Q'ns about retired airframe

[Hair Warrior]

Toss up between Su-33 and MiG-29K. Probably time to retire both of those airframes.

 

[HAL Pilot]

Instead of bringing back the S-3 and retiring the P-3, they're now looking at using the P-3 as a S-3 replacement.

 

[Jim123]

Obviously a photoshop. When they tested the P-3 for carrier ops they used a way higher flap setting than that.

 

[Max the Mad Russian]

Toss up between Su-33 and MiG-29K. Probably time to retire both of those airframes.

Flanker down, Fulcrum up. Su-33 could have never been there had the 29 been ready for role in 1988. The ship's hangar is not designed for 33, it's too large.
But frankly, toss up rather between Russian navy with carrier or without it.

 

[Max the Mad Russian]

Incredible. It already had been here, but I had no proof then. Now one can see the text by R.F. Dorr attached. A-7 Corsair II, though not before A-7E model I think and presumably from the supercarriers only, could be launched without catapult. What else, except SH-60s of course, could be launched from, ok, supercarriers without cats?

 

[zipmartin]

Incredible. It already had been here, but I had no proof then. Now one can see the text by R.F. Dorr attached. A-7 Corsair II, though not before A-7E model I think and presumably from the supercarriers only, could be launched without catapult. What else, except SH-60s of course, could be launched from, ok, supercarriers without cats?

As a former A-7E driver, I can say that is total BS. No way could the A-7E deck launch, and I cruised on the Nimitz. And the air combat capability was only good because it could carry AIM 9's and had the M61. Maneuverability with all of the wing pylons installed didn't even compare with the F-14, though an A-7 properly flown by an experienced driver could put up a good fight....for awhile. Don't know where that author got his info.

 

[Max the Mad Russian]

As a former A-7E driver, I can say that is total BS. No way could the A-7E deck launch, and I cruised on the Nimitz. And the air combat capability was only good because it could carry AIM 9's and had the M61. Maneuverability with all of the wing pylons installed didn't even compare with the F-14, though an A-7 properly flown by an experienced driver could put up a good fight....for awhile. Don't know where that author got his info.

Thanks a lot. Maybe some crazy VAL skipper personal initiative? Punished and thus had very marginal poliferation?

 

[HAL Pilot]

Thanks a lot. Maybe some crazy VAL skipper personal initiative? Punished and thus had very marginal poliferation?

Or maybe just plain bullshit.

 

[Max the Mad Russian]

Or maybe just plain bullshit.

For what? Robert Dorr is not young freak

 

[brownshoe]

As a former A-7E driver, I can say that is total BS. No way could the A-7E deck launch, and I cruised on the Nimitz. And the air combat capability was only good because it could carry AIM 9's and had the M61. Maneuverability with all of the wing pylons installed didn't even compare with the F-14, though an A-7 properly flown by an experienced driver could put up a good fight....for awhile. Don't know where that author got his info.

I agree with Zip, 174 was one of our sister squadrons and I watched SLUF's operate every day.

 

[Flash]

For what? Robert Dorr is not young freak

Was. He had a tendency to not let facts get in the way of a good story sometimes.

 

[Max the Mad Russian]

Was. He had a tendency to not let facts get in the way of a good story sometimes.

Sorry, didn't know he passed away. Ok, will be careful with his books, though I have to say those I have read are quite impressive.
BTW, why there are not so many books written by former NAs from VAL subcommunity? Noticed three or four authors who had flown Intruders but no one who sat in the Corsair II...

 

[Max the Mad Russian]

Toss up between Su-33 and MiG-29K. Probably time to retire both of those airframes.

Well, the answer came: Su-33s will be written off at 2020, leaving MiG-29K and -29KUB (just like C and D legacy Hornets, single- and twin-seater, respectively) the only carrier-borne jets of Russian Navy. But it quite can be in vain since the funds for the current SLEP of a Kuznetsov had been cut from around US$ 1,00 Bln to less than US$ 500 millions which means only engineering spaces repair and some electronics upgrade. It is extremely doubtful that this ship will last long.
Rumors are floating that Kuznetsov might be transferred to Pacific Fleet just to make the cross-decking with Chinese carriers possible. I think this is epic fake just for fun. This ship cannot make some "sea orbit", she will develop the total machinery disaster being still in Atlantic. Extremely poor steam plant design, with no chance to improve it.

 

[Duc'-guy25]

It is extremely doubtful that this ship will last long.
Rumors are floating that Kuznetsov might be transferred to Pacific Fleet just to make the cross-decking with Chinese carriers possible. I think this is epic fake just for fun. This ship cannot make some "sea orbit", she will develop the total machinery disaster being still in Atlantic. Extremely poor steam plant design, with no chance to improve it.

Classic counterintel ploy. Not today Ivan, not today!

 

[Max the Mad Russian]

Not so classic, btw