I agree that pilots could be recruited and trained to allow the RN to field 36 F35C but we know that just isn’t going to happen. The talk of three naval air squadrons is pretty much a fantasy, the treasury and MOD will just not allow it. The limited number of airframes will be shared between the RN and RAF and there will be a shared OEU/OCU. I also have a hunch that all deck quals will be farmed out to America with the pilots doing a short course on the return to UK using synthetic training aids to convert to QE class. The RN will field enough pilots for one naval air squadron operating a theoretical twelve airframes. The RAF will act as the surge capacity (I know you hate that Jonesy but lets be honest its the most that can be hoped for) in the event of a crisis. I think the FAA will also have far closer relations with the Aeronavale utilizing training resources in France, certainly a nice deal for France considering the down time they have to put up with only operating one carrier (three years out of every eight!). Rafale and Hawkeye will be regular visitors certainly! Which is a good thing to my mind as it will keep the carrier more active and give access to Hawkeye.

I do wonder what will be done to qualify QE’s systems as I doubt F35C will be available for initial trials. Maybe Rafale? Also the initial work up of a new naval air squadron will include a significant amount of American and French personnel as we will need experienced LSO etc…

On another note I am rather bemused by A&P’s progress with the flight deck modules. At this rate we will have the rather perverse situation of having to cut about brand new modules to incorporate the design changes.

http://www.shieldsgazette.com/news/business/business-news/heavy_metal_act_is_music_to_yard_1_3368441

First picture is indeed an F14 seconds before it catches the wire on an American carrier the second photo is of personnel working on the shuttle of CdGs bow catapult during her recent refit. Two different parts of the carrier!

Whats that got to do with the price of fish in this thread GoldenPawn? Lack of Typhoon availability within the RAF is nothing to do with the quality of the aircraft.

The lack of aircraft and pilot availability is due to:

Taking tranche two airframes from UK build and passing them over to the Saudis reducing airframes available to the RAF on the short to medium term.

Having to train more Saudi pilots then expected due to the inability of the Saudis to set up local facilities.

Signing a maintenance agreement with the manufacturer that had no surge capacity beyond North/South QRA and Falklands 1435 flight.

Faster then scheduled draw down of the Tornado F3 force leaving a capability gap as the stretched Typhoon force stood up.

Again stop fishing for silly trollish things to attack Typhoon.

do you believe in a one button Macbook too?

I own one!:p

Congress votes to rescue F136 from extinction

Not dead yet!

http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2011/05/05/356297/congress-votes-to-rescue-f136-from-extinction.html

Predator Drone Court-Martialed For Afghani Civilian Deaths

Not real news but I couldn’t resist:

http://www.theonion.com/video/predator-drone-courtmartialed-for-afghani-civilian,20316/

F-5E was built as a light, cheap, aircraft. Much cheaper to maintain & operate than Viggen. Kfir & Cheetah are also simpler, lighter, cheaper aircraft than Viggen. All of the above types, including F-4E benefit from spares availability from numerous sources (Kfir & Cheetah can lever off F-4 & Mirage sales).

For the secondhand buyer, Viggen had the disadvantages of the F-4 (large, complex) without the advantages of a large & widespread user base. Also, note that the Turks, Greeks, & others who have spent a lot on refurbishing & upgrading F-4s already had a large number in service, experience in operating & supporting them, & considerable investment in infrastructure, spares & training.

Actually I would contest that a minimum change new build F5 retaining the still in production J85 would probably still find a market. Fitted with a small radar and none of the fancy fly by wire stuff it is still an effective point defence fighter with secondary ground attack capability for the cost conscious nation. That’s one of the reasons why Chengdu J7 is still finding a market to this day!

Sensitive or not, It’s always sad when people start banning their own citizens for questioning the government. I only asked a question which appeared on some Middle Eastern papers today. Let them live in denial if they want to.

Alas that is a difficult situation to be in and you are right but what can you do?

On a side note I would recommend this book as a useful insight into Pakistan’s current situation:

I happen to work for a subsidiary of the company that published this book, I read a proof copy just before it came out and has been a very useful insight into Pakistani politics and the current domestic situation as well as a good historical overview. You can find it on amazon:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pakistan-Hard-Country-Anatol-Lieven/dp/1846141605