RAAF 'what-if' Group Build

bit early from the honourable defence minister ,im struggling to build anything at the moment but i am plodding along on my tomcat
mick

Would it be rude for me to say that maybe we are ready to put a tombstone on top of this build?

Chris in Japan

Well I primed all the cockpit parts today. Time to start detail painting!

cheers

Mike

Well, to be honest, I just felt that I was going a little over board with my collections.. So I just wanted to tone it all down to just a few select models to display.. Also, there are a few new models that I would like to get, and so thought I would clean out house a little for extra cash and start again..

Chris

SELLING them?????

why mate?

cheers

Mike

Thanks Mike, look forward to getting back to work on my Hornet... I again appologise for the slackness on my part!

I havnt been around much, because I have been putting a whole heap of my built models on Auction here in Japan..

Chris in Japan

not quite, we purchased the F/A-18's, F-111C and BAe Hawk 127 brand spanking new.

When the USAF decided to retire the F-111G, the ADF snapped up a bundle of them cheap for spare parts and replacement airframes.

The RAN went a bit silly and got the Kaman's as a refurbished sale...

cheers

Mike

you mean by what if, what if we had a airforce lol all we got are old hamy downs from the usa lol

Chris

I reckon between 3 and 4 smaller carriers would be good, bigger than the Invincible class but smaller than the current US supercarriers, Our budget simply could not afford to run them!

Could fly off Hornets or SHAR2's or even F-35B's!!

BTW, you should get your decals soon

cheers

Mike

Well, to be honest, when it comes to our Navy.. As we are a very large Island nation (Continent).. Why we have a Navy of fishing boats and catamarans is beyond me..

I once said that we should have atleat 2 aircraft carriers "2nd hand Nimits class if we have to, and another person said, we wouldnt have the people to put on them.. I just say this..

If we had ships, that had stuff fly off them, then you would see kids lining up down the street to join the Navy.. Secondly. We have a large unemployment problem in Australia, and 1 or 2 years of compulsary service like most European countries have, then we would also have a greater pool to choose from. Also.. Instead of sending kids to homes and prisons where they will learn better skills as criminals. I suggest they be sent into a military environment that they will not only be forced to comply with laws, but also they might just come out of it with some skills, and a life!.. There you go, I have just filled 2 carriers and added extra manpower to all forms of the military!

Christopher Lee Patterson Federal Member for (Umm, the new Australian Union of West Japan)..

Chris

John

1:72 Hasegawa Northrop F/A-20A "Tigersnake"

cheers

Mike

LOL here we go, now that you're in Parliament, Chris, the voters are going to start demanding results!!!
For me, I'd like to see some F-15s in the RAAF, some M1A2s in the Army and an aircraft carrier or two for the RAN!
Cheers,
John (voter)

As long as he is in the right political party!!

Can we have Sea Harrier SHAR-2's please Mr Defence Minister?

Mike

Ladies and gentlemen, we welcome Senator, the Honourable, Chris!!!
hehehe
Cheers,
John

Better start packing my bags for Canberra then?

Chris in Japan

Hey Chris, I will give you my vote as well!

cheers

Mike

Vote 1 Chris for Minister of Defence Folio!! you got my vote, Chris! That's 3 now!
Cheers,
John

Hahaha thanks biscuit..

I now have you and my mum for votes.....

Chris in Japan

chris you got my vote

Dave I think from memory that Swedish Mick was going to do an RAAF Viggen for this build.

Sorry John no progress yet.

Darren

Hey guys, because I'm really lazy, could you please post what your build is/will be. That way I can update the build list. I get the feeling that it's a bit out of date.
To start: I'll be building an AAAvn (Australian Army Aviation) A-10 Warthog.
Cheers,
John

Super Hornets and the F-15 are the way to go for the RAAF!!!... A few F-35's to re-establish our Navy and we are set... Infact I like that idea so much that when I return to Australia, I am going to run for federal politics, and I will make it clear that I want the defence portfolio!!

Chris in Japan

An idea for the What-if. Anyone remember that during the Mirage replacment comp that the RAAF was looking at the SAAB Viggin ?

It's a pity that the RAAF is not making any noises to keep the FA-18 on in a ground attack role after the get the F-35s. It would make for a better balanced airfarce imho.

Great to see this thread come alive again.. Sorry that I have been away, but I have been busy with a pretty big sci fi project.. But its nice to talk about planes again.. I have been on and off working on my 1.32 F/A-18, and will be getting back into that. But I do still have a 1/72 Hawk, and F-15 still half assembled waiting for some attention..

As for the RAN.. The F-35's will be ok to throw on a couple of smaller carriers. But as far as Australia is concerned, we have no need for stealth aircraft, as I really cant see us ever being in a situation to warrent them.. We are a country that has to worry about BEING invaded, rather than the other way around.. We should have always had a long range intercept fighter like the F-15 in RAAF colours.. I still think its not to late.. But will never happen.. The F-35 may have all the bells and whistles. But they are not tested and tried, and then we have to wait another 10 years for them? Not smart this idea of buying stuff 10-20 years too late.. We should replace the F-111's at Amberley with F-15's. Replace the very old F/A-18's at Tindall with F-15's.. And the rest of the F/A-18s with Super Hornets.. I say forget the F-35, and just get a couple for the RAN...

Chris in Japan

MadMike. Ok I understand where you are coming from. I have a mate on one of the Collins and from the horses mouth, these boats are (now) the bee's knee's. It is just a pity that I can't post some of the stories that I have heard here in a public forum.

Now now chappies, let's all calm down. Does the Collins class sub really have anything to do with the RAAF? I don't mind some discussion but keep it civil.
Anybody got pics yet?
Cheers,
John

I do not read newspapers to get info, rather special magazines etc.

Personally I think the Collins class ARE good boats, but the stupid Beazley related decisions (fire control software and computers) resulted in massive after delivery expensives and completion delays. He has a lot to answer for, than and now, for his handling of the defence portfolio during the 80's.

The ADF announced not so long ago an purchase increase in the numbers of the F-35 procurement. This included VSTOL F-35's, which is good news as it may mean the Fleet Air Arm gets back to fixed wing operations again.

I am all for a strong RAN, we are, after all an island and we all know what the last island nation did during the 18th and 19th centuries with a strong navy.

cheers

Mike

the collins class subs are very good boats,but the goverment tried to do it on the cheap instead of as they were supposed to be set up, and thats where the problems started .
i mean we decided to do the weapons software ourselves even though we had no experience in this. Typical fort fumble stuff

QUOTE: Originally posted by madmike oh yeah, understand that as well. Hopeefully nothing as momentously stupid as Beazley's purchase of the Collins class subs!! cheers Mike

Sorry mate, but i'm going to have to dissagree with you on this matter. The fact is that the Collins class are now one of the best conventional subs currently in use. Don't believe everything that you read in the newspapers.

QUOTE: Originally posted by madmike Chris The RAN are getting two LHD (landing helicopter deck) carriers. They will deploy helo's initially but they are certainly big enough to deploy Harriers at a future date if some one with foresight arranges purchase. cheers Mike

IIRC these ships are planned to be in the 30,000 ton range and there is the chance that the VTOL F-35 maybe purchased for these ships.