Vifam7
-
Posts
2402 -
Joined
-
Last visited
Content Type
Profiles
Forums
Events
Gallery
Posts posted by Vifam7
-
-
40 minutes ago, Shadow said:
As a heavy bomber? Yes. But you don't always need or want to use such an expensive asset. What I was referring to is a medium bomber/interdiction aircraft. Something the Air Force has really needed since retiring the F-111. The F-15E has done okay but still lacks some of the range. The Russians have certainly filled this role with the Su-34.
The USAF has lately not been shy of using expensive assets. Afterall, they used B-1s for close air support.
If they're actually going to buy 100+ (maybe up to 200) B-21s, there will likely be enough assets to go around. Against an enemy that might have modern SAM systems, the B-21 will probably be the best asset to use for deep strike roles. However, if they don't buy enough B-21s, that could result in a huge capability gap.
-
2 hours ago, kalvasflam said:
meh, now we're talking a question of business and how the government wants to spend its money. This is why the aerospace industry is so screwed up. The Pentagon wanted cheap and good, and Lockheed apparently knew how to play the game better than anybody else, so they won. And in reality, the Pentagon go neither cheap nor good. They got barely middle of the road in terms of capabilities and expensive. Imagine if the Pentagon went out to Boeing, NGC, and LM, then said there were five programs, USAF air superiority fighter, USAF tactical bomber, USN long range strike, USN air superiority, and something for the marines. My guess is there might have been more up front costs, but you would've ended up with best in class on multiple single role weapon systems. But now we're getting way beyond the merits of the plane.
The problem is, how you can convince the bean counters and general public to spend billions on 5 different single mission aircraft when the recent air force/navy inventory is rife with aircraft that can more than adequately perform multiple mission types.
The problem with single mission aircraft is that it also limits flexibility and the number of assets. For example, currently, a typical carrier air wing in terms of fixed wing combat aircraft assets consists of 4 SHornet squadrons, and a Growler squadron. If you break those 5 squadrons into specialized single mission types, you might end up short of the aircraft type you need in a given situation. Let's say 3 squadrons were A-6-like long range attack, one a EW squadron, and one a F-14-like fleet defender squadron. Well, if theater had no need for SEAD and no opposing air force, then 2 of the squadrons on the deck is basically useless.
-
1 hour ago, kalvasflam said:
There is an argument to be made about multi-role and single role type aircraft. The best versions of so called multi-role aircraft in my opinion started out with a single role, and then expanded, I'm of course talking about the F-15. One could argue all of the other 4th generation fighters and bombers were single role aircraft to start with. The F-16 is a light attack, same for the F-18, and the F-14 was an all around interceptor specific to the Navy. The extensions on the F-16 and the F-18 mainly ended up in foreign markets (super hornets notwithstanding) where the need became multi-role. After all, the operators of the F-16 and F-18 had dual roles for both types. The F-22 was also a single role aircraft. And I don't think I would be too far off to suggest that had the production continued, they could've evolved a version of the -22 to a Strike Raptor.
The F-35 was a disaster of a multi-role aircraft, one could in fact argue that if the services went with just three separate designs, they would've been better off. The A variants would have been the light attack replacement for the F-16s. The B variant would have been a close support type for the Marines, and the C variant would've been dedicated attack variant for the Navy. The F-35 became primarily an air force aircraft (owing to the economics involved) and the marine variant came off as a little brother, while the navy version became an unwanted stepchild. The only reason the -C has longer legs and better structural frames is because of the need to land the plane on a carrier.
It's a bit sad that the US naval aviation has been reduced to such a sad state, in the days of the Soviet Union, each carrier air wing had 90 plus aircraft, now they barely field 60. There is no more long range attack (A-6), no dedicated sub hunters (S-3), no dedicated interceptors per se (F-14), only two specific airframes that are dedicated to multiple roles, F-18 for tanker, EW, light attack, interceptor, none of which are performed especially well compared to their single role counterparts. Then there is the F-35 for (I guess light attack) whatever role that it gets slotted for. Hopefully, with the 6th generation and the advent of UCAS, the USN will get back to more of its roots on the carriers.
The F-16 and F-18 were never envisioned to be light attack. They were both to be light weight day-fighters carrying nothing more than 2~4 short-range AAMs, and a gun. No radar and no bomb racks of any kind. But almost immediately into development more equipment and missions were asked and put on the F-16. By the time of the Block15 , it was far removed from the basic day fighter envisioned by Col. Boyd and the "Fighter Mafia"
The F-15 was technically supposed to be a air-superiority fighter only with "not a pound for ground". But the fact was McDonnell Douglas engineers knew it would eventually be tasked for ground attack and allowed room in the design for it. Hence the reason why they were able to propose the Strike Eagle in short order.
Hard to say that the F-35 is a disaster. It has yet to be proven. The only real demerit it has currently is its high cost. Though that will come down so long as the buyers don't back down. Keeping in mind that high cost is what really doomed the production of the F-22. If Congress had allowed Israel, Japan, Australia, and perhaps other friendly countries to buy the F-22, the cost might have come down enough to continue production and not have required the F-35 to take on so many roles.
The F-35 isn't really light attack. Total weapons payload is 18,000lbs - whch is exactly the same as the old A-6.
-
1 hour ago, Sildani said:
I’ve always wondered if maybe a lot of the weight penalty from VG wings might be spared if the wings could both pivot from one central fulcrum. There has always been two pivot posts, thus two points that need to be strengthened, longer control runs/hydraulic lines/etc, and so on. A single fulcrum might ease all that.
Also, modern materials would help too!
The thing is, modern wing design, materials, and engine power have pretty much made VG wings unnecessary and obsolete.
That said, if VG wings is coming back into fashion, maybe we can also bring back twin-booms (a la P-38/Sea Vixen/Vampire)?
Like these:
-
1 hour ago, kalvasflam said:
Given how well the F-35 has worked out, not sure likening the concept of Lightning II to a Tomcat II would necessarily be a good idea. Also, Hasn't the Israelis looked at the Silent Eagle as a potential option.
The F-35 will work out just fine. It's starting to turn the corner. The original Tomcat wasn't perfect out the door either. Afterall, for much of its service life it had to make do with the "interim" TF30 engines.
The Israelis chose the F-35 over the F-15SE. However they recently showed interest in buying more F-15s - not the SEs, but new build F-15s that have the latest advances (perhaps incorporating features that Boeing recently proposed in the F-15X) ~ not as an alternative to the F-35 but to replace their aging F-15A/B/C/D Baz fleet.
-
37 minutes ago, AN/ALQ128 said:
Yeah, don't get me wrong, in my dream-fantasy world, the ASF-21 proposal would have been produced and we'd have Tomcats launching alongside F-35's right now.
http://www.anft.net/f-14/f14-history-f14x.htm
If the F-14 (and F-15) wasn't so expensive in the first place, that might have been a possibility.
-
42 minutes ago, captain america said:
Sorry, that's not an argument.
The F-15, which is probably THE biggest offender in terms of RCS due to its right-angle intakes and perfectly vertical tails, is still going strong.
I don't know about that. Recent reports were suggesting that those 197? or so USAF F-15Cs will not be getting their EW equipment upgrade and thus the USAF is possibly already considering retirement of the whole F-15C fleet.
-
27 minutes ago, captain america said:
They should throw-out the superbugs & replace them with updated Tomcats. Greater air-to-ground payload capability, range and speed. Plus, makes a great missile platform for upcoming VLRAAM weaponry. Also, they (should) be able to shoehorn the F-35's engines in there, so there would be engine commonality across the different services, while giving her a power-to-weight ratio of >1 to 1 even at MTOW.
Tomcats are obsolete. Big giant targets for stealth fighters like the ones that China is starting to develop. No need to bring back ancient machines with outdated aerodynamics.
-
Hi-Metal R
in Toys
1 hour ago, no3Ljm said:Giant Gorg. I like what you're thinking.
But I don't think it is since the blurred image shows a big of a shoulder is. I don't think it's the L-Gaim MkII also. Even if it was L-Gaim MkII, why the transition from Robot Damashii to Hi-Metal R? Knowing that the MkII is seen cheaper on any secondary hand stores.
We're getting off topic but it looks like the Bat-Shu from L-Gaim. I hope I'm wrong.
-
Hi-Metal R
in Toys
52 minutes ago, Lolicon said:I was looking at the numbering on the wings. Looks odd, is all. I'll probably take them off with some turpenoid (much more effective than alcohol). Not sure why all the modex numbers are 01 when it should be 101 like on the front fuselage. Guess the UN Spacy is really cutting back on the painting budget.
Those "01" markings on the wings and the "SDF-01B" markings on the tailfins are also seen on the old Musashiya kit. It's a Kawamori illustration so it's legit.
-
Hi-Metal R
in Toys
I could care less about the color of the feet. I'm more concerned with the overall sculpt of the fighter mode. Judging by the magazine pics, it looks off. Like it's too short or maybe the engine housing is a too big...
Then again it could just be the photo angle...
I'm still buying one though.
-
22 hours ago, Stampeed Valkyrie said:
I don't understand the general feeling of butt-hurt going on about Goblin Slayer.. Maybe its my age, but I remember 80-90's OVAs that made this series look like a walk in the kiddie park. Off the top of my head Violence Jack! I mean c'mon need I say more..
I think the Anime did a pretty good job toning it down considering..
Blood-C and Elfen Lied were far more graphic/disturbing than that one episode of Goblin Slayer.
-
10 hours ago, tekering said:
Five posts above yours.
That doesn't really explain it. All of the Hurricane Live 2032/2033 music videos were also shot/edited in SD and they were included.
The most likely answer is that AnimEgio couldn't acquire the rights for the footage. Either that or the master tape was missing/no longer usable.
-
6 hours ago, Fortress_Maximus said:
Yes love BGC OVAs and looking forward to buying the BR. Can any MWrs who supported the kickstarter share their experiences with the first release? thanks.
The Kickstarter BD release of BGC was quite nice.
Just remember that this anime was made back in the late 1980's/early 1990's. So, don't expect 16:9 full screen. It's 4:3 pillarboxed. I can't really comment on the video quality as I'm no expert. But it looks pretty good to me. It looks as good as I remember watching it on AnimEigo's VHS release back in the day.
Hurricane Live 2032/2033 and Holiday in Bali was included on the Kickstarter release. But the live-action bit of Oomori Kinuko singing Konya wa Hurricane was not included. Does anyone remember if it was ever included in past AnimEgo releases? I can't remember if it was ever part of a BGC release and I no longer have the old VHS, LD, or DVD releases to check.
-
I saw the C-5M at the NY Airshow this weekend.
However, I think the C-17 is one of the best looking cargo planes.
-
3 hours ago, Dynaman said:
I guess Girls Und Warplanes would have been too obvious a name for it?
The show seems to have very Western (ie. American Old West) theme so a German sounding title wouldn't be appropriate.
I wonder if one of the episodes is going to be titled "Dogfight at the O.K. Corral".
-
Interesting new anime coming in January. Title: 荒野のコトブキ飛行隊 (Kouya no Kotobuki Hikoutai) Kotobuki Squadron of the Wild (West?)
Directed by Mizushima Tsutomu (Girls und Panzer)
Tagline: 空戦が日常。(trans: aerial combat everyday)
-
Painted prototype seen on their Facebook page
-
Japan gets their first female fighter pilot.
www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/breaking-barriers--japan-gets-first-woman-fighter-pilot-10644742
-
I have for sale the following below. Please PM me if interested.
Bandai 1/55 VF-1S Super Valkyrie
Condition: The box is a bit worn but in good condition. The toy itself is in excellent condition. Barely played with. Nothing missing.Takatoku 1/55 VF-1J Valkyrie
Condition: The box is really beatup. The front clear plastic is torn. It is missing the “bullets” for the gun and the sticker sheet. However, the toy itself is in very good condition. The gun and clip is intact. I don’t see any yellowing or discoloration.Price: $200 shipped for both. (SOLD!)
Price includes shipping to anywhere in the 48 US states. Buyers in Hawaii, Alaska, or Canada, please ask for shipping cost. Sorry, I will not ship outside of US or Canada.
I will entertain trades for new/unbuilt Gundam models of equivalent value.
-
-
-
Price lowered.
I have for sale the following below. Please PM me if interested.
F-Toys Chara-Works 1/144 scale Macross Collection Vol.1 & Vol.2
Description:
Macross Collection Vol.1 comes as 10 unopened kits plus the box to hold it.
Macross Collection Vol.2 also comes as 10 unopened kits plus the box to hold it.
I am also adding an additional 5 unopened kits from Vol.2 plus 2 opened ones and yet another box to hold it.
See pic below
Price: SOLD
Price includes shipping to anywhere in the 48 US states. Buyers in Hawaii, Alaska, or Canada, please PM for shipping cost. Sorry, I will not ship outside of US or Canada.I will entertain trades for new/unbuilt Gundam models of equivalent value.
-
1 hour ago, Slave IV said:
If I got another one, it would be that Wolfpack one. Is that a later release with better weapons attachment and stand?
I just saw this new one from Century Wings that I would have preferred to see instead of the one Calibre Wings did but not sure if I want to dip into Century Wings:
The Calibre Wings Wolfpack release is not recommended. It was one of the first releases and had QC defects - mainly some bad file marks around the glove vanes.
The Century Wings Tomcat is pretty good. However, when you compare it to the Calibre Wings Tomcat you might feel that it is not up to par. Also, no need to order it from Amiami. US retailers have it available for pre-order as well.
https://www.flyingmule.com/products/CW-001626
If you're OK with the Century Wings Tomcat and absolutely want a Wolfpacks Tomcat, then you could also opt for the Hobby Master version, whose mold is exactly the same as the Century Wings mold.
Aircraft Super Thread Mk.VII
in Anime or Science Fiction
Posted · Edited by Vifam7
The Brits for a brief moment considered EMALS catapults for their Queen Elizabeth-class. Unfortunately, they chickened-out due to cost.