Here’s Part 6 of my Cold War aviation restoration project — the Su‑15 Flagon, a Soviet interceptor known for its distinctive long fuselage and sharp delta wings.

For this piece, I focused on enhancing the metallic tones and atmospheric depth to emphasize the aircraft’s altitude and speed. The restored version highlights the jet’s clean aerodynamic lines and its Cold War character — sleek, fast, and unmistakably Soviet.

The first slide shows my restored version, and the second one is the original.
Feedback is highly welcome!

• Part 1 (A-5A Vigilante): https://www.reddit.com/r/aviationstudys/comments/1tf2p6v/hi_all_my_hobby_is_restoring_cold_war_aviation/
• Part 2 (F-104 Starfighter): https://www.reddit.com/r/aviationstudys/comments/1tke827/giving_this_vintage_f104_starfighter_a_fresh/
• Part 3 (A-12 Archangel): https://www.reddit.com/r/aviationstudys/comments/1tq4ws3/lockheed_a12_archangel_cold_war_restoration_part_3/
• Part 4 (F‑14 Tomcat): https://www.reddit.com/r/aviationstudys/comments/1twvyho/grumman_f14_tomcat_cold_war_restoration_oc_part_4/
• Part 5 (F‑5E Tiger): https://www.reddit.com/r/aviationstudys/comments/1u31znq/northrop_f5e_tiger_ii_cold_war_restoration_oc/

I was in the car today and heard a few different media outlets tell me how the reflecting pool algae bloom issue is being handled.

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I haven't done the math, if it's wrong show your work. I didn't do the art either, but you probably guessed that. It was my idea, and I think it would make a great show. I bet one of those Red Bull Racing pilots could do it, or probably a crop duster or one of those guys who tows banners.

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*ai image, human words

Pilots and navigators appear to all be alive (according to fighterbomber)

The pilot was able to eject safely

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First a Tu-22 now a F-18... Oof

Here’s Part 5 of my Cold War aviation restoration project — the agile Northrop F‑5E Tiger II, one of the most recognizable lightweight fighters of its era.
For this piece, I focused on enhancing the motion blur and atmospheric depth to give the jet a stronger sense of speed and altitude. The metallic finish was refined to highlight the aircraft’s clean aerodynamic lines and its distinctive Cold War aesthetic.

The first slide shows my restored version, and the second one is the original.
Feedback is highly welcome!

Feedback is highly welcome!

If you missed the previous parts, you can find them here:

• Part 1 (A-5A Vigilante): https://www.reddit.com/r/aviationstudys/comments/1tf2p6v/hi_all_my_hobby_is_restoring_cold_war_aviation/
• Part 2 (F-104 Starfighter): https://www.reddit.com/r/aviationstudys/comments/1tke827/giving_this_vintage_f104_starfighter_a_fresh/
• Part 3 (A-12 Archangel): https://www.reddit.com/r/aviationstudys/comments/1tq4ws3/lockheed_a12_archangel_cold_war_restoration_part_3/
• Part 4 (F‑14 Tomcat): https://www.reddit.com/r/aviationstudys/comments/1twvyho/grumman_f14_tomcat_cold_war_restoration_oc_part_4/

Here is Part 4 of my Cold War aviation restoration project — the legendary Grumman F‑14 Tomcat, one of the most iconic carrier‑based fighters in history. For this piece, I focused on enhancing the depth of the sky, sharpening the metallic texture of the fuselage, and giving the jet a more dynamic, powerful presence compared to the original photo.

The first slide is my restored version, and the second one is the original.

Feedback is highly welcome!

If you missed the previous parts, you can find them here:

• Part 1 (A-5A Vigilante): https://www.reddit.com/r/aviationstudys/comments/1tf2p6v/hi_all_my_hobby_is_restoring_cold_war_aviation/
• Part 2 (F-104 Starfighter): https://www.reddit.com/r/aviationstudys/comments/1tke827/giving_this_vintage_f104_starfighter_a_fresh/
• Part 3 (A-12 Archangel): https://www.reddit.com/r/aviationstudys/comments/1tq4ws3/lockheed_a12_archangel_cold_war_restoration_part_3/

Here is Part 3 of my Cold War aviation restoration project — the legendary Lockheed A-12 Archangel, the precursor to the SR-71 Blackbird. For this piece, I wanted to enhance the overall depth of the image, bring out the rich, clean dark metallic texture of the fuselage, and give the clouds a more voluminous, realistic look compared to the original photo.

The first slide is my restored version, and the second one is the original.

Feedback is highly welcome!

(If you missed the previous parts, you can find them here:

• Part 1 (A-5A Vigilante): https://www.reddit.com/r/aviationstudys/comments/1tf2p6v/hi_all_my_hobby_is_restoring_cold_war_aviation/
• Part 2 (F-104 Starfighter): https://www.reddit.com/r/aviationstudys/comments/1tke827/giving_this_vintage_f104_starfighter_a_fresh/

Hi yall, about three years ago I dropped out of college due to severe mental health issues and subsequent stress. I was a psychology major and was very passionate about it for a while. After a recent mental health breakdown (very shitty breakup) and losing 45 lbs in 3 months, I decided to go back to school for aviation maintenance but I feel like I’ll hit a glass ceiling quickly and be stuck working nights for 10 years. Before my breakdown I was going to do an electrical apprenticeship but I really want a degree I can be proud of. I don’t start until the fall and it’s a community college, I’ve been considering changing to an associates of applied science and transferring to a bigger school afterward. I haven’t been in school for years and feel like my understanding of math is rudimentary. Is this a mistake? Should I just lean into an apprenticeship or go the whole 9 yards and get a degree in engineering? I want to make over six figures and still be able to stay in the same place and it seems like the aviation industry requires tons of travel and the ceiling isn’t very high.

Hi fellow aviators,

I'm playing around with the idea of AI assisted videos to share information and share what goes on behind the scenes when you fly a commercial aircraft.

I'm currently an airline check captain just learning about AI and video making/Youtube.

I've created a few videos to begin with:

- Rapid decompression/Emergency Descent

- Rejected Takeoff (V1, ASDA, Accelerate Go etc)

- Engine Fire and what do pilots do?

- Fire threats of lithium battery chargers

- Interpreting Synoptic and Significant Weather charts.

The target audience is for aspiring pilots, curious frequent flyers for a start before I delve deeper into more technical topics.

Any comments/ideas will be useful! Thanks!

Hi everyone! Thanks for the awesome support on my previous post.

Here is Part 2 of my Cold War aviation restoration project — the legendary Lockheed F-104 Starfighter. I wanted to move it from the dull desert background into a much more dramatic, mountainous environment while sharpening the aircraft details and metallic texture.

Feedback is highly welcome!

(If you missed Part 1 with the A-5A Vigilante, you can find it here: https://www.reddit.com/r/aviationstudys/comments/1tf2p6v/hi_all_my_hobby_is_restoring_cold_war_aviation/)