Typhoons in Southern California

[WarmandDry]

Seen at Miramar today. Not listed in the static or flying programme!
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_gwc4Quhwrlc/TKjpLzd-aHI/AAAAAAAAH00/nt2YAceRSNc/001.jpg

[canard68]

The only problem with a Herc at this show was dropping a AAR hose on to a house roof 5 miles away. Oops.

[Trim Stab]

Ooh look they remembered to put the gear down. Or was it a Hercules? No it was definitely a Typhoon. Hang on it was both of them.


Could have been a Hawk too...

[bodypilot]

Maybe lured by the good social scene for crew at the Miramar show. Either that or the free outbound fuel fill offered for all fly-in static displays seeing how bad the RAF budgets are. I suspect the former as the crew didn't bother to show up to the flight line and answer questions from visitors (hungover?). Last time I displayed there it was a drag but I made the flightline each day.

Sad to see that the RAF were the only ones to cone off static aircraft. Everyone else opens up canopy and doors as they can and lifts as many kids into seats as arms will carry - poor show RAF. Not even a sign to explain what the aircraft were.

[bobward]

If they'd put up signs saying F35 Lightning II, I'll bet very few would have noticed the difference....:eek::bored:

[BEagle]

I suspect the former as the crew didn't bother to show up to the flight line and answer questions from visitors (hungover?).

1. "Did you guys come all the way from Canada for our show?"
2. "Hey, you guys Brits? Do you know Manchester? I met a Mr. Smith from Manchester, do you know him?
3. "Is that a Torr-nah-do?"

Probably wise to escape 'ordeal-by-dim-Spam', in my view - having had to answer such similarly bovine questions in the past!

I was once asked "What does RAF stand for" in the Offutt AFB BX back in the late 1970s. Stealing a line from a famous Gp Capt, I answered "Is Russian Air Force. We come see your new missiles and buy blue jeans, Beatles records and biro pens". But she was rather pretty, so I let her off the hook after her eyes had turned the size of saucers!

[Flap62]

Probably wise to escape 'ordeal-by-dim-Spam', in my view - having had to answer such similarly bovine questions in the past!


I'm sorry Beags but no, it wasn't wise. Unless they had a very good reason for not standing in front of a jet it was lazy and unprofessional. They may, of course, have a perfectly valid reason.

If you take a jet to a static, you make sure it is manned at least during the main part of the show. Remeber the airshow is not put on for the benefit of the crews (despite the attractions of the beer tent), it is for the public.

[Jimmy Macintosh]

I was so pleased to see them there, bit dismayed by the lack of signage, I actually stood there for 10 minutes explaning what they were and talking about them to anyone that looked puzzled at them.

By lunch time I did notice someone in RAF flying suit talking to the public. Would have loved to have seen them fly though. I loved the first time they displayed at Farnborough.

<thread drift> The F-22 is pretty amazing.

[soddim]

What happened to PRIDE in the RAF. In my day the pilots would have been proud to be at the show with the latest RAF fighter and would have enjoyed showing the public whatever they were permitted to.

Bad show boys - get some loyalty pills and take a double dose!

[Dave Clarke Fife]

1. I was once asked "What does RAF stand for" in the Offutt AFB BX back in the late 1970s. Stealing a line from a famous Gp Capt, I answered "Is Russian Air Force. We come see your new missiles and buy blue jeans, Beatles records and biro pens". But she was rather pretty, so I let her off the hook after her eyes had turned the size of saucers!

Ah, Johnny 'Kentowski' Kents reply to an American , who, upon hearing that he was at some hush hush USAF base and not an Anerican citizen, and was further quizzed as to what the RAF bit on his I/D stood for. Classic!!

[Brain Potter]

"Is it really that big?"

"How did you get it here?"

and other such gems.....


What happened to PRIDE in the RAF. In my day the pilots would have been proud to be at the show with the latest RAF fighter and would have enjoyed showing the public whatever they were permitted to.

Were they in the US primarily for this airshow? Almost certainly not. It is highly likely that the crews would have been flying sorties all week and (unlike some years ago) would not have a lot of spare bodies on the detachment. Perhaps they deserved/required a day free from duties? Moreover, these look like OEU jets to me which could mean that an open-cockpit policy would not be possible.

There must be a reasonable explanation for a bunch of fighter pilots to pass-up on this potential opportunity to ponce-about and pose:}

[StopStart]

Don't be ridiculous Potter! We have none of the facts and a few items of hearsay - this is more than enough Pprune Evidence for our resident experts to convict those concerned. Using Prunelogic I can only surmise that the pilots were off snorting cocaine off some hookers chest whilst blowing yet more of the defence budget on Krug champagne and caviar instead of standing to attention in front of their jets all weekend.
And something about airworthiness too.

[Long Drop]

PRIDE in the RAF now involves rainbow flags and advertising the next LGBT march.

E & D cse booked

[Jumping_Jack]

S-S :D Made I larf that did.....

[maxburner]

Very sour posting Beags. Very anti-American too.

How many Nobel prizes have gone to the US? How many of the world's top universities are American? Are all Americans as you describe? I only ask because I'd like to know.

I've always enjoyed a warm welcome in the US and my experience of Americans has been overwhelmingly positive. But maybe that's just my attitude.

[davejb]

I can't see an 'Under Tow' sign so presumably there were at least 2 aircrew there, so I don't see why one wasn't around to answer questions....

...this presupposes that there wasn't somebody there to answer Q's, of course, and that there was no good reason for the absence- all of which we're in the dark about. So it LOOKS like a bit of a bad show, but we stand ready to be corrected.

I went to an airshow in Florida once with a bunch of fellow siggies - we didn't take a Nimrod, we took a Ford Galaxy as far as I recall - but that didn't prevent most of the younger chaps turning up in flying suits and boots etc (I found it embarrassing and wore civvies). The rest of the lads gleefully answered questions about any aircraft they were passing at the time, as they went from one hospitality tent to another in succession. I bet our siggies had a better time than whoever flew the Tornadoes in...whoops, sorry, Typhoons I meant.

Dave

(Mick '007' B**d with his very personal namebadge almost got a bit more than a free pint of Budwasher from the ladies who saw him emerge from the 7 seater).

[Thelma Viaduct]

maxburger, Beags hates everyone so don't think he's anti spam, but I reckon he is generally correct about them tbh :ok:

[Geehovah]

Good to see the OEU flying the Flag in the US. I love our cousins but we need to point out just how much we help out at every opportunity. And I hope the pilots enjoyed the show at the same time. Miramar is one of those places everyone should visit just once.

[BEagle]

Some folks banter detectors need new batteries!

Although it did take the Spams several years in the 1950s to find just 7 people capable of doing a monkey's job in the top of a rocket.....

Project Mercury, wasn't it?

Dave Clarke Fife,
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a341/nw969/DCF.jpg
Yes, it was indeed Gp Capt Johnny Kent's line!

[barnstormer1968]

I have to say that I thought the 'Dave Clarke Fife' avatar was pretty clever too.

I am not sure how popular they are these days though, as although I have CD's of theirs, as well as 'catch us if you can' on DVD, the last time I went to an arty cinema for a screening of the film, there were only six others in the audience:}

To further reinforce their absence from the mind, I regularly visit or stay in many of the locations from the film, and even the folks who live in 'the ranch' have never heard of them :bored:

Thread drift off again.

[charliegolf]

Once, when holding on 30 Sqn, I blagged a Nellis trip, shepherding Jags, ISTR.

On the way into somewhere USA side, the pilot did the usual calls, Ascot this that and the other etc etc.

The ATC guy then asked:

Which service are you Sir?
Pilot: Royal Air Force
ATCO: Which Royal Air Force?
Pilot: THE Royal Air Force.
ATCO: Er, Roger that.

It was priceless, even though you probably needed to be there!

CG

[Jumping_Jack]

Reminds me of the 1990 trip to Marietta to celebrate 25 years of the C130 in RAF service. Aircraft was painted up with all the Sqn badges and a HUGE 25 up the tail. We arrived, taxied in with large Union Flag being held aloft the cockpit to greet the Lockheed workers who had been positioned with US and UK flags to wave. We trooped out to say hello and do some glad handing, first chap I meet looks at me (Royal Air Force on the old badge) and says 'So, where are you guys from?' - Doh!

[Randulatingar]

The chaps were spotted in their finest jimjams Saturday afternoon, but no sign of them (and no signs at all) on Sunday. Aside from the RCAF / Snowbirds they were the only international visitor at the entire show (where USMC and USN only begrudgingly admit USAF as they have some bigger iron to fill up the flight line). Not a mention of them in the show program or by the announcers - although the Reds got a quick compliment - I guess they just don't grunt the right kind of 'Hooo-raaah' for a USMC show. Real shame, two abandoned Typhoons presented with all the prestige of the neighboring hot dog stand - locals swore they were Tornadoes, Belgian ones perhaps. Good show though, by local standards. ;)