FB-111, so why B-1B? - Page 2

Jimmy · 09-01-2007, 18:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gunnut

Just like the B-2 will be replaced by the B-52 in 2040.

Hilarious, but I'm not willing to bet against it.

gunnut · 09-02-2007, 07:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glyn

In fact many thought it the jewel in the USAF crown. It gave the Soviets the willies and they paid it the compliment of (very nearly) copying it in the Su-24. They still insisted that the F-111 fleet was removed from service in 'The Talks'.

I am very surprised by that. It was something between a bomber and fighter. It really couldn't fight. It could bomb, but didn't really have the long range to threaten targets deep in the Soviet Union.

Good thing they bought the bluff.

gunnut · 09-02-2007, 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimmy

Hilarious, but I'm not willing to bet against it.

B-52 will be 100 before it retires from active duty. Even then, the fleet will be placed in mothball, ready to be called back into service. They will be reactivated in 2085 and stay to become the dominant bomber of the early 22nd century.

glyn · 09-02-2007, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gunnut

I am very surprised by that. It was something between a bomber and fighter. It really couldn't fight. It could bomb, but didn't really have the long range to threaten targets deep in the Soviet Union.

Good thing they bought the bluff.

And I'm surprised that you're surprised

The F-111 series were particularly good machines. I have the Flight Manuals for only 3 of the models (A, E & G), and these unfortunately lack the -1,-1s (performance data) which would have the range tables in nomogram form. The G model had a normal maximum fuel load of 5,049 US gallons, which I find pretty respectable. Extra tanks could be put in the bomb bays. The type was cleared for the carriage of a wide range of stores up to Mach 2.5 and for their release at up to Mach 2.0. Although deceptively bearing the F designation the type was not primarily a fighter but it was cleared to use air-to-air missiles. You are a hard man to please gunnut! It impressed me. As an aside I saw one belonging to the R Australian AF demonstrated in New Zealand last year. It did its 'dump and burn' party piece which wowed the crowd at Wanaka.

dalem · 09-02-2007, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gunnut

I am very surprised by that. It was something between a bomber and fighter. It really couldn't fight. It could bomb, but didn't really have the long range to threaten targets deep in the Soviet Union.

Good thing they bought the bluff.

One time, playing Victory Games "2nd Fleet" boardgame, all I ended up with mid-game as NATO CAP over, I believe, Iceland was a squadron of F-111s - not the best result. I gamely intercepted a strike of Bears escorted by MiG-31s and got super-lucky. The MiGs rolled a "1" and the F-111s rolled a "10" and actually eliminated the Foxhounds.

I guess they came out of the sun or something. Pretty fun, and unexpected. The Bears went home.

-dale

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