F/A 18 Video

[Guzzistajohn]

http://www.youtube.com/embed/wfOD2y_AD_w?feature=player_embedded

Makes motorcycle go pro video look pretty dull :D

[ken farr]

When they launch off the deck, you can see the visor go up during the cat shot.

Watching the pilot in the back seat, you can see his hands want to be doing something......suck s when someone else is driving !!!

Cool video.

kjf

[Cam3512]

That is friggin' awesome.  I'd give my left nut for a back seat ride.

Can't imagine incurring the wrath of these guys when pissed off.

[Guzzistajohn]

It would give you quite the feeling of power. Closest I get it new blades on my riding mower after a spring growing spell.

[Jim Rich]

That was a fun video, thanks for posting.

[Penderic]

That is impressive flying! Landing on that little runway is very scary - got to be the toughest kind of piloting out there - especially at night.

I wonder if this will all become ancient history and forgotten when those robot fighters become the standard.


 8)


  

[Dilliw]

My first job was a buying electronic assemblies for the APG 65 radar sets used in the early F/A 18s (HAC now Raytheon).  Best job I ever had...

[Stormtruck2]

When I was in the Navy (1978-1984) I was fortunate enough to see the F-14 in action.  What a bird. I also was lucky enough to work with A-6's.  The F/A-18 was designed to replace both aircraft. While the F/A-18 Plastic Bug is a good aircraft, I don't believe that it is as good in the fighter role as the F-14 or the attack role as the A-6.  I'll admit I never called in a 18 for CAS so I may not be in the best position for a fair comparison, I have yet to see any multi-role anything that was as effective as a purpose designed item is/was. I'll also admit I'd jump at the opportunity to fly/ride a 18 anytime!!!!!

[rboe]

It's a good plane, but there are better mounts out there for the different jobs it has been forced to do. Nothing beats a good specialized plane for the task at hand.

[Stormtruck2]

It's a good plane, but there are better mounts out there for the different jobs it has been forced to do. Nothing beats a good specialized plane for the task at hand.

For CAS, nothing beat the good old A1E Sandy.  http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=297

[rboe]

The A10 would give her  a good run for her money. But the A1E was a damn good aircraft.

[Stormtruck2]

Your correct, the A-10 is as good in CSA as the A1E.  I don't know the answer, but what is the loiter time for an A-10??  I've called them in but damn if I can remember the LT. I thnk the A-10 has the edge over the A1E in tank busting.  ;)

[Dilliw]

It's a good plane, but there are better mounts out there for the different jobs it has been forced to do. Nothing beats a good specialized plane for the task at hand.

The Northrup F-17 lost the lighweight figher competition to the GD F-16 for a variety of reasons and it was obviously not the best mount.  But then Navy was then directed to use one of those designs for their new carrier plane and Mac Air's involvement in making the F-17 into the F-18 was probably the reason it was selected.  Twin engines didn't hurt either.

The multi-role part came about because of the APG 65 as it was the first radar/weapons set of the digital age (software instead of hardware).  When I first started the F-14's AWG-9 was still in production and that thing still had tubes in it .   It could do long range and control multiple Phoenix missles but that's about it.  By the late 80s all three Hughes systems (F-14D, F-15E, and F/A 18) were re-designed to the AN/APG 7x family with mostly common pieces, parts, and capabilities.  By then though they were already invested in the various air frames.