My dear KIFIS;
Having just read your post on how sad you are that the P-3 is not going to your favorite museum and that the United States has "lost face", I have a question?
Just who lost face?
An airplane that was flying in clear weather, in international airspace, over international waters was intercepted by two high speed, highly maneuverable jetfighter aircraft. The aircraft that was intercepted was an unarmed, slow, four engine turbo-prop aircraft that was much less maneuverable. The aircraft that was intercepted was flying straight and level. What happened next is history. So let's look at the facts and really see who lost face.
Fact 1. The intercepted aircraft belonged to the United States Navy and was on an intelligence-gathering mission. The United States did not lie or mislead anyone about the mission of this aircraft, in fact the aircraft was operating under a United States Navy ATC call sign. This was not the first of these type flights near China. This was not the first time one of these intelligence-gathering airplanes had been intercepted. So unless the Chinese interceptor command (or whatever they call it) is so inept that when actually find someone and can direct fighters to the target, they think they have gained a lot of face. I don't think this is the case.
Conclusion: No country gains or loses face.
Fact 2. One of the intercepting jetfighters accidentally hits the left wing of the intercepted aircraft. Please don't respond saying the P-3 rammed the fighter, it doesn't make a damn bit of sense. The Chinese fighter is severely damaged and the pilot successfully ejects. Both the second Chinese fighter pilot and the crew of the P-3 observe a good chute. The P-3 is also severely damaged and for a time is out of control. Lacking ejection seats for himself and his 22 other crewmembers the Aircraft Commander is forced to regain control of the aircraft and land at the closes airport, no matter in what country it is located. Sadly the intercepting Chinese fighter pilot is never found.
The cause of the accident was the poor airman-ship and inept training of the intercepting Chinese fighter pilot resulting in the loss of both the fighter and it's pilot. The excellent airman-ship and superior training of the intercepted United States Navy P-3's pilot resulted in the safe landing and survival of all crewmembers.
Conclusion: The United States gains much face. The Chinese loses face.
Fact 3. The severely damaged P-3 declares "Mayday" numerous times and is ignored by the Chinese. Other ATCCs and other aircraft hear the mayday message. Despite no help from any Chinese agencies the P-3 lands safely at an international airport in China. The Chinese Government sends an armed boarding party on board of the emergency aircraft and arrests the entire crew and impounds the aircraft. The Chinese then claims that the P-3 "rammed" their fighter and will not release the crew or aircraft until the United States Government apologizes for causing the midair collision, pay repartitions and promises to never, never, ever fly around China again.
The United States Government says, in diplomatic language, "Yeah sure, whatever, send our people back now!" The Chinese Government releases the crew. The Chinese Government says in diplomatic language, "Ok, ok, here are your people back. They eat too damn much, drank all of our beer and who is this Homer Simpson guy? But you're never, never, ever going to get your airplane back." The United States Government replies, in diplomatic language, "Look we really are sorry about the loss of your pilot. However, we will get our airplane back and we will fly it out. P.S. don't worry about Homer Simpson." The Chinese Government replies, in diplomatic language of course, "Ok, you can the airplane back, we don't want the antique piece of junk anyway. However because it is in such bad shape you will have to take it apart and ship it out of our country. We don't want any pieces falling off and killing anymore of our citizens." The Chinese Government releases the airplane.
Conclusion: The United States gains much face. The Chinese loses face.
So, KIFIS I ask you again. Who lost face?
[This message has been edited by con-pilot (edited 28 June 2001).]