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Old 9th Nov 2010, 14:04
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Jig Peter
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Toulouse area, France
Age: 93
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Devil Progress ...

While the news seems to be pretty good about Grizzly testing, I was a bit surprised by Mr. Morin's statement that first deliveries aren't due for another 3 or 4 years: I know that it's going to be able to do a whole heap of things, but some years back Airbus (no "Military" then) used to deliver a "ready to go" new civil type one year after first flight, and was then in the process of getting "the family" up and operating - A310, A300-600, A320, A330, A340 - in less than 15 years, which included getting a whole new production system in place as well. (The A380 came later)
Not really a criticism of what promises to be an outstanding military transport, though ... Just that it's badly needed by the RAF, the Armée de l'Air and the Luftwaffe, who all have to wait what seems to be a looooong time.

PS. Agreed (before the flak artists get their guns pointed) that comparing military and civil transport testing is a bit of an "apples & oranges" affair,
but it's clear that there isn't a lemon among 'em .

Last edited by Jig Peter; 9th Nov 2010 at 15:17. Reason: Add PS
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