Re: [GZG] Question about comment

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In a message dated 12/10/2006 3:15:06 PM Eastern Standard Time,  
glenn-wilson-1950@sbcglobal.net writes:

Message: 4 Date: Thu, 7 Dec 2006 08:29:54 -0800 (PST) From:  Charles Lee

Subject: Re: [GZG]  [FT]Multi-abilityfightercostings To: 
gzg-l@lists.csua.berkeley.edu  Message-ID:
<532283.1468.qm@web51313.mail.yahoo.com> Content-Type:	
text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1 Please look at the cost of the F18
Hornet. It  
doesn't carry long range AA Missles of the F14 nor the bomb load of the
A6 or  
even the survivability of the lesser ohf the two. It can't jam radar
without  add 
on bomb pac loads. The pilots don't win the world contests either as
they  
are expected to do all jobs with a minimal training and little practice.
What  
they do well is ..... well fly and die in face of specialized  forces.

My reply:

I would like to see some numbers on when the  F/A-18 has suffered the
kind of 
losses suggested here...

The F/A-18 is  the last choice of the main line USAF/USN fighters
introduced 
from the 1907's  until today in my mind (F16, F15 and then (retired) F14
for 
me if I don't  consider the F-22 since it still is 'new kid on the
block' 
status.)  But  this plane seems to do adequately in real life if not the
my 
personal  favorite.  The failure to replace the A6 with a specialised
attack	
aircraft seems to be driven by economic reasons (training, spare parts,
etc.)  
pushing doctrine and the F/A-18's ability to deliver the Air to Sea/Mud 
payloads 
gives the USN a chance to see if their theories actually will work in 
combat.  
Assuming the plane is not retired before an adequate 'test'  occurs...

Um, I am not sure where this info comes from. But the F/A-13 Hornet is
the  
top line aircraft prefered by Navy and Marine pilots in the US and its
allies.  
There is a reason it was choosen as the aircraft for the famed Blue
Angels 
and  it aint because it lacks power, lacks manueverablity...  In combat
it  
reaches speeds in access of 1100mph and carried a max oridnance load of 
1600lbs. 
All this and able to swap from fighter to bomber back to  fighter in the
same 
mission. Care to tell me another aircraft capable of  this function?
 
Vince J.