Trans Maldivian Airways on platform, a photo by Ibrahym Knyhaad on Flickr.

I don’t know about you, but I’d be nervous to go out and board a plane like this. Not because I’m afraid of sea planes, but because floating platforms like this are not my cup of tea.

This is a pretty cool shot of this Twin Otter sea plane though.

It turns out, Trans Maldivian Airways has a fleet of 25 sea planes, and it’s the largest commercial sea plane operation in the world. Pretty cool methinks.

I Love Planes - A blog about planes and other flying machines

Refueling lifeline of US, NATO air ops, a photo by DVIDSHUB on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
A 100th Air Refueling Wing KC-135 Stratotanker prepares to offload fuel to Royal Danish Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons, which are flying in formation behind the tanker. The 100th ARW arrived at Royal Air Force Mildenhall Feb. 1, 1992 and has supported U.S. and partner nation military aircraft over a span of more than 20 million square miles using its 15 assigned KC-135s.
100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
Photo by Tech. Sgt. Kevin Wallace
Date Taken: 02.01.2012
Location: RAF MILDENHALL, ABE, GB
Related Photos: dvidshub.net/r/l9gjjo

I Love Planes - A blog about planes and other flying machines

I think this plane should be renamed to something like “Bull Shark” because that’s what it looks like.

Via Flickr:
A pilot takes the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter aircraft up for its first night flight near Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., Jan. 18, 2012. (Courtesy photo by Tom Reynolds)

I Love Planes - A blog about planes and other flying machines

V-22 Osprey

120104-F-NI784-081, a photo by Official U.S. Air Force on Flickr.

There’s something not quite right about how the Osprey looks, but it’s still an impressive looking aircraft.

Some of the Marines that I know say that they call the Osprey a “widow maker.” Apparently, the prop wash from the aircraft is pretty bad. So bad, that it might knock you over if you’re too close to landing zone and not paying attention.

Via Flickr:
A U.S. Air Force CV-22 Osprey special operations aircraft with the 71st Special Operations Squadron (SOS) receives fuel from a MC-130J Combat Shadow II aerial refueling aircraft from the 522nd SOS Jan. 4, 2012, over New Mexico. The 71st SOS is located at Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M., and conducted air refueling training with members of the 522nd SOS at Cannon AFB, N.M. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st class Xavier Lockley)

I Love Planes - A blog about planes and other flying machines

This F-111 Aardvark is on static display outside of Cannon Air Force Base in Clovis New Mexico. The plane is called the “City of Clovis” and it’s a memorial to the F-111 crews that were based in Clovis and were lost in action over seas.

F-111 Aardvark on static display

This particular F-111, according to legend, participated in the bombing raid on Libya way back when the US and Libya were much less friendly with each other.

I Love Planes - A blog about planes and other flying machines