There were 75 B-57A/RB-57As built, virtually to the British pattern save for trading the Avons for J65 (Sapphire 100).

After that came the 200+ B-57Bs... these had a new "fighter-cockpit (fore-aft seating), a rotating bomb bay, fuselage-mounted speed brakes, 4x.50 Browning mg in each wing (8 total), 4 stores pylons under each wing (8 total), as well as more minor changes.

The sad fact is that the Forces have been hollowed out so much in recent years that we'd be stuffed on Tornado and Typhoon too without BAES. Likewise the contractors on MFTS etc.

Finding true specialists within the trades, with years of experience on type, in 2nd line bays, frontline and training Sqns etc is becoming increasingly rare. In fact it is these ex-CPOs, CTs etc that now work for the contractor.

I can't see LM and F-35 being all that different to be honest.

LowObservable, you didn't watch the video or you are trying to do a revisionist history..you are factually incorrect so which one?

Actually, I think LO and Moonin make pretty good points. Anyone know when the documentary ws made?

except that the not to exceed price was ripped up with the price through the roof, most didn't get their offset and originally a limited daylight plane with lots of mods during development and when put into production still had a heap of problems

Indeed, JSFfan. And it would be hard to suggest that F-35 costs haven't already done the same. I haven't looked for a figure recently, but it must be 80% over budget already - or did I hear 90 from somewhere, you would probably know better than I? And we've still got a long way to go.

I don't think LO's version of the history is that far off. Anyway, I was really thinking more about Moomin's slightly brighter thoughts about the technology

Hopefully the Level 1 partner status will keep the UK in reasonably good shape there.

depends what and how you want to count...in same year dollars the APUC has gone up 50% from 2001..but I would use the 2006 average of abc price of $74m that has risen to $92m plus the engine that has stayed reasonably steady about half of the rises are due to the usa gov changes
the main rise is in the SDD which the usa is wearing and doesn;t affect the partners or FMS

did you watch the video? I also have and posted a GAO doc on the f-16 showing what a mess it was
and the fa-18 doubled in price too

I like the RN Leading Hand's details on the nosegear doors as well.

...and the ensign. Style!

First flight and you get your name on the aeroplane! Brilliant!

Or maybe with the RAF fellow flying his a few weeks ago they now have one each and a spare.

ZM135 and ZM136 at Eglin, so one each! ZM137 still undergoing test flights at Fort Worth prior to delivery.

Although looking carefully at the pics I think that may actually be one of the USMC jets...

BZ Shipmate. :ok:

Good to see. I wonder why it took the Navy pilot so much longer to get to that stage of training than the Royal Air Force pilot. Still, well done for getting there eventually.

Royal Navy pilots have been off flying the Super Hornet in the USN for a few years to gain fast jet training with no RN aircraft in service. It probably means nothing that an RAF pilot flew first but if you want to troll for some Sharkey bites go right ahead.:zzz:

Mach Two

First international student-pilot flies F-35


Inter service politics I assume was the deciding factor, and the time line wasn't that long.

Aircraft serviceability, sim availability, weather etc...? Probably just the usual reasons that Studes on the same course don't fly at exactly the same time.

The gap was't that much if you check the dates, although the press release was a bit slower.

Of course, yes. Different studes progress at different speeds for all sorts of reasons. Oh, my!

I suppose going to a two seat community you had first hand experience of progressing through training courses at a different rate to the others. Never mind. Still, well done for getting there eventually.

Same old sad stuff.

Yaaaaawwwwwwnnnnnn........zzzzzzzzz

:=

Is it because the pilots bound for FAA squadrons do the extra module... you know, the one covering air combat?