Saturday, November 20, 2010
Fighter Gap
The F-35 situation doesn't seem to be getting any better. If they ever do reach production, we have now pledged 20 free ones for Isreal, a brilliant move for a country that can't afford it's own military. Last year the Pentagon threw out over 200 tactical aircraft, airframes that we can't afford to lose and we can't afford to replace. Rumor is that someone now realized that was a mistake and some might be returning to service. The good news is that there is now more talk about buying fourth generation fighters. One plan is to buy new block 50 F-16s. Another rumor is that we might start looking at buying block 60s and hopefully that will happen, as it would help hold us over for a few decades.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Aviation Nation 2010
Aviation Nation 2010, Nellis AFB, Las Vegas, Nevada 2010.11.13-14
As usual, November brings with it one of the best air shows of the year. This time, Aviation Nation was a bit scaled back - there was only two tactical demo teams, but the level of energy managed to stay high.
Performers:
Thunderbirds (F-16)
F-22 (Zeke's final demo)
F/A-18C
F-16 Aggressor fly-by
Nellis fly-by: F-16C, A-10, F-15C (Aggressor)
F-4
T-33
CSAR (modern): F-16C, A-10, C-130, HH-60
CSAR (Vietnam): F-4, A-1, O-2, UH-1
Notable statics:
Nellis Line-up: F-16C, A-10, F-22, F-15C, F-15E, F-15C Aggressor, F-16C Aggressor
F/A-18C,F/A-18C(NASA), F-5E(N)
A-10, Typhoon (British), T-38
E-2C, EA-6B
B-52, E-6, RC-135
C-5, C-17, C-130, MV-22
Photo Album
Thanks to the members of the 64th AS and the 65th AS, they were great to talk to, especially the 64th commander, Shaggy. There was some info on upcoming aggressor paint schemes. As the 64th receives aircraft from the Duluth MN ANG during its conversion to the block 25, two of the aircraft will get the arctic scheme. There is also a proposed new blue flanker scheme. As for the 65th, the F-15 will be getting a splinter scheme.
+: Aggressor fly-by, CSAR demo
-:No extra TAC or foreign demo, no C-17 demo, No B-1B static. Bus fubar on Saturday caused attendees to miss the first hour of the show, most importantly the aggressor fly-by. Aggressor squadron T-shirts were sold out.
As usual, November brings with it one of the best air shows of the year. This time, Aviation Nation was a bit scaled back - there was only two tactical demo teams, but the level of energy managed to stay high.
Performers:
Thunderbirds (F-16)
F-22 (Zeke's final demo)
F/A-18C
F-16 Aggressor fly-by
Nellis fly-by: F-16C, A-10, F-15C (Aggressor)
F-4
T-33
CSAR (modern): F-16C, A-10, C-130, HH-60
CSAR (Vietnam): F-4, A-1, O-2, UH-1
Notable statics:
Nellis Line-up: F-16C, A-10, F-22, F-15C, F-15E, F-15C Aggressor, F-16C Aggressor
F/A-18C,F/A-18C(NASA), F-5E(N)
A-10, Typhoon (British), T-38
E-2C, EA-6B
B-52, E-6, RC-135
C-5, C-17, C-130, MV-22
Photo Album
Thanks to the members of the 64th AS and the 65th AS, they were great to talk to, especially the 64th commander, Shaggy. There was some info on upcoming aggressor paint schemes. As the 64th receives aircraft from the Duluth MN ANG during its conversion to the block 25, two of the aircraft will get the arctic scheme. There is also a proposed new blue flanker scheme. As for the 65th, the F-15 will be getting a splinter scheme.
+: Aggressor fly-by, CSAR demo
-:No extra TAC or foreign demo, no C-17 demo, No B-1B static. Bus fubar on Saturday caused attendees to miss the first hour of the show, most importantly the aggressor fly-by. Aggressor squadron T-shirts were sold out.
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