AH-64 was Army preferred option. Original budget allowed 22 Tigers for the price of 18 AH-64’s. We we all know that the budget blew out and we’re stuck with a lemon. It has no range compared to the Apache and the “plastic” airframe is virtually unrepairable in the field. It requires a deport fix [same as MRH90]. Metal bashers can do wonderful things with tin cans and a handful of rivets.

I guess the USA/UK/Israel/Singapore/Korea/Dutch etc really got it wrong buying a tried and proven system aka AH-64…

old proven solution. Give guns to both sides and negotiate with the survivors….

We must always learn from tragedy. Free thoughts and discussion without being disrespectful is healthy.

I personally know a lot about this accident.

If there is a lesson then it is to be cautious when operating VFR aircraft without an instrument rating in what was really IFR conditions.

The 5th C-17 is more advanced than the press lets on. A slot has already been determined for later this year. The “deal” was actually done last year.

Also watch for Australia to select the Romeo model of the Seahawk. The delivery slots have been chosen according to my RAN source….

The MRH90 is going to be hard work for the Navy. The utility model being used does not have for example automatic blade fold which is a big disadvantage at sea under heavy weather conditions.

TEBERGAM, bet you couldn’t best Shep in the bar…..

People have suggested the hidden Spits and for that matter many years ago a Beaufighter for 50+ years. With all of this why no find?

Because they’re not there I would suggest!

No doubting that tons of bits and pieces and the odd engine etc were located in the area. Some still turns up.

Proctor keep your immature political thoughts to yourself.:p

“Fifi” is a credit to lots of hard work and determination not to mention a big $$$$$$ commitment…

The following information is drawn from “Air War Over Italy” by Andrew Brookes.

“Between 09.25 and 10.05hrs on the 15th February a force of 142 B-17’s (37 from 2nd Bomb Group, 35 from 97th Bomb Group, 38 from 99th Bomb Group and 32 from 310th Bomb Group) dropped 387 tons of 500lb general purpose bombs and 66 tons of 100lb incendairy bombs on the abbet buildings and courtyrads from heights between 15,000ft and 18,000ft. Within the hour a further 87 B-25’s (from the 321st and 340th Bomb Groups) and B-26’s (from 319th Bomb Group) added their contribution of 283 1,000lb bombs.

On the 16th the Desert Air Force launched 72 Kittyhawks in poor weather to continue the bombardment. Only 40 reached the Abbey to drop 14.5 tons of 500 and 1,000lb bombs. The next day 51 Kittyhawks bombed the abbey. Five groups of Mustangs and Kittyhawks bombed the abbey again on the 17th february between 16.00 and 17.00hrs, but the weight of bombs for both days only totalled 23.5 tons.”

Some snips from the USAAF Chronology website.
http://paul.rutgers.edu/~mcgrew/wwii/us … eb.44.html

TUESDAY, 15 FEBRUARY 1944

MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO)

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): In Italy, around 100 B-17s bomb the Monte Cassino Benedictine Abbey. 60+ B-24s attack the Poggibonsi marshalling yard, Campoleone and Porto d’Ascoli; heavy cloud cover causesnumerous aborts; all the missions are unescorted.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, B-26s and B-25s bomb the Monte Cassino Benedictine Abbey in support of the New Zealand Corps assault to establish a bridgehead across the Rapido River S of Cassino; other B-26s bomb the railroad at Monte Molino and marshalling yard at Montepescali; A-20s attack motor transport, roads and road junction in the Albano Laziale area and NW of Valmontone; P-40s bomb concentrations near Cisterna di Roma and dumps in the Valmontone and Rocca di Papa areas; A-36s hit concentrations N of the Anzio beachhead, strafe trucks and barracks in the Frosinone-Rieti areas, bomb the Tiburtina and Trastevere marshalling yards in the Rome area and hit buildings N of Velletri.

WEDNESDAY, 16 FEBRUARY 1944

TACTICAL OPERATIONS: ….. P-40s attack Monte Cassino Abbey, pound tanks, trucks, and troop concentrations along the US Fifth Army front, and hit the towns of Fondi and Roccasecca.

THURSDAY, 17 FEBRUARY 1944

TACTICAL OPERATIONS …. A-36s bomb Monte Cassino Abbey in the only air action on the US Fifth Army main front.JamesL
Member

RAAF 3 Squadron Kittyhawks bombed Monte Cassino..

On 16 February 1944, the day after the contentious destruction of Monte Cassino, Eaton took No. 3 Squadron through a break in the bad weather to attack the ruined monastery, the only one of No. 239 Wing’s units to successfully bomb its target that day.

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