Alternate Aircraft Acquisitions

Petike

Petike

A thread where we can discuss plausible alternate aircraft acquisitions for airlines and air forces from the beginnings of practical aviation to the 2000s.

Anything goes, but no AH wanking, please. Keep it real and try to think of fun or interesting alternate developments, as well as their possible pitfalls and drawbacks.
 

Mysterion

What if the USMC had adopted the A-10 Warthog as a ground support aircraft? Could they have been modified for use as a carrier based aircraft?
 
Petike

Petike

Mysterion said:
What if the USMC had adopted the A-10 Warthog as a ground support aircraft? Could they have been modified for use as a carrier based aircraft?
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Well, one of the aircraft model threads once had a post with a picture of a carrier-based "Waterhog", with foldable wings. :D

melb2011264.jpg





Food for thought concerning Canada : Chrétien agrees to replace the Sea Kings with AW 101 Merlins already in the 1990s.
 

sparky42

In the 80's the combination of the successful Eithne OPV programme along with the Troubles convince the Irish Government to buy 8 Eurocopter Panther for both duties with the Navy and supporting the Army.

The Panther numbers are enlarged with the Air Corps also operating 4 for SAR duties and are sustained at these numbers. The helicopters are deployed on UN duties throughout the 80's and 90's improving coordination and increasing demands for more to support the Army.

For the Irish Air Corps, perhaps as part of the Peace Process underway in the 1990's the Irish Government decides to purchase Short Turcano's from the North as one of the first cross border programmes in order to replace the Aermacchi SF.260's keeping the production line in Belfast open and enlarging it too a full squadron of planes. These would be the variant capable of carrying ordnance and are deployed on UN operations in support of Irish battalions.
 

gloster meteor mk3

Banned
You have a consortium of countries the uk germany spain and france, the french want the lead design and the lead construction of the plane the other three disagree and the french through to bottle out the pram. the program starts again this time with the three who finally agree on who gets to build what, it enters service later than planned and wastes close to a Billion. Now who wants the hassle.
 

sparky42

gloster meteor mk3 said:
You have a consortium of countries the uk germany spain and france, the french want the lead design and the lead construction of the plane the other three disagree and the french through to bottle out the pram. the program starts again this time with the three who finally agree on who gets to build what, it enters service later than planned and wastes close to a Billion. Now who wants the hassle.
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And remind me how much was wasted when the UK modified the Phantom for domestic reasons, which is what would happen best case with the F15, not too mention you end up with potential restrictions on weapons that can be carried (screwing British weapons manufacturers as well), and high end areas like the Eurofighters radar, engines etc. Also consider if the main expense is going to the US, the pressure on cutting it as the peace dividend (which is part of what impacted the Eurofighter) is going to be much more as there are less UK jobs and industrial capability on the line.

In hindsight with the new RN carriers perhaps getting built actually going with the French on the Rafale design might have delivered the UK better value and capabilites.
 
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gloster meteor mk3

Banned
Sparky i did not say we had to buy the f15, but we could go it alone on a project like replica if we decided to build it instead of being stupid again.
 

sparky42

gloster meteor mk3 said:
The f15 instead of the eurofighter
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gloster meteor mk3 said:
Sparky i did not say we had to buy the f15, but we could go it alone on a project like replica if we decided to build it instead of being stupid again.
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You kind of did say the F15 instead of the Eurofighter.

Wasn't it pointed out to you in another thread that Replica was just a study, and it was in the 1990's, Tornado and Typhoon are well before that

When was the last UK only fighter aircraft? There are reasons why the UK does joint programmes now, finding the funding for sole development means other programmes going missing or changing the political landscape to fund more. The stupidity is in not nailing down the contracts and allowing pissing matches to break out and at least some of the time it's due to the UK.
 

Matt Wiser

USAF: Continue F-105 production alongside the F-4 (Vietnam attrition replacement), and though the F-4 goes to the Active AF, the 105 goes to the ANG and AF Reserve (many of whom were still flying F-84s and F-86s).

Buy the F-14 for a NORAD-dedicated air defense interceptor to replace the F-101/2/6, or accept GD's proposal for a land-based F-111B variant for the same purpose.

Continue F-15E procurement to totally replace F-111-and build a dedicated Wild Weasel version.

Build A-10B as dedicated Night Attack aircraft and FAC platform.

USN: Continue F-14D production.

Proceed with A-6F program.

Super Hornet continues, but the F has priority to replace F-14 if NATF proves impractical (stealth coatings and salt air do not mix well...).
 

sparky42

An amendment to my Irish Air Corps, post 9/11 the British Government makes it clear that they are unwilling to offer a blanket coverage to Ireland from the rapid reaction squadrons, but offers the Hawk as an alternative.

The Irish government considers 6 of them or 6 of the mothballed Aero L 159.
 

Pseudo

gloster meteor mk3 said:
Sparky i did not say we had to buy the f15, but we could go it alone on a project like replica if we decided to build it instead of being stupid again.
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We did go it alone with Replica and there was never even the slightest possibility that it'd enter production, that wasn't the point of the Replica design study.
 
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