Don’t forget that US-guaranteed peace treaty which Rookh mentioned. Attacking Jordan, or openly violating Jordanian airspace en route to Iran with the threat of force, would have huge political costs for Israel, & unless the USA reacted strongly, also the USA.

And then there is the question of Iraq: the Jordanian route leads to Iraq. Oh dear. What does the USA do? Defend Iraqi airspace? Or wave the Israelis through, thus proving to the world its complicity in the attack?

All these points have been made, many times. Please, people, read the discussion before responding, & address what’s previously been said.

Swerve,
Stop attempting to stifle discussion on the subject. Everyone has their viewpoint and the right to debate it on an open forum regardless of what has been debated before. Set up a Wiki entry on it and keep linking/referring back to it if you so wish, but don’t attempt to stifle debate or questions on the subject.

Israel doesn’t give a jot about the Peace Treaty in this circumstance. To get the job done it will simply take all measures to achieve that aim. The niceties go out of the window in achieving or attempting to achieve that objective.

If an Israeli strike goes ahead then the US will simply be too busy trying to protect their own and Coalition assets from a possible backlash from Iran. If Israel decides to strike then the US will simply stand back and allow Israeli strike packages through Iraq.

TJ

This answers my thread “Spit and 2 Typhoons over Biggin”. 🙂

No problem, Tony. The Rafales had maintenance problems yesterday and had to scrub one of their planned sorties with the Typhoons, so hopefully they managed to get a serviceable Rafale for the flypast today?

TJ

There was a beautiful tight formation yesterday at RAF Coningsby. Rafale, Typhoon and a Spitfire Mk PRXIX of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. This was the practice session for a planned flypast today of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, London.

TJ

I’m not sure I would describe it as ‘easy’ to gain control of Jordanian airspace. Besides, the two countries have a peace treaty, which is likely to cause a few issues.

It is a lot easier than stirring up a hornets nest going through Syria. Syria obviously has the more developed SAM system and the more aggressive intent (Syrian/Iranian defence pack) to stop the strike package.

Put yourself in the shoes of an Israeli Air Force planner? The path of least resistance, and especially if dragging tankers along into Iraq, is the way to go.

There isn’t a lot the Jordanians can do about it. Any interference is simply going to result in the Jordanians losing their air force and having their airbases attacked. A route through Syria is the highest risk option, IMHO.

TJ

Three French Air Force Rafales have landed this afternoon at RAF Coningsby.
Support aircraft was a C-160. Apparently staying till Friday.

TJ

The problems of using the Hawk are probably best illustrated by the rear seater abandoning XX227 over Scotland on 21 Apr 1983.

If you punch the date and a/c serial into google it should give you a link to the Military Aircraft Accident Summary (I have a PDF copy but have no idea how to upload).

It appears the engine did flame out and had to be relit, so perhaps the Hawk isn’t suited to testing rocket assisted seats?

http://www.mod.uk/NR/rdonlyres/8C17A310-5186-4E29-85EF-94151A0EF63D/0/maas83_07_hawk_t1_xx227_21apr83.pdf

http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/AboutDefence/CorporatePublications/AirSafetyandAviationPublications/MAAS/

TJ

TEEJ….you are right and I really appreciate your extensive reply.

I think now I am convinced….

No problem, Seawreck.

TJ

Seawreck,

See attachement. I’ve marked the areas where the pilot and co-pilot’s seats would be. Apologies for manipulating your image, but you are being misled by the nose section. The pilots don’t sit directly above the nose gear, but are located further back. The only thing above the nose undercarriage gear is the nose compartment.

See side on view of King Air. Note position of crew cockpit and location of where the nose wheel would sit when retracted.

http://www.airliners.net/photo/Beech-C90B-King/1717021/L/

TJ