Thanks for this, I haven’t had a good laugh in a while. 🙂

Why is this planes nose always flying a slight few degrees AOA, and never super straight and level? Does the FCS trim the aircraft that way? Is it the camera angle?

Most likely because the the photo taking aircraft is slower than the F-35’s and they therefore need more alpha to stay in formation with it while taking the photos. You’ll notice the same in many Typhoon photos.

Kamchatka i guess?

And holy ****, did i just see a picture of a RuAF plane being washed? That is like the first time i have ever seen that.

Are you sure that wasn’t a fire drill for emergency crew practice?

The T-50 isn’t going to be countering anything any time soon, as you have to have sufficient numbers to be able to do so. By the time Russia may have sufficient numbers the follow on design to the F-22 won’t be far behind. That’s if Russia ever has enough T-50’s, as both Russia and China are learning that not only is 5th gen difficult, it’s extremely expensive. Somewhere, Norm Augustine is laughing.

That is surprising, as by the time of the evaluations the early YJ79-GE-3 (a developmental engine, with which the first Super Tiger had reached M1.44 on 4 June 1956) had been replaced with a more-powerful J79-GE-7 (a production engine, with which the second Super Tiger reached M2.04 on 4 May 1957).

The only thing I can think of is the evaluation was of the first prototype, and the data from the flights of the second were not available – when did he test that aircraft?

They were actually doing engine tests at the time and the test they did restricted the thrust of the engine. They forgot to adjust it back before the German pilots flew it.

Also, the Pentagon wanted the contractors to spread the work around, because Grumman had a bunch of lucrative Navy contracts coming up as well, which was the other reason they didn’t contest the Lockheed “win.” Corky Meyers talks about it in his book and , IIRC, One of the Luftwaffe generals later told him he regretted choosing the F-104 over the Super Tiger, as the Super Tiger would have been a better fighter and safer as well, due to it’s much lower landing and take-off speeds.

What is the application in this clip used in modeling?

Many aerospace companies use CATIA. Also, they have proprietary aircraft design software they use that can generate configurations based on input data, etc. I should also point out that they aren’t using “3D” software, like 3DS max, usually they are using solid modeling software, such as CATIA. Other solid modeling programs are Pro-E, Solidworks, and Inventor. However, CATIA is more high end than those programs and IIRC, designed purposefully for aerospace applications.

Solid Modeling differs from 3D programs in that they have mass properties built into them. I model the part, designate it’s material and in return I get all of the mass properties. Many of the systems also have add on programs that can run FEA/CFD applications within them as well. I’ve used both Pro-E and SolidWorks. In fact, I’ve also used them to generate 3D parts for model kits and had them “3D Printed” at Shapeways.

More Hornet pictures please.

With regard to the Typhoon, it’s an excellent aircraft, but it simply can’t land on a carrier now, so it would be rather poor at defending a carrier. I’ve seen the naval development pics, and it looks nice as a RN aircraft, but Super Hornets could be used by the RN and land on their CV when it’s completed without spending a lot of money on development. Plus, as already noted, RN pilots are already flying Super Hornets so a lot of money can be saved with regard to training. Finally, I would love to the Super Hornet in RN colors. Of course, I can do that when ever I like in FS or with my models, but it would be cool to see them in RN markings operationally, IMHO.

There is an SH pic I really like that I would love to post here, but I don’t remember where I found it, so I can’t offer proper attribution. It’s the nose of an F/A-18F sitting on the runway waiting to roll at a small airshow with cornfields next to the runway. The contrast between the green of the corn stalks and the gray of the SH makes for a nice composition.

Someone should let Boeing know that canards are incompatible with VLO; they clearly haven’t got the memo.

Yeah what would those McDonnell…er Boeing guys know about canards and stealth?