SR-71 Blackbird
by SteveOSF
The Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum has a SR-71 Blackbird on display. The high flying Blackbird is a product of the Cold War. It was a reconnaissance aircraft and holds the record for both the highest flying and fasted aircraft ever flown (excepting spacecraft). Its speed could exceed 2,000 miles per hour and it could climb above 85,000 feet. The Blackbird displayed at museum resides below the wing of Howard Hughes' Spruce Goose. At 107 feet long, even the Blackbird is dwarfed by the wooden Spruce Goose.
The Blackbird was manufactured by Lockheed and first flew in 1966. The Air Force retired them in 1990, although a few Blackbirds received funding from Congress for some additional flights. The museum’s Blackbird flew for NASA as part of the reactivation program in 1995 and 1996, before it was again retired. It is on long-term loan from the United States Air Force Museum. It was a treat to see this rare, unique, and formerly top secrete aircraft.
Avenger Torpedo Bomber
by SteveOSF
A rare flyable Avenger World War II torpedo bomber is kept by the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum. This was a carrier based American bomber. The crews of these airplanes had to fly in low and release a torpedo at close range at enemy ships. This involved getting past any enemy fighters, and then exposing themselves at point blank range of the anti-aircraft fire of their target and her escorts before releasing their torpedo. It was a dangerous business.
By the end of the war, Avengers had sunk over 60 enemy ships. Avengers participated in the destruction of the world’s largest battleship, the Yamato. This museum's Avenger served the United States Navy from 1945 to 1956.
McMinnville in a nutshell
by Carmanah
My parents decided to plan out a family vacation along the Oregon coast in July of 1999. We spent a few days in Astoria, Seaside and Cannon Beach before driving across the state on our way back home. My father, who's a high school teacher by day, but a freelance wine educator by night, wanted to tour the local Oregon wineries... so we spent a night in McMinnville.
There was this one winery, west of McMinnville that had an incredible display of gigantic art sculptures. These sculptures were made out of scrap metal that had been twisted and bent to look like amazing creatures. The one photo is me next to a you-know-what. ;)
The climate around McMinnville reminds me of that in the Okanagan in BC. It's hot (but not humid), and almost semi-arid. A lot of farming goes on in the nearby communities, and with that are vineyards and wineries.
The town of McMinnville was tiny, but cute. It had a very quiet, small-town, close-community American feel to it. Trees lined the streets, many old historical buildings in the downtown streets had been well taken care for. Unfortunately a lot of the stores were closed by late afternoon when we were exploring the town. We were going to go to an upscale restaurant for dinner that night, but realized we weren't wearing the appropriate clothing for the occasion. So we went to a family restaurant instead.
I have photographs of the nearby wineries that I'll scan in. The geography of this area is amazing... rolling hills, vineyards, small little farms. Take the side streets through the small towns if you want to explore. The drive is relaxing, and you really get a feel for the area.
Grunman Hellcat
P-40
Mig
Military Vehicles
