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Shadow

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Everything posted by Shadow

  1. Shadow
    Some extra shots. This experience convinced me that I need to get a proper SLR. Using a phone camera and a 10+ year old Nikon isn't ideal.
  2. Shadow
    Checked out the airshow in Pittsburgh this year. First one I've been to in years, especially with the number aircraft on display. The F-22 was impressive and a loud sucker to boot. There was an F-35 on display but just for static. Along with another guy, chatted with the F-35 pilot for a few who had transitioned from the A-10 which made for some interesting conversation. Plenty else to see too from EA-18Gs to a Buff. They had a Sea Harrier FA2 there as well but I got there at the tail end of his display. Also a pristine Mig-17F. Airshows always make feel like a kid again.
  3. Shadow
    Wonder if I can find it hidden in a box of Corn Flakes. That's a surprise to see it make the F-5 look big by comparison and the F-16 even larger.
  4. Shadow
    Boeing presents the Block III Super Hornet with alot of new tech goodies. I thought F-16 had become a bloated jet from its original concept but I wouldn't be surprised if Super Hornet is knocking on the Tomcat's doorstep in terms of weight at some point. http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/defense/2017-04-05/boeing-pitches-super-hornet-block-iii-navy-league-event
  5. Shadow
    So many good games have come out in the last 6 months and I've had so little time to play them. Finished FFXV and The Last Guardian not too long ago. Both were quite good in their own light. TLG was an emotional rollercoaster. Picked up Nier: Automata last week have been thoroughly enjoying it. Haven't played Horizon Zero Dawn or RE7 yet and now Persona 5 is out. I haven't enjoyed console gaming like this since atleast the PS2 days and certainly the original Playstation era.
  6. Shadow
    Considering how fast they were at Monte Carlo this year, the speeds the new cars will be hitting at Corsica should be ridiculous.
  7. Shadow
    Lockheed Martin. The Intel of defense aerospace companies. If Northrop had to bring the F-23 back, it would certainly have to be a modified design and I doubt it would get the variable cycle F120 engines either which really brought out the potential in the YF-23s design.
  8. Shadow
    Well, we may already have a good platform in the YF-23 which may be better for this than the F-22 given the difference in internal bay configurations. It's a dream though as I believe Northrop tried reviving the F-23 as a fighter-bomber back in the early 2000s and that didn't get far. It's definitely a better acquisition plan than the 22 and 35 for sure.
  9. Shadow
    Unfortunately, we're still too far away from even getting a glimpse at a 6th generation fighter. I still think despite the pain it would cause to the pocket book, building an additional 40-50 modern spec F-22s would be worth every penny. Felt this quote to be the most telling from this article. http://www.military.com/daily-news/2017/03/26/did-the-air-force-dash-its-hopes-for-building-more-f-22s.html
  10. Shadow
    May have been more controversial but Saudi Arabia and the UAE also could have been potential F-22 customers. I don't know how someone can think the F-16 (even the Block 60) can supplant the F-15C in its role. There is a growing desire within the Air Force command and politicians to restart the F-22 production line despite how difficult it would be. I'd support it wholeheartedly but I don't think it's likely to happen.
  11. Shadow
    A wide range of poor decisions (capping the F-22 at 187 still a big one) is coming back to bite hard. The old solution to the F-22 cost would have been to offer sale to close allies like Japan and possibly a limited number to Israel. I think we're lucky to be moving along with upgrading the Raptor to the Block 30 by 2020. There also ruling out the Lockheed T-50 as a new light attack aircraft. Going with nothing but Super Hornets and F-35Cs is going to limit the reach of Naval air operations. Would love to see a new generation fleet defender fill that gap. F-24 Bearcat II
  12. Shadow
    I remember seeing those Hornet/AMRAAM pics way back. It makes me wonder if the under mounts on the F-14 could have been configured to carry dual-AIM-120s, allowing it to carry 8 underneath. Another fun what-if scenario had the F-14D been given the software upgrade to carry AMRAAMs. 2x Phoenix's, 2x AIM-9s and 8x AIM-120B or Cs would have been a formidable A-A loadout.
  13. Shadow
    Another nice interceptor from that era.
  14. Shadow
    Hard to believe it's 17 years old now.
  15. Shadow
    Hill climb with the Evo VI TME. My favorite in the Lan Evo family.
  16. Shadow
    I think he was being sarcastic. Interesting article talking about the likelihood that Israel has already used its F-35s in combat. http://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/8146/has-israel-actually-sent-the-f-35-into-combat-already Buzzing the Syrian presidential palace while knocking out an S-300 battery seems out there but destroying a warehouse housing SA-22s seems much more plausible.
  17. Shadow
    Trying to imagine an F-35 carrying racks of Hellfire or Brimstone AGMs.
  18. Shadow
    Shot of the F-35B firing it's gunpod for the first time.
  19. Shadow
    The space jokeys need better pilots. They keep crash landing on random planets.
  20. Shadow
    Good point. Better durability but less sophisticated vs. more advanced technology but more maintenance care needed. The Swedes went a route that took the best of both worlds in a way with the Draken and Viggen. Also, new footage of the Lockheed T-50A trainer.
  21. Shadow
    I wouldn't say they don't give a damn about stealth, or else they wouldn't have developed the PAK FA. I attribute it more to lack of technical innovation and budget. Plus old Soviet doctrine emphasizing quantity over quality. I thought the YF-23 was more of an elegant design, even compared to the F-15. Also, the US isn't going to adopt the Meteor. I'd rather see a dedicated interceptor missile be developed like the AIM-152 AAAM.
  22. Shadow
    When air defenses become so advanced that stealth is rendered near obsolete, atleast in the deep strike mission role, in favor of shear firepower and likely powerful ECM.
  23. Shadow
    Commercial for the F-15 2040C. http://www.wearethemighty.com/articles/boeing-unveils-commercial-for-eagle-2040c SPAMRAAM came to my mind when I saw the payload.
  24. Shadow
    Thanks. The glaring concern I have with my Mz3 is the rust forming on the rear wheel wells. It's a 2008 with 102k on it. I know the 1st gen 3s have rust issues, especially the 2004-2006 model years. That gets multiplied up here in the Northeast when you factor in road salt during the winter. It's an enjoyable commuter and not feeling connected to the road is ever a problem in these cars, or most Mazda's from my understanding. The Mazda Miata and Honda S2000 have been on my radar as well. The Honda S2k, I'm more wary of as a daily with the kind of weather we get but I admit, it's a very appealing car. I guess after only experiencing naturally aspirated FWD cars, I've gotten the itch to move into forced induction territory.
  25. Shadow
    You all have nice cars. I'll be looking to trade in my Mazda 3 towards the end of the year and will be hunting around for a WRX (2013-2014). I'm also giving consideration to the Ford Focus ST and the Evo IX, if I can find a clean one (easier said than done these days).
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