Royal Australian Air Force [RAAF] News, Discussions and Updates

[SpazSinbad]

Thanks. In my way I was attempting to explain my shortcomings. One would be short term memory caused by whatever - meds or condition or just lack of proper sleep. However I'm going OK. An angiogram at Penrith Hospital judged no stents needed so managed by pills. Trouble is the pill regime is changed regularly requiring adjustment and sometimes I don't adjust well. This is one of those times I think. I'm walkin' and talkin' though (perhaps not at the same time). Sorry to hear your wife had a difficult time - I'm told the stent can be life saving for sure. That is good news and encouraging. Modern medicine can work miracles not available only years ago. Knowledge advances quickly. I consider myself very lucky.

 

[ngatimozart]

Thanks and you are right about medical advances. Anyway we have sidetracked the thread enough. You take care shippers.

 

[SpazSinbad]

TV 9 News reports our first two F-35As will be on way soon via Hawaii & Guam to arrive (all being well) 10 Dec 2018 in Oz at AMBERLEY then moving down to Willyton.

Controversial F35 stealth fighter jets to touch down in Australia 02 Dec 2018

 

[SpazSinbad]

Two RAAF F-35As are due to start 03 Dec 2018 from Luke AFB. USAF report 29 Nov 2018

RAAF prepares F-35s for historic arrival > Luke Air Force Base > Article Display

More details in AUSTRALIAN (first you don't see but try again then you do is my experience)

Darren Clare flying into history, with ‘lucky’ red socks 30 Nov 2018 Cameron Stewart

"...Weather permitting, they plan to take off from Luke on Monday morning US time (early Tuesday, Australian time) and fly for 6½ hours, with mid-air refuelling, to Hickam air force Base in Hawaii. The next day they plan to fly 8½ hours to Anderson air force base in Guam then, after a rest day, the final six hours to RAAF base Amberley, west of Brisbane. On Monday, December 10, the two F-35s will make a ceremonial flight from Amberley to their future base at RAAF base Williamtown in NSW accompanied by an escort of the planes they will replace — the F/A-18 classic Hornet that entered service in 1984.... The arrival of the first two F-35s will be followed by another two planes in April and then a regular ferry of new planes until 2023-24 when the entire fleet will have arrived." Nocookies

 

[SpazSinbad]

Have not seen the aircraft named so here they are - the first two - suitably upgraded to latest standard I'll guess, probably info about that somewhere or when they arrive....

"...The first two aircraft (AU-1 and AU-2) are due to arrive at Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Base Williamtown in New South Wales on 10 December, the Department of Defence (DoD) disclosed on 3 December.... 04 Dec 2018 Australia prepares to receive F-35A | Jane's 360

 

[oldsig127]

Have not seen the aircraft named so here they are - the first two - suitably upgraded to latest standard I'll guess, probably info about that somewhere or when they arrive....

I'll believe that when I see it. The first two aircraft are serials A35-001 and A35-002 unless we're going to be alone using manufacturers numbers. And there are several contradictory reports saying the the first two are A35-009 and A35-010

oldsig

(Edit: fast fingers. Left out that the aircraft being sent are to the latest standard, most easily acheived by having two that were built to that standard)

 

[SpazSinbad]

I'll believe that when I see it. The first two aircraft are serials A35-001 and A35-002 unless we're going to be alone using manufacturers numbers. And there are several contradictory reports saying the the first two are A35-009 and A35-010
oldsig
(Edit: fast fingers. Left out that the aircraft being sent are to the latest standard, most easily acheived by having two that were built to that standard)

Fair enough whilst you were 'fast fingering' I was also researching those impossible side numbers. It makes sense to have the last two of our so far ten make the journey to Oz for 'validation & verification' testing because they are the latest with the greatest and probably the LEAST number of flying hours - so FRESH. And...

"...Northrop Grumman delivered the first RAAF F-35 centre fuselage for AU-1 in October 2013. AU-1 and AU-2 have been based at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona since late 2014 as part of the International Pilot Training Center there. Of the next eight jets, two will ferry to Australia in 2018 for Australian operational test and evaluation, while the other six will be based at Luke for pilot training before being ferrying to Australia in 2020." 31 Jan 2017 Centre fuselages for next RAAF F-35s in production - Australian Aviation

I'm getting bored senseless by the lack of research by most journalists about what they write. It must be a shitty job making stuff up.

 

[SpazSinbad]

Some interesting terminology on TWATTER but hey I don't join it - just directed to it (hashtag WTF?): Golf9 on Twitter

"ASY1023flt (2xF-35A RAAF) landed Hickam AFB HI at 0151z. They were towed by ASY824. ASY824 (KC-30A A39-002) landed Hickam AFB HI at 0203z.

"...A35-009 and A35-010..." Lightnings about to strike with first two RAAF F-35s on their way home - Australian Aviation

 

[SpazSinbad]

The gang's all here - two of them anyway - at AMBERLEY yesterday - getting set for the big day at WILLYtown on the 10th (wx permitting - the RAAF website has best viewing sites down the coast). Anyhoo: RAAF: Storm Front Approaching! 04 Dec 2018

MAP of same (much better) on the website above with details saying the pair flew from HICKAM to AMBERLEY direct? Winds/WX must have been favourable? Just over 4,000 NM via Google Earth Great Circle Hickam/Amberley measurement.

"...The two F-35’s are wearing No.3 Squadron emblems on their vertical stabilisers and are aircraft 09 and 10 (Serials: A35-009 and A35-010 respectively). The aircraft departed Luke AFB on Monday the 3rd of December at 12:30pm(U.S. time) and stopped over at Hickham AFB in Hawaii Tuesday night (AEST time) and completed their journey across the Pacific from Hickham to Amberley in nine hours under the callsign Aussie 1023...."

 

[t68]

Well when the two new/old MRTT arrive for the RAAF maybe we can forget about converting one to VIP, Mexico wants to divest itself of ther former Presidential 787 its a one off in RAAF colours but get Qantas to service it commercially


Mexico's presidential 787 being put into storage pending sale


I really like some of the new policy's of the current president, this alone will get scomo re-elected

At the rally, Lopez Obrador ticked off other populist campaign promises, including ending the pensions for ex-presidents and a pay cut for senior government officials that he described as significant money savers.

 

[SpazSinbad]

A 787?! Does our PM have that many 'hangers-on'? Maybe if he takes me for a ride every now and then I would be OK with it. I well recall seeing a QANTAS 747 for the first time down at Avalon where they would carry out touch and goes/approaches and I guess a full stop every now and then. This was 1969-70 with our Sea Venom temporarily based there for trials with a destroyer in Port Phillip Bay, or off the gunnery range at bippidybop (West Head?). Anyhoo I was invited into the monster - entering from rear stairway. OMG!

A 787 requires large airfields so it is less useful travelling around Oz probably. PM should get what he/she is given.

 

[Trackmaster]

A 787?! Does our PM have that many 'hangers-on'? Maybe if he takes me for a ride every now and then I would be OK with it. I well recall seeing a QANTAS 747 for the first time down at Avalon where they would carry out touch and goes/approaches and I guess a full stop every now and then. This was 1969-70 with our Sea Venom temporarily based there for trials with a destroyer in Port Phillip Bay, or off the gunnery range at bippidybop (West Head?). Anyhoo I was invited into the monster - entering from rear stairway. OMG!

A 787 requires large airfields so it is less useful travelling around Oz probably. PM should get what he/she is given.

And then there will be the interesting tasking challenge with the VIP configured MRTT.
Will it be the Governor General, will it be the PM or other tasks?
And will it be an Australian Government aircraft, as opposed to an RAAF aircraft?

 

[t68]

A 787?! Does our PM have that many 'hangers-on'? Maybe if he takes me for a ride every now and then I would be OK with it. I well recall seeing a QANTAS 747 for the first time down at Avalon where they would carry out touch and goes/approaches and I guess a full stop every now and then. This was 1969-70 with our Sea Venom temporarily based there for trials with a destroyer in Port Phillip Bay, or off the gunnery range at bippidybop (West Head?). Anyhoo I was invited into the monster - entering from rear stairway. OMG!

A 787 requires large airfields so it is less useful travelling around Oz probably. PM should get what he/she is given.

Well the 737 BBJ are apparently too small, they were talking A330/777 it is an opportunity buy its only 3 years old and all ready decked out by the slide show it would rival AF1, I reckon they can also get John Travolta to fly it

Airbus A330, Boeing 777 as next VIP jet for Australian PM?


Here's the inside of some rich buggers 787,

Photos: Inside a Boeing 787 private VIP jet

 

[Milne Bay]

The gang's all here - two of them anyway - at AMBERLEY yesterday - getting set for the big day at WILLYtown on the 10th (wx permitting - the RAAF website has best viewing sites down the coast). Anyhoo: RAAF: Storm Front Approaching! 04 Dec 2018

MAP of same (much better) on the website above with details saying the pair flew from HICKAM to AMBERLEY direct? Winds/WX must have been favourable? Just over 4,000 NM via Google Earth Great Circle Hickam/Amberley measurement.

They just flew over Port Macquarie NSW unless my eyes are worse than I thought.
Should be a good show down Williamtown way this morning
MB

 

[SpazSinbad]

They have arrived at RAAF Williamtown today at 1000 hours according to 'another forum' poster.

 

[Redlands18]

They have arrived at RAAF Williamtown today at 1000 hours according to 'another forum' poster.

Yes I watched it on Sky News landed about 10.20am AEDT, unfortunately had to put up with the dreadful Drivel that passed for Commentary by the Sky News presenter, apparently we have ordered 100 F-35s of both A & B models, the Pilots have only been trg at Luke for a few Months and the best of the lot we got our first Super Hornets in 1984!!!!

 

[King Wally]

Very proud day!

Then I log into news.com.au and see the headline... "‘Trillion-dollar turkeys’ touch-down"

I am honestly surprised the Australian public still supports defence investment when this is the BS we get fed by the media these days. If we're not careful we'll be in a NZ / Canadian mindset in 15 years time. You can only grow up reading this stuff for so long before you demand politicians yank spending back down to 1% and divert money into 2nd school halls or something.

 

[John Newman]

Yes I watched it on Sky News landed about 10.20am AEDT, unfortunately had to put up with the dreadful Drivel that passed for Commentary by the Sky News presenter, apparently we have ordered 100 F-35s of both A & B models, the Pilots have only been trg at Luke for a few Months and the best of the lot we got our first Super Hornets in 1984!!!!

Mate, you know there is a very simple solution to that?

Hit the MUTE button then you don't have to listen to crap!

I actually did this when I was watching ABC News this morning looking for some vision or reporting of the arrival.

While I was watching, they switched to some vision of that wanker Andrew Greene (their so called defence reporter) interviewing some execs from LM, and as soon as he said 'F-35' and 'lemon' in the same sentence I hit the MUTE button.

Problem solved!!!

Cheers,

 

[Redlands18]

Mate, you know there is a very simple solution to that?

Hit the MUTE button then you don't have to listen to crap!

I actually did this when I was watching ABC News this morning looking for some vision or reporting of the arrival.

While I was watching, they switched to some vision of that wanker Andrew Greene (their so called defence reporter) interviewing some execs from LM, and as soon as he said 'F-35' and 'lemon' in the same sentence I hit the MUTE button.

Problem solved!!!

Cheers,

Unfortunately it mutes the sound of the Aircraft as well. May have been the same guy your talking about, his lack of knowledge is scary.

 

[Redlands18]

Very proud day!

Then I log into news.com.au and see the headline... "‘Trillion-dollar turkeys’ touch-down"

I am honestly surprised the Australian public still supports defence investment when this is the BS we get fed by the media these days. If we're not careful we'll be in a NZ / Canadian mindset in 15 years time. You can only grow up reading this stuff for so long before you demand politicians yank spending back down to 1% and divert money into 2nd school halls or something.

If it ain't a story about either the Bachelor or the Royals I wouldn't trust that Site if they reported the Sky is Blue and Grass is Green, certainly wouldn't know the difference between a F-15 Eagle and a T-90 MBT.