'NFSF(FW) are a bunch of gash pilots that tool around in Hawks for no real reason anymore. Does that answer your question?

Now, back on track: Does anyone like Jaffa Cakes? I really like Jaffa Cakes but I prefer beer. Beer is nice. I once met a real navy pilot once and he was nice too, so I thought I would devote my time to posting about navy jets on the internet even though I have never worked with them. Maybe I can post a link to a navy pilot who once flew in the Falklands and has a balanced view of all things Joint in military aviation...'

..and light blue wonder why the Military (FAA included) think they are c*nts?

:p

Harsh - calm down dear boy you'll have an embolism or something at that rate.

No gijoe, that's your viewpoint and that of a number of others granted but your minor 'flash' absolutely does NOT speak for the whole Military (FAA included). Everyone I know within the mob gets on with their job and, despite the odd friendly inter-Service bit of banter, appreciates the job others do. I take it you're a WAFU? ;)

By "gash" I mean spare, not unprofessional! Got (had?) a lot of mates down there at Yeovs - don't take me the wrong way!

NFSF(FW)?

Is the rebranded and downsized version of what FAA unit? Sorry, confused.

S41

Navy fixed-wing trappers.

Living in the Past. Jethro Tull. Excellent.

Who knows where the time goes?

Jethro Tull were the first group that I went to see. Under Wraps tour, Manchester Apollo, 1984.

Was that what you said to them?!! :\:}

Saw Tull on their 25th Anniversary tour in Arizona, 1994. Magic!

Arizona? Isn't that where our GR9s ended up.......arrrggghhh!!

F3WMB,

Happy memories of SD. Saw Fairport live in Manchester about 40 years ago.

Brilliant then and still brilliant now!

1st saw Uriah Heep at Dusseldorf whilst at Laarbruch in 77. Last saw Uriah Heep in York in 07 during my last year at Leeming!

...which reminds me of Trigger Happy TV, Dom Joly in a Pound Shop...

"Excuse me, how much is this?"
"A pound, sir"
"How about this?"
"Also a pound"
How much is this?"
"It's a pound, sir. This is a pound shop, everything costs one pound"
"Oh okay, sorry"...brief pause
"How much is this one?" etc etc

And so on, ad nauseam...

"It's sickening that the TSR2 programme has been reduced to rivet sales"

people forget it was a very long way from service - there were issues with the engine & undercarriage and none of the systems had been fitted and tested IIRC

The programme was eating everyone else s lunch money-wise

Harry mate ... was this intended for the "Super Sonic Harrier - HS P.1154" thread :8

:*:*:*

too many threads whining about the past - got lost in a haze of cheap sherry and posted here rather than there

still - a valid point if only a leetle way off subject

Not living in the past, but the issues mentioned throughout this thread are still not resolved:

1. Training deck crews and others for future: It would appear that the number of RN deck personnel such as aircraft handlers on exchange is very low - just EIGHT according to this article.

After finishing their exchange I assume these personnel return to the UK, where they will then have no opportunity to practise and maintain those skills (handling/operating fixed wing aircraft at sea) that they have been relearning.

Clearly we need to do more to train future deck crews as accidents will be expensive and involve the risk of fatalities. Perhaps we are/will - but how?

2. According to this paper written by a USMC guy who did an exchange with the RN back in the Sea Harrier days, the experience of CTOL operations may not be the place to obtain optimal expertise for STOVL operations.

3. As a result of the Levene forms, the new First Sea Lord will have more control over budgetary issues and on how policy is implemented.

4. We are now preparing for a future where Afghanistan is not the key to our defence policy, and a possible return to the Gulf may be on the cards. BBC News - 'East of Suez': Are UK forces returning?

I have heard nothing to contradict the rumours I alluded to back in October/November, but I have heard/seen things which strengthen my thoughts that things do not add up. How are we going to prepare for the (STOVL) future?

Clearly there is a hidden message in your examples WEBF...introduction of CVF is not important right now?

iRaven