GarryB

In 20 years after the Chinese Communists sytem crumbles and embraces democracy fully, who will you have to defend against the evil Americans…North Korea and Cuba!!!
Like a little puppy barking all day…just makes alot of noise and everyone laughs at it!!!
Hail Lenin!

Bhoy Your Correct, there is some confusion between the launch and first flight!
I think the 7E7 will be a huge seller for one reason…If ANA buys 50 of them and can fly them at 20% cheaper cost than JAL soon JAL must buy some to compete, I don’t think Airbus is building anything that can compete with the 7E7 on a cost per mile basis, so there will be only one show in town for a while! Take a good look at the USAF new Tanker requirements, the 767 deal is being stalled and there may be the likelihood of a 7E7 tanker for future needs…think of the fuel savings alone vis the 767…this program could be huge for Boeing.

Mixtec,

From all I’ve read, the new T-6 Texan II has a fuel control system thats also linked to the rudder so any throttle movements don’t incur a torque reaction like a normal prop…Also there is just a single throttle lever in the cockpit, No pitch, or fuel levers like a normal prop…This was to simulate jet performance, while enjoying turbo-prop efficiency and lowered costs…
TTP

Arthur,
I spent alot of time between 1988 and 1990 in Russia, as I flew US Inspectors overseeing the INF treaty with Russia..We actually flew on USAF jets with Soviet navigators and radio operators!! At 35,000 ft we talked candidly and openly..The Soviet Nav was in his mid 50’s and I was a 26 Year old Aircraft Commander (Captain) He was amazed how young I was and how the US allowed us to fly around the world in my C-141…I remember I had a car magazine and He was fascinated with an ad about joining the Army…He didn’t realize the US didn’t draft soldiers any more..I showed him pictures of my Corvette, and my new home I just bought….He told me It would take a lifetime of saving in the USSR to purchase the Corvette alone. He smiled at me and said, “Your country, its the right way”
Unfortunarely I haven’t been back, but like you, I read alot and travel extensively…I’m sure some Russians wish for the old Soviet days, and prosperity doesn’t occur overnight…..The example you give about the Mujhdgadin is valid, but we can easily say, that England and the US by allying with Stalin purpetuated Communism…We’re not all fortune tellers…..just trying to do the best we can.
Arthur plese go to the F-16 picture thread, and look up my post about the “Boyd” book, you would find this book highly interesting
Later, TTP

How bout in keeping with the tradition of flying older trainers, still the best The T-38 Talon!!! best jet I ever flew,
TTP

To all F-16 fans, PLEASE BUY THIS BOOK,

“BOYD, The Fighter Pilot Who Changed the Art of Warfare” Robert Corum
Its recently published, and a MUST READ for anybody interested in modern fighters.
Trust me when I tell you, one of the best books I’ve ever read…
Col. John Boyd was a little known AF pilot who did change the way we/designed aircraft..His work was directly responsible for the sea-change from the heavy underperforming fighters of the Vietnam era, such as the F-105 and F-4, and especially the F-111…He’s the man behind the F-15 but especially the F-16…very extensive research into the rational behind building the Falcon..and qall the politics of the US military establishment. For example the AF generals did’nt want the F-16 to dogfight an F-15 because they knew it would win, and were afraid the Congress would demand the AF buy more 16’s and less 15’s even the Generals wanted more 15’s even though they knew the 16 outperformed the Eagle in some aspects….
Also for Soviet hardware fans, there are very intersting comparisons and performance facts concerning US vs Migs, especially the F-4 vs the Mig 21 and 17 in Vietnam..
Essentially Boyd was a proponent of the smaller, lighter, faster,cheaper, and less complex school of thought…this philosophy changed the final design of the F-15 into the pure dogfighter it became, and lead to the design of the F-16, the ultimate dogfighter, which eventually became over-weight as well
Trust me on this book, you guys are all knowledgable enough to appreciate it!
TTP

GarryB

So Reagans hard line stance when dealing with the Soviets had nothing to do with its eventual decline? Before Reagan entered office the Soviets were in Africa, invaded Afghanistan, Grenada..with their Cuban allies!!! Your much smarter than the 4th grade answer you gave about Reagan…Why is it so hard for leftists to admit maybe they were wrong? just curious? You may have hated him but you can’t deny what his policy lead too…the eventual opening of the USSR, and Eastern Europe. Do you agree?
TTP

GarryB
Looks like stupid Ronnie Raygun was the guy who instigated the fall of the USSR, So who’s stupid now? By the Way, all weekend on TV were interviews with former Soviet officials from Gorbechev on down, and all admit Reagan’s stance and policies ultimately lead to the fall of the USSR….Those are your heroes talking!
TTP