the more virulent amongst them also fail to understand that even those who are supportive of the aircraft have made it pretty clear that the program model and execution of it was optimistic and have been quite critical of it.
That's the main issue, when people talk rubbish about how a good or not an aircraft can be it's only on a platform v platform basis.
Yep, from some angles it doesn't look to good, but from others it looks fantastic, strange...
It actually is, and to be honest compared to the F-15, I thought the same thing about the F-22 untill I saw it up close and personal and saw it fly, amazing, and I can't wait until we see the F-35 out on the Air Show circuit. Like you GF I wasn't a big fan, I hate the cancellation of the F-22, which is also a very smart aircraft and far more capable than even supposedly smart folks on DT will give it credit for, in fact in reference to the F-22 some DTalkers are reminiscient of the clown club. Lots of folks don't know lots about the F-22 as it remains highly classifed, makes it an easy target for the "experts". I would remind all that I broke the news of the grounding and shortly thereafter a prediction that its grounding would be short lived, as I was aware that nearly half the hours on that engine were run on the ground, and that means LOTS OF HEAT, and LITTLE Airflow, very hard on any engine, but especially on the F-135 that gains much of its efficiency from running at the very top of the green, temp wise, it requires a lot of air to get the op temps down to a livable range, the only crack discovered on the whole fleet, so that is very reassuring.
It's very, very difficult to find that kind of information, and to be honest you're better served by reading through the more informed discussions on some forums than going by military aviation documentaries, which these days are sadly lacking in depth or detail. My only advice would be to watch "Battle of the X-Planes", which is available in full on youtube courtesy of PBS, and while this will not answer your questions about the platform, it does provide a very interesting look at the initial stages of the competition and both Lockheed-Martin and Boeing's attempts to build a contender. Worth watching.
First of all mate, it's not "your" F-22A or F-35A, so acting like you're actually responsible somehow for them, is getting more than a little tiring.
IMO it looks like a far better looking aircraft than Boeings X-32 with the mahoosive air intake on it's chin, but saying that it always looked like it had a big smiley face on it because of the shape of the intake
Thanks Bonza watching the doco right now actually, 2 hours long but well worth the watch I found.
I always liked the X-32 because it looked so damned ugly. It looked like someone tried to make a "Silent" A-7.IMO it looks like a far better looking aircraft than Boeings X-32 with the mahoosive air intake on it's chin, but saying that it always looked like it had a big smiley face on it because of the shape of the intake
But you are right, from some angles it looks short, stubby with stumpy wings.
I am angry that production of the F-22 was cancelled by politicians who pedal pork, I was pointing out that if similar criticism of the F-35 results in her sharing her big sisters fate, then you might have a little more empathy with my point of view. I will continue to defend the F-22, just as I do the F-35, I certainly give Flight Global and the Air Force Mags Daily Report full credit, if you will check my posts I almost always sight my source. While I am very proud of my Dad, and thanks for reminding all that he faithfully served his country, I am also a product of that life and am proud of that as well as being a private pilot, and having worked as an aircraft mechanic.
You can be angry at politicians all you want but that isn't what you said, what you said was that members here were unnecessarily bashing the F-22 to the point of being similar in their level of commentary to one of the most biased, agenda-driven and maliciously dishonest sources of information on the internet. So while your frustrations may (justifiably) be with the politicians, don't shift gears now and pretend you were saying something that you weren't.
You didn't seem to be giving them full credit when you said:
In fact you seemed to be taking credit for some level of knowledge beyond that of the posters here, and that your "breaking news" somehow served as a point of credibility. You have the same entitlements as any other poster here - no more, no less. You'd be wise to remember that.
Once again, that wasn't a point you made in your original post. I think what happened was you took something someone had said about the F-22 a bit too personally, and reacted accordingly. Which post was it that set you off, by the way? I'd be interested to know which posters here you consider on par with the "clown club".
Whatever makes you feel better.
