Muff Millen Posted October 22, 2010 Share Posted October 22, 2010 Yesterday, 21 October 2010 I had the honor of having a guided and well narrated tour of the facility at Dobbins where the mighty Herk is born and fully finished for service to the world operators of this great airplane. The factory is spotless, very quiet and the folks (Lockheed employees) were professional, understanding and fully knowledgable of the areas we were being briefed on. A great bunch of people. I will always be thankful for the tour and the info provided. After being associated with the Herk for over 47 years it was fulfulling to see where it all starts. That J is a huge step forward from my experance on the A's, B's and E's. Can you imagine no before before engine shut down check list, just turn a switch one click to the left and the computer does everything. Also a feature that impressed me is that if a system is not needed for the mission that system is full off line and the computer opens the CB and no power is applied to the system until it is needed for the mission....wow what a great idea. Another item I noticed missing on the center console....no condition levers....computer eliminated the need. I could go on and on but too much to mention. Man, I sure wish I was about 50 years younger and flying them again...oh I forgot...no Engineer...Oh well I retain the great memories. Thanks to all the folks at Lockheed for the tour and great memories. Muff Millen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tinyclark Posted October 22, 2010 Share Posted October 22, 2010 (edited) Was there in '96 for Lockheed avionics training, saw the first J on the production line during our tour, and the first full scale F22 model built. Edited October 22, 2010 by tinyclark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yawdamper Posted October 23, 2010 Share Posted October 23, 2010 Family day where they allowed cameras, glad you enjoyed your tour Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fräulein Posted October 24, 2010 Share Posted October 24, 2010 I am jealous. how did you get the tour - if I may inquire? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jansen Posted October 24, 2010 Share Posted October 24, 2010 2010 Hercules Operators Conference/Marietta Plant Tour http://herkybirds.com/showthread.php?2275-2010-Hercules-Operators-Conference Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P3_Super_Bee Posted October 24, 2010 Share Posted October 24, 2010 I am jealous. how did you get the tour - if I may inquire? Pretty much now a days if your not a family member of an employee, or get lucky with a boy/girl scout or school tour your out of luck. Muff I believe got in on the Operator's conference tour. Which won't be another one of those till next year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Wilson Posted October 25, 2010 Share Posted October 25, 2010 I got my chance to wander around the factory for a whole day back in 86 or 87 Thems war the good ol days. Called up and aranged a tour with thier PA folks about a week prior, loaded up a bird with interested Pilots and FE's, flew up to the plant and got our tour. Nowdays it would be all about fraud wasted and abuse, taking a Herk and flying it up to the factory "just because". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fräulein Posted October 25, 2010 Share Posted October 25, 2010 Pretty much now a days if your not a family member of an employee, or get lucky with a boy/girl scout or school tour your out of luck. Muff I believe got in on the Operator's conference tour. Which won't be another one of those till next year. All those years my dad worked in Saudi for Lockheed = jack sh*t. That is why I asked. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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