Both models are awesome! Very convincing!

Well done 

I was thinking the F/A-18 would have a single engine.

Quote from: Jesse220 on December 22, 2022, 12:54:36 PMI was thinking the F/A-18 would have a single engine.

What I have read in aviation books is opposite: twin-engine is "of course" better than single-engine (for reliability, safety, range if you turn down one engine in cruise) but alas this is expensive, heavy and long to maintain so a single-engine may alas be chosen for a real program, while admitting twin-engines would have been better.
Maybe other arguments are possible, but this is the one I read, maybe to justify the 2-jet way of Sepecat Jaguar or Dassault-Dornier Alpha-Jet (here in France).

Dog meowing and the cat barking.  Awesome builds!

Quote from: Tophe on December 22, 2022, 04:58:32 PM

Quote from: Jesse220 on December 22, 2022, 12:54:36 PMI was thinking the F/A-18 would have a single engine.

What I have read in aviation books is opposite: twin-engine is "of course" better than single-engine (for reliability, safety, range if you turn down one engine in cruise) but alas this is expensive, heavy and long to maintain so a single-engine may alas be chosen for a real program, while admitting twin-engines would have been better.
Maybe other arguments are possible, but this is the one I read, maybe to justify the 2-jet way of Sepecat Jaguar or Dassault-Dornier Alpha-Jet (here in France).

That makes sense.

Thanks!
while... feel free to invent good arguments for the single-engine way. Especially in the whif world, many different logics are possible.

It's quite true about the twin engine rule for navel aircraft..in the early days reliably was the problem and yep its way safer to have two than one and it's the same with passenger aircraft..also power was the problem but over time jet engines have gotten extremely reliable..F35 and Harrier ..both single engined ..the Harrier had a very long career.
That's the general rule of thumb for the twin engined thing but to be honest some of it I have no idea about because in WW2 pretty much all navel aircraft had only one engine..ok planes like the F14 which is huge would need a bloody big engine to move it so that makes sense having 2...still don't change the fact that these builds are superb.

Thanks for this addition.

Quote from: Wardukw-NZ on December 23, 2022, 07:33:16 PMreliably was the problem

I imagine another reason for twin-engine:; on ground attack mission, if opposite ground fire makes the (one) engine broken, the plane is lost if single-engined, or else: goes back home slowly safely if twin-engined. Not only if the engine is in a jam because an internal problem of reliability occurs.

Quote from: Tophe on December 23, 2022, 09:24:55 PMThanks for this addition.

Quote from: Wardukw-NZ on December 23, 2022, 07:33:16 PMreliably was the problem

I imagine another reason for twin-engine:; on ground attack mission, if opposite ground fire makes the (one) engine broken, the plane is lost if single-engined, or else: goes back home slowly safely if twin-engined. Not only if the engine is in a jam because an internal problem of reliability occurs.

One of the reasons the A10 has two engines. A former commander of mine flew F100s which was a single engine aircraft. While flying cross country the engine fire light came on. This was a no questions just bail out situation, and he did.

Quote from: Tophe on December 23, 2022, 09:24:55 PMThanks for this addition.

Quote from: Wardukw-NZ on December 23, 2022, 07:33:16 PMreliably was the problem

I imagine another reason for twin-engine:; on ground attack mission, if opposite ground fire makes the (one) engine broken, the plane is lost if single-engined, or else: goes back home slowly safely if twin-engined. Not only if the engine is in a jam because an internal problem of reliability occurs.

There's no doubt 2 engines are better than one for ground attack Tophe mate but just take a look at what the US Navy used for yrs as ground attack aircraft...the Skyhawk and the Corsair 2 ..the Skyraider ..the Crusader..all single engined .
The only twin engined figther bomber which comes to mind is the F4 Phantom  which we know was replaced by the F18 and F14 .
As for the USAF Vietnam had the A4 ...F100..F105 were their main ground attack along with F4 ....primary figthers with twin engines in the US have only really been around since the 70s and it's only around that time when multi role ideas came to light with the F/A-18 ..F-15 and F-16 ..still the single engined figther prevails matey .

All right, and what is the best according to me is that each program has either single engine or else twin-engines, not both to compare. And that allows us what-if modellers to invent the missing one.  

Quote from: Tophe on December 23, 2022, 10:20:15 PMAll right, and what is the best according to me is that each program has either single engine or else twin-engines, not both to compare. And that allows us what-if modellers to invent the missing one.  

Damn Skippy Tophe mate 
The next step...three engines ..if 2 is good 3 has to be better 

Quote from: Wardukw-NZ on December 24, 2022, 12:11:55 AMThe next step...three engines ..if 2 is good 3 has to be better 

I tried earlier this year, as drawing:

= link http://www.kristofmeunier.fr/f16_3mtrs.jpg

IIRC the Boss man of Boeing was once asked why he only ever flew in his four engined products, the 707 and 747 etc, and he replied 'Because we don't make any five engined ones...................'