Best in-Service UK military aircraft?
Another vote here for the mighty F3! Supersonic swing-wing messenger of death, packing AMRAAM & ASRAAM... How can it not be cool?! Plus 600kts+ at 100ft- in the Falklands once a year, your main op task having Lazyboys and Sky...
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You serious?!
Nice though the F3 is, it was, by any standards, a bit of a disaster.
Designed to fulfil a specific role, it entered service without any useable radar, and by the time it had been developed into a viable combat aircraft, the role for which it had been designed had gone.
Okay, it still has the ability to out-run just about everything else around, but it was always pretty hopeless as a dogfighter, and now it merely soldiers-on until more Typhoons are delivered.
It's a shame, as it is a good aircraft, but it was useless for the UK's needs by the time it became fully operational. The RAF appear to have bestowed the ultimate insult on it this year by removing it from the air display demonstration circuit - and I think that speaks volumes.
What a shame that more money wasn't found to re-role the aircraft in the SEAD mission - a waste of a good aeroplane.
Nice though the F3 is, it was, by any standards, a bit of a disaster.
Designed to fulfil a specific role, it entered service without any useable radar, and by the time it had been developed into a viable combat aircraft, the role for which it had been designed had gone.
Okay, it still has the ability to out-run just about everything else around, but it was always pretty hopeless as a dogfighter, and now it merely soldiers-on until more Typhoons are delivered.
It's a shame, as it is a good aircraft, but it was useless for the UK's needs by the time it became fully operational. The RAF appear to have bestowed the ultimate insult on it this year by removing it from the air display demonstration circuit - and I think that speaks volumes.
What a shame that more money wasn't found to re-role the aircraft in the SEAD mission - a waste of a good aeroplane.
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Tim,
the F3 was never built to dogfight, simply to stand off and blat fireworks off at any passing a/c with red stars on them!!
Today's F3, and I hate to admit it, is actually bloody good bit of kit. It has ASRAAM, AMRAAM & JTIDS. These attributes, along with it's speed allow it to get into a position to fire well before most other a/c and that my friend is how to win BVR engagements.
Much more fun flying a Tonka where it's supposed to be mind... low & fast!!
Despite my short campaign for the Tonka though, my vote has to go to the PR9. She retires shortly, with nothing out there that can replace her pound for pound.
the F3 was never built to dogfight, simply to stand off and blat fireworks off at any passing a/c with red stars on them!!
Today's F3, and I hate to admit it, is actually bloody good bit of kit. It has ASRAAM, AMRAAM & JTIDS. These attributes, along with it's speed allow it to get into a position to fire well before most other a/c and that my friend is how to win BVR engagements.
Much more fun flying a Tonka where it's supposed to be mind... low & fast!!
Despite my short campaign for the Tonka though, my vote has to go to the PR9. She retires shortly, with nothing out there that can replace her pound for pound.
Tourist and Scottishbeefer have it right. Sea Kings (any Mark) do what it says on the tin. Nimrod R1 is ok but as it's the nearest aircraft to having a blank cheque book it doesn't count.
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Any air force then???...F-111F (Post Pacer Strike!!!) RIP!
Internal fuel (Lots)
Fast at low level (for a long way)
High supersonic at high level
Accurate bombing. (If unguided bombs are your thing).
Superb at AGM-130 / GBU-15 & PaveWay 2 & 3
Armchair ride.
Dump & Burn sideshow....
rant over....
.
Internal fuel (Lots)
Fast at low level (for a long way)
High supersonic at high level
Accurate bombing. (If unguided bombs are your thing).
Superb at AGM-130 / GBU-15 & PaveWay 2 & 3
Armchair ride.
Dump & Burn sideshow....
rant over....
.
What's the obsession with plank wings??!
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Brit, you're stating the obvious - that's what I already said - the Tornado F3 was designed as a long range interceptor, but by the time it became fully operational, we didn't actually require any long range interceptors any longer.
It's a slightly specious argument to rate the F3 as being a great aircraft simply on account of the weapons it can now carry. Likewise, the same argument applies to the Nimrod R1 mentioned in later threads. Naturally, you can hang "intelligent" missiles under any aircraft, and you can cram Elint gear into any airframe, and the results will be just the same, so the carrier aircraft's attributes become largely irrelevant.
This is where we get back to the dark rumors of MoD interst in eventually buying A340's; you can see the logic though, as you can equip the airframe for just about any role you like (other than tactical transporter) - interceptor, bomber, tanker, Elint, reconnaissance...
It hints at a rather boring future which could ultimately see the RAF equipped with 3/4-jet widebody multi-role aircraft and a fleet of UAV's - and very little else. Think I'll take up train spotting!
It's a slightly specious argument to rate the F3 as being a great aircraft simply on account of the weapons it can now carry. Likewise, the same argument applies to the Nimrod R1 mentioned in later threads. Naturally, you can hang "intelligent" missiles under any aircraft, and you can cram Elint gear into any airframe, and the results will be just the same, so the carrier aircraft's attributes become largely irrelevant.
This is where we get back to the dark rumors of MoD interst in eventually buying A340's; you can see the logic though, as you can equip the airframe for just about any role you like (other than tactical transporter) - interceptor, bomber, tanker, Elint, reconnaissance...
It hints at a rather boring future which could ultimately see the RAF equipped with 3/4-jet widebody multi-role aircraft and a fleet of UAV's - and very little else. Think I'll take up train spotting!
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Originally Posted by Old#7
Dear Concrete Nose,
The only reason it's never been shot down is that they'll never let it get near a real fight for fear of losing it!
I will grant you the Text Messaging bit, at least the crew has something to do whilst flying CAP for the tanker over friendly territory.
Old#7
The only reason it's never been shot down is that they'll never let it get near a real fight for fear of losing it!
I will grant you the Text Messaging bit, at least the crew has something to do whilst flying CAP for the tanker over friendly territory.
Old#7
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Originally Posted by L J R
Any air force then???...F-111F (Post Pacer Strike!!!)
Per Aardvark Ad Asturias.
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Originally Posted by threepointonefour
Easy one. Tornado F3.
1. Never been shot down
2. Can do Mach 2
3. Has built-in text messaging
4. Comes in cool AD grey
5. Has the best bases (by far)
1. Never been shot down
2. Can do Mach 2
3. Has built-in text messaging
4. Comes in cool AD grey
5. Has the best bases (by far)