Is the Raf transport fleet over stretched ?
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I think given the current climate the Tanker/Transport PFI should be binned for a straight outright buy. The C17 Fleet should be bought outright and further Airframes added like another 4. Part of the funding for this should be made by sacking(with total loss of pension) the civil servants and service seniors who have let this situation develop.
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glum
the problem is even if Bliar woke up this morning and went shopping for military AT it's not on the shelf and the capability seems to be needed right now. Thus the need to make best use of available capacity in a way that reflects the threat level in Southern Iraq and flying hours for crew and airframes. Maybe someone could ask Airbus to do some A380 "test flights" to Cyprus
(edited to note: Nurse - C-17 line is headed for the end of the line with Aus and possible CanForces orders merely delaying the inevitable. If RAF want more they need to start finding some cash)
the problem is even if Bliar woke up this morning and went shopping for military AT it's not on the shelf and the capability seems to be needed right now. Thus the need to make best use of available capacity in a way that reflects the threat level in Southern Iraq and flying hours for crew and airframes. Maybe someone could ask Airbus to do some A380 "test flights" to Cyprus
(edited to note: Nurse - C-17 line is headed for the end of the line with Aus and possible CanForces orders merely delaying the inevitable. If RAF want more they need to start finding some cash)
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Completely agree with nurse about doubling C17 Fleet. What an ac one just broke into the circuit at Lyneham, whoever was poling it nice one! The original plan at Lyneham was to "smarten up" several more MK3s, I really think it would help to reconsider that option.
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That's the trouble isn't it Mark D?
We all saw this coming and knew it takes time to modify and shakedown an aircraft, but the powers with the purse didn't spend until it was too late.
With only one contractor on task to repair and modify our Hercs, it's gonna take a long time to get the fleet up to scratch. Any other options?
We all saw this coming and knew it takes time to modify and shakedown an aircraft, but the powers with the purse didn't spend until it was too late.
With only one contractor on task to repair and modify our Hercs, it's gonna take a long time to get the fleet up to scratch. Any other options?
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Bliar could always take his supermarket trolley here
http://www.thepepper.com/tucson_airplane_graveyard.html
....I am sure his best friend would help
http://www.thepepper.com/tucson_airplane_graveyard.html
....I am sure his best friend would help
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Overstretch, clearly not: http://www.deltaweb.co.uk/c130jdisplay/index.html
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If your mad neocon masters are going to get into illegal, criminal wars, and as you are employed to do their dirty work, expect to get well 'stretched'. And stay on the planes with windows closed when you do the turnaround, or the DU dropped by your own kind will also delete you.
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We should thank our lucky stars they we got the C17 and not the AN124 that some were pushing for!!
Personally I can't see a problem with an aircraft with a 120 tonne payload powered by RR RB211-524, Glass cockpit, cargo bay volume of 1160m3 compared to the C17 580m3 yadda, yadda, yadda.
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Originally Posted by DK338
And the problem with the AN124-210 was? Personally I can't see a problem with an aircraft with a 120 tonne payload powered by RR RB211-524, Glass cockpit, cargo bay volume of 1160m3 compared to the C17 580m3 yadda, yadda, yadda.
Personally I can't see a problem with an aircraft with a 120 tonne payload powered by RR RB211-524, Glass cockpit, cargo bay volume of 1160m3 compared to the C17 580m3 yadda, yadda, yadda.Yes - the 524 sounds great on paper - for civilian operations!
Suspicion breeds confidence
Really? I was under the misguided idea that the 124 was originally designed to a mil spec
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Originally Posted by DK338
Really? I was under the misguided idea that the 124 was originally designed to a mil spec
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and would that spec have given us the freedom of operations that we enjoy with the C17? l think not somehow!
C17 hoik around in one hit? No where near the 124's 7 AH or 2 MBT I'll wager.
And if it was that unsuitable for military ops, why is it the 124 is under contract to SALIS?
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I wonder how much service back-up we could rely upon buying an aircraft from our enemy - yes, the majority of espionage in the UK is carried out by those pesky Ruskies. Always was, and always was be.
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I wonder how much service back-up we could rely upon buying an aircraft from our enemy - yes, the majority of espionage in the UK is carried out by those pesky Ruskies. Always was, and always was be.
FYI Antonov are Ukranian not Russian and their relationship with their former masters ain't all that rosy particularly as they have aspirations of joining the EU.
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The Ruskie comment was what 'we' call a "figure of speech". The decision not to go for '124s pre-dates the Orange revolution by some time, Viktor Yanukovich was very much a pro-Russian bloke. I also doubt, though I cannot say for sure, whether every piece of kit on the '124 is produced in house. Furthermore the current (Ukranian) administration, or rather system of government, isn't exactly 100% stable to say the least. It also relies very heavily on imported (Russian) energy. They lean to the West, but are still, to some extent, held on a leash to Russia.
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Originally Posted by DK338
I disagree! The 124 has greater capability, how many AH64 or MBTs can a
C17 hoik around in one hit? No where near the 124's 7 AH or 2 MBT I'll wager.
And if it was that unsuitable for military ops, why is it the 124 is under contract to SALIS?
C17 hoik around in one hit? No where near the 124's 7 AH or 2 MBT I'll wager.
And if it was that unsuitable for military ops, why is it the 124 is under contract to SALIS?
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I enjoyed the spoof website about the C130 display team. The people who thought that one up have a great sense of humour....very funny. BZ
Hang on, Hang on. I've found a better on
http://www.teammerlin.airshows.co.uk/homepage.htm
Check out the pilots....One of the co-pilots must also be in the Special Forces
Hang on, Hang on. I've found a better on
http://www.teammerlin.airshows.co.uk/homepage.htm
Check out the pilots....One of the co-pilots must also be in the Special Forces
Last edited by vecvechookattack; 22nd Jun 2006 at 23:04.
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Originally Posted by LFFC
We should thank our lucky stars they we got the C17 and not the AN124 that some were pushing for!!
The updated version also have increased payload to 150t, as well as increased range (with 120t from 4750km to 6500km), crew was also reduced from 6 to 4, and the electrics replaced amongst other things.