Chief of the Airforce handover flypast. With photos!

Captain RAAF said :

PigDog said :

I wonder what this cost?

Don’t fret, PigDog, it was paid for by the blood of the many thousands of Airforce personnel that lie in far off fields, jungles and ocean floors, that paid the ultimate price so that this country can be as prosperous as it is now, so that we can afford to celebrate events like this to recognise the service of great Australians!

I didn’t know blood worked as aircraft fuel. Looks like I learnt something today.

Diggety said :

Maybe someone can help me out on the range of these aircraft:

On the RAAF website (more detailed fact sheets are not working), ranges are:

JSF = 1100km combat radius
Both Hornets = 740km combat radius

Both Hornets have other ranges listed that I don’t understand. So, my question is, what range capabilities does the JSF have over the Hornets?

I.e. When are we able to finally invade New Zealand?

F/A-18 F
Maximum speed: Mach 1.6
Ferrying 2,700km (without refuelling)
Interdiction over 1,000km
Combat radius 740km

F/A-18 A
Maximum speed: Mach 1.8 (2,200km/h)
Ferrying 2,700km (without refuelling)
Interdiction over 1,000km
Combat radius 740km

Ferrying would be when you have fuel tanks on and no weapons and are travelling from point A to point B using the most fuel economic engine settings.

Interdiction is taking off, heading to a target, bombing it and heading back

Combat radius is for when you get into a fight with another aircraft. The more you maneuver and the harder you do so, the more fuel you use, so you can’t go as far.

Treat the published specs of the JSF with a grain of salt as they will have toned them down a bit for publication and it isn’t operational yet. The 18’s have been around long enough that the numbers you can find are likely to be fairly accurate.

johnboy said :

Diggety said :

Maybe someone can help me out on the range of these aircraft:

On the RAAF website (more detailed fact sheets are not working), ranges are:

JSF = 1100km combat radius
Both Hornets = 740km combat radius

Both Hornets have other ranges listed that I don’t understand. So, my question is, what range capabilities does the JSF have over the Hornets?

I.e. When are we able to finally invade New Zealand?

2014 When HMAS Canberra enters service.

Bear in mind the Rhino can act as an in-air refueler.

I can’t wait that long. The price of lamb is killing me.

However, I would like to do it after the World Cup. We can’t interfere with the Kiwi’s choking again.

Diggety said :

Maybe someone can help me out on the range of these aircraft:

On the RAAF website (more detailed fact sheets are not working), ranges are:

JSF = 1100km combat radius
Both Hornets = 740km combat radius

Both Hornets have other ranges listed that I don’t understand. So, my question is, what range capabilities does the JSF have over the Hornets?

I.e. When are we able to finally invade New Zealand?

2014 When HMAS Canberra enters service.

Bear in mind the Rhino can act as an in-air refueler.

Maybe someone can help me out on the range of these aircraft:

On the RAAF website (more detailed fact sheets are not working), ranges are:

JSF = 1100km combat radius
Both Hornets = 740km combat radius

Both Hornets have other ranges listed that I don’t understand. So, my question is, what range capabilities does the JSF have over the Hornets?

I.e. When are we able to finally invade New Zealand?

PigDog said :

I wonder what this cost?

Don’t fret, PigDog, it was paid for by the blood of the many thousands of Airforce personnel that lie in far off fields, jungles and ocean floors, that paid the ultimate price so that this country can be as prosperous as it is now, so that we can afford to celebrate events like this to recognise the service of great Australians!

I wonder what this cost?

I used to dream of a root extension when i was serving…

johnboy said :

Really obvious just how much bigger the rhino is than the older model hornets isn’t it?

Other telltales the square inlets and the much bigger LERX (Leading Edge Root Extension, that bit of the wing sticking forward along the nose).

and that it needs three fuel tanks to go the same distance as two on the older models 😉

Really obvious just how much bigger the rhino is than the older model hornets isn’t it?

Other telltales the square inlets and the much bigger LERX (Leading Edge Root Extension, that bit of the wing sticking forward along the nose).