Wilf Rosenberg

Quote: tvoc "Combat?

As previously discussed

Combat implies there is some enemy around. The other two deployments are safe ops. So like I said this is the Typhoons first taste of the real thing although I don't think they have fired at anything yet.

You are quite right that the Typhoons have eventually been equipped with some air to ground potential, however this is an add-on and is in no way their primary role. Hence they are being used in an overflying role. In fact Singapore, Soth Korea, Australia, Czech and the Netherlands all rejected the Typhoon in favour of other aircraft mainly because it isn't good enough for ground attack.

The ageing Tornado will remain the mainstay of our ground attack for some time yet. It's 2 man crew, large and varied payload make it the first choice for ground attack and high tech re-con by some margin.

Quote: tvoc "Patience. The Typhoon will be with us for decades. Unfortunately as aircraft numbers (and RAF personel) are reduced by the politicians, without also reducing what they demand of them, the type in question (and it would apply to any type) will be stretched ever more thinly. The earlier than planned for retirement of Jaguar, Tornado F3 and now Harrier plus reduced numbers of airframes all inevitably having a detrimental effect on the introduction of Typhoon in the multi and swing-roles.

Like operating with a smaller playing squad in Super League.'"

Of course the Typhoon will be with us for decades, we have spent all the money on it and now have no other options. But the need for air to air combat has dimished so much that they need to work on its secondary role in ground attack

I regret some of the reduction in aircraft numbers and wish Mr Brown had not left us so much in debt. I would have preferred to have kept the Ark Royal and Harriers. However we had too many pilots who were not getting in the necessary flying hours before the reduction in aircraft.

One of my concerns for some time has been the lack of spare parts that has kept so many of our aircraft grounded over a period of several years.

I think the buying process should be taken away from the MOD who have shown themselves not fit for purpose for procurement. They have caused such a huge waste and delays on delivery that are a major disgrace and our services are now suffering as a consequence.