Jet Favourites?
- Thread starter Defender
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In 1963 I was really disappointed that the RAAF didn't order the TSR-2 and ordered the F-111C instead. The OZ decision was one of the factors that helped sink the project. In retrospect the F-111 decision was an inspired one even if Senator Gordon (then the Minister for the Navy) said of Prime Minister Menzies and Defence Minister Townley that "they must have got stuck into the claret or something."
Source: Flying Stations A Story of Australian Naval Aviation, Australian Naval Aviation Museum, Allen and Upton, St Leonards, NSW, 1998
Cheers
Yeah, but we were like someone trying to be a brain surgeon, a top-notch lawyer, prime minister & world-class musician simultaneously - and failing at all of them, when if we'd been a bit less ambitious (not completely lacking in ambition, just a touch more realistic) we could have excelled at one of them.
and not forgetting that it was done on a shoe string budget
as i understand it the raaf and the australian govt wanted tsr 2 badly but couldnt order it because the labour govt in britain cancelled it to appease the u.s govt.
at that time the uk was still heavily in debt to the u.s(only just paid off!) and the u.s put a lot of pressure on Britain to cancel the project,fearing it would jeopardize its own sales.
much the same occurred with the development of the tornado which was the victim of a disgraceful smear campaign by the u.s in an attempt to kill its sales potential.if you look at American aircraft guides of the era,this behaviour is clearly evident!
No, that's not quite right. The RAAF ordered the F-111 in October, 1963, before the TSR-2 made its first flight. The British did not cancel the TSR-2 until April, 1965, when the F111 was ordered by the RAF instead (later cancelled). At the time of the Australian F-111 order the RAAF was already worrying about the TSR-2's development schedule as it was concerned that it would not be available 'in time' (This was during the period of confrontation with Indonesia). As a result the RAAF is believed to have actually elevated the USN's A-5 Vigilante ahead of it in their selection process. That would have been a big mistake IMO. Beautiful aircraft though the Vigilante was, I don't think even our USN members would disagree that it was not an outstanding success as a bomber, although it became an excellent reconnaisance aircraft. Had the RAAF known that it would be 10 years before the F-111 would become operational in the RAAF the Vigilante may well have been chosen or the air force may have been more willing to wait for the TSR-2.
Cheers
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- F-8 Crusader
- XB-70 Valkyrie
- SR-71 Habu
- A5 Vigilante
- Hawker Sea Hawk
- Su-30
- X-29
- Bristol Beaufighter (Prop, but I love its stumpy brutality!)
- F-14
- Hawker Hunter
Sea Fury ..... really let face it the last and best long production run piston engine fighter and a thing of beauty.
A close second is is the sptifire 22 and 24, the griffen engined clear canopy brute with delicate lines .... again a thing of beauty.
For jet aircraft the EA Lighting has to take if for my vote for pure power, speed and looks for something disigned just after WW2.
A close second is is the sptifire 22 and 24, the griffen engined clear canopy brute with delicate lines .... again a thing of beauty.
For jet aircraft the EA Lighting has to take if for my vote for pure power, speed and looks for something disigned just after WW2.
And according to the British Defence Minister of 1957 the English Electric Lightning was going to be the last manned fighter ever purchased by the RAF! In the future, he claimed, surface to air missiles would be all that was required so he cancelled plans for the design, development and production of new fighters. What a great contribution to the British aerospace industry!
Cheers
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While were on the subject Military aircraft art is a truly awesome thing. As is modeling. I have a restaurant near me that has all kinds of fighter jets painted on the walls, as well as models. The owner was never in the service he just loves military aircraft.
I could see myself retiring and getting back into modeling these great old birds. And not just Yanks ones either. There are a lot of non-Yank military aircraft that I can honestly say I "love" too.
Defender thanks for a really great thread.
I could see myself retiring and getting back into modeling these great old birds. And not just Yanks ones either. There are a lot of non-Yank military aircraft that I can honestly say I "love" too.
Defender thanks for a really great thread.
3 or 4 that have no doubt already been mentioned...
Avro Vulcan - Sheer class of technolgical design
Britsh Electric Lightening - Worlds ahead of it's time
TSR-2 - The Tornado of the 50's/60's (Damn those elections !)
& finally....
XB-70 Valkirie - Likened to the American Rock n Roll dream - live fast, die young!
Avro Vulcan - Sheer class of technolgical design
Britsh Electric Lightening - Worlds ahead of it's time
TSR-2 - The Tornado of the 50's/60's (Damn those elections !)
& finally....
XB-70 Valkirie - Likened to the American Rock n Roll dream - live fast, die young!
JA 37 Viggen - Power and performance... it's awesome.
JAS 39 Gripen - High-tech mumbojumbo; yummy!:dance3
J 32 Lansen - Beautiful.
Avro Vulcan - Beautiful.
Su-27 - Awesome plane, possibly my favorite. Big, powerful, good-looking and advanced... sweet!
MiG-29 - The cat-version of the Su-27! I had the luck to see a MiG-29 OVT last summer at Farnborough... oh man!
F-15 - I... just like it. It looks so advanced. Really cool plane.
F-86 Sabre - I always liked it's shape.
Su-47 - I know, I know... it's not a real fighter. But I have to list it!:nono
F-22 - I suppose it's the best fighter out there today. Maybe not compared to its price, but performance-wise.
JAS 39 Gripen - High-tech mumbojumbo; yummy!:dance3
J 32 Lansen - Beautiful.
Avro Vulcan - Beautiful.
Su-27 - Awesome plane, possibly my favorite. Big, powerful, good-looking and advanced... sweet!
MiG-29 - The cat-version of the Su-27!
I had the luck to see a MiG-29 OVT last summer at Farnborough... oh man! F-15 - I... just like it. It looks so advanced. Really cool plane.
F-86 Sabre - I always liked it's shape.
Su-47 - I know, I know... it's not a real fighter. But I have to list it!:nono
F-22 - I suppose it's the best fighter out there today. Maybe not compared to its price, but performance-wise.
JA 37 Viggen - Power and performance... it's awesome.
JAS 39 Gripen - High-tech mumbojumbo; yummy!:dance3
J 32 Lansen - Beautiful.
Avro Vulcan - Beautiful.
Su-27 - Awesome plane, possibly my favorite. Big, powerful, good-looking and advanced... sweet!
MiG-29 - The cat-version of the Su-27!
F-15 - I... just like it. It looks so advanced. Really cool plane.
F-86 Sabre - I always liked it's shape.
Su-47 - I know, I know... it's not a real fighter. But I have to list it!:nono
F-22 - I suppose it's the best fighter out there today. Maybe not compared to its price, but performance-wise.
yea i kinda agree, the su-47 isn't a true fighter but is a great jet. i love it.
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there are probably more but i can remember
: even though its a really unique aircraft, you gotta love it
http://www.defesabr.com/FAB/Su-47 - Esquema.jpg
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