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F-ZeroOne

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  1. F-ZeroOne
    My view on the F-35 is rather pragmatic; I agree that the program has been an over-expensive mess (though thats not actually unusual for military programs; look at the development of the Bradley), but really, what choice is there now anyway? I'm British, and the Royal Navy needs something to fly from HMS Her Maj, and we're past the point where theres any conceivable alternative (as much as the French would love to sell us some Rafale-Ms, which still wouldn't be suitable now... ). Probably its been overly ambitious, but look at it another way - how many supersonic STOVL fighters have actually got to the stage of entering service (even as "IOC"; and yes I know the "B" does not represent all the F-35s), and I think theres a disconnect between what people think the F-35 should be able to do and what it was designed to do (I wonder, if more F-22s were in service, would we still be having some of these arguments?); theres also the fact that its the first fighter of the internet generation and we all know what a reasonable, rational forum for cool-headed discussion that is...
  2. F-ZeroOne
    Seeing as the Plane-That-Must-Not-Be-Named has reared its lift-fan hatch here again, some more comments from the Norwegian pilot who has been largely positive about the aircraft (and actually flying it). This obviously indicates that someone who actually knows what they're talking about does indeed have a more informed opinion than the entire Rest of the Internet/Is obviously a paid LockMart shrill (delete according to how you feel about the F-35... ): http://nettsteder.regjeringen.no/kampfly/2016/03/01/f-35-i-naerkamp-hva-har-jeg-laert-sa-langt-the-f-35-in-a-dogfight-what-have-i-learned-so-far/ (scroll down for English version).
  3. F-ZeroOne
    Schizo, hope that op goes well for your father. I've read about such implants and at least in some cases they're said to make things much more manageable for some sufferers. Okay, so who else is disappointed the B-21 isn't the YF-23 reincarnated?
  4. F-ZeroOne
    One message board I read suggested "Vampire", which I liked (leaving asides the image problems associated with todays modern shiny Vampire and the fact that. technically, it would be "Vampire II"... My memory is that for their size Harriers are incredibly noisy, but I have heard others stating they've heard nosier aircraft. Those of you who have had hearing problems associated with jet engine noise, you have my sympathies. I have a relative who suffers from tinnitus and although I obviously can't know directly what its like, their descriptions are enough to learn it is not something overly easy to live with.
  5. F-ZeroOne
    The LRSB has a number and a look, but is still the Bomber With No Name: http://www.defensenews.com/story/breaking-news/2016/02/26/b-21-bomber-air-force-lrsb/80976160/
  6. F-ZeroOne
    I sort of knew that if I didn't specifically state "unless there was some proposed variant I've never heard of" someone would drag one up from the depths of the "Almost Birds" archive... Now you've said it, though, I remember reading that it was expected at the time that the winner of the LTF competition would be adopted by both services (and, I guess, the Marines)...
  7. F-ZeroOne
    It never ceases to amaze me just how beefy carrier aircraft landing gear is, and how spindly non-carrier aircraft gear looks in comparison (I know the reasons why, mechanically).
  8. F-ZeroOne
    I'd forgotten about the aggressor F-16s, but what I meant specifically was that there aren't any carrier based F-16s...
  9. F-ZeroOne
    Er... we make better bad guy computers?
  10. F-ZeroOne
    Nor, unless its the best kept secret in naval aviation, are there any F-16s.
  11. F-ZeroOne
    Ah, I think I see the problem - you Americans and your "must have best of everything". We plucky Brits have always had a thing for the underdog; given the choice between a full size keyboard, disk drive, fully realised colour graphics and a kick-arse sound chip - well, we would always opt for a squishy keyboard, "colour clash", and sound like a sponge being put through a meat grinder backwards... Having said that, your comments have made me think that the "only two 80s computers" thing is sometimes a bit overplayed. Thinking back to the time I had a Spectrum, in the same timeframe I also encountered a ViC-20 (I had one!), Ti-99, a Commodore +4, MSX, a Dragon 32 and BBC Micros; and that was just within my immediate circle of family and friends...
  12. F-ZeroOne
    Just out of interest, any particular reason? It obviously had its limitations but then so did the NES...
  13. F-ZeroOne
    Latest attempt to resurrect a British retro-gaming legend (in UK circles, the Sinclair ZX Spectrum is talked about in much the same manner as the NES is in the US). The company behind this released something called the "ZX Spectrum Vega" about a year ago which didn't exactly get overly brilliant reviews, but... its a Handheld Speccy!
  14. F-ZeroOne
    Speaking of Russian giants, taken at the Yeovilton Air Day a couple years back. I don't think I've ever seen an aircraft "wallow" in the sky as much as this one seemed to:
  15. F-ZeroOne
    The BBC recently added the ability to "buy" episodes of its classic T.V. series to iPlayer, at least in the UK, so that probably explains it.
  16. F-ZeroOne
    If you've ever wondered what the "Who" equivalent of the "Star Wars Holiday Special" might have looked like:
  17. F-ZeroOne
    Thats not the Gundam Cafe in Akihabara is it? Is this is a new one? Edit: never mind, I should have followed the YouTube link; its in Osaka.
  18. F-ZeroOne
    I liked "The Hungry Earth", but mainly because it has one of my favourite Matt Smith scenes, the one where hes interrogating the Silurian.
  19. F-ZeroOne
    Oh, for non-UKians, "Broadchurch" (which Moffats successor worked on) was a murder mystery series that was a really big hit for ITV (BBCs main rival that isn't Rupert Murdoch) a little while ago. It starred some guy called David Tennant, an actor who I feel I should know from somewhere...
  20. F-ZeroOne
    Still, just to be safe... Don't. Blink.
  21. F-ZeroOne
    Thats the one, thanks!
  22. F-ZeroOne
    Akihabara is a bit different to what it was, but is still worth a visit. If you're pressed for time, the giant Yodabashi Akiba store (you can't miss it, its like the arcology from "Blade Runner") is a good one stop place for recent releases. "Book Off" is a second-hand CD/DVD/Book chain with branches all over the place. Don't forget to buy an ice cream thats 33% tastier than any other ice cream at the Gundam Cafe! Theres a good toy shop in Ueno, a few buildings up from the "OIOI ("Marui") City" department store across from the main Ueno station. I can never remember the name of the place, but it has like a flying saucer with a couple of eyes on it on the fascia. Kiddyland in Harajuku is another good toy shop, though more for a "general" toy-buying audience than collectors. Not an essential visit, but you'll probably regret not seeing the giant RX-78 Gundam replica in Odaiba. Don't discount department store or "mainstream" shop toy departments, they can sometimes have older items and are under less pressure to cycle stock than the more fandom orientated places. Generally keep your eyes peeled, you never know when you might spot a place of interest, and many small businesses are located above and below ground level. Everything you buy will be packaged to within an inch of its life, and this can add up (particularly in generally small Japanese hotel rooms); discreetly visit convenience stores to use their waste bins and consider posting back large or numerous items. Particularly in Akihabara, many items of interest are now locked behind glass cabinets, so it can help to have a bit of knowledge of spoken Japanese. I feel your pain about the cancelled 2011 trip, I was booked to go a couple of weeks after the same events. Wasn't my first trip, but hurt all the same (though obviously small potatoes compared to all those that lost their lives).
  23. F-ZeroOne
    I've never been big into music, and only relatively recently became aware of just how big an influence Bowie has been over the years. He reminded me a little of Hideki Anno; a name that always seems to crop up in discussions of their respective mediums, metaphorically always standing outside the window looking in at whoevers talking about their work.
  24. F-ZeroOne
    I know what the theoretical advantages of a forward swept wing are but have they given a reason why they decided to do it on a training aircraft? Other than "We're Russian, and we think in Russian!"...?
  25. F-ZeroOne
    Well, this is interesting. As a result of North Koreas recent shenanigans, the UK and Japan are moving to censure North Korea in the UN. Its been mooted that RAF Typhoons may actually pay a visit to Japan later this year, which AFAIK would be a first...
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