When did the RAF want to buy the F-14?…

Except that is usage was more or less a suicide mission. JP233 attacks during Desert Storm proved that flying along a runway was not the best idea.

Not so. Six RAF Tornados were lost during Operation Granby, only one of those aircrafts were JP.233 carriers.

17 January 1991, an RAF Tornado GR1 was shot down by after delivering 1,000lb ‘Dumb’ bombs at low level. Hit by a SAM, possibly two were fired at the aircraft, second hit.

On 17 January 1991, RAF Tornado GR1 was lost on a JP.233 sortie. A successful weapons release was made on an Iraqi airfield’s runway, all four aircraft delivered their weapons and headed to their destinations, as the aircraft left the target area another crew member saw an explosion which was one of the Tornados hitting the ground. It seems to be inconclusive as to what caused the crash.

On 19 January, RAF Tornado GR1 was shot down at low level by a SAM, pre-weapon release. Weapons were 1,000lb ‘Dumb’ bombs.

On 22 January 1991, RAF Tornado GR1 was lost, a successful attack was made by dropping 1,000lb ‘Dumb’ bombs, but the aircraft was lost shortly afterwards. The leader of the following formation witnessed a fireball erupt in the distance. Closer investigation revealed a series of fires on a hillside to the right of track where the fireball had been. As above, it seems inconclusive as to what caused the crash as the crash sites were inaccessible to the investigation team, several possibilities were made for each incident.

On 24 January 1991, RAF Tornado GR1 was lost while carrying 1,000lb ‘Dumb’ bombs, initially the pilot’s believed they were hit by a SAM at the moment of weapons release. Conclusions were made that after the investigation fragments from the downed Tornado were found and the Accident Data Recorder was recovered from the wreckage, it was learned that the aircraft loss was caused by an early detonation after release of one, or more, 1,000lb bombs and caused extensive damage to the aircraft.

On 14 February 1991, RAF Tornado GR1 was shot down by two SAMs, pre-weapons release, while on a medium altitude sortie carrying LGBs.

Over 100 JP.233s were released on Iraqi Airfields, so around 50 JP.233 sorties providing the two JP.233 pods are classed as ‘one weapon’ on a single Tornado. So, be it 50+ or 100+ JP.233 sorties with just one loss, taking into account of the low level release under heavy AAA and SAM fire (and rather poor communication from the US side regarding “intelligence”), that is a rather outstanding ratio for such a dangerous mission.

If it is then it’s not the most elegant looking formation I’ve seen.

Eagle, not yet. But found one of an RAF GR1 with a WE.177:

India will have no more access with France and than it could with the US or the rest of Western Europe for that matter.

Boeing and Lockheed Martin weren’t as generous as France regarding ToT and Industrial Benefits. EADS were heavily focused on putting their ‘footprint’ on Indian soil to have a significant presence in the country, in turn Eurofighter GmbH were also willing, and still are willing, to have India as an official 5th member of the programme, this would have opened the door for India to have had opportunities to join other European ventures.

Boeing and LM would never even contemplate such an offer. The Super Hornet is good, but…

I’m not sure Boeing would have been so generous as a European supplier regarding ToT and industrial benefits, but who knows. Besides, Indian officials didn’t seem that impressed with the F/A-18IN (basically what Boeing are promoting now as the “Silent Hornet”) as they were with Rafale or Typhoon, in the technical trials at least. And what they actually bidded with, IN/Silent Hornet, a lot was unknown and hadn’t flown yet, or still hasn’t – with weapons pods, CFTs & what have you.

could Austria and Saudi Arabia also get these upgrades for free?

I wouldn’t say they’re free, it goes without saying any upgrade and enhancement needs funding for any aircraft. Saudi Arabia and Austria have very different requirements for their Typhoon fleet and they’re about as uncommon as they can get. Whatever the Tranche 1 units will receive, which will be a lot and will have a lot in common with Tranche 2 and 3 units, and whenever Poland wants them by, one can be assured their Typhoons will feature what was previously integrated.

do you have a source?

Most of what I’ve said has come from reports in Air Forces Monthly and Combat Aircraft & what have you, as well as snippets from this very forum, such as from Areo on the Typhoon thread regarding Spanish Typhoons. Other things I’d have to ask you to visit Starstreak for a peak. It’s not my place to repeat what was said on there onto here.

Typhoon option is beginning to look nice.

Just a pity Poland will select the F-16 due to political reasons. Just my opinion anyway at least.

I’m not a fan of remakes, although there are some I do like, they’re still outweighed by cr*p ones. Spiderman, Hulk and there’s even a remake of Robocop and the new Superman film isn’t doing much for me going by the Trailers so far but I did like what Nolan has done with the Batman movies. Batman deserved a remake after the awful Val Kilmer and George Clooney ones. But I think the Dambusters will be quite something and it seems as though Jackson and Fry are wanting to keep it historically accurate.

A few years ago, it seemed as though it’d be a low budget film but with the success of The Lord of the Rings trilogy and the Hobbit, the next two will without a doubt be huge box office hits, Jackson has got a very firm say on what he wants from the film and not what Hollywood wants. And the casting for Gibson and Wallis is perfect. Funnily enough, I was thinking the other day after watching a documentary on the raids that Tom Hollander would make a perfect Guy Gibson.

Two great actors playing the lead roles, great producer and director in Jackson. And of course our national treasure, Stephen Fry writing.

Hugh Jackman as Squadron Leader Dave Shannon, anyone?

so you’re saying if Poland wanted to buy Tranche 1 typhoons, they can get free upgrades to make it a2g compatible with guided munitions and what not

Only the four Typhoon members (possibly Austria too as they’re interested in some elements for their Typhoons) are funding these upgrades, so if Poland decides to purchase Tranche 1 units for 2017 or beyond, they’ll be with those enhancements and upgrades. As I say, the whole idea of these is so there’s a common fleet of Tranche 1s, 2s and 3s.