End of an era, the final flight.

[ChipBeck]

Gentlemen,

I thought these pictures were both beautiful and sad. This was the last time one of our Space Shuttles would ever be in the air. Headed for a museum and static display, no amount of creativity on the part of the curators will be able to recapture even a fraction of the majesty this ship showed the world when it thundered off of the launch pad. The United States, for the first time since the 1960's, is no longer capable of putting a man into earth orbit. The Space Shuttle, and the Apollo program before it, said a lot about America. I miss those days. GBA.

Chip

 

[Kayvan]

747 too

Another colussus of US Aviation

 

[2112]

+2

:usa

 

[THamonGT]

+3 Great pictures.

 

[CH53Driver]

Great pictures Chip. I too worry about our future. A sad day indeed.

 

[Waldo]

Awesome pictures, Chip. Ironically, I was in DC on Saturday and made the trip out to Dulles specifically to see Discovery. She was truly impressive.:usa

Semper Fi,
Waldo

 

[twobjshelbys]

It's amazing I didn't realize the comparative small size of the shuttle until I saw it perched atop the 747.

What happens with the 747 ferry plane?

 

[ChipBeck]

Photo Caption.

Gentlemen,

Years ago when the Shuttle program was new I saw a photo similar to the one below and the following caption was printed below it:

---First plane mating is successful! Boeing executives said, "We're hoping it will be a B-1."---

Chip

 

[Sinovac]

What happens with the 747 ferry plane?

I can suggest that they temporarily convert it to Air Force One and use it to carry you know who back to Illinois for HIS final flight this coming January.

I kid. I kid.