Lockheed Martin F-35A, B, C and other ideas

[Thorvic]

The MOD have today confirmed that 809 Squadron will be the FAA unit for the Carrier Strike F-35B, the main RAF unit is going to be 617 Squadron and 17 squadron should form up soon in the US to become the work up unit much as it did with the Typhoon.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/royal-navy-air-squadron-reformed-to-fly-new-jets

[PR19_Kit]

That's rather pleasing. 

I always thought that 809 got the thin end of the stick during the Falklands miss-understanding when their aircraft were farmed out to the other two SHAR Squadrons having got down South aboard the 'Atlantic Conveyor'.

[albeback]

So that's it? All those Harriers and Tornados are being replaced by just 3 squadrons of those b***** silly things??? That surely cannot be right?  pathetic!

[MikeD]

Just the Harrier for now I believe - although I assume that long term there'll be a few more to replace the Tonkas.

[Thorvic]

Just the Harrier for now I believe - although I assume that long term there'll be a few more to replace the Tonkas.

Nope Harrier and Tornado although hopefully they will order more than the 48 initially earmarked for Carrier Strike if they bring both QEC carriers into service as we should get at least 72 and probably something nearer 96 to allow both Carrier to be outfitted in times of dire need.

[ChernayaAkula]

Adding to that, some of the Tornado's jobs will be or are already being taken over by the multi-role Typhoons.

[sandiego89]

The MOD have today confirmed that 809 Squadron will be the FAA unit for the Carrier Strike F-35B, the main RAF unit is going to be 617 Squadron and 17 squadron should form up soon in the US to become the work up unit much as it did with the Typhoon.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/royal-navy-air-squadron-reformed-to-fly-new-jets

I ask my UK friends, would 800 squadron be a better choice for historical purposes?  Perhaps too much connection with the Sea Harrier and Joint Force harrier recent memories.  I know it would be a long shot, but the 899 squadron "Flying Fist" has to be the best emblem ever.  The Fist looks great on any aircraft.  Sadly a fist is likely too agressive for a warplane these days....

[PR19_Kit]

892 would be good, picking up where the Phantoms left off perhaps. But I'm happy with 809 actually, the 'forgotten' SHAR NAS.

[Thorvic]

Well 809 was Arks Buccaneer Strike Aircraft Squadron, its also also a Phoenix Squdron rising from the ashes so a bit of symbology there. Can't help thinking Rowland Whits follow to Vulcan 607, 'Phoenix Squadron' about the Arks Buccaneers putting o a show of force over Belize as gunboat diplomacy to deter agression against Belize might have influenced thinking.

Actually 893 would probably be the most suitable FAA Sqaudron as its got a Lightning flash on a black and blue quartered diamond as its symbol.

A fun one might be 804 squdron as that was the tigers head with a dagger in its teeth to open up the NATO Tiger meet to a UK Combat Aircraft rather than the rather lame chopper we ususally send.

[Howard of Effingham]

A fun one might be 804 squdron as that was the tigers head with a dagger in its teeth to open up the NATO Tiger meet to a UK Combat Aircraft rather than the rather lame chopper we ususally send.

hmm, and we don't even send them much i think geoff. i'm pretty certain that 230 sqn didn't participate in the
most recent NTM.

good idea.

[Taiidantomcat]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=DBI7uiDQA6Y

UK on DT II

[PR19_Kit]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=DBI7uiDQA6Y

UK on DT II

Excellent bit of footage. 

But some REALLY un-educated comments by the proles writing underneath.......... 

[Librarian]

I have to admit seeing that footage that the F-35 is one superb looking machine....I don't normally praise the looks of these cheese slicers. Two comments:

1) Is full afterburner required for each landing and take-off? This will make the jet ridiculously visible from long, long way off, including the location of its forward operating base.

2) I loved the blokes lined up saluting at the beginning....very Kamikaze .

[PR19_Kit]

IRC the F-35 doesn't use 'burner for landing as it would melt the deck or concrete landing surface.

Someone raised that issue on here a while back and it seems the night landings LOOK as if they're using 'burner but it's just the hot exhaust plume seen through the IR lenses.

[NARSES2]

I didn't realise it did rolling take offs with that bloody great door open  Just looks wrong to me, especially in that position. Can't explain it but looks odd, expected it only to be open for VTOL. Anyway that's just me, great footage in that clip