Welcome

Welcome to my blog http://www.skegley.blogspot.com/ . CAVEAT LECTOR- Let the reader beware. This is a Christian Conservative blog. It is not meant to offend anyone. Please feel free to ignore this blog, but also feel free to browse and comment on my posts! You may also scroll down to respond to any post.

For Christian American readers of this blog:


I wish to incite all Christians to rise up and take back the United States of America with all of God's manifold blessings. We want the free allowance of the Bible and prayers allowed again in schools, halls of justice, and all governing bodies. We don't seek a theocracy until Jesus returns to earth because all men are weak and power corrupts the very best of them.
We want to be a kinder and gentler people without slavery or condescension to any.

The world seems to be in a time of discontent among the populace. Christians should not fear. God is Love, shown best through Jesus Christ. God is still in control. All Glory to our Creator and to our God!


A favorite quote from my good friend, Jack Plymale, which I appreciate:

"Wars are planned by old men,in council rooms apart. They plan for greater armament, they map the battle chart, but: where sightless eyes stare out, beyond life's vanished joys, I've noticed,somehow, all the dead and mamed are hardly more than boys(Grantland Rice per our mutual friend, Sarah Rapp)."

Thanks Jack!

I must admit that I do not check authenticity of my posts. If anyone can tell me of a non-biased arbitrator, I will attempt to do so more regularly. I know of no such arbitrator for the internet.











Saturday, July 21, 2012

Historic article Boeing Seattle closed- thanks Ramey H.!


Historic Article
1944? No - it's the year 2010
Early Saturday morning, in a rainy Seattle , 0300 hrs. local time. The location: Boeing's historic Plant II - about to be torn down after three quarters of a century producing thousands of the most significant and historic airplanes ever built.
In preparation for demolition, three airplanes that have been undergoing Museum of Flight restoration in the factory's assembly bays will have to be moved. Just as in days past, with lights and images reflecting off the wet pavement, the last three airplanes are rolled out. The giant hangar doors are raised, the tugs and tow bars are hooked up, and with lights flashing, they are moved out of the factory and onto the historic ramp, where so many have gone before. Then across East Marginal Way and out onto Boeing Field.
They are the last airplanes to roll out of these doors, ever!

First out isn't even a Boeing airplane - but rather a Lockheed Super G Constellation that flew for Trans-Canada Air Lines. The Connie is destined for the Air Park, next to Air Force One, after a Plant II stay of 1 year and three

days.


Next is a Boeing B-17 - especially heart-tugging as she is the last B-17 to roll out of these doors. Boeing built 6981 B-17s in this factory during WW II, at a peak rate of 16 per day. I guess you could say they built 6981 and rolled out 6982 - including this last ship - 65 years after her last sister.


A poignant moment in time


Museum employee and good friend Evan Elliott, driving the tug, knows he has just made history.

Finally, a Boeing B-29 rolls under the raised hangar doors and out into the dark and wet night, the very last airplane that will ever roll from this factory.

This Boeing B-29 is the "last of the last."
The now empty factory bays sit - silently awaiting their fate.
Everyone present knew they were witnessing history unfolding in front of their eyes. More than a few tears ran down more than a few cheeks, to mingle with the soft Seattle drops of rain

A Boeing Plant II Primer
The ramp that these three historic airplanes roll across, and the building they leave is one of the most historic aviation sites in the world.
Historic article 


Here, in April 1944, are the 16 B-17 Flying Fortress bombers produced in this building - that day, and every day! Click here for a Personal Note about those B-17s.

In October 1944, the first Boeing XC-97 rolled out of these doors - later to become the C-97 transport, KC-97 Tanker, and B-377 commercial Stratocruiser. (See the camouflage on the roof?)


During WW II, the plant was completely camouflaged to look like a residential area as protection against possible Japanese air attack.



In the late 1940s and early 1950s, myriad B-50 bombers and C-97 Transports are being produced in this factory.



On 12 Sept 1947, a radical new airplane - the Boeing B-47 six-jet bomber Prototype is rolled out. This airplane is the direct lineal matriarch for all the jet airplanes Boeing has produced since.



In 1952, in the darkness and wet of a Seattle night, the Prototype Boeing B-52 8-engine Bomber is rolled out and across East Marginal Way. She's shrouded in secrecy and covered by canvas and tarps. This amazing airplane is still in front-line combat service to this day.



Here 277 B-52s are being produced where the earlier airplanes once were assembled.


And, in 1966, the first Prototype Boeing twin-jet 737 was manufactured in this building and rolled out of these doors on to this ramp. This airplane is in the Museum's collection. She's the first of more than 8000 737s built or ordered since then.

And so, today - History meets History as the last three airplanes roll out of these doors.

Boeing's Plant II is truly aviation Hallowed Ground.
Note: The B-17 and B-29 went to hangars across the field; the Connie to the Air Park .

No comments:

Blog Definition

On Line Blog Definition
Google-Blog Definitionblog, short for web log, an online, regularly updated journal or newsletter that is readily accessible to the general public by virtue of being posted on a website.