Tag Archives: testbed

Cranfield Jetstreams

Posted on February 4, 2020 by Rob

I read that Cranfield is getting a new SAAB 340 to be used as a flying testbed. It is replacing the current Jetstream 31. The plane is used for test work but it is also used as a flying classroom … Continue reading →

Posted in aircraft, civil, photo | Tagged air show, aircraft, airplane, British aerospace, civil, classroom, Cranfield, flying, Handley page, Jetstream, photo, RAF Fairford, RIAT, testbed, turboprop, uk | Leave a comment

Automated Chevy Bolt

Posted on July 20, 2019 by Rob

The Chevy Bolt is not the sort of car that would normally grab my attention. This one did though. It was at The Henry Ford (even if it is a Chevy) and it is tricked out with all sorts of … Continue reading →

Posted in photo, Travel | Tagged Automated, automobile, bolt, car, Chevy, Dearborn, michigan, museum, photo, testbed, The Henry Ford, vehicle | Leave a comment

How Did I Miss the Radar Testbed?

Posted on July 5, 2019 by Rob

I was walking around the new Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Tukwila after the opening ceremonies had concluded. A few things took off while I was there but nothing caught my eye. Then I heard another jet get airborne. I looked … Continue reading →

Posted in aircraft, civil, Pacific Northwest, photo | Tagged aircraft, airliner, airplane, Boeing Field, bombardier, civil, crj, jet, KBFI, king county, Northrop Grumman, photo, radar, testbed, Tukwila, washington | Leave a comment

Honeywell’s Convair is Back

Posted on March 1, 2019 by Rob

I have seen the Honeywell Convair at Paine Field parked up at various times but only once did I catch it flying in. This post includes shots of it which were, unfortunately, on a rather overcast day. A white airframe … Continue reading →

Posted in aircraft, civil, Pacific Northwest, photo | Tagged aircraft, airliner, airplane, civil, convair, cv-580, Everett, Honeywell, kpae, Paine Field, photo, testbed, turboprop, washington | Leave a comment

Sabreliner Testbed

Posted on December 27, 2017 by Rob

The Sabreliner is a neat little jet under normal circumstances, combining as it does the wing of the Sabre with a fuselage for passengers. This example, that now lives in the Evergreen Aerospace Museum in McMinnville Oregon, is even better … Continue reading →

Posted in aircraft, civil, corporate, Pacific Northwest, photo | Tagged aircraft, airplane, business, civil, corporate, evergreen aerospace museum, jet, mcminnville, North American, oregon, photo, radar, Sabreliner, sensor, testbed | 1 Comment

Has the Catfish Escaped Me? NO!

Posted on August 10, 2017 by Rob

The first Boeing 757 built was kept by Boeing as a test aircraft and never went to an airline. When Boeing became a partner in the F-22 Raptor program, a new use was found for the aircraft. It was fitted … Continue reading →

Posted in aircraft, civil, military, Pacific Northwest, photo | Tagged 757-200, aircraft, airliner, airplane, avionics, Boeing, catfish, civil, Everett, f-22, jet, kpae, military, Paine Field, photo, raptor, testbed, washington | 1 Comment

AWACS Oddity

Posted on July 16, 2016 by Rob

A number of different airframes have been used for airborne early warning requirements. The Boeing E-3 Sentry is the most well-known but there have been a number of other types over the years. SAAB developed a radar system that has … Continue reading →

Posted in Air Shows, aircraft, military, photo | Tagged 1988, aircraft, airplane, development, erieye, fairchild, Farnborough international air show, metro, military, photo, radar, saab, testbed, turboprop | Leave a comment

Rolls’ Testbed Flies While I Am There – Twice!

Posted on June 30, 2016 by Rob

On my previous visit to Tucson, I saw the Rolls Royce owned Boeing 747 engine testbed. This was converted for the Boeing 787 Trent engine development program (hence the registration N787RR). The Number Two engine was removed and replaced with … Continue reading →

Posted in aircraft, civil, photo | Tagged 747-200, aircraft, airplane, arizona, Boeing, civil, engine, n787rr, photo, rolls royce, testbed, trent, Tucson international | 1 Comment

Northrop Grumman Testbeds

Posted on April 28, 2015 by Rob

Every once in a while I am looking for things to include in the blog from previous photographic outings. I was discussing an aircraft with an unusual radar installation which will now show up in an upcoming blog post as … Continue reading →

Posted in aircraft, civil, photo | Tagged aircraft, airliner, airplane, airport, baltimore, business, BWI, civil, corporate, international, jet, Maryland, Northrop Grumman, photo, radar, testbed, washington | 2 Comments

Rolls Royce Testbed

Posted on September 8, 2014 by Rob

Something I hadn’t seen before was the Boeing 747 that Rolls Royce own and use as a testbed for the Trent 1000 engine on the Boeing 787. Appropriately registered N787RR, this was parked up close to a road. I actually … Continue reading →

Posted in aircraft, civil, photo | Tagged aircraft, airliner, airplane, arizona, civil, engine, jet, rolls royce, testbed, Tucson | Leave a comment