After reading news about the “Growler” The F18 Electronic war versión that will sustitute the “Prowler” I have just realized that there are going to be US Carriers plentiful of variants of the F18. Atack, his initial role, Fleet defenders replacing F14, and now Electronic War. Is it because it’s the seventh marvell of planes, or just a temporary solution until the arrival of the new generation of Fighters?.Have at any time the US navy been so “One plane minded” like now?
It’s not a US navy one but it’s a nice photo.:).
By: EdLaw - 29th May 2006 at 23:07
Well, to be fair, they are not all real Hornets – the Super Hornet is really a different aircraft, it is a bit like the old Grumman F-4F Wildcat and the F-6F Hellcat, they may have some visual similarities, but they really are different. I do not know of any time in the past that the US Navy has aimed for a single type on a balanced air wing (during WW2, some of the escort carriers could embark an airwing of one type, but only for a specific purpose, then revert back to a normal mix of fighters, scout bombers etc).
It does make the carrier airwings a little bland though – they lack the character of the old Tomcats, Intruders and Corsairs/Skyhawks!
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May 29, 2006 at 10:48 pm