Would that be your worst nightmare?

3 hours ago, Dimron said:

Two planes down

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cj9p8rvl0d0o

The word Rag Tag and Bobtail come  to mind

Sad illustration of what we've become, there was a time the RAF put 16 ship display formations into the air

Hardly..

they're phasing in replacements and want them to last as long as possible. They did the same thing when they upgraded from the Gnat

 

50 minutes ago, only1swanny said:

Hardly..

they're phasing in replacements and want them to last as long as possible. They did the same thing when they upgraded from the Gnat

 

So where are the replacements?

These things don't happen overnight

15 minutes ago, Dimron said:

So where are the replacements?

These things don't happen overnight

from the article, company developing them went bust, hence wanting to prolong them. 

Happened with the Harrier and Tornado, Amazing engineering but got to a point where they were beyond being kept in the skies. Sold off cheaply to an Airforce that wouldn't be using them as much

1 hour ago, only1swanny said:

from the article, company developing them went bust, hence wanting to prolong them. 

Happened with the Harrier and Tornado, Amazing engineering but got to a point where they were beyond being kept in the skies. Sold off cheaply to an Airforce that wouldn't be using them as much

there's guys on here sabre rattling and saying we should be giving the Russians a bloody nose, fact is we can't even put nine pretty smoke trails in the skies anymore... Putin and Co must be laughing their cocks off

The new plane has, and is, being investigated. 

Like many governnent procurement systems, it's slow and cumbersome. 

It is important to get it right though, as they aren't just display aircraft, but training aircraft for future RAF pilots.

6 minutes ago, Tonge moor green jacket said:

The new plane has, and is, being investigated. 

Like many governnent procurement systems, it's slow and cumbersome. 

It is important to get it right though, as they aren't just display aircraft, but training aircraft for future RAF pilots.

"Investigated" 

Read "kick the can down the road"

The preferred UK bidder has now gone bust waiting for the green light.

Boeing will probably now step in.

Still pathetic

I always knew we could have a Barney about anything on here, but red arrow planes is some going 😊

16 hours ago, Dimron said:

"Investigated" 

Read "kick the can down the road"

The preferred UK bidder has now gone bust waiting for the green light.

Boeing will probably now step in.

Still pathetic

I know about the collapse of the company.

Bigger companies than that are also warning about delays to the government's defense spending plans.

Like most things, this lot are worse than many.

Nevertheless, the wasteful, cumbersome approach of the MOD is legendary, and not unique to this government. They can't be expected to carry the can entirely on this one.

1 hour ago, Tonge moor green jacket said:

 

Like most things, this lot are worse than many.

 

The "Dart" project has been going on since well before Covid, the 3 year development contract expired last year and a go-ahead was required under the "Rapid Capabilities" umbrella... the new "UK Defence Investment Plan" due last year still does not have a release date.

As you say, this government are worse than many and the Dart's development company has gone pop owing to no further state investment, the RAF does not have a replacement for the Hawk lined up and are running out of aircraft... hence the Red Arrows losing out.

12 hours ago, Spider said:

I always knew we could have a Barney about anything on here, but red arrow planes is some going 😊

It's a symptom... the Red Arrows were always a symbol of UK excellence on the world stage, whenever there was an export drive or event, the  Red Arrows would be there with the best of British.

No one gives a toss anymore, we're left with seven aging ships, then there will be five and then...

We can buy advanced trainers off the shelf from Turkey just like Spain but they are not noted for aerobatic teams selling their national expertise.

Just give up and accept our decline is what I am beginning to believe

 

No doubt they play a part in projecting British military excellence, and furthering sales agreements.

Lots of nations have display teams, and we shouldn't degrade ours.