Wow...Just wow.
- Thread starter WacoFan
- Start date
The Fez
Analog Millennial
This plane is full up, Sierra Hotel, and every other slang term for awesome. Hopefully the bean counters at the Pentagon will wake up one day and realize that all the stealth, advanced radar, and UAV systems are nothing but a waste of time, money, and energy in the low-tech counter-insugency arena. Like the venerable A-1 Skyraider in SEA, there's no replacement for tough, heavy load capable aircraft.
Boris Badenov
This is no laughing matter.
hate to be a party pooper, but any aircraft designed to kill dudes with an AK and a dream is on the wrong side.
ctab5060X
Well-Known Member
Not sure about the strip where t-cart is flying from, but most ag strips are one way in, one way out...
WacoFan
Bigly
I guess I look at it in a different way. I don't know what this airplane costs vs. what the Beechcraft thing costs...but I bet this is cheaper. So, it is more like a "death from above killing machine" for the masses. I envision this airplane as a step toward the guy with an AK and a dream actually being able to have air support!
BillErvin
Peddling as fast as I can
Huh? The purpose of close air support is to protect (help) and/or support our side (or our allies) on the ground, particularly when they are heavily engaged with the dude with the AK and a dream. The A-1 Skyraider was very good at that particular mission, and these other aircraft would probably be good at it as well.
edit: You can also bet AT wouldn't be able to sell them to just anyone. The government has very strict export rules when it comes to aircraft with guns.
WacoFan
Bigly
That makes sense. That is how my Grandpa's strip was at home. East west runway with 1500 feet and a slight dogleg in the middle. Trees lined one side, hanger and storage on the other, his house on one end, fence on the opposite end. Prevailing winds were usually north/south. In short it was a great place for me to learn about x-wind landings in a taildragger because every landing was a cross wind landing with the obstructions, narrow short runway, and the limited visibility of a taildragger (me in the Chief, my grandpa in the Wacos - he never let me try those at the home 'drome
).I asked him once whether he ever thought of moving to a little bit bigger strip and he said "Yeah, but this is ok...keeps the weenies and amateurs out".
ctab5060X
Well-Known Member
Sounds like he had a nice little place.
I Wouldn't mind having a small strip like that one of these days.
CN94559
New Member
deadstick
Well-Known Member
You can bet the guys at the 160th SOAR have already laid hands on. :nana2: Problem is the AF likes to limit them to rotors only. It would be an outstanding Special Operations support platform.
When I get home, I think a trip to Olney is in order
You're right about the AF. You don't really want to see grown men/women (in BLUE) cry, now do you?
Remember the OA-10? "Sure you can have them, just don't load the GAU..." :banghead: After DS/DS, "Hmmm this thing isn't too shabby. Sorry, we're keeping them."
Waco, like ctab said, a lot of our strips are one way in and one way out. This particular strip works both ways though and there were already two planes working from the other end and not enough room for anymore planes and trucks on that end. First come first serve kind of deal.
Was in a similar situation many years ago and the old crusty pilot I was working with asked me if I had been bitten yet. I asked him what he was talking about and he said every time he took off and just barely made it he felt like gators were down at the far end and just snapping at his ass every time. I think about that every time I get close.
After I came out the first time, I noticed that they backed up a little and gave me plenty of room.
Maximilian_Jenius
Super User
Really..? I thought the F-35 was meant to replace the F-16! Honest, statement no
!OldTownPilot
Well-Known Member
It's designed to replace everything.
Jack of all trades master of none.
Jack of all trades master of none.
polyfan5435
New Member
Master of being cheap, I think.
As noted before, was a great airplane. Would've worked just fine were it not for the USAFs aversion to anything with a tailwheel and a prop.
SpiraMirabilis
Possible Subversive
USAF has an aversion to anything that doesn't cost less than 50 million dollars it seems.
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