Decision to axe Harrier is "bonkers".

[Tourist]

Trolls ruin other people's threads for entertainment.

Whatever else he is, WEBF is not a troll.

It is his thread.

[just another jocky]

Originally Posted by Tourist

It is his thread.

ITYF it's Al R's thread.

[cazatou]

Tourist

JAJ is correct - WEBF hijacked the Thread!!

Now, shall we start a thread explaining why the Lee Enfield Rifle was a much better weapon than those currently issued to Service Personnel?

[Tourist]

Jesus Christ!
You're right.

I take it all back.

Its been so long that I had come to believe it was his!

[cazatou]

What about the Lee Enfield?

[hval]

Cazatou,

My favourite was the No. 4 Mk2, but modified to have a pistol grip.

I actually think we should look further back and look at the longbow. Which was your favourite?

[cazatou]

Lee Enfield No 4 Mk2 - I got my RAF Marksman's Badge as an ATC Cadet aged 16 years and 2 days. (You had to be 16 to qualify to fire it ).

[MG]

Pistol grip? How very second eleven!

[cazatou]

I would rather have a Lee Enfield than a Sterling any day of the week.

[hval]

MG!

Pistol grip? How very second eleven!

Piffle MG, Piffle! One was not averse to ensuring that one made it to the First XI. After all if Pakistan can get away with it, why shouldn't I? In fact I did. Lead batsman old chap.

You will be telling me next that you have something against optically enhanced sights, as compared to the leaf sight?

Your comment bring back memories of a hats on one way exchange of thoughts with a certain Colonel many years ago.

Thank you for your comment, it very much made me laugh.

Regards,

Third XI (Failed) Sub.

[MG]

But the aesthetics of it dear boy! Surely one wouldn't contemplate parading with such an eyesore?

[hval]

Agreed old chap; but then just because one would never attend parade dressed in a pink tutu and high heels, it doesn't mean that one doesn't wear them at other times.

[MG]

On that, of course, we can agree.

[Finningley Boy]

Agreed old chap; but then just because one would never attend parade dressed in a pink tutu and high heels, it doesn't mean that one doesn't wear them at other times.

You mean there have never been any occasions, whatsoever, when parading thus is in order?!

FB

[hval]

@ Finningley Boy,

You mean there have never been any occasions, whatsoever, when parading thus is in order?!

Unfortunately, it is frowned upon to be so selective in ones choice of "uniform". This does not, of course, preclude the fact that matters might change in the future.

[glad rag]

Harrier GR9 is/was a different beast to Harrier GR1.

Yep and bucket of kts lost from it's predecessors too.....

[foldingwings]

I think the Lee Enfield's magazine loses out on capacity over contemporary weapons of its type! But the mule-like kick from its recoil, if you didn't hold it right, must beat all other modern day contenders

Foldie

PS. I didn't realise the GR9 was so much slower than the GR3 - hey ho but they've both gone now!

[WE Branch Fanatic]

Originally Posted by cazatou

JAJ is correct - WEBF hijacked the Thread!!

Did I? I thought this thread was about the Harrier, the SDSR decision to withdraw it from service, and the consequences (both in terms of capabilities and skills being lost). How can talking about the original thread subject be considered hijacking? Perhaps I was mistaken?

Perhaps the First Sea Lord was mistaken when he spoke to the Defence Committee in the House of Commons, and told them that the loss of the CVS/Harrier capability was his top concern regarding the SDSR? Or perhaps not?

Defence community rejects UK strategy

The defence and security thinktank's 2011 survey showed that 59 per cent of respondents felt the UK's strategy was "not appropriate" to deal with the geopolitical challenges the UK faces. Less than a third of respondents agreed that the strategy was suitable.

The government has hailed the success of operations in Libya as proof that the strategy and Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR) were working, but 74 per cent of respondents to the RUSI survey disagreed, with just 12 per cent of those asked supporting the government's argument.

Also, more than two thirds of respondents, 68 per cent, said that the need for carrier strike capability had become "more apparent" since last year's Strategic Defence and Security Review.

Of the 1,543 members of the defence community questioned in late October, 58 per cent said the UK should invest more in the ability to conduct operations independently, even if this meant a reduction in the size of deployable forces.

[cazatou]

WEBF

This thread is NOT about the Harrier - it is about certain Peoples disagreement with the outcome of the SDSR and the allocation of resources to fulfil the Policy of HMG in respect of the Defence of the Realm and the United Kingdoms Foreign Policy.

[Wrathmonk]

Of the 1,543 members of the defence community questioned in late October, 58 per cent said the UK should invest more in the ability to conduct operations independently, even if this meant a reduction in the size of deployable forces

As always surveys can be created to support whatever line you wish to promote. A shame they didn't also publish the background (RAF/RN/Army/Civil Service/Dockyard worker etc) of those members of the so-called defence community that responded....