Messages

31

Aviation Waffle / Re: Hello Folks

« on: January 25, 2012, 08:02:59 pm »

Sorry Tempest, I cant put that info on a public forum. I do have the answers but dont want to get in trouble. I hope you understand.

No probs, I understand, will await a future issue of An Cosantoir! 

32

Military Photography / Re: Dutch Viper - Black & White

« on: January 25, 2012, 12:10:09 am »

Thats to my taste!  Fantastic shot!

33

Aviation Waffle / Re: Hello Folks

« on: January 23, 2012, 07:40:28 pm »

What is it exactly that you want jets for?  If you can give a specific answer we can give you specific reasons why it didn't happen!

34

Aviation Waffle / Re: Hello Folks

« on: January 22, 2012, 07:48:18 pm »

Claudel, yes was aware of the ops during those visits, and while I acknowledge the usefulness of syncing with ADR assets in mounting a point defence of some practical value against low speed, low level local air traffic, it isn't an intercept capability as a country with an air force/military radar would recognise. 
As a by-the-by, you're the perfect man to let me know if the AC have sent anyone on RAF courses since the death of Derek Furniss?  Are BFM's still on the wings/instructors courses?  Any aspirations on adding any new weapons to the PC9s, or acquiring a target-towing pod?

35

Aviation Waffle / Re: Hello Folks

« on: January 22, 2012, 12:11:54 am »

That's not strictly true Claudel, there is a big difference between 'point defence' and 'interception'.  Let's not deceive ourselves, we have no military radar and the PC9 has no radar, so no 'interception' capability.  The Swiss comparison does not hold up for Ireland.  Ireland has, in effect, never had an 'interception' capability. Even 9-5

36

Irish Aviation History / Re: New Chipmunk169

« on: January 20, 2012, 07:43:52 pm »

Thanks for the info Frank.  Agree Machlooper, just be glad someone's put them back in the air again!

37

Aviation Waffle / Re: Hello Folks

« on: January 20, 2012, 07:40:53 pm »

Welcome to the forum!

Most air forces have moved away from jets for intermediate training (which is realistically as far as Air Corps pilots go from a military point of view).  Turbo-props are much cheaper to run.  Don't forget the 8 PC9s and the back-up package cost about 60m, which is an enormous sum of money for a country which doesn't possess anything which graduate pilots can move on to (in military terms).  The 6 Fougas cost less then 2m in the mid 70's.  So, no jets ever again unless there is a massive shift in the political mindset towards providing a serious defence forces.  That's just the way it is!

38

Irish Aviation History / Re: New Chipmunk169

« on: January 18, 2012, 07:47:58 pm »

Can someone please clarify for me:

Last week the Air Corps were Facebooking about a restored Chippie, assumed it was one of theirs.  Is this one pictured Air Corps/Ex-AC/Never AC?

39

Aviation Videos / Re: Defence forces Ireland

« on: January 07, 2012, 08:34:15 pm »

Good find, interesting!

40

Scale Aircraft Modelling / Re: Airfix 1:24 scale Air Corps Hurricane

« on: December 28, 2011, 07:33:12 pm »

Unacceptable on any forum but perhaps you should have directed it at a Mod first before publishing?

41

Irish Air Corps / Re: New 'Silver Swallows' Display Team?

« on: November 12, 2011, 07:38:33 pm »

Wholeheartedly agree Silver.  PC9 instructors should be capable of putting together a basic routine quite quickly for the first year's displays, and build on that into the future.  Solo PC9 has appeared abroad flying a very good solo display (it's on YouTube), a shortened version of which could be featured in a team display, making a 12 minute display very achieveable with a modest expenditure on fuel costs. 

Was a real shame that on my first visit to RIAT this year there was no AC presence at all, and its almost the shortest flying time to any air show, let alone the Daddy!  False economy!

42

Irish Air Corps / Re: Air Corps Vampire serial 185 in France

« on: August 28, 2011, 08:07:26 pm »

Wow, looks really good!

43

UK Air Shows / Re: RIAT 2011

« on: July 05, 2011, 06:33:57 pm »

Anyone here on twitter and fancy staying in touch or meeting up on the Saturday?  Follow me @haslemerepets and I'll follow you back!

44

Rest Of The World Air Shows / Re: US Navy Blue Angels Video Link

« on: June 11, 2011, 06:05:04 pm »

Love the fast formation rolls!  The poor Fougas were somewhat more limited!

45

Irish Air Corps / Re: 9 to 5 weekday Air Corps

« on: May 11, 2011, 08:03:31 pm »

ARW training in relation to upcoming visits?