B-2 Bombers - Engine Running Crew Change

[MulesAFpilot]

I went out and took some photos of the B-2s ERCCing (Engine Running Crew Change). Lucky for me, there were 3 of them at the hard stands.

[click the photos for larger]

1.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2248/2702851474_3ef8ac471d.jpg (http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2248/2702851474_3ef8ac471d_b.jpg)

2.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3205/2702853104_b7155d4380.jpg (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3205/2702853104_b7155d4380_b.jpg)

3.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3054/2702037177_6d6b93cce8.jpg (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3054/2702037177_6d6b93cce8_b.jpg)

4.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3217/2702854518_b8ccb2c60d.jpg (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3217/2702854518_b8ccb2c60d_b.jpg)

5.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3078/2702854010_e02a1f3bf8.jpg (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3078/2702854010_e02a1f3bf8_b.jpg)

[Scout7id]

Nice set of pics. Man, it must be really nice to have access like that!

[PhotosGuy]

Three in one shot! Excellent!

[andrewhuxman]

Awesome set. Great shots.!!!!!!!!

[RCoulter]

Nice!

[DaddyinKC]

Mules,

Are you stationed at Whiteman?!

[MulesAFpilot]

Thanks everyone

Yes, I'm stationed at Whiteman.

[Jeff]

Love #2. Looks like a Darth Vader helmet.

[Jamie Holladay]

nice shots.

[cunarder534]

Good set.

[GilesGuthrie]

#4 the best for me. Love the sparkle on the landing lights, and I particularly like the way you got the wings on the horizon. Makes this stealth aircraft "disappear" in the shot.

[Desertraptor]

I like 4 and 5 most
Nice

[PhotoJourno]

Three in one shot! Excellent!


Yeah, talk about L quality gear.

How much money in that photo again??... He he ::lol:

Great series, something I'd never see with the naked eye (except at some rare airshow with crossed eyes, but even then).

Thanks for sharing.

[MulesAFpilot]

Thank you all so much for your kind comments.

PhotoJourno - something like $6 Billion. ;)

[PhotoJourno]

Thank you all so much for your kind comments.

PhotoJourno - something like $6 Billion. ;)


He he... Ok. I will take two. Can I paypal you?...

I am amazed that you had access to this sort of photography, even with your uniform and all. In one of the pics, the crewman below one of the wheel wells [EDIT: Crew Hatch, pic #3 or #4, greens, yellow belt] is giving you the evil eye. Probly the pilots involved in their own thing, but he's looking at you like "Hey, they never let me bring my camera!!".

[MulesAFpilot]

Here's a few more shots:

6.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3203/2702034445_cb1521015b.jpg (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3203/2702034445_cb1521015b_b.jpg)

7.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3197/2702851846_d04d3aab88.jpg (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3197/2702851846_d04d3aab88_b.jpg)

8.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3070/2702034811_1970c16af3.jpg (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3070/2702034811_1970c16af3_b.jpg)

[black_z]

Wow!

[FlyingPhotog]

At the risk of getting large men in dark suits on my doorstep:

Can they bring the B2 to life in the same fashion as the "BONE" with the one "panic button" near the ladder?

Awesome Series by the way. Thanks for sharing these and thanks for wearing the Blue Suit... ;)

[aridan]

Very nice! Love the first one :D

[Mark_Mason]

Heck with that! Let's see the Apache in the background!


Former Apache crew cheif, Mark.

[3Turner]

Cool shots....any chance of getting access to the flight line next time I pass through there :lol:.

At the risk of getting large men in dark suits on my doorstep:

Can they bring the B2 to life in the same fashion as the "BONE" with the one "panic button" near the ladder?
I would think so....it's the same system as put in GM vehicles....loud horn with blinking lights in case a would be thief is following you to your ride. :rolleyes: :lol: Comes in handy when you are trying to single out your plane when you forget which spot you parked it in.

[FlyingPhotog]

Cool shots....any chance of getting access to the flight line next time I pass through there :lol:.


I would think so....it's the same system as put in GM vehicles....loud horn with blinking lights in case a would be thief is following you to your ride. :rolleyes: :lol: Comes in handy when you are trying to single out your plane when you forget which spot you parked it in.

Nyuck, nyuck, nyuck...

But I was asking the OP a legitimate question. The B1 (aka BONE) has a big red button on the nose gear that the first person boarding in a scramble situation mashes as they head to the ladder.

By the time all four crewmembers are strapped in, the engines are running, the electronics are on line and they're ready to taxi. I was wondering if the B2 works similarly...

[3Turner]

Nyuck, nyuck, nyuck...

But I was asking the OP a legitimate question. The B1 (aka BONE) has a big red button on the nose gear that the first person boarding in a scramble situation mashes as they head to the ladder.

By the time all four crewmembers are strapped in, the engines are running, the electronics are on line and they're ready to taxi. I was wondering if the B2 works similarly...
:lol: I'd like to know the answer too....if we are allowed to know. ;) I just didn't know the answer.

[Calicajun]

Great pictures of the B2, I worked on the B2 writing instructions on how to put the plane together. BTW, it's still a top secret plane.

[DigitalSpecialist]

Mules, I am in St.Lou just to your east. If you coming my way send me a line!

[MulesAFpilot]

The answer to your question is in picture 7. :D

[FlyingPhotog]

The answer to your question is in picture 7. :D

Ah...and so it is.

Thanks for tightening my focus. ;)

[BrantG]

Awesome shots. I just love the B-2.

[quickshot]

Mules ! Fantastic shots, You are so lucky. I live in the UK and have only ever seen one B2 and that was years ago at Mildenhall Airshow.
I just love American aircraft, i don't think our UK ones look half as good. Lol.