adjusted levels and slightly desaturated the photo. I then applied an orange filter and adjusted the hue. Once I was happy with the color I boosted the color saturation. To finish, I applied lens flare and lighting effects.

I've got this one on my widescreen desktop and love it.

Friday Video: Harrier Low Pass

I don't know what it is, but I love watching low pass fighter jet fly-bys. This one is particularly funny because the guy they put up says "I won't flinch"

Watch and see if he flinches...

F-16C In Revetment 1680 x 1050 Widescreen Wallpaper

Here's a shot of the F-16 in a revetment, loaded and ready to fly.

Enjoy!

B-52 Bomber Cockpit 1680 x 1050 Widescreen Wallpaper

Here's a rare photo of the B-52 bomber cockpit. In case you didn't know, this bomber has eight engines and that means eight sets of engine dials and throttles.

What's amazing is that this old-timer is still flying.

A-10s In Formation 1680 x 1050 Widescreen Wallpaper

At times I really enjoy a subdued color on my widescreen monitor. I used that effect with four A-10s flying in close formation. I think it turned out great. What do you think?

F22 Raptor with F15 Aggressors 1680 x 1050 Widescreen Wallpaper

Hey all, it's great to be back. The trip to London and Paris was excellent and I recommend you visit these great cities at least once in your life.

Also, a BIG thanks to Pieter who helped out during the week. He did a great job and the wallpapers posted are excellent. Great job Pieter!

Today's wallpaper is a formation flight consisting of the F-22 and F-15 Aggressors. I doubt there's much of a fight there but the F-22 gets good target practice.

EA-6B Prowler 1680 x 1050 Widescreen Wallpaper

Hello, Here's one of my favourites. It's designed for electronical warfare. There's place for four people in the Prowler (one pilot and three electronic countermeasures officers). It's a real radar jammer!

Today's quote:

"There are only two types of aircraft - fighters and targets."
Doyle "Wahoo" Nicholson, US Marine Corps

Formation Flight

Here's a nice formation picture. I see EA-6B, F/A-18F and E2-C (correct me if I'm wrong). In the background you can see Mount Fuji in Japan.

Today's quote:

"Fighting in the air is not sport. It is scientific murder"
Captain Eddie Rickenbacker, Ace Pilot, US Air Service