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Lynn - when I worked as a programmer at
McDonald-Douglas in SL I used to wander around final assembly a lot at lunch
time. I'm sure you're aware by now that I'm the type not afraid to ask a
bunch of questions. you should see what is called a "hush house" where
each new F-15 gets bolted to the floor , a huge harness plugged in , and run for
the first time, afterburner and all. the doors are 12" of concrete and the
operator sits in a booth behind like a 6" thick glass window. huge
diverters blow the exhaust up thru the roof. I don't know what 40,000 lbs
of thrust is in horsepower, but it was well respected. and loud.
they told me they have had some explosions, but rarely. I watched
some maiden flights too, 80 degrees vertical, roll out level at 25,000' [what,
less than 2 minutes?], remaining gliding distance from the airport, in case of
engine failures. kevin [not using my hangar as a hush
house!]
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