Originally Posted by ZCarMan (Post 554042)

The Warthog is one of my favorites! A good buddy of mine flew them in Alaska and I remember waiting on the end of the runway as the first ones flew in from the Fairchild-Republic factory in the early 80s. I asked my friend who flew them up there if he was ever worried about flying such a slow aircraft and he responded, "When you are in an F-15 flying Mach 2 you really don't feel it. However, at sea level going 300 knots and then yanking and banking it is like riding a roller coaster. He said, "I can out turn any fighter and if I can point my 30MM cannon at him, he is toast!" Tragically, he died in a training crash flying a low level. It really is a remarkable aircraft. As of today though, the F-22 Raptor is undeniably the most awesome aircraft built by man. It can do things no other aircraft in the world can do. Simply makes your jaw drop when you watch it go through its paces.

Originally Posted by MightyBobo (Post 554099)

I thought it was funny that they were thinking of bringing a prop-driven close support aircraft in...all I could think is, "Uhhhh, we have quite possibly the BEST close support aircraft in the inventory already...and you simply wont be able to improve it..."

I also find it funny that they sandbag the performance of the F22 at airshows so much for all the spies :)

Originally Posted by Volcom370Z (Post 554111)

They do have AC-130s...

And its funny, because Raptors are STILL impressive at airshows and its not even breaking a sweat

Originally Posted by MightyBobo (Post 554126)

Pish posh - as much as I love Spookies, even they don't have the ridiculous survivability and maneuverability of the A10.

Not to mention the fact that the 30MM is a terrifying sound.

Originally Posted by Volcom370Z (Post 554160)

I agree with you on maneuverability and survivability, but with a 105mm Howitzer sticking out the side of your plane, you're doing good! :tup: I've refueled those guys too... at night of course (read as no pictures)

Originally Posted by Volcom370Z (Post 554195)

All of these are actually me doing the AR... hope there are no YouTube know-it-alls in here LOL! The first video is the ever sexy F-22 Raptor somewhere near Bakersfield, CA. The second video is an F-16C being refueled over Iraq... its a bit longer but this is how long an AR take for them realtime. The last video is a B-52. You can see how hairy it can get when its not perfectly calm outside during refueling...


http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOAsXAQpakw

Originally Posted by MightyBobo (Post 554099)

I thought it was funny that they were thinking of bringing a prop-driven close support aircraft in...all I could think is, "Uhhhh, we have quite possibly the BEST close support aircraft in the inventory already...and you simply wont be able to improve it..."

Originally Posted by Carno (Post 554281)

Sure you could improve it... put a Marine in the cockpit :tup:

Originally Posted by MightyBobo (Post 554307)

But how will we dumb down the cockpit? Change the buttons from, "Dispense ordinance" to "BLOW **** UP HOOOAH!"

:stirthepot:

Originally Posted by MightyBobo (Post 554307)

But how will we dumb down the cockpit? Change the buttons from, "Dispense ordinance" to "BLOW **** UP HOOOAH!"

:stirthepot:

Originally Posted by Carno (Post 554393)

Haha, well don't confuse us with the Army. The AF at one time actually offered to give their A-10 fleet to the Army, but slow as she goes, even that was too fast for a soldier to keep up with. Plus they're much happier with helos because the only way they know when ****'s going south is when the big spinny thing on top stops spinning.

In any case, not even a zoomie could understand the phrase "Dispense ordnance" (too many syllables), they have their pickle buttons colored red, just like ours :p

But speaking of buttons in the cockpit, I got the chance to **** around in the new F-35 simulator, and there's actually a switch that is labeled "Auto-recover" for when you go out of control. Of course it's not much harder in a Hornet since you just have to neutralize the controls (although the Hornet is so hard to go OCF that if you are, you're probably missing a wing).

Originally Posted by Volcom370Z (Post 554534)

I'm glad there are military people from different branches that can make fun of each other without it turning into a **** sizing competition :tup: