F35 Lightning

I doubt they'd be much good flying their mission if they considered the financial costs of their aircraft at all - surely pilots are sometimes told their mission is more important than their aircraft or even their life. Me, all I'd be thinking about would be saving my own arse (the rest of me too probably) and getting home alive.
They don't have to be told marra they will just know.
 


I preferred the old lightning. Would have loved to have gone up in one of them.

Lovely aircraft and a world class interceptor with a climb rate that would still match today's best. Unfortunately fuel thirsty that severely restricted its combat range.
I think there are a couple of two seaters in South Africa that you can pay to sit in the back for "pleasure" flights.
 
Used to love the Harrier jump jet when it was in action all those years ago, so this is my new favourite modern plane. Looks sleek as fuck and full of gadgets.

Enjoyed that fighter pilot documentary like. Not sure how the bloke at the end passed mind after he shot and killed an innocent plane due to his pal telling him it was an enemy by mistake. Ahh nevermind you just killed a few hundred people on a passenger jet, easy mistake, pass. Wonder if I'd rammed a bus off the road on my driving lesson if the instructor might have passed me still?
 
The Typhoon cost 130 million each when first developed. The cost of aircraft drops the more produced.
The Merlin helicopter was originally supposed to cost £20 million, but our lot are that useless they didnt order enough parts for the aircraft, and I was told that each aircraft ended up costing us around £70-£80 million in the end.

Fortunately all defense procurement is run by incompetents, not just the UK
 
Lovely aircraft and a world class interceptor with a climb rate that would still match today's best. Unfortunately fuel thirsty that severely restricted its combat range.
I think there are a couple of two seaters in South Africa that you can pay to sit in the back for "pleasure" flights.
Long range fighter with restricted range?

"Upon its official introduction in 1940, the P-38 was capable of climbing to 3,300 feet in a single minute and reaching 400 mph, 100 mph faster than any other fighter in the world. It also doubled as an intimidating long-range threat, capable of carrying a larger payload than early B-17s and boasting a range of 1,150 miles. "
 

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