Steve F Posted January 26, 2003 Report Share Posted January 26, 2003 George,I think you mentioned the other day something about the P&W J57’s being "real screamers," and their being responsible for your somewhat diminished high frequency acuity. It’s interesting: several different studies and articles that I’ve read—both in and out of the music/high fidelity industry—have indicated that high frequency sensation, quite apart from "hearing" per se, depends on more than just the conventional ear system to work. I’m not an audiologist, but there is a current of thought that says humans can sense pitch and tone through several means, such as skeletal vibration, pressure against the skin, etc. This would explain why even though someone with objectively restricted hearing can still distinguish between "realistic" and artificial sounds, etc. That’s why you still love your AR-5’s, even if you can’t hear the top band on the Stereophile Test CD.My dad was in a 105mm howitzer group in Italy during WWII, then did construction work afterwards back here at home. Anything over 10kHz was just a rumor to him, but he could always hear the improvement in new speakers, well beyond what the "numbers" said he should’ve been able to hear.(BTW, I used to live in East Hartford CT, right across the street from Pratt and Whitney’s main plant. That was back in the Cold War days, and we figured the Soviets had a dozen or so ICBM’s targeted right at us. We affectionately called our place "Ground Zero Garden Apartments."Gotta love those J57’s—a real mainstay of our air force for 20 years. KC-135’s, B-52’s, F-101’s, F-102’s, B-57’s, B-66’s, man, they were all over the place.)Steve F. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ToastedAlmond Posted January 26, 2003 Report Share Posted January 26, 2003 Steve, I can't hear a word you said, but if what I read is correct, I'm not as deaf as I thought! There is HOPE!! We are truly complex organisms aren't we? I can actually SLIGHTLY improve my hearing for short periods, by wearing earplugs. To prepare for my annual flight physical hearing test (which I dread), I don't fly, listen to music, or go anywhere near a city for two or three days prior. After dinner the night before, I stick foam earplugs in, and sleep with them as well. Take them out for the morning shower, then shove a pair right back in. Leave the windows up in the car on the drive to the airbase (driving with the windows down is bad for anybodys hearing) and go right to the flight surgeons office. Thankfully, the J-57 was phased out almost twenty years ago. However, I did get subjected to it for six years. The worst part is, those six years were prior to us getting decent David Clark headsets. Just the old gray Mickey Mouse jobs, which didn't seal out much at all. The TF-33 turbofan engine we have used since '82-'83, is quieter, but still nothing to write home about. Amazing that the tanker, and the bomber, are still the standouts in their fields. In my opinion, it is the highest compliment, that when aircrews or aviation people in general use the term tanker or bomber, they are referring to the KC-135 and the B-52. The other aircraft are referred to by their designators (B-1, B-2, KC-10). The tanker and the bomber are the last good deals that the American taxpayers got. In my squadron, the youngest tanker is a '62 model, the oldest a '56. Sometimes the media, or the services themselves make a big deal about some aircrews being younger than the aircraft they fly on. They could truly emphasize the situation by realizing that some of our aircrews are now LESS THAN HALF the age of the aircraft they serve on! STILL WAITING FOR TOM TYSON TO WEIGH IN ON HIS SAC AIRCREW DAYS!! TOM? I miss SAC like crazy. Thanks for the great post Steve! George You brought back great memories for me. B-57's, B-66's (no single engine capability on that pup!), and One O Wonders. Actually, when I first started flying, the Massachusetts Air Guard was still flying Hun's (100's), and I got to refuel them a couple times. I like that Ground Zero Apts thing. Between, Hartford, Groton, and Bradley Field, you folks were toast. Most American's have no idea. Best not to tell them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charger3834 Posted January 26, 2003 Report Share Posted January 26, 2003 George,Why did they not phase out the old, water injected J57 turbojet engine sooner ? Isn't the JT3D turbofan a more powerful, quieter and more efficient replacement ? I think it was available around 40 years ago.Forgive me if that's a stupid question; I'm just a Canadian civilian.I am sorry to hear about your hearing, you are lucky you didn't get tennitus ! I think that is a comman disorder for those folks who worked around aircraft. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve F Posted January 26, 2003 Author Report Share Posted January 26, 2003 >Between, Hartford, Groton, and Bradley Field, you folks were toast. Most American's have no idea. Best not to tell them.Don't forget Bloomfield (Kaman helicopters), Windsor Locks (Hamilton Standard, in addition to Bradley Field), Stratford (Sikorsky helicopters), and Stamford (GE corporate headquarters).Steve F Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ToastedAlmond Posted January 26, 2003 Report Share Posted January 26, 2003 Steve,TOAST, TOAST, TOAST! Brad, I'm quite sure it would have been due to $ considerations. Isn't the JT3D the 141 engine? Same engine as ours (TF-33), but with some cowling mods. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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