WW1 Biplanes in modern Air To Air Combat

**Jimmy** · 13 Dec 07,, 00:51

I'm not sure that's the point to get hung up on when you're discussing an alternate history book involving time travel.

**Speedy** · 13 Dec 07,, 10:52

Originally Posted by dalem

Years ago someone wrote a fun short story about a test pilot for some new super jet fighter getting shot back in time to WWI France.

There were some fun descriptions of how useless his super jet was against biplanes - poor radar locks, no heat signatures strong enough, and he was too fast for simple gun kills.

Eventually he just shockwaved a squadron or two to pieces with a well-timed sonic boom or something.

Fun read.

-dale

If you like that you should love this.

Amazon.com: Weapons of Choice (The Axis of Time Trilogy, Book 1): Books: John Birmingham

**Newguy** · 24 Dec 07,, 17:03

I remember reading about the Israelis using a F-16 to take out Hamas ultralights. They just flew by them and let the turbulence collapse the ULs wings.

**Bluesman** · 24 Dec 07,, 19:05

I remember the 'poor man's air force' lede in a white paper I read at Ft Meade. Ultrlights, hang gliders, and parasails, all used in efforts to get over the wire and mines the Israelis were using to stop the Pallie terrorists' infiltration attempts.

A border post up near the Golan Heights put up a joke sign that translated into something like 'HQ, Umpteenth Infantry Regiment, AA Detachment', after one of the sentries fired his entire ammo loadout to grease a hang glider pilot that had turned around after passing safely by the post, about 500 meters away. What he was looking for is anybody's guess, because after Private Schmulie's fusilade and the resultant crash, the pilot was in no shape to answer questions.

However...in one spectacular success, one guerilla managed to kill six IDF soldiers. So, it's kind of a funny joke when they're being buffoons, but when they actually pull off a low-odds attack, it brings you back to the reality that they just have to get it right ONCE.

All the idiotic plots and buffoonish execution of the grand plans that failed, and the amateurish appearance in the after-action reports come into focus when WE screw up so bad that even these mooks can hit us hard enough to kill 3,000 people, destroy a major part of our biggest city, break down the walls of our military headquarters, and destroy four airplanes.

**ArmchairGeneral** · 24 Dec 07,, 19:13

Van Rosen and the Biafrans had some success with the Saab MFI9 MiniCoin aircraft.

**omon** · 24 Dec 07,, 19:23

element of surprise, is what makes the difference, sure any modern fighter plane can shread a ultralight to shreads, if it is up in the air,
enemy always looking for new ways to hit, ways that we are not prepared for, it sure works, once.
us has strongest military, and can defeat pbly any other military, but enemy know that, and will use ways that convential force isn,t accostomed to , can't fight the wind with umbrella, no matter how big and strong it is.

**Newguy** · 25 Dec 07,, 03:11

The Antonov An-2 is supposed to have a pretty small radar signature. It is still in use (by the N. Koreans). I think that is a plan of the NK if there is a conflict with the SK.

**glyn** · 25 Dec 07,, 10:44

Originally Posted by Newguy

The Antonov An-2 is supposed to have a pretty small radar signature. It is still in use (by the N. Koreans). I think that is a plan of the NK if there is a conflict with the SK.

It is actually a large all metal machine with slab sides so to reduce its radar visibility it will have to operate at extremely low level.

**entropy** · 25 Dec 07,, 17:27

I have mentioned the primitive U-2/Po-2 before. Saw use in Korea and Vietnam as a scout and a bomber. The good gliding ability, low speed, silent engine, and simplicity and robustness made it a good night bomber.