Images by Keith Hamshere.

Registration under port wing.

Mark

Wow, I knew of that scheme, but had never seen such high quality images of it.

I’d love to see it back in that scheme. Truly elegant.

So the RAF no longer employs the Tornado as a low level strike aircraft, more of a medium altitude bomber/recon aircraft.

So let’s say it’s 2020 and the UK are about to attack a ‘rogue’ state somewhere, would it go something like this:-

1. Stormshadows take out all the ‘key’ elements, launched from F-35s 300 miles away, and flying at 40,000ft. With Typhoons performing CAP.

2. Stealth UAVs and F-35, go in undetected, and take a look, then take out anything ‘missed’.

3. Typhoons do the SEAD job using ALARMs, using data provided by the F-35s and UAVs, taking out any highly mobile threats, and deal with any fighters remaining.

4. Marines go in ‘spiking’ targets for PGMs so F-35 and UAVs can take them out.

5. CAS flown by F-35s and Apaches for remainder of war, controlled by ASTOR.

You forgot the Tomahawks, launched from the sub fleet.:)

Maybe they can sneek it around this stupid PFI contract stipulation by buying them purely as an RN asset, does the small print apply to the fleet air arm as well as the RAF?

I suspect it does.

so if as it stands at the moment with the a-330 being the only tanker the RAF can use, does that rule out any future capacity regarding AAR of combat helo’s? Merlin, chinook, any future osprey AEW for carriers?

As far as I can see, yes, unless we utilise “coalition” assets, not our own.

Wasn’t there something mentioned in AFM a few issues back, that the RAF are not allowed to use the A400 as an A2A refueller contractually?:confused:

I think what Swerve has posted below is essentially correct, but rather than:

the contract with Airtanker requires the RAF to use only Airtanker for refuelling (though I assume there are exemptions for tactical requirements, e.g. using a foreign air forces tankers when no Airtanker A330 is available), & therefore it can’t use the A400Ms.

…As far as I understand it, there’s no problem the RAF using other tankers as and when required, but, the RAF is not allowed to operate any other tanker types, hence excluding an A400 KC Mk. whatever.:)

Yep. Might even be possible to have the first few delivered as straight transports & converted later, to get them in service quicker.

Are the first few AirTanker operated aircraft actually coming already converted for AAR? Obviously they are due at Brize in 2011, but an AAR capability using the new aircraft is not due until 2014, so will the first couple arrive purely configured for AT, then be converted later?

Not entirely sure a go around is even possible on no engines. :p

Unless you’ve got a good thermal.;)

Looks like the crew did an excellent job in the circumstances, and brilliant to hear there were no major injuries (birds excepted).:)

I thought i found out what it was from because there is a picture on thunder and lightnings page of a gnat F1 cockpit and the ASI looks identical, but then i was told that the Gnat didnt fly until 1955 and my ASI is from 1951, so it cant possibly be from a Gnat,

I may have been manufactured in 1951, but it’s entirely possible that instruments such as these sat on shelves in store for several years before installation in an aeroplane.

Que endless debate and eventually a locked thread on wether the last RAF fighter to fight and win a colonial war in defence of British citizens over 25years ago can be classed as ‘historic’…..:diablo:

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Didn’t know the RAF operated the SHAR. Learn something new every day.:diablo: