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Author Topic: B52 misses Farnborough  (Read 5287 times)

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Offline PMC

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Re: B52 misses Farnborough
« on: July 22, 2004, 09:14:09 AM »
The Typhoon was supposed to be operational in 2000, hence the hame "Eurofighter 2000".

The German government requested a redesign of several features to meet the needs of a post-cold war Luftwaffe, which resulted in substantial delay.  Not only that, but there have been significant cost overruns as a result.  The UK is dragging it's heels on it's original procurement of 230+ Typhoons which look set to be cut in the defence review.  Fortunately, the Greek air force look set to purchase Typhoons and Eurofighter consortium are trying to sell to air forces around the world.

The original BAe EAP demostrator, upon which the Typhoon was based first flew in 1986.

Meanwhile, the US are also experiencing delays with their F22 Raptor programme.  The YF22 first flew in 1990 and is entering service about now with controversy over the original USAF order for 600+ Raptors.  It looks unlikely that the USAF will receive more than 300, thus pushing the unit cost higher (as in the case of the Typhoon).  It's also unlikely that the Raptor will be as extensively marketed overseas as it's F15 predecessor, given the nature of the technology involved.

The Lockheed / BAe JSF (F35) is slated for a 2012 in service date, but that looks optimistic given the delays faced by other projects.  The aircraft is also gaining weight rapidly, which is far from ideal given the weight constraints of carrier operations.  The Royal Navy is also expected to get two new large carriers during the next decade, specially designed for JSF operations.
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Offline PMC

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Re: B52 misses Farnborough
« Reply #1 on: July 23, 2004, 02:05:27 PM »
Quote

blobrana wrote:
hum,
yeah,
but what about all the jobs?
is it not better to keep the money in the community?

Anyway i`m not a great fan of the Eurofighter anyway, i probably would have bought a bulk load of cheap russian planes instead (an spares)...

And i remember seeing an Israeli F16 that manages to land  with only one wing...


@Blob

Moot point, but I think it was actually an F-15 that landed safely with a wing missing after being hit by a SAM.

Several western countries have looked at buying in the SU-27 in place of traditional western designs and it's worth noting that some Soviet era aircraft were designed to be compatible with NATO ground handling facilities and could be flown from captured airstrips.  The expensive bit would be either procuring Russian weaponry or adapting our own to fit the Russian aircraft which could conceivably require an extensive refit.

That said, I think the SU-27 is probably the coolest looking thing in the sky right now.
Cecilia for President
 

Offline PMC

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Re: B52 misses Farnborough
« Reply #2 on: July 26, 2004, 11:13:24 AM »
Quote

blobrana wrote:
@whabang
not keen on that name, the  Gripen, and the colour scheme is way off...



Which scheme?  AFAIK most Swede jets are painted in the two tone NATO grey scheme but they used to paint their fighters in this really cool crazy-paved camo.  

If you want to see some cool colours then check out the pics of 1960's RAF Lightnings.  Before 1967 when the MOD got sniffy about these things Lightning squadrons seemed to be trying to outdo each other for spectacle.  There are photos of red/white chequered tail fins or bright red / blue shades painted on the spine / tail / wing leading edge while the rest of the jet was polished aluminium.  The RAF roundels too came in for similar treatment, with lightning bolts, red / yellow chequers, tiger stripes (74 squadron) being applied liberally below the canopy.

http://www.thunder-and-lightnings.co.uk/lightning/full/ligh_026.jpg
http://www.lightning.org.uk/photo.php?img0039.jpg
http://www.lightning.org.uk/photo.php?img0011.jpg
http://www.lightning.org.uk/photo.php?img0014.jpg
http://www.lightning.org.uk/photo.php?img0024.jpg
http://www.lightning.org.uk/photo.php?img0025.jpg
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Offline PMC

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Re: B52 misses Farnborough
« Reply #3 on: July 26, 2004, 02:42:28 PM »
@Whabang

Can you post some Gripen pics here?
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Re: B52 misses Farnborough
« Reply #4 on: July 26, 2004, 03:32:11 PM »
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Offline PMC

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Re: B52 misses Farnborough
« Reply #5 on: July 26, 2004, 04:08:56 PM »
Quote

blobrana wrote:
@PMC

but then again i think zebra stripes always look good on landrovers...



What's black & white and eats like a horse.....

Oops.

I like the schemes the Russians use for the artic / naval based SU-27s. They're a kind of blue / turquiose camo pattern that's a lot nicer than it sounds.

Anyway I think I'm going to get my MTB frame sprayed in camo now...  
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