|
|
Post by yogi on Sept 7, 2009 20:59:58 GMT 12
what if the government decide we do need a strike force once again. What would be the ideal multi role jet for us? piffle you may say, it'll never happen.... well maybe not but I still like to discuss it! any ideas welcome. cheers  |
|
|
|
Post by beagle on Sept 7, 2009 21:03:48 GMT 12
|
|
|
|
Post by beagle on Sept 7, 2009 21:05:11 GMT 12
or I am sure you could strap a few JDAMs and ASSRAAM's on the big wing here  |
|
|
|
Post by yogi on Sept 7, 2009 21:08:35 GMT 12
yes the bottom dweller would be an ideal interceptor............. |
|
|
|
Post by beagle on Sept 7, 2009 21:28:24 GMT 12
I did hear some friendly neighbours were getting rid of some of theirs. maybe we could be given them at a very good price  |
|
|
|
Post by yogi on Sept 8, 2009 19:10:47 GMT 12
how about the gripen, perhaps a bit more service life left, and ahh I dont know that the f111 would really tick all the boxes considering its a fast strike jet. the f16 is probably ideal in many ways, but its getting pretty close to the end of its run. I was thinking more along the lines of the Gripen.. cheap(ish), small, survivable and yeh just a really great all round little jet.  |
|
|
|
Post by yogi on Sept 8, 2009 19:17:27 GMT 12
and how excellent would it to be to see this at ohakea! A real actual deterrent, something New Zealand needs.  |
|
|
|
Post by oldnavy on Sept 8, 2009 20:34:43 GMT 12
Good stuff Yogi!! That's the spirit! ;D
|
|
|
|
Post by yogi on Sept 8, 2009 21:21:55 GMT 12
haha yep i'll keep on dreamin
|
|
|
|
Post by beagle on Sept 8, 2009 22:11:37 GMT 12
I reckon those Grippen's look ugly as.......
Look like an F16 in plan view with a different nose and intake with makes it look just yuck
|
|
|
|
Post by yogi on Sept 9, 2009 16:59:47 GMT 12
hmm an f-16 with a canard that would be interesting  |
|
|
|
Post by flyjoe180 on Sept 9, 2009 18:41:56 GMT 12
Been done already i think.
|
|
|
|
Post by yogi on Sept 9, 2009 18:51:46 GMT 12
probably. f-16s are so damn old. I know they are great jets.... but they would surely be outperformed by the gripen?
SO
trying to get this thread on track if people want to share what they think would be the best suited jet for New Zealands future purposes I would be very interested to hear. Pros, cons, prices, strengths and weaknesses etc. Lets get a debate going
|
|
|
|
Post by Bruce on Sept 9, 2009 19:02:11 GMT 12
How about some ex RN Sea Harriers? (there are some available now...) Multi - role anti shipping machines, You could probably put one or two on the back of HMNZS Canterbury and go and hover over Colonel Bainamaramas place... they would be able to operate from plenty of places, not just major airports. they also look way cool  |
|
|
|
Post by Andy Wright on Sept 9, 2009 19:19:07 GMT 12
I was thinking the same thing, Bruce. Not sure how old they are but then the Skyhawks were more than capable. Versatile and proven design ... and way cool.
Only weakness I can think of is the USMC AV-8Bs in the first Gulf War were found to be a bit susceptible to ground fire due to the mid-fuselage mounted engine.
|
|
|
|
Post by Bruce on Sept 9, 2009 19:46:59 GMT 12
Sea Harrier FA2's were built from 1993 to 1999 so although not new, they would still be pretty young airframe wise.
|
|
|
|
Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 9, 2009 19:54:47 GMT 12
I still say the RNZAF should buy a fleet of armed Thunder Mustangs.
|
|
|
|
Post by Andy Wright on Sept 9, 2009 21:50:18 GMT 12
Sea Harrier FA2's were built from 1993 to 1999 so although not new, they would still be pretty young airframe wise. That's better than I expected, Bruce. Betterer and betterer. ;D |
|
|
|
Post by phil on Sept 9, 2009 22:08:42 GMT 12
New build FA2s were, almost all the FRS1s were converted to FA2. I have exact numbers somewhere, but many were far from 'new'.
Anyway, who would want what is essentially a 40 year old airframe design? Remember the FA2 was a stretched FRS1, which in turn was basically a GR3 with a new nose. They bore very little structural resemblence to the GR7/9 or AV8B, since even the FA2 was still a first generation harrier.
Very expensive to maintain, and being british, very difficult to maintain, especially the complex reaction system.
|
|
|
|
Post by Andy Wright on Sept 9, 2009 23:26:15 GMT 12
Hmm, well that kills that then ... not that Oz or NZ are averse to operating older designs but I think the cost of maintenance would be prohibitive given talk of secondhand aircraft.
BAe Hawk? Cheaper option, capable of a range of missions from training upwards. Has the single-seater been sold to anyone? Again, though, a 30+ year old design but adaptable.
|
|
