Hey LMLers,
I need your help confirming what appears to be the ultimate in
airframe modifications: a Boeing 737 retrofitted (emphasis on "retro") with the
rudder of a Curtiss C-46 Commando --- maybe to reduce wetted area and
drag. At first I thought it was a trick of the light, but on closer
examination...I dunno.
Perhaps some of you stratosphere aviators may have
seen a similar thing. Attached images (1 & 2) are unretouched and
cut from my 8 megapixel exposure taken at ground level April 22nd of the
aircraft flying over northwest Washington, along the standard Sea-Tac to CYVR
route, presumably above FL150. (Note: image 2 is a 3X
enlargement.)
Images 3 & 4 were taken earlier and
show unmodified B737s along a parallel route a couple of miles to
the east.
JHK