The forward bipod on the SCA also had a different configuration for ALT -- IIRC (probably in Jenkins and elsewhere), six degrees instead of three.
Very interesting. Thanks for the detailed answers, all.
Speaking of the SCA and Enterprise, how did they accomplish the release maneuver without Enterprise hitting the SCA? Even though it doesn't look like it, did the 747 nose dive away? How did it do that while not speeding up too fast (since it has engines and Enterprise didn't) so that the tail didn't strike Enterprise?
The SCA went into a shallow dive at idle thrust where the orbiter was actually providing lift. At release, the SCA went down and left and the orbiter climbed and went right.
Forward bipod was also taller than the transport version to allow for this.
Was the separation mechanism the same between Enterprise and SCA versus Orbiters and their ET's?
In this picture:
What are the devices shown in the green box?
What are the devices shown in the green box?
IR missile countermeasure devices
What are the devices shown in the green box?
IR missile countermeasure devices
If I´m correct they installed that before the European (Paris Air Show) trip in 1983...
Thanks Jim. Thought they might be.
Jim: do you know if these are on both 905 & 911?
Jim: do you know if these are on both 905 & 911?
It might have only been for the transatlantic flight, as 905 no longer has them
What specific aerodynamic effect did the Orbiter have on the SCA while mounted? The fact that the extra vertical stabilizers were added seems to indicate that the Orbiter blocked air from getting to the normal vertical stabilizer.
Did it provide extra lift to the combined pair? Was this counteracted just by changing the angle of attack of the SCA?
Just curious about how differently the SCA/Orbiter combo flew vs. a normal 747.
