F-35 Cancelled, then what ?
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Nice to see a new type in service. Hopefully we'll see a return of a couple more of our famous old fighter squadrons - or won't we be allowed to adorn their expensive fancy grey paint with red & white checks or tiger stripes?
Are they actually any good? Apart from being stealthy and a bit faster, what do they do that a Harrier GR.9A couldn't? I assume it's all about the electric wizardry?
I still miss the days when we had Harriers, Jags, Buccs, real Lightnings and Phantoms! I guess just two FJ types is as good as it'll ever be now.
Are they actually any good? Apart from being stealthy and a bit faster, what do they do that a Harrier GR.9A couldn't? I assume it's all about the electric wizardry?
I still miss the days when we had Harriers, Jags, Buccs, real Lightnings and Phantoms! I guess just two FJ types is as good as it'll ever be now.
After the trail up the eastern seaboard and RV south of Newfoundland, presumably it took 2 Voyagers and such a southerly pond hop because the F-35B has such a small fuel capacity that a single hose plan across the pond with a single Voyager would have been impossible?
12-15 refuelling brackets for each F-35B from MCAS Beaufort to Marham, according to press reports...
12-15 refuelling brackets for each F-35B from MCAS Beaufort to Marham, according to press reports...
Always look on the bright side of life...
Would it be possible if, just for a day or two, we revel in the fact that our forces have just taken delivery (well we’ve had them for a while but you know what I mean) of our first batch of the worlds most advanced air platform?
I expect normal service will resume shortly and I know it has its detractors but let’s puff out our chests a bit and just be happy for once.
A big well done to the guys that brought them over.
BV
I expect normal service will resume shortly and I know it has its detractors but let’s puff out our chests a bit and just be happy for once.
A big well done to the guys that brought them over.
BV
Join Date: Aug 2007
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Would it be possible if, just for a day or two, we revel in the fact that our forces have just taken delivery (well we’ve had them for a while but you know what I mean) of our first batch of the worlds most advanced air platform?
I expect normal service will resume shortly and I know it has its detractors but let’s puff out our chests a bit and just be happy for once.
A big well done to the guys that brought them over.
BV
I expect normal service will resume shortly and I know it has its detractors but let’s puff out our chests a bit and just be happy for once.
A big well done to the guys that brought them over.
BV
Well a quick calculation shows 4,000 plus miles on the shortest great circle route, but I imagine the actual route was longer. So dragging 4 single engine jets across the pond from South Carolina USA indeed deserves well done. Not sure if a single Voyager could have done the second phase fuel offload wise, but always nice to have multiple tankers for the long overwater portions- also allows one tanker to divert with a diverting fighter and let the rest of the flight carry on.
Agree with Bob, a good time for some happy news.
Agree with Bob, a good time for some happy news.
Thanks to the link in post #11378 I was able to watch the coverage of their arrival whilst continuing to enjoy Spanish sunshine. 
One of the aspects of their arrival that struck me was the sheer length of the shut-down procedure - is that the norm for the F-35B? Anyway, well done to all involved!
One of the aspects of their arrival that struck me was the sheer length of the shut-down procedure - is that the norm for the F-35B? Anyway, well done to all involved!
Not a ferry tank in sight but. And presumably the frequent top ups and southabout route close to the Azores partly reflected the need to be able to divert in the event of a mishap as well as chasing the best weather and sea states.
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so THAT'S what those things. Are that someone dropped in a local field......
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Really...Why Did It Wear So Quickly?
https://www.airforcetimes.com/indust...round-vehicle/
“WASHINGTON ― A U.S. Marine Corps pilot has successfully flown an F-35B Lightning II with a 3-D printed part. The Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121 used 3-D printing to replace a worn bumper on the landing gear of the fighter jet.
As a commander, my most important commodity is time,” according to Marine Corps Lt. Col. Richard Rusnok, the squadron’s commanding officer.
“Although our supply personnel and logisticians do an outstanding job getting us parts, being able to rapidly make our own parts is a huge advantage.”
“WASHINGTON ― A U.S. Marine Corps pilot has successfully flown an F-35B Lightning II with a 3-D printed part. The Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121 used 3-D printing to replace a worn bumper on the landing gear of the fighter jet.
As a commander, my most important commodity is time,” according to Marine Corps Lt. Col. Richard Rusnok, the squadron’s commanding officer.
“Although our supply personnel and logisticians do an outstanding job getting us parts, being able to rapidly make our own parts is a huge advantage.”