One Million Tonka!

[Mach Two]

Hear, hear. That's not just sad, it's utter madness. A sign of a totally disjointed defence policy and too hasty a change of direction.

No, you're right, let's not get started on that!

[NutLoose]

Exactly Mach One,

That is why it is so sad there are about 4 VC 10's presently at Bruntinthorpe being reduced to produce, such a sad loss when they are just coming into their prime...


The Tucano's that were flogged off to the USA BTW had an average of only 800 hours on them!

[Easy Street]

Tornado is the last UK fast jet on which it's possible to make structural repairs by welding / drilling / cutting / bolting the frame, and panel-beating the skin. This makes it somewhat easier to run-on into its twilight years than the modern generation of aircraft with composite structures throughout. The Harrier II was an early step along this path but obviously things like Typhoon and F35 will be much, much harder to make big repairs or life extension modifications to.

Watch the manufacturers' cash registers ker-ching in future - whether for expensive repair programmes or for replacing aircraft that are not economically viable to re-engineer (Typhoon tranche 1 anyone?)

[Courtney Mil]

Easy Street,

You are absolutely right. Along the same lines, how do they repair leading edge birdstrike damage? Who want's to go near a crash site with all those composites drifting around?

I guess it's either Airfix plastic cement or just replace parts. You could end up with an original Typhoon that's had its fuselage, wings and tail replaced three times!

Bets on when Typhoon clocks up a million?

[threeputt]

You could end up with an original Typhoon that's had its fuselage, wings and tail rep

A bit like Trigger's broom then!

3P

[Courtney Mil]

Thank you. That was exactly what I was trying to think of, 3P.

[TEEEJ]

From the Air Combat Power Visit Role Demo back in September at RAF Waddington.


TORNADO-GR4-DSC_0061 by llihmot, on Flickr


TORNADO-GR4-DSC_0067 by llihmot, on Flickr

[flipperthebush]

Also worth remembering that the low hour airframes on scrapped fleets are often the dogs which spent most of their life in the hangar as christmas trees.

[alwayslookingup]

TEEEJ, at least you had a role demo at Waddo. Leuchars 2011 she was firmly on the ground (in the background, at least, missus in the front, bless her).

[P6 Driver]

In less than 4 years one of our MQ-9s has beaten the Tornado fleet leader and has probably delivered more ordinance on operations.

Whoopie do indeed - on that basis, are you in favour of doing away with manned aircraft and going exclusively "drone"?