While I think it is unlikely that it will happen (i.e. UK to buy the F/A-18) I cannot help but think that the RN might be agreeing to F/A-18 now as it knows it will not get F-35B anytime this decade under current circumstances and hope that they can sort the issues out further down the line – hell they may even hope that this decision is being driven by the Liberal Democrats in the coalition and that if they agree now that the next Government will embrace F-35B and that next Government might be elected hell of lot sooner than 5 years time.

I have read the transcripts of the speeches by various key people in defence and one of the common themes was the UK needs to move to a “good enough” approach rather than buying gold plated solutions – I took it to mean no more high spec UK only kit when you can buy something of the shelf which is nearly as good – but I can see if the cuts are towards the top end that it might also extend to buying the cheaper option when it comes to carrier strike as well (especially as through life costs means very little to the public).

This seems to make a lot of sense! If SH was bought now they would make an excellent stop gap until 8-10 years down the line when the F35B enters service. After this they will be able to augment very well (especially with upgrades) the F35 fleet and would give us a FAA the world once again truley respects.

JARTS from St Athan are definitely going to be moving into one of them.

Does that mean there will be some interesting airframes to look at on the airfield or do they tend to keep them all in the hangars?

You has being spotted:D:D:D:D

1Saludo

PD: Good shoots

Is there no law against using a hand held phone while flying as I’m sure 9 tons of Hawk would do quite a bit of damage in a collision. :rolleyes:

I was brought up to realise and understand that faulty exhausts fail MOTs, on polluting grounds – either un-tamed gases or noise – and yet motorcyclists can do practically anything they want in the area, particularly the noise, and no-one does anything?

…. rant, rant, rant………….

RR
————-
http://www.fromthelens.co.uk/gallery.html

Modified exhausts on cars is something that bugs the hell out of me. I have been woken up many times in the early hours of the morning by kids driving their cars through several villages I’ve lived in as slowly as they can revving their cars engines to make as much noise as possible! :mad::mad::mad:
In order to pass an MoT cars have to adhere to noise limits which these modified cars would clearly fail.

…. rage, rage, rage…………. 😡

Its a B-52H. As far as I know they are the only type of B-52 flying at the moment. They have had these sensors for years.

Phill
http://www.outflankeduk.com

I think this demonstrates my knowledge of USAF aircraft 😮

What letter Buff is this one? I can’t recall seeing any with the large twin sensors under the nose.

hang on- you want to be jobless? :confused:

I’m currently enjoying being jobless as my wife and I have a 7 week old baby and I’m really enjoying being able to bond properly with him. 😀

I’d have thought Man United would come a lot dearer than that

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