Inverted C160 in a field in Turkey

[Optimus]

Thanks, editted. But now for the what and why
Hans.

Testing stealth capabilities of a C160... that sure is interesting !
Kees

Two things come to mind:
1) calibrating new radars to a known signature
2) testing the new signature with a removed vertical stabilizer, as this may provide large reduction in radar cross section. Not for the C-160 itself but future developments of fly by wire tactical transporters, since the S-300 series have proved very efficient... [/speculation mode]

hm. Maybe they are testing the new first class beds for Turkish Airlines, where you can enjoy a full-flat sleeping section on a cushioned ceiling (while flying inverted ).

Kees

[ehusmann]

Just for some background facts on why these tests are conducted with planes upside down:

“The idea for the pedestals is you rotate, tip and spin the aircraft any way you want it,” Rabe said. But sometimes, if the plane wes upright, the pedestal itself would get in the way and ruin the test.

“The way to solve that problem was totally placing the aircraft upside down,” he said. “With antennae on the belly of the plane and the belly facing the sky, we could rotate, tip and spin the plane any way we wanted and the pedestal would be safely below the aircraft and out of the way.”

Full article on a guy who worked in the 'Upside Down Air Force".

Erwin

[Stephan Lodewijks]

I wonder if the wings can take the strain of laying upside down...?

Kees

That shouldn't be a problem, the construction of the wings is very strong and the up and down elevation of the wings during flight (turbulence) is much higher.

Furthermore, most of the pulling force on the wings during flight is in the same direction as gravity's pull while being upside down.

Steef

[rené]

Aviation Letter of July mentions:

69-035 of Turkish A.F., fuselage seen inverted on a pole in a field between Ankara
and Konya at N39.346915 E32.915404