You wanna know what’s wrong with the current U.S. higher-education racket? At some point, universities went from viewing students as the future leaders of their communities to the present funding mechanisms of naked profiteering.

So, you’re saying I won’t be seeing it at EAA this year? :(

This was my thought, as well. Well, initially, I thought, “Congratulations, you snapped an ASTRA prototype.” And yes, I know all the Aurora/Senior Citizen jokes, but man, if the profile doesn’t seem to fit it. And S-turns, too? Then again, I’m probably just reading too much into it, as is usual.

Aye, may she rest in peace! Lifts a couple o' fingers of my best Talisker to her.

Wow. What a gut-wrenching experience that must've been. I've been in one '17 and a few '24s (my great-uncle flew '24s during WWII), and needless to say, as an Air Force family, we were all shocked when Ma Belle went down. Rest in peace, ol' girl. :(

1944 North American Aviation P-51D Mustang S/N 44-72773 (C/N 122-39232), Lucky Lady VII. Privately registered in Germany as D-FPSI (SI standing-in for 51, as privately-owned planes are not allowed to use numbers in the European scheme). Livery as of 2009 that of USAAF Maj. Ernest E. Bankey Jr. (B Group, Callsign…

Indeed beautiful, but I have a special soft-spot in my heart for the sound of a Wright R-1820 9 Cyclone on a Boeing B-17 turning over. Here's a great clip of Liberty Belle's No. 2 engine spinning up. Just listen to that beautiful starter mesh!

Well, the Grays may be attacking, but at least our government has finally upgraded to Win7!

Right on! Going to see my first BUFF up close at EAA this year! 93 BS from Barksdale will be parking a B-52H there ... first time, ever! I AM EXCITE!

Yep, that's 60-0001, Victory Belle IV, in active service with 96 "Devil's Own" BS, assigned to 2 OG, Barksdale AFB, La. Unfortunately, being the oldest B-52H built in 1960, she has some "paint war" on her tail section. All of them do, and it doesn't affect their operation, but yeah ... it looks a bit tatty.

Oh, so that’s what happened to the Thompson Twins.

Richard Evans says: Now that is the money shot, Irish!

Been to Moab twice ... some of the most beautiful country in the American Southwest. Absolutely loved it. Arches National Park is my favorite!

Heh, good call! I was going to include the B-1B Lancer in my statement, as well, as it's the only strategic bomber we have that's capable of supersonic cruise (both the B-52H and B-2 are subsonic). However, as currently configured, all Lancers carry non-nuclear payloads. The key phrase, there is "as currently…

As I said, down below in the comments, but which I'd like to reiterate here:

1960 Boeing B-52H Stratofortress C/N464386 (S/N 60-0021), "Black Jack," on active service with USAF 96 "Devil's Own" BS (Red Tail Stripe). A component of 2 OG (T/C "LA"), Barksdale AFB, La.

1960 Boeing B-52H Stratofortress C/N464366 (S/N 60-0001), "Memphis Belle IV" on active service with USAF 96 "Devil's Own" BS (Red Tail Stripe). A component of 2 OG (T/C "LA"), Barksdale AFB, La.

1960 Boeing B-52H Stratofortress C/N 464400 (S/N 60-0035), "Global Warrior" on active service with USAF 11 "Mr. Jiggs" BS (Gold Tail Stripe). A component of 2 OG (T/C "LA"), Barksdale AFB, La.

1960 Boeing B-52H Stratofortress C/N 464413 (S/N 60-0048), "Phoenix" on active service with USAF 20 "Buccaneers" BS (Blue Tail Stripe). A component of 2 OG (T/C "LA"), Barksdale AFB, La.