More photos of the shrapnel damaged KC-135 (IG: lightning_ll_images)
Posted by Hot_Net_4845@reddit | aviation | View on Reddit | 144 comments
59-1444 was allegedly damaged by shrapnel at Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia. The damage was apparently superficial so they patched her up and flew her back to the States via Chania, Mildenhall, and Bangor. She landed at Tinker AFB, where these photos were taken.
Images from lightning_ll_images on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/p/DXIJ4qPjhJy
https://www.instagram.com/lightning_ll_images
John97212@reddit
I am assuming they bolted four replacement engines on for the flight.
Checking for critical internal damage must have been a hell of a task as well.
GxColls_AMT@reddit
You’d be surprised how much damage those engines can take. The limits for the blades are pretty big. Source: engine mechanic on KC-135s in the reserves
Unidan_bonaparte@reddit
Would have signed off engines for a transatlantic flight that looked OK but was covered in shrapnel holes?
gussyhomedog@reddit
As long as they're "within limits"
MrDabb@reddit
I’m sure they were inspected and ground tested before flight.
Unidan_bonaparte@reddit
Well yea, Im just wondering how likely it actually is that any plane with shrapnel holes in it, and the engines specifically, would be certified to fly over Europe and an ocean to return back to base. Even if it cleared ground testing. Surely they'd put new engines in at the very least to be sure?
LightningGeek@reddit
You can only base that decision on what you find. If the damage to the fan casing is superficial, and there is no evidence of damage to the fan blades or shrapnel in the core of the engine, then there is no reason not to go.
Doesn't mean they just have a quick external look and send it, but if a detailed visual inspection and a boroscope reveal nothing unusual, then there's no reason to change the engine.
ElFarts@reddit
Well, this is a reddit trust me bro comment because well, I know the culture first hand. This is not the airlines. This is the military. They have 4 engines and I’m sure they were inspected and run up on ground. They’re gonna go man.
tanksalotfrank@reddit
Yeah we kicked the tires, good to go!
CensoredbytheGOP@reddit
You forget, the passengers and pilots have signed many many wrongful death waivers.
CptSandbag73@reddit
That’s not how any of this works lol.
EnsignNolo@reddit
It’ll be fine. You’ll see. What could possibly go wrong? Not like it’s rotary wing…
iboneyandivory@reddit
Isn't there a blanket surrounding at first few turbine layers to contain the blades after in the event of a bird strike? I wonder if they could serve to mitigate damage from some amount of external projectiles too.
Redman_307@reddit
What you can see there are the engine cowls that wrap around the engines. Only if the shrapnel went through the cowl and the engine case(s) would they need to replace the actual engine before flight. The shrapnel could have made it through the cowls and hit external parts of the engine(s), but externals can typically be replaced/repaired or even accepted depending on the damage without needing to replace the whole engine.
JaaacckONeill@reddit
There's also Kevlar around the engines, to prevent uncontained engine failures. The kevlar could have absorbed the shrapnel before it entered the engine.
ABoutDeSouffle@reddit
But isn't the kevlar layer between the fan case and the hydraulics/electronics to protect them from a broken blade? In that case, the shrapnel - coming from outside - would first hit the hydraulics/electronic and then the kevlar.
Killentyme55@reddit
I'd be more concerned with shrapnel ingestion, turbines don't much care for FOD.
Redman_307@reddit
Kevlar is typically only wrapped around the fan case. And only on some engine types- not all. It’s there for Fan Blade Out containment. If it were damaged, that could be a reason for replacing the engine as you would increase risk in case of a fan blade failure.
AircraftDoc@reddit
Also, when changing an engine, the cowlings usually stay with the aircraft. Don’t personally know the 135, with some aircraft sometimes the nose cowl stays with the engine, sometimes it’s moved to the new engine. From the pictures, no way to tell if she has 4 new engines, some new engines, or all the same engines that were on when attacked.
InsideOfYourMind@reddit
It appears the cowlings in the pic are damaged as well (unless they just replaced the engine itself and put them back on for transport)
Killentyme55@reddit
Cowlings typically stay with the airframe, like if the engine in your car gets replaced you'd still keep the old hood.
InsideOfYourMind@reddit
Agreed, I was just surmising a possibility off of what the op comment mentioned
OptimisticMartian@reddit
Looks to me like at least 2 of the engines have repairs as well. So I don’t think so.
I_Dunno_Its_A_Name@reddit
The engines go inside the cowlings. The cowling could be damaged with a new engine inside.
2FAmademe@reddit
Unless major damage was found don’t see why they would.
rathgrith@reddit
Speed holes, they make the plane go faster
qzy123@reddit
“Put it in haich”
Drapidrode@reddit
Processing img sb91oda6hmvg1...
zagreb ebnom zlotdik diev.
Over-Conversation220@reddit
It can go 100 hectares on a liter of kerosene
NoDoze-@reddit
They holes are whistling Dixie! LOL
Beachhouse15@reddit
Happy cake day!
TheGoldenHoratio@reddit
I want everything that’s coming to Krusty the Clown, which is me, Krusty!
AlexLuna9322@reddit
Happy cake day Mr Car Salesman!
rathgrith@reddit
Danke schön
waudi@reddit
Awww I was going to comment this.
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ElGuachoGuero@reddit
Those battle damage MAF’s are gonna be crazy. Hope their ICRL is accurate and up to date
NoDoze-@reddit
Some of those dots look photoshopped, they dont match up from pic to pic. People pass pics off as legit so easily these days. LOL
Hot_Net_4845@reddit (OP)
They match that of the original image and video. I don't know of any other images of 59-1444 with the patches.
EpiphyticOrchid8927@reddit
Looks like those mechanics did a great job
ILikeFlyingMachines@reddit
I guess straight to the boneyard?
quietflyr@reddit
It'll be repaired for sure.
Mbizzy222@reddit
Looks like my complexion from high school.
here_walks_the_yeti@reddit
We can warn them that the Clearasil might not work for them either.
TheTangoFox@reddit
Oxy pads it is
BigD_277@reddit
Oxy10. Burn that S off!
NoDoze-@reddit
OMG Im traumatized! LOL
FSUnoles77@reddit
I can feel my face burning after reading this.
tavenger5@reddit
Should have used that speed tape that they had - ClearaSeal
AdSquare3489@reddit
Put her on the pill.
RandyBeaman@reddit
Looks like it went quail hunting with Dick Cheney.
BaZing3@reddit
Did it apologize for getting shot?
HawkAlt1@reddit
In all honesty, that should reveal just how terrifying Darth Cheney was. He shot a lawyer. In the face. And the lawyer apologized for getting shot.
PetriDishCocktail@reddit
Ouch!
Center_Mass705@reddit
Bravo
FOSSnaught@reddit
And just on time for Picture day. Fuggin typical.
Blue_Etalon@reddit
What's the consensus here? Scrapped for parts and then to the bone yard, or back to Tinker for full repair?
Top_Pay_5352@reddit
Probably repaired as tankers are vital!
ILikeFlyingMachines@reddit
But KC-135 are ancient.
Blue_Etalon@reddit
That's what I would bet on. But what do I know
84Cressida@reddit
Tinker. It flew back pressurized
RBeck@reddit
Did they stop three times because they didn't want to fly at max altitude? Also not sure I'd want to put fuel in the air-refueling tanks until all the holes are actually fixed.
ILikeFlyingMachines@reddit
You can fly at altitude without pressure, just need oxygen.
3tenthsOfVerstappen@reddit
Looks pretty badass 🤣
Pop_Smoke@reddit
That’s a lot of speed tape.
FLABANGED@reddit
Someone would've had a good time patching everything up.
I GET TO USE THE ENTIRE ROLL‽‽
Memory_Less@reddit
With all those shrapnel holes does this make the plane a part of the Swiss military? /s
heyinternetman@reddit
So does the plane get a Purple Heart?
HamasDaddyOnFire@reddit
Guard jets have personality (ex: Spook 50)...let's hope some enterprising Ohio crew chief puts a placard in this one to tell the story. With a Purple Heart.
I'd donate.
CannonAFB_unofficial@reddit
Spook 50 is an AD tail. I’ve flown her dozens of times. Shes currently at MacDill but has been at Fairchild/the Deid for the previous at least 5 years.
HamasDaddyOnFire@reddit
My understanding is that particular piece of iron has migrated to/from the guard at some point in the past, but I could be wrong on that. In any event, guard jets tend to be more personalized in that respect, even if Spook is AD.
RIP to the Spook boom.
CannonAFB_unofficial@reddit
I’ve only ever florwn guard tails deployed and I felt like I was walking in Air Force one. It’s insane how clean they keep them. And usually have a full lav, which is also clean.
HamasDaddyOnFire@reddit
Microwaves, too.
ilrosewood@reddit
That plane needs to be more careful when shaving.
MissNashPredators11@reddit
Why tf does she look sad
curtishawkin@reddit
'tis merely a flesh wound
hippo96@reddit
Come back here you coward
WhatsUpSteve@reddit
Shrapnel that hits the entire length of a huge jet? That's some crazy accurate AA fire.
wehooper4@reddit
Was hit on the ground.
WhatsUpSteve@reddit
Majority of those shrapnel is at the belly of the plane and light on the top. Are you sure about that?
benzee123@reddit
Nothing some speed tap can’t fix
Myusername468@reddit
"Flak Attack"
Brainyface@reddit
Why does it have a wire to the fin
Icewolfkezion@reddit
Its an antenna.
The3levated1@reddit
Damn, the 15 year old Kia I scrapped a few years back had less holes in its body!
BustedMeJesusNut@reddit
Until I read the caption I was wondering if Iran had converted 105s or 120s to vertical mount. Been a long time since aircraft took radar fused damage
ABoutDeSouffle@reddit
If I was the pilot and they showed me this and told me to fly this halfway around the globe, I would first have laughed hysterically and then asked them if they are OK.
Kanyiko@reddit
Chances this aircraft will gain the nickname "Patches Galore"?
Zap_brannigann@reddit
More likely Patches O'Houlihan
CptTurnersOpticNerve@reddit
would have to have dodged it to earn that one
Kanyiko@reddit
Perhaps the drone had "Luck of the Irish" written on it.
angrytortilla@reddit
ThaddeusJP@reddit
Favorite bit there was (sorta) Janice Rand shaking her head at seeing the Enterprise https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zuifrXlfG_w&t=117s
angrytortilla@reddit
One of mine as well. I always loved this whole scene.
Cost_doesnt_matter@reddit
That big bitch is as tough as my ex wife, and that bitch was toooouuuuugh!!!
fishmousse@reddit
I think it's gonna need more than just tinkering. Should have flown it to Overhaul AFB.
Killentyme55@reddit
Apparently it's already headed towards Tinker.
daLoke@reddit
whoosh
Killentyme55@reddit
Dammit how did I miss that???
That's embarrassing, but I'll leave it up to teach me a lesson.
MikeTangoRom3o@reddit
How the hell is it still air worthy ?
StillNotaCenobite@reddit
Looks pretty cool. Very reminiscent of the WW2 bombers returning from runs.
hhazinga@reddit
Sidebar: was there an equivalent of speed tape in the 1940s?
HwanZike@reddit
Planes weren't fast enough, regular tape worked fine
hhazinga@reddit
Mmmmh good point. Intriguing.
bug_eyed_earl@reddit
Let’s just reinforce all the aircraft where the shrapnel holes are, right?
Accomplished-One7476@reddit
scar tissue makes you stronger
beerme04@reddit
Pain heals. Chicks dig scars. Glory lasts forever
PleaseJustLetsNot@reddit
Best. Movie. Ever.
RustGrit@reddit
Shane Falco was also from Ohio, just like this plane. I get the reference.
chillinwithmoes@reddit
Footsteps Falco? From the Sugar Bowl?
Accomplished-One7476@reddit
awesome movie 🤘🤘
horseman5K@reddit
Nope. Scar tissue skin is weaker and less healthy than normal uninjured skin.
madmike99@reddit
Don’t they say tiger stripes are sexy? What about tiny leopard spots
FileCandid5591@reddit
Ein hoch aufs Speed Tape
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Ktan_Dantaktee@reddit
Did… did those mf’s just speed tape the fuck out of it and call it a day?
Tf was Sheet Metal even doing?
Chrisdkn619@reddit
So is that speed tape?
maple_syrup777@reddit
still the sleekest
flourier@reddit
Looks like we know what parts of the plane to reinforce now
onethousandmonkey@reddit
Is the left seat looking at a fresh side window and what looks like a tarp? I see speed tape right below the window with a silver frame.
Western-County4282@reddit
I wonder if they drew straws when it came to who had to fly it
Unhappy_Cress_7431@reddit
Unimaginable what the World War pilots and paratroopers went through.
id0ntexistanymore@reddit
Go bucks
Efficient_Sky5173@reddit
Swiss cheese flying fortress.
Warm-Tiger-997@reddit
wouldnt it be flak? i dunno just asking
Animal__Mother_@reddit
Damage was inflicted while in the ground so no.
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DavidBrooker@reddit
Technically, its a photo of shrapnel repair!
No_Accident8684@reddit
should settle all nervous GA posts about a little speed tape.. nothing what a little tape couldnt fix, it seems
Specialist_Reality96@reddit
Good old instant airframe, some people actually believe aircraft especially military aircraft are held together with rivets, bolts and other such nonsense. It's all goop/sealant and instant airframe.
Umair1145@reddit
Just like my grandpa after chemo
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froebull@reddit
Looks like little squares of speed tape over the damage spots. I love that stuff.
fireandlifeincarnate@reddit
I think we can knock the "alleged" off
eskay_eskay@reddit
Going for the grey salt & peppered look
tuddrussell2@reddit
"Don't worry Master Sgt, that will all buff right out"
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