The plane enthusiasts thread

[DaveReading]

What will they be replaced with?

Airbus Jupiter (already used by the RAF for training) alias H145 alias Eurocopter EC145 alias MBB BK117.

 

[figbat]

The Puma farewell tour is visiting a few more places:

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/16A8kTApqP/

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

I see Canada and some eu nations are considering cancelling orders for F35s, partly as a punitive measure against the US and partly to decrease reliance on the US as a supplier. Typhoon, Grippen and Rafale sales expected to get a boost.

The UK is a bit bolloxed and needs the 35B, unless the carriers undergo major rebuilds to CATOBAR configuration. This is technically possible, they boats were designed with that as an alternative layout and apparently have a lotmof redundant structure and empty spaces to accommodate a conversion. However, it'll cost money the MOD doesn't have, and who wants to lose a deck for years just as Russia is getting bolshy?

Heaven safe us from governments. If they hadn't tried to do it on the cheap in the first place we wouldn't be in the mess we are now.

I always though that this was a strange decision - building a major defense asset based on a single aircraft that can;t fly anything else
AND is not built by our country

I presume this was considered at the time and has been discussed a lot recently - these people are not stupid
(I know this because I have met one of them!)

but I have no idea what the plans are
or if they have something in hand which means the USA cannot screw it up - only the Gods know what but.......

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

The Puma farewell tour is visiting a few more places:

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/16A8kTApqP/

If that map is accurate they go right over my house

If there are detail it might be worth a trip to the airport to watch them pass!!

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

If that map is accurate they go right over my house

If there are detail it might be worth a trip to the airport to watch them pass!!

Anyone know of a detailed plan rather than the pretty graphics?

 

[Jameshow]

I always though that this was a strange decision - building a major defense asset based on a single aircraft that can;t fly anything else
AND is not built by our country

I presume this was considered at the time and has been discussed a lot recently - these people are not stupid
(I know this because I have met one of them!)

but I have no idea what the plans are
or if they have something in hand which means the USA cannot screw it up - only the Gods know what but.......

Lots of decisions are made by clever people, yet are stupid decisions not made in the national interest.

The construction of RFA ships in Spain for example.

Or the Calmac ferries made in Poland...

Or Transits to turkey and JLR in Slovakia....

We wonder why industry in this country is poop and there you have it!

Then they wonder why so many people voted Brexit! 🤣🤣🤣🤣

 

[DaveReading]

Anyone know of a detailed plan rather than the pretty graphics?

Detailed itinerary and timings to be published nearer the time, when finalised.

 

[Drago]

If that map is accurate they go right over my house

If they were American they'd probably bomb your house.

 

[DRM]

What will they be replaced with?

https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/t...st/scale-to-width-down/1200?cb=20240420194233
The government are currently negotiating with the island of Sodor & The Fat Controller to borrow this

 

[FishFright]

I see Canada and some eu nations are considering cancelling orders for F35s, partly as a punitive measure against the US and partly to decrease reliance on the US as a supplier. Typhoon, Grippen and Rafale sales expected to get a boost.

The UK is a bit bolloxed and needs the 35B, unless the carriers undergo major rebuilds to CATOBAR configuration. This is technically possible, they boats were designed with that as an alternative layout and apparently have a lotmof redundant structure and empty spaces to accommodate a conversion. However, it'll cost money the MOD doesn't have, and who wants to lose a deck for years just as Russia is getting bolshy?

Heaven safe us from governments. If they hadn't tried to do it on the cheap in the first place we wouldn't be in the mess we are now.

We'll do whatever the US tells us to do , as ever.

 

[Drago]

We'll do whatever the US tells us to do , as ever.

Oh aye, Keir Thatcher won't go any other way as regards equipment.

Nevertheless, and thinking person in government (if there ever was such a thing) must surely be envious of France's genuinely independent nuclear deterrent, meaning as in not dependent on anyone else's missiles, no kne else's submarine control systems, etc. All their own work.

And they've retained their own airborne tactical nuclear capability too.

And their forces are well over a third greater than ours numerically, for a third less budget. How the Hell does the UK repeatedly **** up military equipment procurement and strategic manufacturing so royally?

 

[DRM]

Oh aye, Keir Thatcher won't go any other way as regards equipment.

Nevertheless, and thinking person in government (if there ever was such a thing) must surely be envious of France's genuinely independent nuclear deterrent, meaning as in not dependent on anyone else's missiles, no kne else's submarine control systems, etc. All their own work.

And they've retained their own airborne tactical nuclear capability too.

And their forces are well over a third greater than ours numerically, for a third less budget. How the Hell does the UK repeatedly **** up military equipment procurement and strategic manufacturing so royally?

Probably too busy giving the contracts to private companies for everything, who then cut corners to increase profits, ie Babcocks refitting RN ships & being in charge of vehicle repairs/maintenance, Capita making a hash of recruitment, Sodexo catering trying their best to poison members of HM Forces, it's never ending

 

[secretsqirrel]

A couple of USAF Hercs arrived in Nuuk yesterday ahead of a visit by Mrs Vance and Mike Waltz. Locals are not particularly happy by all accounts.
Some good footage captured by Bjarne on YT of the arrival and off loading vehicles.

 

[DaveReading]

Anyone know of a detailed plan rather than the pretty graphics?

Flypast Locations and timings - 26 March 2025:
Odiham - 0945
Andover - 0957
Middle Wallop - 1002
Boscombe Down - 1007
Salisbury - 1013
Abbey Wood - 1031
Hereford - 1051
RAF Museum Cosford - 1115
Shawbury - 1126
Hillsborough Castle - 1419
Thiepval Bks - 1421
Aldergrove - 1430
Bangor Castle - 1655

Flypast Locations and timings - 27 March 2025:
Catterick - 1100
Stafford - 1323
National Memorial Arboretum - 1332
Newark Air Museum - 1355
Cranwell - 1402
Honington - 1604
IWM Duxford - 1622
Kensington Palace - 1647
RAF Museum Hendon - 1651
PJHQ - 1656
Halton - 1707
High Wycombe - 1712
John Radcliffe Hospital - 1721
Kidlington - 1724
Shrivenham - 1735
Benson - 1747

Timings and route may change due to weather or other requirements.

 

[Bristolian]

And their forces are well over a third greater than ours numerically, for a third less budget. How the Hell does the UK repeatedly **** up military equipment procurement and strategic manufacturing so royally?

After 29 years in the military I wish I knew the answer to that one. The only thing MoD procurement can claim is that they're consistent ... they screw everything up