PrOOne, SpeedTwleve

Happy xmas guys and apologies if I went OTT, the brief moment of madness I had with inserting the 172 should have been the old Bulldog (my fav) ..however in hindsight what I meant was the screening by the USAF to see those who have the aptitude to fly.

My fantasy of a large army would be akin to below
http://forums.airshows.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=4286


(scroll down lower the page please)

Polish Police - Page 2 - Military Photos

:ok:

Most pilots want an aircraft that will go faster, higher carry everything, be invisible and stay airborne indefinitely whilst still being comfortable. Easy solution we could have several thousand of Santa's Sleighs fulfills all requirements.

Sorry I couldn't resist it is christmas.:ok:

Ideal Air Force


Bombers - Lots
Fighters - Lots
Transport - Lots
Tankers - Lots
Helicopters - Lots
Servicemen/Women/Officers - Lots
Civvies - None
Royal Family playing with 'their' taxpayers toys - NONE

Why not?

Using ex forces guys and girls in certain areas - in a job, say UAS's techs, or 3rd line deep maintenance, some training roles, where you won't / can't be deployed, saves a fortune and alllows the forces to retain a massive amount of experience that would otherwise disapear.

Civvies:
The list for "Why not" in a ideal world is an extrememly long one starting at 'Service ethos' and filtering down towards 'Station Guard Force / Secondary duty manning', whilst the list "For" is a very short one "Cost Cutting".

That every single member of the Royal Air Force worldwide could be seated in Old Trafford with empty seats left over for the Air Cadets to pad out says much about the true capability of UK Defence Plc. Add to this the museum pieces that we are flying and the Oxford corroner will have enough to go on for decades.

Who would want a chair at the AFPRB 2009, for that surely has to be the crappest job that anyone could have in the coming year.

I hope all the ex service men and women out there who are still employed as 'Civvies' working for the forces feel valued and still members of the team, because if they pack up and go home, you aint half in the ****.

Remember not long from now all those who are now serving will be out and it's a strange world out here, where people suddenly don't call you mate and think you are a has been who knows nothing. You can drive up to the gate where you either stood, or commanded a few weeks ago and have to prove who you are without just waving a 1250, and no you can't just pop on to see a friend if they are not expecting you, and it will come sooner than you think.

Why not? One has to mix with the hoi poloi from time to time so why should'nt one dress up in fancy dress and play with their aeroplanes?

1: Empty your pockets and work out the budget.
2: Spend 89% on kit with 'Made in America stamped on the side'.
3: Go to Israel. Spend 10% on getting them it make it better.
4: Spend the last 1% burning all your old kit to avoid pointless circular arguments re polishing turds/buying British, Nimwacs, blah, blah, blah.

(P.S. Can anyone find me a combat pilot how doesn't like flying a 'F-any double didgit', Chinook, Blackhawk, KIOWA, AV8, Predator, Reaper?):ok:

Tornadoes and Apaches at AEFs, *look at age :p

and get rid of civvy security on stations, replace them with the reg, and relocate the bases to Britains roughest towns and cities - give em a bit of action, without being deployed!

Who cares what aircraft as long as Scampton Colt and Chiv are reopened?

£10Bn, wholly unrealistic, try Tn.

Add Dii, that is over £7Bn on its own.