The plane enthusiasts thread

[Punkawallah]

Only so many hours in an airframe, then you’re looking at ‘Triggers broom’.

 

[Badger_Boom]

It is amazing how the Americans can keep their aircraft flying for so long , B52's F15's. Ours seem to get destroyed before anyone can change their minds!

The American aircraft you mention are all still flying because they're active military aircraft. Outside of their intended military purpose, there are limited people who are willing and able to indemnify their safety for flight.

 

[figbat]

The American aircraft you mention are all still flying because they're active military aircraft. Outside of their intended military purpose, there are limited people who are willing and able to indemnify their safety for flight.

I guess the point is, how can their aircraft have such long, active military lifetimes where ours are replaced (or withdrawn)?

The B52 is heading for a possible 100 year service! The F15 has been around since Noah was a lad. Anything we had that was contemporary with them are long gone. I guess the Shackleton put in a long shift.

 

[Badger_Boom]

I guess the point is, how can their aircraft have such long, active military lifetimes where ours are replaced (or withdrawn)?

The B52 is heading for a possible 100 year service! The F15 has been around since Noah was a lad. Anything we had that was contemporary with them are long gone. I guess the Shackleton put in a long shift.

We're a relatively small force these days, especially since we chose to invest in the so-called peace dividend in the 90s. These days we're all about doing more with less, and relying on technology to back that up, and streamlined vehicle fleets to save money on parts and servicing.

 

[Illaveago]

All our politicians are good for are reducing our armed forces. The Germans still fly Tornadoes and the Spanish have Harriers . We have decided to go for an F 35 variant which can be used from our new carriers . The Americans are now finding that the F35's are too expensive to maintain.

 

[Jameshow]

I guess the point is, how can their aircraft have such long, active military lifetimes where ours are replaced (or withdrawn)?

The B52 is heading for a possible 100 year service! The F15 has been around since Noah was a lad. Anything we had that was contemporary with them are long gone. I guess the Shackleton put in a long shift.

Maybe the Arizona climate Vs the UK dampness might have something to do with it?

 

[Drago]

All our politicians are good for are reducing our armed forces. The Germans still fly Tornadoes and the Spanish have Harriers . We have decided to go for an F 35 variant which can be used from our new carriers . The Americans are now finding that the F35's are too expensive to maintain.

Indeed. The French military is over a third bigger than ours, buts costs a third less.

For roughly 73,000 soldiers we have over 30,000 civil servants at the MoD in Whitehall alone.

The US are indeed squirming over the cost keeping the F35 aloft. The F15EX seems likely to be an inexpensive solution that will be highly capable in the bulk of scenarios it's likely to encounter.

 

[figbat]

All our politicians are good for are reducing our armed forces. The Germans still fly Tornadoes and the Spanish have Harriers .

India still fly Jaguars!

 

[Illaveago]

India still fly Jaguars!

I saw one put on an impressive display back in the late 70's at Shuttleworth. I don't think we lost any in combat.

 

[DaveReading]

I don't think we lost any in combat.

Correct. The only RAF Jaguar ever to have been shot down was hit by a missile from another RAF aircraft ...

 

[Joey Shabadoo]

The Jaguar was underpowered apparently. It didn't "take off" so much as wait for the earth to rotate under it. They considered a navalised version but it couldn't land on one engine and could only take off on full afterburner, making it uncontrollable. Here's one trying (and failing) to catch up with a carrier -

 

[Punkawallah]

Indeed. The French military is over a third bigger than ours, buts costs a third less.

For roughly 73,000 soldiers we have over 30,000 civil servants at the MoD in Whitehall alone.

The US are indeed squirming over the cost keeping the F35 aloft. The F15EX seems likely to be an inexpensive solution that will be highly capable in the bulk of scenarios it's likely to encounter.

Just Googled out of bewilderment - all services manning over 184,000 (plus 900,000 reservist), MOD civil servants over 61,000. I do not bloody believe it!

 

[Drago]

Just Googled out of bewilderment - all services manning over 184,000 (plus 900,000 reservist), MOD civil servants over 61,000. I do not bloody believe it!

Alas, its the British way.

 

[Badger_Boom]

Just Googled out of bewilderment - all services manning over 184,000 (plus 900,000 reservist), MOD civil servants over 61,000. I do not bloody believe it!

Bear in mind that the 'civil servants' are no all bowler hat wearing Mr Bens working in Whitehall; a fair number are the non-uniformed folk who fulfil all sorts of instructional and local management/administration roles.

 

[Punkawallah]

Bear in mind that the 'civil servants' are no all bowler hat wearing Mr Bens working in Whitehall; a fair number are the non-uniformed folk who fulfil all sorts of instructional and local management/administration roles.

Don’t get me started - before long I’ll have a full breakdown prepared, and a listing of the ones we don’t need. Starting from the top.