Why didn’t the Australians have high altitude interceptors during the Cold War. Has the threat from nuclear attack always been particularly low? I could see something along the lines of the F-106A being warranted if such a threat had existed. I was always surprised that they had nothing even remotely close to that capability. Even towards the end of the Cold War was there no interest in say the Tornado F-series?

MadRat – I have no idea what you are on?? Just plz give a clue what you are talking about.

As for the super bug, I think it’s a good jet, but as we are stepping up our commitments, I think we should have the best for our forces. Now i’m not saying the F-35 is the best…. Far from it. But it will be in use with lot’s of countries for a long time. Voodoo

Voodoo, I appreciate where you’re coming from, but I don’t share any enthusiasm for F-35. As you would be aware, in Aus we replaced F-111 with F/A-18F (some pre-wired for Growler) and the conversion of bug pilots was very easy. The SH slid into the inventory very quickly, and with AESA radar will provide a good bridge until F-35 is (if) finally ready – I hate the “all eggs in one basket” that holding out for F-35 presents. While Canada’s situation with only the one FJ to replace is different, I still see this as being the most cost effective and safest option to incrementally replace CF-188. For FJ back-seaters, UK now has plenty to spare, RAAF may loan some to you, and you can always tap into your big ally to the south.

Agreed.
First thing is testing FCS, Aerodynamics and engine performance.
Second, the very same.
3rd prototype could have more systems.
And it all progress from there.

No, second in China is a ground test vehicle.

3rd prob more FCS, aerodynamics and engine performance.

4th, 5th and 6th will probably be systems, weapons etc.

just a thaught but could it be australian ??

No, it’s MW173 “Zipper”, SEAC markings. The Australian one was MW140 “Endeavour” which was ferried out in 1945.

it become clear that the J-20 was intended to replace all ageing/obsolete Chinese aircrafts (J-7/J-8) = 400 to 600+ aircrafts to be replaced

While I agree generally with your orbat figures, I do not believe “it becomes clear that the J-20 was intended to replace all ageing/obsolete Chinese aircraft (J-7/J-8)”.

J-20 is the upper tier fighter, to be supported by J-11/Su-27/-30 and J-10. The ageing J-7 will be replaced by continued production of J-10, and the J-8 by the J-11. Probably 200-400 J-20 will be sufficient for PLAAF and PLANAF.

The Spitfire in the Marshall hanger looks to me to be a Mark VIII/IX, with a four bladed prop, six exhaust stubs and no trace of code numbers. Is this the Col Pay/Temora example?

No Growler, as I posted above it was MV154, which was exported to UK.

Syd had a second Spit VIII (MV239) packed in a crate in his backyard (as you would), and this was the one that was eventually sold to Col Pay in 1983 to become VH-HET (then later to Temora).

I remember seeing an ABC TV B&W interview with Clive Caldwell in Syd’s backyard, beside Bankstown aerodrome, in the early 60s with both Spits still in their crates. Then shortly afterwards, I remember Syd assembling MV154 at Bankstown in about 1963 to wheel out onto the grass for we keen photographers. Definitely happy days 🙂

There appears to be a bort number on the aircraft in this pic, which hasn’t appeared in any of the previous photos so far. Has the bort number been recently added or is there more than one prototype?

Bort no 2001 appears on post #65.

Did he do that so “Poodle” could get some more time in one?

No, Poodle doesn’t fly the “Sword”. But it was a good initiative by Shep to get -983 flying again. No conspiracy theory or jobs for the boys. Just pragmatism.